Let’s be honest: You don’t go to Oktoberfest to save money. A day at the festival can easily cost 100–150€ —and how many of us really only go once? But there are a few ways to keep expenses in check, at least a little. We’ll share a few tricks to help you save money at Oktoberfest.
Buy secondhand traditional attire
The first tip for saving money at Oktoberfest starts even before the actual event. Traditional attire isn’t a must at Oktoberfest, but for many people, wearing it is simply part of the experience. A good traditional outfit is also an investment for life. Still, you don’t have to spend a fortune on it—especially if you’re only wearing it in the beer tent. There are plenty of ways to buy dirndls, lederhosen, and accessories secondhand, whether at a flea market, in specialty shops, or online. This way, you’ll save quite a bit of money, support sustainability, and still end up with a stylish outfit!
Snag discounts on Family Afternoons
This tip is especially for fans of the rides. Both Tuesdays at Oktoberfest are traditionally Family Days. Until 7 p.m., you’ll get discounts on all rides and some treats at the food stands, like chocolate-covered fruit or roasted almonds. These discounts aren’t just for families with children— they apply to all Oktoberfest visitors. You can also get the famous gingerbread hearts at a lower price. If you’d like to take one home as a souvenir for yourself or your loved ones, be sure to buy it on Family Day if possible. And if you ’d like to try out lots of rides, you should take advantage of these days as well.
As is well known, the Oide Wiesn charges an admission fee, which surely deters some people. However, you can visit it for free starting at 9:00 p.m. The tents are open every day until 11:30 p.m., so you still have two and a half hours to party. The outdoor area has the same hours as the rest of Oktoberfest, so on Fridays and Saturdays you can check out the attractions and sample the food at the stalls until midnight, and on the other days until 11:30 p.m. The rides also cost only €1.50, so you can ride the carousel or bumper cars for just a little money.
Bring your own water bottle
Many people aren’t aware that you’re allowed to bring your own drinks to the Wiesn. You can only bring them into the festival tents, though. In addition, there are drinking fountains all over the grounds where you can refill your empty bottles —as long as you empty them again before entering the tent. This way, you can at least save the money you’d spend on the “ZwiWa.” If you’d rather spend your time wandering the food stall rows anyway, bringing your own bottle is the best way to stay hydrated. Keep in mind, though, that glass bottles aren’t allowed .
Enjoy a Weißwurst breakfast
There’s nothing quite like a good white sausage with a pretzel and sweet mustard for breakfast. If you want to fuel up the classic Bavarian way on a weekday morning, you should stop by the Glöcklewirt. Here, from Monday through Friday until noon, the Weißwurst costs just 99 cents each— a real bargain! And the visit is doubly worthwhile, because the rustic tent also captivates with its unique decor. Numerous antiques adorn the walls here. Thanks to the limited number of seats, there’s also a wonderfully cozy atmosphere.
