Only a few days left until the tapping of the first barrel—then it’s three weeks of chaos in Munich again. Especially for those of you who are visiting the Wiesn for the first time this year, the world’s largest folk festival might seem a bit overwhelming. That’s why, in our Wiesn Guide, we ’re providing you with important tips for Oktoberfest and the key information you should know ahead of time. But even the old-timers can still learn a thing or two—after all, there are plenty of new things to discover at Oktoberfest every year.
Wiesn Warm-Ups
Even before the first keg is tapped, you can get in the mood at one of the many Wiesn warm-ups. The parties and events entice visitors with beer, music, and special offers. So throw on your traditional attire and get ready for Oktoberfest 2026! Here’s a small selection:
- September 6: At OGWANDLN in the Schlosscafé Palmenhaus, it’s all about traditional attire—from buying to upcycling.
- September 16: At the Macherei on Quartiersplatz, you’ll not only get 50 liters of free beer but also the chance to win a table at Oktoberfest!
Getting to Oktoberfest
You’ve arrived in Munich, found your accommodations, and gotten into the spirit at the warm-up event. Now it’s finally time to head to the actual festival! Ideally, you’ll travel by public transit. If you’re coming from the main train station, you can walk to the Theresienwiese. If you’d rather take the subway, just take the U4 or U5 and get off at the Theresienwiese station. Alternatively, you can take the U3 or U6 to Goetheplatz, and you’ll be there in just a few minutes.
Traveling directly by car is not recommended, as parking is limited. Instead, park your car at a P+R lot and continue your journey by S-Bahn or U-Bahn. Thanks to the MVV’s Web2Wallet, you can conveniently purchase tickets via your smartphone without having to register or download an app.
Safety at Oktoberfest
For safety reasons, certain items are not allowed on the festival grounds. In addition, bags with a volume of up to three liters are permitted. They should not exceed the dimensions of 20 x 15 x 10 cm. You can check larger bags at the luggage storage area, but there is a fee for this service.
At the entrances, security may check your bags for prohibited items. These include aerosol cans containing harmful or corrosive substances. You can bring drinks, but no glass bottles. Umbrellas and walking aids are allowed.
In addition, the SafeNow app will be in use again. The app allows you to create groups and send an alert to them in case of an incident. Your location is also shared. If you’re in a SafeNow zone, the security personnel on site will also be notified. You can download the app here.
Beer Prices and Paying at the Wiesn
A Maß of beer will cost between €14.90 and €15.80 this year. This means the price has gone up again. You can only get the €14.90 Maß at the Augustiner Festhalle, the Familienplatzl, and the Museumszelt. In the Weinzelt, a Maß of wheat beer costs as much as €18.40! However, this is not an Oktoberfest beer; Oktoberfest beer may only come from the six major breweries.
Many vendors now accept card payments, so you can go cashless both in the tents and at the food stands and rides. It’s still advisable to carry some cash to avoid any unpleasant surprises. There are also ATMs on the festival grounds, but watch out for any fees!
Save Money at Oktoberfest
The Wiesn is notoriously expensive, but there are a few ways to keep your spending in check— at least a little. Both Tuesdays are Family Days, and until 7 p.m. you’ll get discounts on all rides and some treats like chocolate-covered fruit or roasted almonds. Admission to the Oide Wiesn costs money during the day, but after 9 p.m. you can visit for free. The rides here cost just €1.50.
You can also bring your own drinks to the Theresienwiese, and there are drinking fountains where you can refill them. However, they’re not allowed inside the festival tents, so you should empty your bottles beforehand.
After-Wiesn Parties
After Oktoberfest is before Oktoberfest. Once the fun in the tents is long over, things really get going in Munich’s clubs. Every day, after-parties take place throughout the city in a wide variety of clubs and bars where you can keep the party going. These include, for example, the Wiens-Club right behind the Bavaria statue, the P1, or the Substanz. You can find a guide to the post-Wiesn parties here.
Lost and Found
At a folk festival with millions of visitors, it’s easy for things to go missing. The Wiesn has its own lost and found office, which, starting this year, is located at the Transportation Center of the Deutsches Museum on Theresienhöhe. You can stop by here daily between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. to retrieve your lost items. Additionally, the lost and found office will be open on Monday, October 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. If you’re unable to pick up your items by then, you’ll have the opportunity to do so from November 2, 2026, through January 22, 2027, at the KVR Lost and Found Office on Implerstraße.
We hope you all have a great time at the Wiesn and that our tips for Oktoberfest are helpful to you!
