Oktoberfest 2026 opened in Munich on Saturday, September 19, and runs until Sunday, October 4. Entry to the main festival grounds and beer tents is free, but visitors should not mistake free admission for a low-cost day out. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest?utm_source=openai))
A one-litre Maß of beer costs €14.80 to €15.90 in 2026, with large tents charging at least €14.90. A careful visitor might spend €45 to €60 after reaching central Munich, while two beers, a substantial meal, non-alcoholic drinks and a few attractions can push a realistic daily budget to €80–€115 per person.
How much does beer cost at Oktoberfest 2026?
The official price range for a litre of Oktoberfest beer is €14.80 to €15.90, with an average of €15.61. Prices in the large festival tents range from €14.90 at Augustiner-Festhalle to €15.90 at several venues. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries?utm_source=openai))
Prices vary because there is no single festival-wide tariff. The individual hosts and breweries set their prices, while the City of Munich checks whether they are reasonable rather than fixing the final amount. Official information does not provide a detailed cost breakdown, so the price cannot reliably be attributed to one factor such as staffing, ingredients or tent operations. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries?utm_source=openai))
Only beer from Munich’s six traditional Oktoberfest breweries is served: Augustiner, Hacker-Pschorr, Hofbräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner and Spaten. The festival beers contain between 5.3% and 6.6% alcohol by volume, making it sensible to pace a one-litre serving carefully. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries?utm_source=openai))
A realistic Oktoberfest budget for one day
These estimates cover spending in and around the festival after arriving in central Munich. They do not include flights, long-distance trains, airport transfers or accommodation, which should be calculated separately.
Budget visit: approximately €45–€60
This works best for a shorter weekday visit without paid rides:
- One Maß of beer: €14.80–€15.90
- One meal or substantial snack: allow €20–€30
- Water or another non-alcoholic drink: allow €6–€13
- Attractions and souvenirs: none
The food and soft-drink amounts are planning allowances rather than fixed festival prices. Menus and serving sizes differ between tents. Official average prices per litre are €11.13 for water, €12.47 for lemonade and €12.84 for Spezi, a mix of cola and orange soda. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries?utm_source=openai))
Typical full visit: approximately €80–€115
A longer afternoon and evening could include:
- Two Maß beers: €29.60–€31.80
- A main meal and another snack: allow €30–€45
- Water or soft drinks: allow €10–€15
- Rides, games or small purchases: allow €10–€20
This is a more useful target for travellers who want to enjoy the festival without monitoring every purchase. A third beer alone adds another €14.80–€15.90, before any tip or additional food.
Entry is free, but Oide Wiesn costs extra
The main Oktoberfest grounds and beer tents have no admission charge. Reservations are not compulsory, and tents retain areas where visitors can find seats without booking, although arriving early is the safer strategy during busy periods. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest?utm_source=openai))
Oide Wiesn, the enclosed historical section at the southern end of the grounds, charges €4 for visitors aged 15 and over. Children aged 14 and under enter free, and admission is free for everyone after 9 p.m. Its vintage rides cost €1.50 each. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/oide-wiesn-historic-oktoberfest?utm_source=openai))
Oide Wiesn can be a good choice for travellers seeking traditional music, historic attractions and a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere. Its cultural programmes are included in the admission price.
Opening hours and the best time to arrive
The main festival grounds follow these standard hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 10 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m.–midnight
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–midnight
- Sunday: 9 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
- German Unity Day, October 3: 9 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
Large beer tents generally stop serving beer at 10:30 p.m. Small and medium-sized tents continue until 11 p.m., while Käfer’s Wiesn-Schänke and Kuffler’s Weinzelt have later closing times. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/visitor-service/oktoberfest-munich-opening-hours?utm_source=openai))
Visitors without reservations should consider arriving on a weekday morning or around lunchtime. Saturdays, Sundays and the October 3 public holiday are likely to require more flexibility, particularly for groups hoping to sit together.
Practical rules international visitors should know
Travel by public transport or on foot
The City of Munich recommends reaching Theresienwiese by U-Bahn, S-Bahn or on foot. There are no dedicated visitor car parks next to the festival grounds. Keep local transport and any airport journey as separate lines in your budget. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest?utm_source=openai))
Bring only a very small bag
Permitted bags and backpacks may hold no more than three litres and must not exceed 20 × 15 × 10 centimetres. Travellers arriving with larger luggage should arrange storage before entering the grounds. ([muenchen.de](https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest?utm_source=openai))
Do not rely on the beer price alone
Beer may be the most visible expense, but food, non-alcoholic drinks, transport and attractions determine the real cost of the day. A sensible plan is to set separate limits for drinks, meals and entertainment—and retain an emergency reserve outside the festival budget.
For most international visitors, €80–€115 per person is a practical festival-day allowance once they are in central Munich. Travellers planning only one beer and a simple meal may manage on €45–€60, while anyone adding several drinks, rides and souvenirs should expect to exceed €120.
Sources
- https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/information/oktoberfest-opening-times/opening-hours-munich-oktoberfest
- Oide Wiesn 2026 – Munich’s Historic Oktoberfest — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/oide-wiesn-historic-oktoberfest
- Oktoberfest 2026: Beer prices and breweries — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries
- Oktoberfest 2026 opening hours — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/visitor-service/oktoberfest-munich-opening-hours
- Official Oktoberfest beer prices — https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/information/beer-price
- https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/beer-tents/beer-tent-opening-times
- Oktoberfest in Munich from 19 September to 4 October 2026 — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest
- https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/oktoberfest/besucher-service/die-oeffnungszeiten-des-oktoberfests-muenchen
- https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/oktoberfest/bier-preise-2026-wiesn-mass
- https://www.muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/oktoberfest
- https://www.oktoberfest.de/en/information/service-for-visitors/faqs-for-wiesn-visitors
- https://www.oktoberfest.de/informationen/die-oeffnungszeiten-des-oktoberfests
- https://stadt.muenchen.de/dam/jcr%3Ae0e9aaae-effa-41a2-ba1e-0aaf832f5105/220805_oktoberfest-offtothewiesn22EN.pdf
- https://www.mvv-muenchen.de/fileadmin/mediapool/06-Freizeit_Events/01-Bilder/Oktoberfest/uk_oktoberfestflyer_140623.pdf
- https://ip102.redaktion.mvv-muenchen.de/fileadmin/mediapool/06-Freizeit_Events/01-Bilder/Oktoberfest/uk_oktoberfestflyer_140623.pdf
- https://www.muenchen.de/sites/default/files/2025-10/Motifcompetition-conditionsofentry-Final_2026.pdf
- Oktoberfest in Munich: Program, Tents, Map and more – muenchen.de — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest?utm_source=openai
- Oktoberfest: Beer prices 2026 and breweries – muenchen.de — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/beer-prices-2026-breweries?utm_source=openai
- Oide Wiesn – the historic Oktoberfest – muenchen.de — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/oide-wiesn-historic-oktoberfest?utm_source=openai
- Oktoberfest 2026: Opening Hours for the Wiesn and Beer Tents – muenchen.de — https://www.muenchen.de/en/events/oktoberfest/visitor-service/oktoberfest-munich-opening-hours?utm_source=openai
Marcel Macko
I’m most interested in technology, the internet, bizarre news, and stories that make you stop and think, “There’s no way this can actually be true.” I follow what’s happening both at home and around the world and pick the topics I think are worth paying attention to. On Pitchoviny, I try to present them simply, factually, and without unnecessarily sensational headlines.
