Oktoberfest 2026 Opens in Munich - Prices, Tents and Travel Tips

Munich’s Oktoberfest returned on 19 September, beginning with the traditional midday keg tapping inside the Schottenhamel tent. The 16-day festival takes over the Theresienwiese until 4 October, with large beer halls, rides, music and traditional Bavarian events. Visitors do not need a ticket to enter the main festival area or its beer tents, and reserving a table is not compulsory.

Oktoberfest 2026: Prices, Hours and Getting There

• Dates: 19 September–4 October 2026.
• Where: Theresienwiese, Munich.
• Admission: Free for the main grounds and beer tents.
• Beer prices: €14.80–€15.90 per litre, depending on the tent.
• Large tents: Open from 10am on weekdays and 9am at weekends; most close at 11.30pm.
• Last orders: 10.30pm in the large tents.
• Later opening: Käfer Wiesn-Schänke and Kufflers Weinzelt close at 1am, with last drinks at 12.30am.
• Table bookings: Optional.
• Oide Wiesn: €4 for adults; free for children aged 14 and under. Online tickets are available, and the Museumszelt entrance can help avoid longer queues.
• Public transport: U4/U5 to Theresienwiese or S-Bahn to Hackerbrücke.

Visitors without reservations can still find seats because large tents keep some tables available for walk-ins. The time of day makes a difference: weekday daytime periods tend to be less crowded, while tents may temporarily stop admitting people when they reach capacity during busy weekend afternoons and evenings. Groups are more likely to benefit from booking ahead. Participating tents can also resell unused reservations at their original price through the official Oktoberfest portal.

A visit to Oktoberfest does not have to take up the whole day. The festival grounds sit close to central Munich, so visitors can move on to Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt or the old town after a few hours at the Wiesn. Munich’s main station is also within walking distance, which makes it easy to combine the festival with other city plans without adding much extra travel time.

Visitors planning a first trip do not have to reserve a table or stay for hours to make the visit worthwhile. The main grounds remain free to enter, so even a shorter stop is possible. Driving is less convenient because there is no public visitor parking around Theresienwiese; Park + Ride is the better option. The official Oktoberfest crowd barometer can also help identify quieter periods before choosing a date.