Oktoberfest on a Budget: Where to Stay in Munich
Bell | 28 August 24
Oktoberfest is one of the most fun festivals of the year, however, if you don’t live near Munich it can quickly get expensive. I have summarised the best budget accommodations in Munich for Oktoberfest, as well as everything you need to know about the German beer festival.
I have visited Oktoberfest for the past two years and it is one of my favourite festivals of the year. I am quite lucky in that I have family nearby that I can stay with, however, I have helped many of my friends organise accommodation for Oktoberfest over the years.
Prices of hotels and hostels rise dramatically for the 2 weeks that Oktoberfest is on and they do book out quickly. However, it is definitely possible to secure some budget accommodation and I will tell you exactly where to look:
When is Oktoberfest in Munich?
Oktoberfest always starts towards the end of September and finishes on the first Sunday of October. In 2024, Oktoberfest will run from noon on Saturday, September 21st to Sunday, October 6th.
The reason that Oktoberfest starts in September goes back to the origin of the festival, over 200 years ago. It started as a celebration of the marriage between Bavarian crown prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen which was in the middle of October. While the public loved the festival so much it turned into a yearly event, they didn’t love the weather in October. It was hence moved forward to make the most of the last sunny days, while the last day of the festival has to be in October in order to honour the tradition.
Where exactly is Oktoberfest in Munich?
Since its establishment, Oktoberfest has taken place on Munich’s Theresienwiese. It is only a 15-minute walk from Munich’s main station and Old Town. The space spans about 100 acres and is used for a few festivals each year, including Tollwood.
Best Budget Accommodation for Oktoberfest in Munich
Most true budget options during Oktoberfest will involve a tent. Don’t worry though – they are usually more “Glamping” than camping, and you will meet some amazing people from all over the world who are just as excited as you about their time at Oktoberfest.
Possibly one of the most well-known affordable accommodations in Munich, this is a hostel but camping style. If you go for one of the big floor or bed tents, you will be sleeping in one big tent with 80-100 people.
While that sounds scary, if you bring earplugs, a sleeping mask and if you have it, your own sleeping bag, this is a great budget option. It is located pretty centrally, offers a kitchen and cafeteria for food and lots of ways to meet other travellers.
For those looking for a little more privacy, they also have 2-person tents fully set up that they rent out. Book quickly as some Oktoberfest dates are already full!
Festanation has two Oktoberfest Camps, the one I have linked here is #1, located by the inner-east side of Munich. Similar to the last hostel, they offer dormitory tents where 8 people can sleep as well as private tents for up to 2 people.
You can get a bed here for €40-60 during Oktoberfest, which is very cheap for Munich during those 2 weeks. They also offer tours to Oktoberfest which is great if you are by yourself and want to go with other people.
This is the last camping option I am going to give you and it is located around 45 minutes by public transport from Oktoberfest. You can get a bed in a small shared tent for around €50 per night during the festival.
It does get very cold at night, so make sure to bring warm stuff and maybe even a thick sleeping bag.
If you aren’t looking to camp, you need to head slightly out of the city centre to find more affordable accommodation options during Oktoberfest. This isn’t a huge issue as Munich is well-connected via public transport.
Basic rooms are available for €160-230 for two people during Oktoberfest and it is about 30 minutes on the Munich underground to the festival grounds.
This hotel is selling out fast, so I would book asap. They have double rooms for around €150 for the Oktoberfest dates. They are located in Pasing, which is around 30 minutes from the Theresienwiese and even reachable late into the night, which is great for Oktoberfest.
This hotel is quite a bit further from the festival ground, however, it is right by the airport. It is modern, clean and most importantly affordable at €126-180 for a basic double room during Oktoberfest.
The journey is pretty easy on the S-Bahn, so this could be an option if you aren’t planning to celebrate late into the night.
Like the last one, this hotel is about an hour’s journey from Oktoberfest. It does have double rooms for as cheap as €110 during the festival dates, which is very cheap.
I think this is a great option if you are looking to go during the day or early evening and want something a little more quiet and peaceful.
While Airbnb’s, like hotels, rise pretty drastically in price during the two Oktoberfest weeks, you can find some decent options. Especially if you are two or more people, it may be worth checking what is still available. For Airbnb, the earlier you book, the better your chance of finding something good.
Is 1 day at Oktoberfest enough?
Yes, spending one day at Oktoberfest is enough. Most locals will only come for a day or maybe two. Unless you are really into rides or a huge beer drinker, you can do everything in one day.
If you are travelling specifically for Oktoberfest, I would recommend two or three days in Munich though. That means you can maybe check out a few more of the beer tents at Oktoberfest and still have a day for recuperation and seeing some of the beautiful city that is Munich (check out my guide on top things to do here).
Is Oktoberfest cash only?
Most tents only accept cash, there are a few that let you use a debit or even credit card but I wouldn’t count on it. I would also highly recommend taking out the cash before entering the Oktoberfest grounds, as it will be easier, save you time and probably money regarding fees.
How much cash do you need for Oktoberfest?
How much cash you need to take out really depends on what you are planning to do. Beer has been announced to cost between €13.50 and €15.30 in 2024, rides are €6-12 depending on size and popularity and food usually is around €20 for a main in the tents. You can find some food for around €10 outside of the tents. Extra money would be for the Oktoberfest Gingerbread Hearts which are usually around €10-15 and any snacks you may want.
Is Oktoberfest safe for girls?
There have been some incidents in recent years regarding assaults on women during Oktoberfest. The festival has since put a lot of practices in place to keep women safe, including a dedicated “safe space” where you can get help, free taxi passes and someone to look after you.
I have summarised everything about safety for women from my experience as well as the official guidelines during Oktoberfest in this article. While I think it is important you are cautious and prepared, I don’t think you need to be overly worried. I went with only female friends and we had an amazing time, as you can probably tell from the above image.
Hi, I'm Bell
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