Is Oktoberfest Expensive? A Realistic Budget Guide for 2025 Visitors

According to travel experts, you should budget at least €80–€100 per day for essentials like food, drinks, and activities at Oktoberfest. Your final spending depends on how long you attend, what kind of hotel you choose, and how you manage your daily choices.

While the excitement of Oktoberfest attracts many visitors, the price tag can be a reality check. Most people dream of clinking steins in massive beer tents and tasting authentic Bavarian food, but few realize how quickly the costs can add up. A single liter of beer can cost upwards of €13–€15, and that’s before tipping. Meals inside the festival grounds are just as pricey, with traditional dishes like roasted chicken or sausages easily hitting €15–€20 per plate. Add transportation, entrance to after-parties, and even a simple pretzel here and there, and your daily expenses can jump far beyond your initial budget.

For travelers coming from abroad, things like flight prices, hotel rates (which often surge during Oktoberfest), and renting or buying traditional outfits like dirndls or men’s lederhosen only add to the total cost. So, while Oktoberfest is worth experiencing, being aware of where your money goes is essential if you want to enjoy it without breaking the bank.

Oktoberfest Essentials: How Much Does the Fun Cost?

Understanding the basic expenses at Oktoberfest is key to planning a stress-free experience. From reserving a table to enjoying traditional food and drinks, each element comes with associated costs that can add up quickly. This section outlines the core spending areas to help you budget realistically and make informed choices throughout your visit.

1. Entry and Table Reservations

You don’t need a ticket to enter the Oktoberfest grounds or the beer tents. Everything outside and inside the fairgrounds is open to the public. However, if you are traveling in a group or visiting on weekends, booking a table makes sense. Reservations don’t have a separate fee, but you must pre-purchase meal and beer vouchers for everyone in your party.

Estimated Costs:

• Table for 8–10 people: €300 to €350

• Includes:

• Two liters of beer per person

• One meal per person (usually roast chicken)

2. How Much Is a Liter of Beer?

Beer prices rise each year. In 2024, the average price for one liter (a Maß) was between €13.60 and €15.30. Most people round up with a small tip.

Average Prices:

• One liter of beer: €16 including tip

• Water (1 liter): around €10.50

• Lemonade (1 liter): around €11.70

Some Oktoberfest tents are slightly cheaper, others charge more. You’ll always find prices posted before you order. Keep in mind that outside drinks are not allowed, so if you want to stay hydrated or enjoy non-alcoholic options, you’ll need to buy them inside the tents.

Drinking adds up quickly, especially over a full day of festivities. Two or three beers, plus tip, can already push your daily drink budget past €40. Planning can help manage your expenses, especially if you are attending multiple days.

3. Food Costs Inside the Tents

Meals inside the tents are filling and traditional. From roast chicken to bratwurst and giant pretzels, Bavarian food has deep roots in Oktoberfest culture.

Average Food Prices:

• Half roast chicken: €10 to €15

• Bratwurst with sauerkraut: €8 to €12

• Giant pretzel: €5 to €8

• Full meals with sides: €15 to €25

Street food outside the tents often costs a bit less, but the experience inside the tents is what most visitors come for.

4. Accommodation Choices and Prices

Hotel prices jump during the Oktoberfest season. The earlier you book, the better your chances of finding fair prices. Many visitors stay outside the city center and take the train into Munich.

Typical Rates During Oktoberfest:

• Hostel bed: €30 to €50 per night

• Budget hotel: €80 to €150

• Mid-range hotel: €150 to €250

• Luxury hotel: €250 and up

To cut costs, look at nearby towns with direct train routes. Places like Augsburg, Freising, and Dachau often offer more affordable rooms.

5. Transportation Within Munich

Munich’s public transport is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Driving and parking near the Oktoberfest grounds can be stressful, so most visitors rely on trains and buses.

Ticket Options:

• One-way ride: €3.90

• Day pass: €8.80

• Three-day pass: €16.80

• Group day pass for up to 5 people: €17.60

The U-Bahn and S-Bahn both stop close to Theresienwiese, the main Oktoberfest grounds.

6. Cost of Traditional Outfits

Wearing traditional outfits adds excitement to the festival. Most people wear a dirndl or lederhosen, and these outfits can get expensive.

Clothing Prices:

• Lederhosen set (men): €300 to €500

• Dirndl set (women): €130 to €600

• Accessories like blouses, socks, shoes: €100 to €200

If you're only going for one day, rentals are a smart option. You’ll find several shops in Munich that rent complete outfits. For those looking to buy, you can find the best collection at Oktoberfestwear and at prices that won’t drain your beer budget.

7. Carnival Rides and Games

Oktoberfest has a full carnival setup with rides, games, and attractions for all ages. This is great for families or anyone who wants a break from the beer tents.

Ride And Game Prices:

• Ferris wheel: around €10

• Roller coasters: around €12.50

• Smaller rides: €5 to €8

• Carnival games: €1 to €5 per try

If you are visiting with kids, consider going on Tuesdays when many rides and games offer discounted prices. Why Tuesdays? They are known as "Family Day" with reduced prices on rides and snacks available until 7 PM, which can be a big advantage for families with multiple children.

8. Daily Spending Breakdown

To help you budget wisely, here’s a realistic breakdown of what a typical visitor might spend in a single day at the festival:

For a 3-day visit, plan to spend around €250 to €300 per person, not including your hotel.

What are the Simple Ways to Save Money at Oktoberfest? 

You don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy Oktoberfest. A few practical choices can help stretch your budget.

Smart Saving Tips:

• Drink slowly and skip that third beer

• Stay in towns near Munich and take the train in

• Book flights and hotels at least six months early

• Go during weekdays to avoid weekend crowds and price surges

• Share food with friends to try more items without overspending

• Use day passes for public transport instead of buying single tickets

What Are the Most Expensive Foods and Drinks at Oktoberfest 2024?

At Oktoberfest 2024 in Munich, several items stand out as particularly expensive, especially certain food and drink offerings.

Most Expensive Food Items

• Tomahawk Steak: €169.00

• Halbe Schweinshaxe (Half Pork Knuckle): €23.60

• Halbes Hendl (Half Chicken): €23.00

• Kaiserschmarrn (Shredded Pancake Dessert): €21.50

• Vegane Currywurst (Vegan Curry Sausage): €18.80

Most Expensive Beverages

• 1L Weißbier (Wheat Beer): €17.80

• Bräurosl, Hacker- & Paulanerzelt: €15.40

• Augustinerzelt: €14.10

• Marstall: 15.0 Euro

• Paulaner Festzelt: 15.10 Euro

These record-breaking prices at Oktoberfest 2024 clearly show how costly the festivities can get. From €169 steaks to €17 beers, it’s clear that enjoying the festival comes at a price. 

So, if you are eyeing a visit in 2025, use this as your budgeting blueprint. Now that you know how expensive Oktoberfest can be, plan and spend smart!

Attendee Experiences on Oktoberfest Expenses

There are numerous firsthand accounts and interviews from attendees highlighting the high costs associated with Oktoberfest. 

1. Budget Overruns and Unexpected Costs

A traveler documented their four-day Oktoberfest trip, spending approximately $975.87, exceeding their initial budget by over $400. The expenses included $208.02 for upfront and travel costs, and $690.50 for activities during the week. This detailed breakdown offers insight into the financial demands of the festival. 

2. Social Media Reactions to Rising Prices

TikTok user Kathi Seidl highlighted the increasing costs at Oktoberfest, noting that a stein of beer reached €13.50, and with a tip, it amounted to €14.50. She also mentioned that a breakfast cost nearly €20, and fried Hungarian bread (Langos) was priced at €9.

3. Reddit Discussions on Accommodation and Beer Prices

Reddit users have shared their experiences regarding the high costs of attending Oktoberfest. One user mentioned that hotel prices during the festival can be triple the normal rates, with accommodations usually costing €120–€150 per night, charging over €300. They also noted that beer prices in the tents are around €15 per liter. 

4. Accommodation Challenges

Another Reddit user expressed shock at the high cost of accommodations, stating that a shared hostel room with six beds was over CAD 250 for two nights. They sought alternative options like house-sitting to make the festival more affordable. 

These real attendee experiences highlight how quickly Oktoberfest expenses can add up. Use their insights to plan your budget wisely and avoid unexpected costs.

Final Thoughts

Oktoberfest can be costly, but with thoughtful planning and mindful spending, it remains an accessible and memorable experience. From the beer tents to the rides and regional food, every euro spent contributes to a unique cultural celebration.

Budget at least €80 to €100 per day and keep your expectations clear. What matters most is being part of the celebration, meeting people from around the world, and enjoying Bavarian culture in full swing.