Oktoberfest: 10 Tips to find Seats without Reservation (2024)

FAQs

Oktoberfest: 10 Tips to find Seats without Reservation? ›

You also don't need a reservation to enter a tent – except when the tents are closed because of overcrowding.

You also don't need a reservation to enter a tent – except when the tents are closed because of overcrowding.

There is no central reservation point. Table reservations are always made via the respective tent. In most of the small Oktoberfest tents you can and should make a reservation in good time, especially if you're in a group and want to go in the evening. Most reservations are made online, sometimes also by telephone.

Oktoberfest reservations are strictly for tables only, not people. No one can reserve just seats at Oktoberfest. Instead, an entire 8- or 10-person table must be reserved.

The vast majority of Oktoberfest goers don't have any reservation at all as the large tents are obliged to offer large unreserved sections. However, a reservation can, of course, come in handy when you're arriving at busy times, especially with larger groups.

The average Oktoberfest visit does not include a table reservation, hence, without one, you're in good company. All the large tents, except the Weinzelt and Käfer, are obliged to keep large sections unreserved. As many struggle to find free seats nonetheless, we'd like to offer some tips to you.

Arrive to the Theresienwiese early.

The gates to Oktoberfest open at 9:00 am on opening day, so you'll want to show up around 5 or 6am. At anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 seats each, you'd assume there would be enough space in the tents to accommodate everyone who wishes to join Oktoberfest on opening day.

Make sure you bring cash, as credit cards are not accepted. And how much cash should you bring? Well, that depends on how much you want to eat and drink: Usually, a Maß of beer (1 liter) costs around 11 euro, while food can cost up to 20 euro.

It is permitted to bring beverages onto the festival grounds - but not into the tents/beer gardens and not in glass bottles, these may not be brought onto the festival grounds. Permitted are e.g. walking aids or medical devices, they will be checked and marked by the staff with the security check band as well.

Free drinking water stations on the festival grounds

They are located on the outside walls of the WC facilities in the central delivery street (behind the eastern beer tents). Visitors to the Oktoberfest can tap into fresh Munich drinking water free of charge.

Do people hook up at Oktoberfest? ›

In fact, it's as if they own it. Oktoberfest is also a huge flirty hook-up fest, where many new relationships - short and long ones - celebrate their beginning. In fact, it's quite common for Munich locals to meet their future husband or wife there, because everybody's there.

Beers must contain only malted barley (contains gluten), yeast, hops, and water. Originating in 1487 and enacted as law all the way back in 1516, this 'purity law' (in German: Reinheitsgebot) might seem harsh at first glance but it ensured set quality standards and protected the industry.

You may be able to pay at some stalls or rides using cards, but you can never count on it. The only thing you can rely on is cash. There are ATMs at the fair grounds as well as in all big tents.

So while there is no actual dress code, so to speak, you really will have a better time if you make some effort with what you wear, and at least utilize some parts of the men's and women's Oktoberfest outfit – fortunately for you with our Oktoberfest packages we have expert fitters on-site.

In fact, it's not really a tip – it's more like a “service fee”. It should be not more than 10 to 15% of the beer or food price. And yes, giving a bit of extra tip will ensure that the waitress will always serve you in time and in quality. What beer is served at Oktoberfest?

We recommend you budget around EUR80-EUR100 per day. Entrance to the Oktoberfest is free. A 1 litre mass/stein of beer will cost you just over EUR11.

Generally, cash is king at the Oktoberfest. You may be allowed to pay for a whole reservation using a card at the end of the night, but that may only include debit cards, no credit cards. Apart from that, the acceptance of cards is still very low. You can't expect individual orders to be paid using cards.

On Oktoberfest itself you probably won't need it, but if you want to continue celebrating in one of the night clubs, they regularly check it (especially if you look young).

A few tips for attending Oktoberfest solo: Visit during the day initially to get the lay of the land and potentially meet some people. When choosing somewhere to sit in a beer tent look for larger, friendly looking groups – everyone is down to make friends at Oktoberfest!

Those who want to do without alcohol at the Oktoberfest have a wide choice of beverages. After all, not all Oktoberfest visitors focus on enjoying a good beer.