Security at Oktoberfest (2024)

FAQs

Is there security at Oktoberfest? ›

The cooperation is professional and routine. The festival grounds are fenced off and a security service checks visitors at the entrances, supported by the police. The entire Theresienwiese is monitored by more than 50 cameras. There is also a loudspeaker system that reaches the entire festival area.

All bags will also be searched for prohibited items at entry before being scanned with metal detectors. What time do the grounds open? Grounds will open at the scheduled start time each day which can be found in our Festival Guide.

10 Golden Rules for Oktoberfest

Even at the Wiesn, there are rules that every visitor should abide by. Backpacks and large bags are generally forbidden within the festival area. Leave everything at home that you won't need while partying.

The potential dangers of festivals

Dehydration and hangovers: The diuretic effect of alcohol can lead to dehydration, causing symptoms like fatigue, dizziness and dry mouth, while hangovers, characterised by headaches, nausea and confusion, are a common aftermath of binge drinking.

Take out as much cash as you plan on spending at Oktoberfest before you enter Theresienwiese, which is a 10-minute train ride from Munich. Some tents accept cards, which is rare in Germany, but your order will be made much faster if you don't need to wait for a card machine.

Is the entrance to the Oktoberfest free? The Oktoberfest doesn't cost to enter; anyone can wander through the venue without needing a ticket.

Whatever you do, don't wear a t-shirt to Oktoberfest or you will feel like a stereotypical tourist. The minimum effort you should put in is at least jeans and a checkered shirt, but avoid t-shirts, soccer jerseys, or corny shirts with the city/country you are from plastered all over it.

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?

Don't chug a stein of beer!

Keep in mind that the beer served in the tents is special Oktoberfestbeer and usually is a bit stronger than usual German beer that already has a higher percentage than most beer around the world.

While you don't have the be drunk at Oktoberfest, when you go to a beer festival – the world's largest, in fact – chances are you'll enter some state of inebriation. Probably pretty frequently. We've done our fair share of Oktoberfest festivals and far, far more than our fair share of drunken nights.

Is 1 day at Oktoberfest enough? ›

Tourists generally stay longer, but to be honest, one can only consume so much beer and wurst! Booking out one or two days to spend at the Oktoberfest Festivities in Munich is more than enough.

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).

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.

We have been leading trips to Oktoberfest since 2007, and here are some of the most relevant bits of information that you should consider when preparing for your trip to Munich. Visitors to Germany must have a valid passport.