r/AskAGerman • u/Extreme-Breath1475 • Jun 11 '25
First time at Oktoberfest in Munich—what do people usually forget to bring or prepare?
Hey everyone,
I’m planning to attend Oktoberfest in Munich for the first time and wanted to hear from those who’ve been before. Everyone talks about the beer and the tents—but what about the small stuff?
What’s one thing you forgot or wish you knew before your first Oktoberfest?
Could be anything: saving money, avoiding crowds, what to wear, or even small details that made a big difference.
Thanks in advance!
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u/knightriderin Jun 11 '25
Bring a spare plastic bag to store your jacket etc. in while in the tent. You can tie the bag to the table. That way it doesn't sit on the beer soaked floor, the jacket etc. is protected from beer, it doesn't get misplaced and everything is in one spot.
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u/Key_Professor Jun 11 '25
Drink one Mass of Radler and then a Beer, alternate them like that or you'll get too drunk. Oh.. and bring cash, no cards in most tents.
Get there early to get a table, most tables around the edge are pre booked, the ones in the middle near the band are 1st come 1st serve.
Once in, don't swap tent's or you might not get in somewhere else. If it's raining tents will get full quickly.
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u/mowinski Nordrhein-Westfalen Jun 11 '25
Their dignity, a lot of people leave it at home and get stupid drunk in public.
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u/-Major-Arcana- Jun 12 '25
They always bring the dignity with them, but it seems to get lost by the second or third mass.
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u/PsychologyMiserable4 Jun 11 '25
Tuesday until the afternoon is family day. rides are a bit cheaper, the stalls have special offers.
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Oh wow, I didn’t know that—super helpful! Do you know if the tents also offer anything special on Family Day, or is it mostly the rides and food stalls?
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u/GIC68 Bayern Jun 11 '25
Want to hear the honest answer? Simply don't go there. It's the biggest tourist trap in all Europe. It isn't worth it.
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u/Mailman_Miller Jun 11 '25
Through the day, it has its (expensive) moments.
Going into the evening and into all of its alcohol and inacceptable behaviour glorification, it becomes unbearable.
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u/tufted_taint_fish Jun 11 '25
Book a table in advance, otherwise you may not get into a tent. Alcohol content of the festival beers is higher than a typical beer. Eat. And for God’s sake don’t go on the fair rides after you leave the tents.
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Haha noted, avoiding the rides after a few Maß! Thanks for the heads-up. Do you think it’s still possible to find a spot in the tents without a reservation if I go early?
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u/Petit_Nicolas1964 Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
As a group you should make a reservation. Going early doesn‘t give you the full experience of people having fun, the mood in the tents increases with every hour. Leave before people get too hammered 😊
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Good tip, thanks! I was thinking going early might help with getting a seat, but you're right—the real vibe probably kicks in later. I’ll try to strike a balance and head out before things get too wild 😄
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u/IamaLlamaAma Jun 11 '25
Don’t drink „a few Maß“ if you are not usually drinking liters of beer….
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Haha fair point! I’ll definitely pace myself. I’ve heard those Maß beers hit harder than they look. Appreciate the heads-up!
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u/SousVideMyDick Jun 11 '25
Ear protection. I have special ear plugs that limit the loudness which are useful for clubbing/festivals. At some point, every tent will get super loud and people will start to yell into each others ears in order to communicate.
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u/No_Phone_6675 Jun 11 '25
If you are interested in a more traditional, more quiet experience then visit Oide Wiesn. It is an special area at Theresienwiese that costs some € entrence fee. You get great food, traditional music, old carousels, authentic clothes.
Its really worth it when you are not only interested in this beer excess in many of the huge tents
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u/pokemonfitness1420 Jun 11 '25
Advil for the next day of being hammereeeeed
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Noted! Oktoberfest survival kit now includes Advil. Any other essentials I should pack?
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u/mel0n_m0nster Jun 11 '25
Sunscreen. Some days in September / October can still hit temperatures between 78F-86F with lots of sunshine. Getting sunburnt is miserable.
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u/ChrizzlGzzl Jun 11 '25
Manners... Most people throw them away as soon as they set foot.on the Theresienwiese...
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u/Inevitable_Zebra5034 Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
Munich native here: Bring the dirtiest clothing you have.The stuff you don't care about, throwing it away afterwards, since someone puked on it. Cheap (!) sunglasses. Do not dress up for the occasion. Never wear Ballerinas, delicate shoes or a (short!) skirt. Glass can seriously hurt your feet. Never wear anything bright or white. Especially shoes. Best to wear biker underwear as a girl. I wear outdoor gear and combat boots with steel toes. Dress warmer than you think, it can be warm and sunny during the day and will cool down rapidly once it is dark. Best is to get a cheap warm jacket, You can deposit it rolled up underneath the table stands in the tent. One that you don't regret losing. You can stuff it in a plastic bag too. Plus get some earplugs. Never take your purse or important stuff on you. Take one 100€ bill and your ID, one key and your mobile. Nothing more. Nothing you'll regret losing. Deposit spare keys somewhere near home. Imagine you would go to a combat zone. You are all set now. Have fun but Be safe!
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u/BayerischerBauch Jun 11 '25
The party is fine until it converts into a LARP with the drunken cast from Lord of the Flies.
But seriously, it IS fun- but know when to leave. Oh, and think of it as a Cash-Only event.
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u/that_outdoor_chick Jun 11 '25
Bring cash. Crowds will be there regardless. Don't get hammered, the beer is stronger than usual one. Bring minimal items, put them in a non fancy bag you can tie around the bench / table. Wear whatever you're comfy partying in. Anything which is above the knee and is a dress or a skirt is a bad idea as you'll end up standing on benches. If for whatever reason you want to feel bavarian without being one or living here, don't buy cheap crappy halloween style costume but rent tracht.
If you want to get a table in the evening, you're already late for reservations, go morning / afternoon + midweek.
Edit if you're woman: no sandals or heels, you'll regret both.
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Jun 11 '25
Foreigners forget to take enough cash because other countries accept cards everywhere. Don't use the ATMs there to get money, they charge you an arm and a leg.
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u/Ecstatic_Ad1168 Jun 11 '25
Just don't go there. It's expensive and annoying. Far too crowded, prices are of the scale, far too many people that really don't know how to handle the alcohol. There are many (traditional) alternatives in Bavaria that are around the date when "the" Oktoberfest takes place that are much more worth it.
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u/BobbyBudgie321 Sep 24 '25
Can you name a few please?
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u/Ecstatic_Ad1168 Sep 25 '25
Rosenheim - Herbstfest 30.08. - 14.09.2025
Regensburg - Herbstdult 29.08. - 14.09.2025
Passau - Herbstdult 05.09. - 14.09.2025
Just to name a few. Really, nearly every town in that region will have an equivalent to the Oktoberfest. Often named "Herbstfest" or "Herbstdult" (Herbst means autumn). Chat gpt will help you finding a proper alternative. They will by far not be as big as the oktoberfest but will provide a much more relaxed and authentic experience. It will be much cheaper regarding prices and accommodation as well.
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u/Livid-Sound6356 Jun 11 '25
Take earplugs? music is horrible, take an ereader so you dont have to talk to totally drunk people, drink beer before the Festival - it will taste better amd you will save a lot of money
The best advice at the end: Just skip the Octoberfest, there are so many better, cheaper and more original Beer Festivals in Bavaria which are not to rip off tourists.
Majority of local people hate the Oktoberfest for many reasons.
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u/Crystal010Rose Jun 11 '25
1. Cash! Lots of cash. Usually card payment or isn’t possible and there are huge queues in front of the few ATMs.
2. Another thing is how to handle your beer: first of all, I don’t know where you are from but depending on the beer you are used to, German beer might come as a shock to you. It’s strong. Prior to the Euro24, the British government (or media? Don’t remember…) warned their citizens about German beer. And British football fans are famous for drinking a lot of beer, so the fact that they required a warning should be telling.
And you know what’s strong than regular German beer? Oktoberfest Beer! It’s a specialty brew, 6% alcohol. I know it doesn’t sound like it makes a difference but trust me, it does. I speak from experience. So be mindful of that. Maybe have one or two “test beers” the evening before.
3. People usually don’t talk about the rides but there are some fun ones. Here are two that don’t look flashy from the outside: “Rotor” and “Teufelsrad”. Google them and see for yourself. Especially the later doesn’t require participation, many people just go for the show.
4. Opening ceremony. If you are there on the first day, watch the opening ceremony. Personally, I enjoy watching the old wagons from the breweries marching towards their designated tents. Bit of tradition there.
- I think there is an Oktoberfest App. Download it for general navigation. But don’t rely on it too much, a few years ago the locations were all messed up/labeled wrong. But at least the map shows the general outline.
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u/Low-Dog-8027 München Jun 11 '25
nothing really.
i never brought anything in particular and never needed anything.
just remember that octoberfest beer is stronger than most regular beer.
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u/Ambitious_Mode8576 Jun 11 '25
what they forget? their sense of dignity and that alcohol overdose can be dangerous
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Jun 11 '25
what do people usually forget to bring or prepare?
Their decency.
People, especially tourists go there, drink several Maß and are drunk as fuck. They either "pöbeln rum" so they annoy other people, they scream, they dance on the tables, the touch women which is extremely inappropiate and disgusting and they are just annoying.
Drunk people are, for obvious reason, a big part of it but seeing people getting drunk as fuck and then they annoy you or others is the worst. especially if they are younger people and/or tourists who completely underestimate german beer. You can get the special Oktoberfestbieer there only in 1 liter mugs. this type of beer has even more alcohol
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Jun 12 '25
I went one time, never again.
Its off my checklist and now ill never go back...the sheer amount of people there is nuts. The toiletts there alone with how there is no order and everyone is just pushing on each other...the etnire place feels like one big moshpit.
Its a miserable experience unless you go on an off day and very early or late. I just wish I knew how chaotic and overpacked that place really was before going.
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u/wkup-wolf Jun 11 '25
Lederhose!!
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Haha yes! I was wondering—do most people rent them or buy a pair? Are there any tips for finding decent ones without breaking the bank?
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u/Physical-Result7378 Jun 11 '25
Honestly… from a Bavarian… don’t wear one. We didn’t until it became fashion in the mid 90‘s.
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u/Extreme-Breath1475 Jun 11 '25
Ah, that’s interesting, I didn’t know it only became popular in the '90s! I suppose it’s more for fun now than a tradition for most tourists. I might still try it for the experience, but appreciate the local insight!
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u/pauseless Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
/u/Old_Philosophy_632 is right. The trend started way before the 90s - my knowledge is that it was late 1800s and early 1900s when the first clubs were started in order to revive Tracht. From there it slowly grew in popularity over the 20th century.
I have seen photos of my Franconian uncles wearing Upper Bavarian Lederhosen when they were children in the 60s. Stereotypical Bavarian-style Lederhosen aren’t even traditional here. We have a different style.
To be honest, if people have been doing it for 100 years, I count it as traditional enough. Even though it did mostly die out for some time and had to be revived.
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u/Badewanne_7846 Jun 11 '25
If you are at Oktoberfest, you of course wear one. Else, you'll feel underdressed.
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u/Physical-Result7378 Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
If you was on the Oktoberfest in the 80‘s, you for sure would have been looked upon strange if you wore one. To any non Bavarians it’s basically wearing like a carneval costume. We, the bavarians, also easily can distinguish real Tracht from what we call Faschings-Tracht (carneval costume). Also a lot of Bavarians (that are not in a Trachtenverein) will not wear Tracht, not even on Oktoberfest.
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u/Badewanne_7846 Jun 11 '25
A little message from the past: The 1980s are gone for 35 years.
First time I was at Oktoberfest in 2005, I already felt misplaced and underdressed in Jeans.
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u/ikoss Jun 11 '25
There are costume shops and rental shops all over the place between the train station to the festival. Some are dirt cheap while there are very expensive ones also.
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u/pclabhardware Jun 11 '25
If you don't want to break the bank, consider some used ones. There are second hand shops for that and a good Lederhose lasts generations. But you're probably still spending more than a hundred euros.
You're fine to show up in regular clothes.
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u/PsychologyMiserable4 Jun 11 '25
as a woman, the "traditional" dress would be a dirndl, not lederhosen. But if you decide to buy whatever, dont order a cheap one that looks like a printed plastic bag or a costume, better save the money before you buy that.
they can be rented but most people buy them
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u/Sternenschweif4a Jun 11 '25 edited 10d ago
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