Quick answer
Oktoberfest 2027 runs from 18 September to 3 October on the Theresienwiese in Munich. Entry is free, a one-litre Mass of beer costs around €15–17, and the big tents fill by mid-afternoon at weekends. Visit on a weekday morning, book Munich hotels six to nine months ahead, and apply for your Schengen visa as soon as appointments open.
Highlights
- The opening keg tapping at noon on the first Saturday
- Around 14 large beer tents with brass bands
- The costume and riflemen's parade on the first Sunday
- Rides, roasted almonds and giant pretzels
- The historic Oide Wiesn section with old-style rides
What actually happens
Oktoberfest, or the Wiesn as locals call it, has been held on the Theresienwiese in Munich since 1810. There are around 14 large beer tents, each run by a brewery or a family, plus many smaller ones, amusement rides and food stalls. It opens at noon on the first Saturday, when the Mayor taps the first keg in the Schottenhamel tent, and the first Sunday brings a costume and riflemen's parade through the city. Brass bands play all day, and by evening people are dancing on the benches.
The best days to go
Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the calmest, and you can usually walk into a tent before about noon. Weekends, especially the middle Saturday, are packed, and tents shut their doors when full. Two days is plenty: one for the tents and one for the rides and the historic Oide Wiesn section, which has a small entry fee.
Costs on the ground
Entry is free. A one-litre Mass of beer costs around €15–17 (about ₹1,550–1,750), and a half roast chicken roughly as much. Budget €60–100 a day per person if you drink. Vegetarians do well, with giant pretzels, Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Obatzda cheese spread, potato pancakes and sweet dumplings, and most tents have vegan dishes. Alcohol-free beer and soft drinks are available everywhere.
Tent reservations and hotels
Table reservations are made directly with each tent, open early in the year, and require buying food and drink vouchers for every seat; weekend evenings go quickly. Munich hotel rates triple: a basic double costs ₹20,000–40,000 a night. Book six to nine months ahead, or stay in Augsburg or Freising and take the train.
Visa, safety and what to wear
Apply for a Schengen visa through Germany three to four months ahead, as summer appointment slots in India fill fast; see our Germany visa guide. Large bags are not allowed on the grounds, and children under six must leave the tents by 8 pm. Pickpockets and drunk crowds increase after 6 pm. Late September is 15–19°C by day and 6–9°C at night. A dirndl or lederhosen, rented or bought, is common but optional.
Combining it
Neuschwanstein Castle is about two hours from Munich and Salzburg about one and a half. See Schengen visa basics, things to do in Germany, our September ideas and tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
