Can You Visit Oktoberfest Last Minute?

You can absolutely visit Oktoberfest last minute. Unlike other festivals, no entry tickets are needed. Oktoberfest is open for anyone and it is free. The only problem you might encounter are higher prices for accommodation, but with the proper organization there is still a fair chance for a good deal.

If you are one of those people that enjoy spontaneity and doesn’t like to plan trips months or even a year in advance, just likes to go with the flow, read on to find out how to make your last minute Oktoberfest journey happen and what to look out for!

How to visit Oktoberfest last minute?

Getting to Munich

Whenever you are in a hurry, you probably want to quickly find means of transportation to your destination and ideally within your budget. In these cases, it is recommendable to use a search engine, such as Skyscanner or Momondo. Just in a few seconds, they provide you with different options for getting somewhere. Then you can quickly compare and decide what works best for you.

How to find accommodation in Munich last minute?

If you are looking for a place to stay at the eleventh hour, the options will be limited. Generally, hostels in Munich are fully booked a few months in advance for the Oktoberfest. There might still be hotel rooms available, but you have to be prepared to pay a premium price. Alternatively, look for a hotel outside the city, maybe even in a close-by city. Even though prices still might be higher than normal, there might be some more options available there. If you opt for accommodation outside of Munich, make sure it is well-connected by train.

The closest cities with a good train connection you may consider include, but are not limited to, Augsburg, Rosenheim, Ingolstadt, Landsberg or Landshut. Travelling by train to Munich could be reasonably cheap as well, if you take advantage of the Bayern ticket. It is a regional train ticket for up to 5 people, that grants you access to all the regional trains in Bavaria, for unlimited rides on a given day. But, what is more, it is also valid for all public transportation in Munich itself.

Another option you might explore is the D-ticket – a subscription service that gives you the right to board any regional train in Germany, public transportation in cities included, for 49 EUR a month. But beware that it is only available as a subscription, but you can cancel it by the 10th of every month. So you can do it, even if you need it just for a month, but make sure to cancel it on time. For example, if you are in Germany only in September and book the D-Ticket, you will have to cancel it latest by the 10th of September, so that you don’t get charged for October.

If you do end up staying in Munich last minute, there are the Oktoberfest campsites. They offer many tents, solo or for up to 8 people, so you might still find something available. It is also the cheapest option for accommodation during Oktoberfest. Have a look at this campsite for example, it is the biggest one.

Tip: Check out holiday packages at lastminute.com. Firstly, let me say, I don’t like holiday packages and I prefer organizing everything myself, so that you can make your trip really customised. However, I have to admit that in some cases, they are extremely useful. Arranging your trip by yourself can take up a huge amount of time, and sometimes it could even be frustrating when you were not able to find a good enough option, even though you’ve been looking for hours. So, recently, when in a hurry, I started checking holiday deals out. Within seconds, you get so many options which you can filter by type of accommodation, direct flights only, budget, or anything really. You can then directly book on the website if you want, or maybe use it as inspiration and look further on your own. Overall, it is worth giving it a try.

What to do at Oktoberfest?

As I have mentioned at the beginning, Oktoberfest is open for anybody and there are no entry tickets. Just keep in mind their opening times, which are 10a.m.-11:30p.m. daily or even a little bit longer on weekends.

A big part of the Oktoberfest are the big festival tents, where you can enjoy German beer and try local cuisine while listening to live Bavarian music. You would normally need a reservation to get into one of those, and by September, they are mostly fully booked. So if you have decided to visit Oktoberfest last minute, your chances for getting a table reservation at a festival tent are minuscule. On weekends, however, there are always designated places in each tent, that are available for walk-ins. If you want to try to get in this way, show up early, even a bit before the opening time. Otherwise, you can always ask during the day, whether there is a table available, you might get lucky because of a no-show, for example.

In case you don’t get in a festival tent, don’t worry, you definitely won’t stay hungry or thirsty outside. There are also many outdoor food stalls, offering traditional German street food and beer gardens with beer on the tap, of course. Although you will miss out on the live music, the food outside is cheaper and there is no service charge or tips, so it is not a bad alternative at all.

If you are unsure, how much time to plan for Oktoberfest, check out our article

Is 1 Day At Oktoberfest Enough In 2023?

How much does it cost to visit Oktoberfest last minute?

There won’t be any difference in the price of public transportation or the food and drinks at the Oktoberfest itself. However, getting to Munich and finding accommodation might prove a bit more tricky on a budget if you’re visiting last minute. We have a very thorough article, that is all about expenses for an Oktoberfest visit, plus some money-saving tips that you can check it out here!