Oktoberfest tips: top 10 things to know before you go

Beer lovers from around the world set their sights on Munich each September to celebrate Oktoberfest. Ready to raise your stein with confidence? A few etiquette tips can make a big difference.

One of the major perks of joining our Oktoberfest tours is that you’ll enjoy special admission to one of the iconic beer tents, allowing you to stroll right up to your reserved table—so you spend less time searching for seats and more time enjoying the atmosphere.

Once the festivities are in full swing, you’ll be surrounded by singing, dancing, and plenty of toasting. It’s perfectly acceptable to sway and stand on benches as the music picks up, but dancing on tables is a definite no. When it comes time to raise your glass with a neighbor, be sure to make eye contact, say “Prost,” and clink mugs at the bottom—not the top. It's good luck and tradition!

“Your Tour Director is a local expert and will be able to give you the history and background on the event,” said Brandi. “Our fantastic Tour Director told us all about King Ludwig and how the festival originally started.” No matter which Oktoberfest tour you choose, you’ll have a knowledgeable Tour Director by your side. From recommending the best local beer (only brews made within Munich’s city limits are served at Oktoberfest) to helping you order in German or finding your way to another tent, they’re there to make sure your experience is seamless and spirited.

Wearing traditional Bavarian garb—like a dirndl, lederhosen, or whatever feels right for you—is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the Oktoberfest experience on trips like our Oktoberfest: Germany, Switzerland & Austria tour. Just don’t forget comfortable shoes! The skirt-and-blouse dirndls and knee-length leather shorts (aka lederhosen) often feature motifs like edelweiss flowers representing courage and stags to show a connection to nature. All these symbols reflect the folk festival’s cultural roots.

“A number of people in our group wore dirndls and lederhosens,” said Brandi. “Dressing like a local made the festival so much more fun. Plus, our pictures look great!” While you can buy your outfit in Munich, we recommend ordering it online before your trip to save money and ensure a good fit.

One of the most quintessential Oktoberfest tips and tricks is to celebrate with traditional food and drink. “Inside the tents you will find an array of local options like hendl (roast chicken), schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), wurstl (sausages), and brezen (pretzel) with prices ranging from 10 to 30 euros per item,” said Brandi about her Oktoberfest tour. “Outside of the tents, there are food stands that sell all kinds of sandwiches and meats at a quarter of the price. Of course, you have to find a place to sit and eat it—but it’s totally worth it.”

We’d be remiss to not shine a light on the beer culture, too. Each beer tent serves a selection of locally brewed beers like Marzen and festbier. Marzen is the most traditional Oktoberfest brew, famously made in March and stored in caves until the fall celebration. It’s malty and strong, so be sure to pace yourself, as the beers are typically served in one-liter steins, known as mass—rhyming with “loss” but with a longer “a” sound, and they go down easier than you’d expect. Check out our guide to German beer for even more tips to get prepped for Oktoberfest.

Did you know that the Oktoberfest fairgrounds, called the Theresienwiese, cover an area roughly the size of 16 soccer fields? And you’ll find way more than just beer halls and bratwurst when you travel on trips like our Oktoberfest: Jewels of Alpine Europe tour. Scattered across the grounds, you’ll find classic carnival rides like Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and the Teufelsrad (a spinning disc participants try to stay on as it speeds up). You may just want to opt to do any spinning rides before heading to the beer tents!

Outside the tents, vendors in their stalls line the walkways. They sell everything from gingerbread cookies to traditional Bavarian crafts, souvenirs, and handmade goods. It’s the perfect excuse to do some shopping between events. “There are tons of games, rides, and fun things to do on the fairgrounds,” said Brandi. “There are even bumper cars and a Ferris wheel. The view from the Ferris wheel is stunning at dusk.”

How to celebrate Oktoberfest like a pro has a little to do with how much you get in the spirit and a lot to do with your tent-hopping strategy. Our experts get to the grounds around 10 a.m. when they open so you can explore each of the tents before the crowds fill in. Each tent has its own personality, music, and beer selection, so you have to find the ones that are right for you. Go to the Hacker-Festzelt tent, which is known for its sky decor, if you’re in it for the aesthetics. Need the vibes at an all-time high? Head to the Schottenhamel tent. It’s one of the largest tents and it’s where the mayor of Munich leads the annual Oktoberfest opening ceremony.

“We arrived at the festival at around 11 a.m.,” said Brandi about our Oktoberfest tour. “Our tent, Armbrustschutzen, was a great place to kick off our adventure. There was a traditional Bavarian band playing and enough space to comfortably eat at the tables. We were in a private section reserved for our group. At around 3 p.m., the tent started to fill up with more people. After 4 p.m., we decided to check out a few other tents. We just asked at the door if there was space, and we were happily let in. Each tent had a different vibe and served different beer. Once we found one that we really liked, we stayed for the dancing.”

Want to make instant friends on your Oktoberfest tour? Say “prost!” This German word for cheers is the easiest way to join the party. “Germans are friendly people, and they certainly know how to have a good time,” said Brandi. “Many of the beer tents have long communal tables that are shared by multiple groups. We sat with a group of lively Germans and it was definitely a cultural experience!” To help you blend in (and order a beer), here are a few German phrases to know before you go on trips like our Oktoberfest: Historic Germany tour:

• “Ein bier, bitte” means “One beer, please.” (Pronounced ine beer, BIT-uh)
• “Wo ist das zelt?” means “Where is the tent?” (Pronounced voh ist dahs tseltt?)
• “Was kostet das?” – How much does it cost? (Pronounced: vass KOSS-tet dahss?)
• “Wo ist die toilette?” – Where is the bathroom? (Pronounced: voh ist dee toy-LET-tuh?)

“Once the sun goes down, the party starts,” said Brandi about her Oktoberfest tour. “In almost every tent there were huge groups of people dancing on the benches. So, of course, we joined in. You know what they say … ‘When in Rome!’ (or in this case, Munich!)” In addition to the traditional Bavarian folk music, partygoers will hear anthems like “Sweet Caroline,” “Ein Prosit,” and “Country Roads.” You’ll be singing and swaying alongside travelers from all corners of the globe.

With the festival grounds stretching far and wide, it’s best to align on a meeting time and place if you plan to split up during the celebrations. Doing so means you don’t have to worry about navigating spotty cell service or hoping someone hears their phone ring over the oompah bands.

“By the end of the night, most of our group had split up,” said Brandi. “Luckily, we set up a meeting place and time earlier in the day, making it super easy for us to regroup and share a taxi back to the hotel.” Your Tour Director will know the best places to meet that are accessible and easy to remember!

How to do Oktoberfest right comes down to your appetite for stepping outside your comfort zone. The festival is all about appreciating and celebrating the Bavarian culture, tradition, and community spirit. From unfamiliar dishes to spirited dances and folk songs, our Oktoberfest tours invite you to leave your routine behind and dive into something new.

“Whether it’s trying a taste of liver, drinking dark beer, or dancing when you don’t know the music, don’t be afraid to try something new—you won’t regret it!” said Brandi. Leaning into the experience, even if you don’t know the lyrics or can’t pronounce the dish, is what makes Oktoberfest unforgettable. It’s all about showing up with a willingness to celebrate like a local.

Remember these top pieces of advice about how to celebrate Oktoberfest before you head out on tour.

• Immerse yourself. The second you hear the crowds singing along with the big band songs, you’ll get wrapped up in the event’s cultural richness—and that’s the whole point!
• Try something new. The Bavarian foods, local beers, and folkloric outfits are all part of the experience. The more you embrace it, the more fun you’ll have.
• Plan ahead. The farther out you book your Oktoberfest tour the more departure dates you have to choose from and the more affordable your monthly payments will be.
• Go guided. Going to Oktoberfest on a guided tour is the stress-free way to enjoy the festival. Plus, you’ll get the most curated experience.