Oktoberfest Travel Mistakes to Avoid: What No One Tells You!
Do you want to have the best Oktoberfest experience? Or do you want to make rookie mistakes and regret half your trip?
Nobody tells you the small but important things that can turn your beer-filled adventure into a disaster.
Here’s a list of Oktoberfest travel mistakes that people make (and how to avoid them). Read this, and you’ll be ahead of the game.
Waiting Too Long to Book Flights and Hotels
Do you think you can book a last-minute flight and find a cheap hotel? Think again. Oktoberfest attracts millions of visitors. Prices for flights and hotels skyrocket months before the festival.
What to do instead: Book your flight and accommodation as early as possible. Aim for at least six months in advance.
If you wait, you’ll either pay a fortune or stay miles away from the festival grounds. Munich has great public transport, but after a long day of beer and bratwurst, you won’t want to travel far.
Wearing the Wrong Outfit
Oktoberfest has a dress code. No, you don’t need to dress up, but you will feel out of place without traditional Bavarian attire.
Men wear lederhosen. Women wear a dirndl dress. But not all outfits are equal. Tourists wear cheap, plastic-looking costumes that scream, “I bought this from a souvenir shop.” Don’t be that person.
What to do instead: Get a quality outfit from a German shop or an online store (lederhosensale.com) that sells authentic pieces. If you don’t want to buy, rent one.
Also, avoid sneakers. Wear sturdy shoes because beer, dirt, and the occasional spilled drink will end up on your feet.
Forgetting to Bring Cash
Do you think you can tap your card at every beer tent? Wrong. Many tents only accept cash. Waiting an hour for a beer, only to realize you can’t pay. That’s heartbreak.
What to do instead: Bring enough cash to last the day. You’ll need money for beer, food, and tips.
Most ATMs around Oktoberfest charge crazy fees and have long lines. Save yourself the headache. So, withdraw cash before you go.
Arriving Late and Expecting a Table
Oktoberfest beer tents fill up fast. Some people arrive at 10 AM to grab the best seats. If you stroll in late and expect a table, you’ll be disappointed.
What to do instead: Arrive early. If you want a sure seat, book a table months ahead of time. If not, you’ll have to squeeze in somewhere or stand until a seat becomes available.
If you strike up a conversation with people at a table, they may invite you to join. Be polite. Purchase a round of beers. It works!
Thinking You Can Order Any Beer You Want
Oktoberfest does not serve just any beer. Each tent serves beer from one of Munich’s six traditional breweries. That’s it. No craft beer. No cocktails.
What to do instead: Learn about the different tents and the beers they offer. Pick one that suits your taste.
And don’t ask for a small beer. The standard size is one liter. Go big or go home.
Skipping Food (Big Mistake!)
You wouldn’t run a marathon on an empty stomach, so why drink liters of beer without eating? Some tourists skip food to save money or because they get too excited about the beer. That’s a mistake.
What to do instead: Eat before and during the festival. Oktoberfest has amazing food such as pretzels, roast chicken, sausages, and more. Grab something to eat between beers. Your future self will thank you.
Underestimating How Strong the Beer Is
Oktoberfest beer is not your average beer. It has a higher alcohol content, and it goes down way too easily. Tourists drink like they’re at a normal bar, then wonder why they can’t walk straight by midday.
What to do instead: Pace yourself. Drink water between beers. Don’t try to keep up with locals, they’ve been doing this their whole lives.
Leaving Without Experiencing Munich
Some people fly to Munich, drink for three days straight, then fly back home. That’s a waste. Munich is an incredible city with so much to see.
What to do instead: Take a break from the beer tents and explore. Visit Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, or the English Garden. If you love history, go to Dachau Concentration Camp for a sobering but important experience.
Not Knowing How to Get Home
Thousands of people exit Oktoberfest simultaneously at night’s end. Public transport becomes crowded. Taxis are not easily found. You’ll be lost roaming the streets if you don’t have a plan.
What to do instead: Plan your route home before you begin drinking. Research the best transport links and train times.
If you’re far away from the festival, think about going a bit earlier to avoid getting stuck. You don’t need to waste an hour looking for a way back.
Forgetting to Have Fun
Some tourists get so caught up in taking pictures, planning every detail, or drinking too much that they forget to enjoy the experience. Oktoberfest is about celebration, good vibes, and making memories.
What to do instead: Put your phone down. Talk to people. Dance on the benches. Sing along to the music. Enjoy the moment.
You traveled all this way—make the most of it!
Oktoberfest Survival Scorecard
✅ Booked flights & hotel early – Unless you enjoy overpriced last-minute deals.
✅ Got a proper lederhosen/dirndl – So you don’t look like a lost tourist.
✅ Know your beer tent choices – Because not all beers are the same!
✅ Have enough cash – No card, no beer, no fun.
✅ Planned your way home – Drunk navigation is not a skill.
✅ Paced yourself with food & water – Surviving > passing out by noon.
✅ Practiced German drinking songs – Because yelling Prost! is only the start.
Score Yourself:
- 7/7: Oktoberfest Pro
- 5-6/7: Beer Tent Veteran
- 3-4/7: Lost Tourist
- 0-2/7: Oktoberfest Disaster
It helps travelers avoid rookie mistakes and prepare you that you are actually ready for this.
Final Thoughts
Oktoberfest is an unforgettable experience, but small mistakes can ruin your trip. Plan ahead, make smart choices, and most importantly, have fun.
Now you know the mistakes to avoid. The only question is… how many liters will you drink before you forget them?
