Where to Stay for Oktoberfest 2025: Book the Best Accommodations

If you like parties and beer, Oktoberfest is the one event you should not miss this year. But where are you going to stay in Germany during the busiest festival in the whole country?

Photo by Brett Sayles

 

Maybe you’ve participated in Oktoberfest in other countries. If you’re from the U. S. or visited there, you know that places like Keystone in Colorado are quite famous for their big celebrations. But the experience, while still extremely fun and Bavarian-inspired, doesn’t compare to the original festival in Munich. There, in the land where the Bavarians developed their unique culture, which is now part of Germany, you can taste the authentic Bavarian beer, dance to their tune, dress in their traditional attire, and eat all the delicious Bavarian food.

As always, there’s a downside to this celebration, and in this case, is that it’s extremely popular. Every year, over 6 million people travel to Munich to celebrate, and if you want to be one of them, you have to start planning your stay right now. So let’s see what options you have to stay in Munich, Germany, during Oktoberfest.

But first, before we talk about hotels and hostels and Airbnbs, you’ll be traveling internationally, and you’ll need a reliable way to stay connected to the Internet, won’t you? With Yoho Mobile eSIMs you can get the best deals in Germany, and even in the middle of the most lively festival, engulfed by merry drinkers, you’ll be able to send photos and videos to your friends and family. Don’t forget — your first eSIM is free!

 

Where to Stay in Munich During Oktoberfest

How to Choose the Right Accommodation

There are a few things you have to keep in mind while hotel browsing hotels in Munich. As we already said, Oktoberfest is incredibly popular, and that means there will be a lot of people everywhere. The main attractions will be crowded, and getting a place to stay and moving around is going to be hard.

Budget vs. Convenience

Traveling to a major festival like Oktoberfest on a budget is possible, but it is not going to be easy. You can save some money by staying outside, as hotels there are generally way cheaper. The downside is that you’ll have to plan a lot for the train schedules to move to and from the festival. Staying right in Munich will give you the best access to the festival, but it’s going to be expensive.

Noise and Crowds

Being close to the festival also means you’ll have to deal with the noise. It’s a beer festival after all! People get quite drunk and noisy. If you don’t mind it, you can stay near the Hauptbahnhof (Central Train Station). But if you want to have a good, nice sleep and relax a bit after the celebrations, you can stay in SchwabenQuarters or Maxvorstadt.

Photo by Manuel Joseph

 

Booking Strategies to Get the Best Deals

First of all, book 6-12 months in advance. This will make it a bit cheaper, and you’ll get exactly the hotel you want. If you’re looking for another way to save some dollars, you can also consider booking a hostel or an Airbnb as an alternative. To stay aware of the best deals, check sites like Booking or Expedia.

 

Best Areas to Stay in Munich for Oktoberfest

Altstadt-Lehel

This area is one of the best if you want to stay right next to the Theresienwiese, where Oktoberfest is held. So close that, if you’re thirsty, you can leave your hotel room and walk for 10 minutes and get a nice, cold beer at the festival’s grounds. The area is really lively, with lots of shops, restaurants, and cultural sites, so you can explore more of Munich. On the downside, like any popular area, it can get pretty crowded, especially during a big event like Oktoberfest.

Besides Oktoberfest, it has other attractions, like Marienplatz, the central square in Munich. It’s one of the most iconic spots in the city, and the heart of the Old Town. There’s also the Residenz Palace, which used to be the residence of the Bavarian monarchs, if you want to learn more about their history.

Where to Stay in Altstadt-Lehel:

• Hotel Platzl: Near Marienplatz, and quite a stylish and elegant hotel. It is perfect if you want to stay in the Old Town to enjoy the Bavarian charm.

• Cortiina Hotel: A boutique hotel with modern amenities and a contemporary design. It’s nice and cozy, and it’s within walking distance of Marienplatz.

Photo by ian kelsall on Unsplash

 

Schwabenviertel

If you like to experience Munich like a native, then an area like Schwabenviertel is much more suitable for you. This neighborhood is more local, while still being quite trendy. There are boutique hotels, and you can relax in the cafes and bars to taste a bit more of the German culture. If you’re going to Oktoberfest, you’ll have to take a short tram or subway ride, as it’s a bit farther away. This also means that it’s a bit quieter at night, and many people prefer this balance.

Where to Stay in Schwabenviertel:

• Hotel Giesing: Staying in big hotels is nice, but it can be expensive. This hotel is a nice and cozy alternative with comfortable rooms and easy access to public transport.

• Munchen Marriott Hotel: On the other hand, if you want to spend a bit more and stay in an upscale hotel, this one is the best in the area.

 

Maxvorstadt

You traveled explicitly for Oktoberfest, and yet you are prepared to experience as much as you can of the local culture. Maxvorstadt is excellent for this, as it is considered one of the most visited cultural hubs in Munich. There you’ll find art galleries and museums, where you can spend some time peacefully contemplating the art and historical pieces. The area is central, but not as close to the festival grounds as others are. If you want to get to Oktoberfest from there, you can either take a 20-minute walk or a short ride.

Where to Stay in Maxvorstadt:

• Hotel Germania: A nice and traditional hotel where you can stay quite comfortably and walk to the main attractions in the area.

• 25hours Hotel The Royal Bavarian: For the young travelers who don’t miss the opportunity to stay in a unique and trendy place. The hotel is stylish and filled with many creative design elements.

Photo by I Do Nothing But Love on Unsplash

 

Haidhausen

Not everyone plans to spend all their time in Munich at the festival grounds, engulfing sausages, dancing, and drinking beer, and that’s perfectly fine. Some people are party people and some are not. If you want to stay in a peaceful neighborhood in Munich, you should try Haidhausen. It’s mainly residential, so you know you’re in for an authentic experience. If you want to try traditional Bavarian meals, there are plenty of restaurants, and you can have very nice walks in its charming streets. On the downside, there are not that many tourist attractions, and some people can consider this boring.

Where to Stay in Haidhausen:

• Holiday Inn Munich City Centre: A nice, comfortable hotel with a prime location near the Deutsches Museum.

• Living Hotel Das Viktualienmarkt: A boutique hotel with a good balance of comfort and luxury. It’s quite central and within walking distance of the Isar River.

 

Best Town Besides Munich

Freising

You can save some money by staying in the small town of Freising. It’s quite a charming place, with lots of historic buildings and only 25 minutes away from Munich. There you can find the famous Weihenstephan Brewery, one of the oldest in the world, and one of the best Bavarian beers you can taste.

Where to Stay in Freising:

• Munich Airport Marriott Hotel: A modern hotel for travelers who seek comfort and convenience. As the name suggests, it’s close to the airport, so it has excellent transport connections.

• Hotel Bayerischer Hof Freising: For the cultured travelers who want to explore other styles of life, a traditional Bavarian hotel is close to the train station.

 

Alternatives to Traditional Hotels

Not all travelers want to stay in a modern, comfortable room, especially while going to a lively festival in a country as culturally rich as Germany.

• Farm Stays in Bavaria: A unique and interesting way to learn more about the rural traditions in the area. It’s also a nice way of stepping out from the hassle of the cities for a few days and enjoying a more peaceful and nature-filled experience.

• House and Apartment Rentals: This can be a great way to save some money, and you can choose between renting a full apartment or a shared space between several people. It also gives a very personal experience, and you can stay as close to the festival grounds as you want to.

• Oktoberfest Camping and RV Parks: If you don’t mind the simple and rustic and want to stay right next to the action, this is a great option. You can bring your own tent, rent one already made, or even park a mobile home like an RV. You’ll also get to meet a ton of people who have traveled from all corners of the world to share the experience.

Photo by Brett Sayles

 

Conclusion

It doesn’t matter where you choose to stay to attend Oktoberfest, be it in the heart of Munich, in a quiet town nearby, or even on a farm. The most important thing about all else is that you plan your stay with plenty of time so you have all the options available. That way, you can personalize your stay, and adapt it to your personal preferences, to your budget, and of course, to your comfort, to have the best Oktoberfest ever!

 

Bonus: Interesting Facts About Oktoberfest

• Oktoberfest is named for October but starts in September.
• More than 7 million liters of beer are consumed during Oktoberfest.
• The festival features 14 large tents, each with unique settings and traditions.
• Only beer brewed within the city limits of Munich is served at the festival.
• Beer pouring cannot be stopped.
• Vomit-proof sneakers are popular for Oktoberfest attendees.
• Locals refer to the festival as “Wiesn.”
• Nobody raises their beer mug until the Mayor gives the signal.
• The hairier the hat, the wealthier the wearer.
• The beer served is specially brewed for Oktoberfest and is extra strong.
• Around 140 restaurants and food stands offer a variety of food options.
• Oktoberfest closes between 11:30 PM and midnight.
• Albert Einstein worked as an electrician and helped set up one of the beer tents in 1896.
• Beer mugs are popular souvenirs.
• The phrase “Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit!” is commonly heard at Oktoberfest, but it was invented by musician Bernhard Dittrich from Chemnitz, not originally Bavarian.