Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich with crowds and high prices

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 09. 19. 11:26

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The world’s largest beer festival, Oktoberfest in Munich, began on September 20 and will last until October 5. Organizers expect more than 6.5 million visitors to the festival, which is now in its 190th year.

Traditionally, beer is served in liter mugs, and the price ranges between 14.50 and 15.80 euros (5,600–6,200 forints), but there is also a wheat beer for 17.80 euros. This represents an average price increase of 3.5 percent compared to last year.

14 large and 21 smaller beer tents await guests on site, offering classic dishes – hot dogs, sausages, lángos and hamburgers – at prices ranging from 10 to 20 euros. Non-alcoholic drinks cost an average of 10.95 euros, but drinking water is provided free of charge.

The first “beer corpse” of the festival – an 18-year-old man from Arizona with a blood alcohol level of 2.9 parts per thousand – had to be treated by paramedics on the opening day. According to the Aicher Ambulance Service, his condition is stable.

The largest part of the costs is accommodation: the occupancy rate is over 90 percent, the average price of an apartment is around 65 thousand forints per night, while luxury hotels charge several thousand euros. You can still find places in hostels and campsites from 28 thousand forints, but cheaper options sell out quickly on weekends.

There are several alternatives for travel: the distance from Budapest to Munich by car is 7–8 hours, train tickets start from 26 thousand forints, bus travel costs 15–28 thousand forints, while flight tickets range from 120–200 thousand forints.

The economic impact of the festival is enormous: in 2024, 6.7 million visitors consumed 7 million liters of beer, and 12,000 people worked at the event, including 1,600 waiters dressed in dirndl and lederhosen.