Getting to the Theresienwiese for Oktoberfest should be the easiest part of your trip—and with proper planning, it absolutely can be. Munich boasts one of the world's best public transportation systems, multiple stations within walking distance of the festival grounds, and 24-hour service during Oktoberfest weekends. But with 7 million visitors descending on one location, knowing the best routes, avoiding overcrowded stations, and understanding your ticket options can transform a potentially stressful journey into a smooth ride.
Why Public Transport is Your Best Option
Let's address the elephant in the beer tent right away: driving to Oktoberfest is a terrible idea. During the festival, authorities establish a complete security cordon around the Theresienwiese. Parking is virtually impossible within the restricted zone unless you live or work there and obtain a special permit. The few parking garages in downtown Munich fill up completely for the entire festival duration—some spots are rented as long-term parking for up to €250 per month.
Beyond parking nightmares, there's the obvious issue: you're going to drink beer. Munich takes drunk driving seriously, and with Oktoberfest under heavy police presence, getting caught will ruin your festival—and potentially your life.
Public transportation is cheap, efficient, runs frequently, and delivers you steps from the festival entrances. During Oktoberfest, services are expanded with extra trains and extended hours. Best of all, you can drink as much as you want and never worry about driving home.
The MVV Network: Your Transit System
Munich's public transportation operates under the MVV (Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund), which includes U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (suburban trains), buses, and trams. The system uses a zone-based fare structure, with Munich's city center—including Theresienwiese—located in the M-zone.
U-Bahn (Subway) to Theresienwiese
The U-Bahn is your fastest and most direct option for reaching Oktoberfest. Four U-Bahn lines serve stations near the festival grounds, but not all are equally convenient.
U4 and U5 Lines:
The U4 (green) and U5 (brown) lines stop directly at Theresienwiese station, literally at the festival entrance. Sounds perfect, right? Well, yes and no. This station becomes absolutely mobbed during peak times—Friday evenings, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoons. Escalators get so crowded that authorities sometimes close the station entirely for safety reasons.
Your smarter move: Schwanthalerhöhe station, one stop further on the U4/U5. It's about a 10-minute walk to the festival grounds, rarely overcrowded, and offers a much more pleasant experience. You can take the U4/U5 from major hubs like Odeonsplatz, Karlsplatz/Stachus, or Hauptbahnhof and reach either station within minutes.
U3 and U6 Lines:
The U3 (orange) and U6 (blue) lines serve the southern and eastern entrances to Oktoberfest. Exit at Goetheplatz or Poccistraße—both require about a 10-minute walk but are significantly less crowded than Theresienwiese station.
These lines run from Odeonsplatz, Marienplatz, and Sendlinger Tor, taking roughly five minutes to reach Goetheplatz. During peak crowding, these stations are your secret weapon for avoiding the chaos.
Pro Tip: Download the MVGO app and enter "Oktoberfest" as your destination. The app monitors crowd levels in real-time and suggests the fastest, least congested route based on current conditions.
S-Bahn (Suburban Rail) to Oktoberfest
All S-Bahn lines (S1 through S8) run on the Stammstrecke—Munich's main east-west rail corridor connecting the suburbs to the city center. The S-Bahn is ideal if you're staying outside the city center or arriving from the airport.
Hackerbrücke Station:
This is your primary S-Bahn stop for Oktoberfest. All S-Bahn lines stop here, and it's about a 10-minute walk to the festival's north entrance. The route is well-signposted, and during Oktoberfest, you literally just follow the river of people in dirndls and lederhosen—you can't get lost.
From Hauptbahnhof (Munich Central Station), Hackerbrücke is just one stop and takes two minutes. From Marienplatz, it's five minutes. From Ostbahnhof (East Station), it's ten minutes.
Hauptbahnhof (Central Station):
If you're arriving by long-distance train or from the airport via bus, you'll land at Hauptbahnhof. From there, it's either a 15-minute walk to the festival or a quick U-Bahn ride on the U4/U5.
Bus and Tram Options
While U-Bahn and S-Bahn are faster, several bus and tram lines serve the Theresienwiese area. These options work well if you're staying in neighborhoods not directly served by rail.
Bus Lines:
- MetroBus 53 – Haltestelle Schwanthalerhöhe
- MetroBus 58 – Haltestelle Georg-Hirth-Platz, Beethovenplatz, or Goetheplatz
- MetroBus 62 – Haltestelle Hans-Fischer-Straße, Poccistraße, or Herzog-Ernst-Platz
- Bus 134 – Haltestelle Schwanthalerhöhe
Tram Lines:
- Tram 16/17 – Haltestelle Hackerbrücke (10-minute walk to Oktoberfest)
- Tram 18/19 – Haltestelle Holzapfelstraße or Hermann-Lingg-Straße
Buses and trams run frequently during Oktoberfest, but they're slower than rail options and can get stuck in traffic near the festival grounds.
Tickets and Fares
The MVV network uses a zone-based system. For most Oktoberfest visitors, you'll need tickets within the M-zone (Munich city center).
Single Tickets
A Kurzstrecke (short-distance ticket) costs about €2-3 and covers up to four stops on U-Bahn/tram or two stops on S-Bahn. This works if you're traveling from Hauptbahnhof to Theresienwiese.
A standard single ticket costs around €3.90 and covers travel anywhere within the M-zone for up to three hours.
Important: You must validate your ticket at the blue stamping machines before boarding! Failure to do so results in €60 fines, which controllers enforce aggressively during Oktoberfest.
Day Tickets
If you're making more than two trips in a day—which you likely are—grab a day ticket. It costs around €9.90 for one person and is valid until 6 AM the following day.
Group day tickets cover up to five people traveling together for about €17.80. This is by far the best value if you're with friends or family.
Multi-Day Tickets and Passes
For longer stays, consider:
- IsarCard – Weekly or monthly passes
- CityTourCard – Combines unlimited MVV travel with discounts at museums, restaurants, and attractions
- MVV Swipe – Check in at the start of your journey and check out at the end. The system automatically charges you the best fare, never exceeding a day ticket price.
You can purchase tickets at:
- Blue ticket machines at every station (cash, Girocard, credit card)
- MVGO app or MVV app (mobile tickets)
- MVV website (print-at-home tickets)
Getting to Oktoberfest from Munich Airport
Munich Airport (MUC) is about 40 km from the city center. Several options connect you to the festival.
S-Bahn (Cheapest and Most Reliable)
The S1 and S8 lines connect the airport to central Munich. Take either line and get off at Hackerbrücke for a direct 10-minute walk to Oktoberfest. Total journey time: about 45 minutes. Cost: €13.60 for an M-5 zone single ticket.
The S1 runs every 20 minutes and passes through Hauptbahnhof and Hackerbrücke. The S8 is slightly faster but doesn't stop at Hackerbrücke—you'd need to change at Hauptbahnhof.
Lufthansa Express Bus
This dedicated airport shuttle runs between Munich Airport and Hauptbahnhof every 20 minutes. Journey time: 40 minutes. Cost: €10-13. From Hauptbahnhof, it's either a 15-minute walk or a quick U-Bahn ride to Theresienwiese.
Taxi or Ride-Share
A taxi costs €110-140 and takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Ride-share services like Uber are slightly cheaper at €75-120. During Oktoberfest, expect surge pricing and longer wait times.
Car Rental (Not Recommended)
If you insist on renting a car, use Park+Ride facilities on Munich's outskirts and take public transport into the city. Driving and parking downtown during Oktoberfest is a nightmare.
Bike and E-Scooter Options
Munich is exceptionally bike-friendly, and cycling to Oktoberfest can be a pleasant option—especially during morning and early afternoon hours.
MVG Rad (Bike-Sharing):
Note: MVG Rad ceased operations on September 30, 2025. The city is developing a new bike-sharing system, but as of late 2025, no replacement has launched yet.
E-Scooter Rentals:
Services like Tier, Voi, Lime, and Bolt operate throughout Munich. You can rent scooters via their apps for short-term use. Special parking areas exist near Oktoberfest grounds, though access may be restricted during peak times.
Private Bikes:
If you're bringing your own bike, there are designated parking areas near the festival entrances. However, be aware that navigating through dense crowds on a bike can be frustrating.
Important: Never ride drunk. Munich police actively enforce this, and penalties are severe.
Taxi and Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-shares (Uber, Free Now) are available throughout Munich but come with caveats during Oktoberfest.
During peak festival hours—especially at tent closing time around midnight—demand surges massively. Expect long wait times, surge pricing, and difficulty finding rides. If you must use a taxi or ride-share, book in advance or be prepared to wait.
Taxi stands exist near the festival grounds, but lines can be lengthy. Your best strategy: walk a few blocks away from the festival to a quieter pickup location.
Walking to Oktoberfest
If you're staying in central Munich—particularly in the Altstadt (Old Town) or near Hauptbahnhof—walking to Oktoberfest is entirely feasible.
From Marienplatz to Theresienwiese: about 25 minutes
From Hauptbahnhof to Theresienwiese: about 15 minutes
From Karlsplatz/Stachus to Theresienwiese: about 12 minutes
Walking avoids crowded trains and gives you a chance to soak in Munich's beautiful architecture. Just wear comfortable shoes—you'll be doing plenty of standing and walking once you reach the festival.
Driving and Parking (If You Must)
We've strongly discouraged driving, but if circumstances require it, here's what you need to know.
Security Cordon:
A complete ring road closure surrounds the Theresienwiese during Oktoberfest. Only residents, workers, and hotel guests within the restricted zone can obtain access permits. The restricted zone includes Lindwurmstraße, Poccistraße, Hans-Fischer-Straße, Ganghoferstraße, Trappentreustraße, Landsberger Straße, Bayerstraße, Schwanthalerstraße, Paul-Heyse-Straße, and connecting streets.
Park+Ride Facilities:
Your best option is parking at a Park+Ride (P+R) facility on Munich's outskirts and taking public transport. P+R locations include:
- Fröttmaning (U6 line, 20-29 minutes to Goetheplatz)
- Garching (U6 line)
- Langwied (S3 line, 14 minutes to Hackerbrücke)
- Mangfallplatz (U-Bahn access to city center)
P+R parking costs a few euros per day and accepts coins only—no bills or cards.
Environmental Zone:
Munich's entire city center within the Mittlerer Ring is an environmental zone requiring a green emissions sticker. Additionally, diesel vehicles with Euro 4/VI emission standards or worse are banned.
Extended Hours During Oktoberfest
Munich significantly expands public transport during the festival:
- U-Bahn: Runs until 1 AM on weekdays and until 2 AM on Friday-Saturday and Saturday-Sunday nights, with trains every 10 minutes
- S-Bahn: All lines offer one night journey each at weekends, departing the city center between 2:10 AM and 2:40 AM
- Increased frequency: Between Pasing and Ostbahnhof via Hauptbahnhof and Marienplatz, S-Bahns run every 2-5 minutes throughout the day
This expanded service ensures you can get home safely no matter how late the tents close.
Insider Tips for Smooth Travel
Avoid the Main Station: Theresienwiese station is a tourist trap during peak hours. Use Schwanthalerhöhe, Goetheplatz, or Poccistraße instead.
Travel Early: Arrive before noon on weekdays or before 9 AM on weekends to avoid the worst crowds.
Use the MVGO App: Real-time crowd monitoring helps you choose the fastest route. The app even "speaks Bavarian" during Oktoberfest—a fun touch!
Don't Bring Large Bags: Security restricts bags over 3 liters or 20x15x10 cm. Travel light or use festival luggage storage.
Forbidden Items on Trains: Balloons and stolen beer mugs are banned on S-Bahns. Don't be that person.
Leave Early if Possible: Tent closing time creates a massive rush. Leaving 30 minutes before closing gives you a head start on the crowds.
The Bottom Line
Getting to Theresienwiese for Oktoberfest is remarkably easy—if you use public transportation. The U-Bahn, S-Bahn, buses, and trams deliver you directly to the festival grounds quickly and cheaply. Skip the overcrowded Theresienwiese station, grab a day ticket, and let Munich's world-class transit system do the heavy lifting.
Whatever you do, don't drive. Use the money you save on parking nightmares to buy another round of beer instead. Prost!