By train to Munich and to Oktoberfest from Hauptbahnhof
Many visitors take the train to Oktoberfest and so Munich’s stations are very busy. Double the normal number of passengers are expected at Hauptbahnhof. Extra security personnel are on duty in the S-Bahn stations.
From Munich Hauptbahnhof to Oktoberfest
Both long-distance and regional trains stop at Munich Central Station. Anyone arriving there can reach the Theresienwiese in ten to 15 minutes on foot. Under the motto "z' Fuaß samma schnella," Deutsche Bahn advertises this with posters at the main station. With large crowds at weekends and on public holidays, the walk is worthwhile. The paths are well marked with signs and floor markings. If the weather is bad, you can take the subway (U4/U5 stop Theresienwiese) one stop or the streetcar (line 18/19, stop Holzapfelstraße or Hermann-Lingg-Straße).
Taking the S-Bahn to Hackerbrücke
At the Hauptbahnhof and on the entire main line (Stammstrecke), which stretches from Pasing to Ostbahnhof, Munich's S-Bahn trains run almost every minute. With any one of them you can get to the Oktoberfest station Hackerbrücke. Thus, the S-Bahn offers additional trips to and from the Oktoberfest: On all lines, a 20-minute interval is thus also guaranteed in the evening hours from about 10 p.m. until the end of service.
From Hackerbrücke, it is only a few minutes' walk to the Oktoberfest. The route from there is signposted, but the easiest way is to follow the many people in dirndls and lederhosen.
Tips and advice from Deutsche Bahn for rail travelers
- Balloons can cause short circuits when they come into contact with the 15,000-volt overhead line, bringing S-Bahn traffic to a standstill. They are therefore prohibited.
- Large luggage is not permitted on the festival grounds. There are therefore many lockers and a luggage storage facility available at the main station. However, bottlenecks can occur here during peak times. It is therefore best to travel to the Wiesn without large bags and backpacks.
- Even without a Germany-wide ticket, you can still get to Oktoberfest cheaply. For small groups, we recommend the MVV group day ticket. For only €18.70 (Zone M), up to five people can travel around the city all day and until 6 a.m. the following day in an environmentally friendly way. It is advisable to travel to the Wiesn with as little luggage as possible. However, you should always carry identification with you, as personalized MVV tickets and the Deutschland-Ticket are only valid with ID in the event of a check.
- Beer mugs belong in the festival tent. It is prohibited to take them on the train – which is consistently checked by DB Security and the police at stations. Purchased beer mugs can be taken with you if they are packed.
- Depending on the time of day, the S-Bahn trains can become very crowded during arrival and departure times. It may therefore not be possible to take bicycles with you on the Stammstrecke line at all times.
Deutsche Bahn’s special timetable for Oktoberfest
- Deutsche Bahn has a special timetable during Oktoberfest, as it expects 100,000 more passengers per day: on weekends and public holidays, for example, there are more and longer regional trains, which also run late into the night. This ensures that every Oktoberfest visitor can get home safely.
- More than 150 additional employees will be on duty to ensure safety at the stations, especially at the Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station, at the main station, and for cleaning the carriages. DB Security will also have a stronger presence on trains and S-Bahn trains.
- The federal police are using a loudspeaker truck at Hackerbrücke, which not only guides guests to the Wiesn, but also provides music to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.
- To cope with the rush, S-Bahn trains on all lines will run at 20-minute intervals until late at night. This involves more than 500 additional or extended trips – financed by the Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) on behalf of the Free State. DB Regio Bayern will also offer more capacity on some trips during peak times and will support dispatch and coordination at the main station with additional staff around weekends and public holidays.
