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.
Tipps und Hinweise der Deutschen Bahn für Bahnreisende
- Be considerate: DB asks all passengers to remain calm, be considerate of one another, and treat others with respect.
- Walking is faster: In the train hall, follow the signs to the Festwiese. Walking is often faster than continuing your journey by public transit.
- Use the entire platform: For longer trains, it’s worth using the entire platform. Especially at the main station, there’s often still room in the front sections of the train, while the rear is already very crowded.
- Do not release balloons at the festival grounds: Balloons of any kind that rise into the air can cause short circuits
- if they come into contact with the 15,000-volt overhead lines and severely disrupt rail traffic. Bringing them is therefore prohibited.
- Travel without large luggage if possible: Larger bags and backpacks are not allowed at the festival grounds. If you do have luggage with you, you can use lockers or the additional luggage storage area near the former Intercity Hotel. Wait times may occur during peak hours.
- Travel affordably in a group: You can get to the Wiesn affordably even without a Deutschland-Ticket. For small groups, for example, use the MVV Group Day Pass: For 19.70 euros in Zone M, up to five people can travel within the city limits until 6 a.m. the following day.
- Don’t forget your ID: Personalized DB and MVV tickets are only valid when presented with a valid form of ID.
- Beer mugs belong in the festival tent: Bringing beer mugs onto the trains is prohibited and will be checked by DB Security and the Federal Police. Purchased beer mugs may be taken with you if they are packaged.
- Avoid bringing bicycles if possible: S-Bahn trains can get very crowded during arrival and departure times. Depending on how full the trains are, it may not always be possible to bring bicycles on board.
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).
At the main station, several construction areas will soon be available to passengers again: DB InfraGO is accelerating work on the new connection from the track hall to the Starnberg wing station and will open it to passengers in time for Oktoberfest. The existing entrances via the old ticket hall will also remain open during Oktoberfest. In addition, a large fenced-off area near tracks 26 and 27 in the wing station has already been reopened to travelers. There’s also more space in the train hall: On the partially closed platform 18/19, DB InfraGO is pausing work on the second main line. Over the next few days, the platform will be temporarily restored specifically for the Oktoberfest so that it is fully usable.
More commuter trains and close cooperation between DB Security and the Federal Police
In addition to the main station, the “Wiesn Station” at Hackerbrücke is once again the hub for travel to the festival grounds. Trains from Munich’s S-Bahn, which is once again the official transportation partner of Oktoberfest, stop here every minute. To handle the crowds, all lines will run every 20 minutes well into the night. In total, there are more than 500 additional or extended trips, funded by the Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) on behalf of the Free State of Bavaria. DB Regio is also providing additional capacity during peak times by using longer trains.
At Hackerbrücke alone, up to 60 DB Security personnel are on duty to direct passengers, assist with boarding, and maintain order. Teams are also present in greater numbers along the main line and on the S-Bahn trains. Together with the Federal Police, DB is focusing on prevention to ensure stable operations: This includes checks to enforce the ban on bringing beer mugs, glass bottles, and balloons onto the trains. In the past, rising balloons in particular have caused short circuits in the overhead lines and service disruptions. DB is therefore actively drawing attention to the ban through posters, passenger TV screens, and announcements. A camera drone is also stationed at Hackerbrücke again: If people are on the tracks, it helps assess the situation more quickly so that train service can resume as soon as possible.
Greater Cleanliness and Additional Services
Wherever there are large crowds, a lot of trash accumulates. That’s why DB InfraGO’s cleaning teams work around the clock during Oktoberfest. Cleaning takes place almost continuously, especially between Marienplatz and Hackerbrücke, but the teams are also out in force much more frequently along the rest of the main line. To ensure cleanliness on the trains, Munich’s S-Bahn is increasing its staffing levels. Additional staff are on duty late into the night, particularly for cleaning while the trains are in motion. The availability of the “What’s schmutzig” service—which allows passengers to report messes via WhatsApp—is extended until midnight during Oktoberfest. At
the main station, DB is also once again offering additional luggage storage in the area of the former Intercity Hotel, in addition to the lockers.
