Securing a reserved table is the surest way to guarantee your group a guaranteed spot at Oktoberfest – but the process confuses a lot of first-timers, partly because there is no single official website to book through. Once you understand the steps, though, it is perfectly straightforward. This step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how to reserve an Oktoberfest table for 2026, from choosing your tent to confirming your booking.
Step 1: Decide whether you need one
Before anything, decide if a reservation is right for you. Entry to Oktoberfest is free and you can always walk in and look for a communal seat, especially on weekday mornings and afternoons. A reservation is most worthwhile if you are visiting on a weekend or in the evening, travelling in a group, or simply want the certainty of a guaranteed table. If that is you, read on.
Step 2: Choose your tent
Each of the large tents has its own atmosphere and its own reservation system, so the first real decision is which tent you want. The big international tents like Hofbräu and Schottenhamel are the most in-demand; traditional tents like Augustiner are beloved by locals; the smaller tents are often easier to book and quieter. Pick the tent that matches the experience you are after, because you will be booking with that tent directly.
Step 3: Find the tent’s official reservation page
Go to your chosen tent’s official website and look for its reservation (Reservierung) page. This is crucial: book only through the tent’s own site or office, never through unofficial resellers, who may charge inflated prices or be outright scams. The official page will explain that tent’s specific process – usually an online form or an email address – along with its prices and the sessions available.
Step 4: Choose your date and session
Reservations are typically divided into a midday session and an evening session, each covering a block of a few hours. Decide which date and session you want, keeping in mind that weekend evenings are the most popular and sell out first, while weekday and daytime slots are easier to get. Have your group size ready, as reservations are usually sold by the table, generally for around ten people.
Step 5: Understand what you are paying for
This surprises many people: you do not pay for the table itself, but for a package of food and beer vouchers – typically two Maß of beer and half a chicken per person – which you redeem inside on the day. So a ten-person table represents a meaningful pre-payment, but the vouchers cover much of what you would have spent anyway. Make sure you understand the minimum spend before you commit.
Step 6: Submit and confirm
Complete the tent’s form or send your email with your chosen date, session, group size and contact details. The tent will reply with availability and payment instructions; once you pay, you will receive a confirmation and your vouchers (often by post or email). Keep these safe and bring them – along with a digital screenshot – on the day. That confirmation is your guaranteed table.
Step 7: On the day
Arrive in good time for your session, find your tent and your reserved table (staff will direct you), and hand over or redeem your vouchers as instructed. Remember to bring cash for anything beyond your vouchers and for tipping your server. Then simply enjoy the certainty of your own guaranteed spot in the heart of the festival.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one website to book all Oktoberfest tables? No – each tent runs its own reservations; book directly through the individual tent’s official website or office.
How much does a reservation cost? You pre-pay for food and beer vouchers rather than the table; a full ten-person table is a significant outlay, redeemed in beer and food on the day.
Can I reserve a table for two? Most tents reserve full tables of around ten, though some offer smaller boxes or gallery seats – ask the tent.
How do I avoid scams? Book only through official tent websites; be wary of any third party claiming to centrally sell Oktoberfest tables.
How far ahead to plan
Timing is everything with reservations. Because the best weekend evening slots in the famous tents sell out within days of opening – and many are taken by returning guests before general booking even begins – you should start preparing months in advance. Decide on your tent, date and group size early in the year, bookmark the tent’s official reservation page, and be ready to book the instant it opens. Weekday and daytime slots are far easier and can often be secured much later, so flexibility on timing dramatically improves your chances.
Reservation tips and etiquette
A few practical pointers smooth the whole process. Keep your confirmation and vouchers safe and bring both a printout and a phone screenshot, since signal on the grounds is unreliable. Arrive in good time for your session so you do not lose part of your booked window. Bring cash for anything beyond your vouchers and for tipping your hard-working server, which is customary and earns you faster service. And if your group size changes, contact the tent as early as possible rather than on the day. A little courtesy and organisation makes the experience seamless for everyone.
How early should I book a reservation? Months ahead for weekend evenings; weekday and daytime tables can often be booked much closer to the festival.
What should I bring on the day? Your confirmation and vouchers (printed and on your phone), plus cash for extras and tips.
The bottom line on reservations
Reserving a table is not complicated once you know the steps: choose your tent, book directly through its official site, pick your date and session, pay for your voucher package, and bring your confirmation on the day. The only real challenge is timing, since the best slots go early – so decide what you want and act fast. And if a reservation does not work out, remember it is entirely optional: arrive early on a weekday and you can enjoy the full festival from a communal seat without one.
Do I really need a reservation? No – it is optional and most valuable for weekends, evenings and groups; weekday visitors can usually walk in and find a seat.
Learn more in our guide to when reservations open, plan your trip with the trip planner, and check the 2026 dates.