Oktoberfest family day offers discounts, but costs can still top 150 euros

Families can save on rides, food and treats during Oktoberfest’s Tuesday family day, but a visit can still cost about 150 euros, according to a BR survey. The family day runs until 7 p.m., and many parents say they had already set a spending limit before arriving.

A family from Beilngries estimated 30 euros for drinks, 50 euros for food throughout the day and 20 euros for rides. The father’s 100-euro budget might not be enough, his wife said, pointing out they also wanted to buy a souvenir.

Discounts on rides and food

Some attractions and snacks cost less on family day. Cotton candy is three euros instead of four, and a bumper-car ride costs 2.50 euros instead of four. At a shooting gallery, visitors can get 15 shots for 10 euros, compared with 12 shots for the same price on other days.

One beer garden offers half a roast chicken and half a litre of a drink for 16.50 euros. Large festival tents also serve children’s meals at special prices.

Several parents told BR they had chosen to visit on family day because children usually want to try a few rides. One mother said the discounts helped, while another visitor had budgeted no more than 50 euros for herself and her young daughter. But some families said they might spend more than planned because they make the trip only once a year.

One family had also brought the children’s grandparents. The grandmother said they had set no spending limit for them.

Facilities and rules for families

The Oidn Wiesn, a separate section of the Oktoberfest, is generally less expensive than the main festival. Rides such as the chair swing and boat swing cost 1.50 euros there, including on days other than family day, and the atmosphere is usually quieter.

The Familienplatzl, a family-friendly section on the eastern side of the Theresienwiese, is also open throughout the festival. Children can ride the BabyFlug carousel or try tin-can alley. Families can warm food they have brought with them in a microwave in the beer garden. The area also has a changing table and a stroller park.

Children may enter the festival tents, but must leave by 8 p.m., even when accompanied by a parent or another adult. Children under six are not allowed in catering businesses on the festival grounds in the evening.

Strollers are allowed on the grounds until 6 p.m. on days other than Saturday. Changing bags must hold no more than three litres. Stroller parking is available at the Familienplatzl, by the puppet theatre and at Entrance 2 of the Oidn Wiesn, as well as near many rides and festival tents.

Staff at the festival entrances hand out child identification wristbands where parents can write their phone number. They can be used to contact parents if a child gets lost and is found.