Price surprises at the 2026 Oktoberfest: This is how much a liter of beer, chicken and rides will cost
The Oktoberfest has probably never had a reputation for being cheap fun this century. But this year, the picture is quite different.
Munich – No matter why you visit the Oktoberfest – whether to ride the attractions, enjoy a delicious lunch, or celebrate in a tent with a liter of beer – it's rarely a cheap trip. While the price of a liter of beer has seen the usual increase, other prices are causing a surprise.
Expensive beer and non-alcoholic drinks: Prices reach record levels at the 2026 Oktoberfest.
The good news first: Beer prices won't break the next record this year, remaining below the €16 mark. Observers consider the now seemingly inevitable price increase moderate. This year, a liter of beer costs an average of around 2.38 percent more than in 2025. In the beer tents, the price for a liter of Oktoberfest beer ranges between €14.80 and €15.90, averaging €15.61 – compared to €15.25 in 2025. The bottom line, however, remains: a liter of beer has never been as expensive as it is this year.
But it's not just beer that's getting more expensive – visitors will also have to dig deeper into their pockets for non-alcoholic drinks. Last year, lemonade cost an average of €12.11, Spezi (a German soft drink) €12.48, and water €10.95. This year, prices are climbing even further: lemonade now costs an average of €12.35, Spezi €12.84, and water €11.13. On the bright side, there are once again ten drinking fountains on the festival grounds where visitors can quench their thirst free of charge.
A costly Oktoberfest visit in 2026? Price shock on the Oktoberfest menus.
However, there's a big surprise in store for food in the beer tents this year: it won't be much more expensive than last year; in some cases, prices will remain the same – or even decrease! Comparing the average price of half a chicken in the beer tents in 2025 with 2026, for example, one finds that the Oktoberfest classic has become 31 cents cheaper (from €19.02 to €18.71).
The other typical Oktoberfest dishes are also, on average, at the same level as last year, with average costs rising by no more than 50 cents. However, like the half-chicken, the roast pork will also be 17 cents cheaper. The biggest price increase is for Kasspatzn (cheese spaetzle), which will cost an average of 51 cents more than in 2025.
Other Oktoberfest prizes for 2026: rides, stalls and hearts
Prices for gingerbread hearts vary considerably depending on the stall, partly because some vendors offer the option of adding custom lettering to the classic treats. So far, there are no noticeable differences compared to last year. The situation is similar for rides and stalls. The major rides continue to cost between ten and thirteen euros.
In summary, drinks will become (moderately) more expensive again in 2026, while food and ride prices will remain at the previous year's level. Ultimately, this is the real price shock: the Oktoberfest seems to be taking a break from price increases, as announced by the tent operators., (fhz)