If you’re escaping London for Munich this weekend to squeeze in one last stein before Oktoberfest closes its doors for another year, packing light might be harder than you think.
The world-famous German festival is now in its final few days, with the 191st Oktoberfest running at Munich’s Theresienwiese until Sunday, October 4.
Around 6.5 million people attended in 2025, and for Londoners, Oktoberfest makes an ideal 72-hour European city break, combining Munich sightseeing with one of the world’s biggest festivals.
But a long weekend at Oktoberfest creates an unusual packing dilemma.
You need something comfortable for sightseeing, layers for unpredictable autumn weather and potentially a dirndl or lederhosen for the main event.
Then there’s one important rule that could catch London travellers out: you can’t simply stroll into Oktoberfest carrying the backpack you’ve been using to explore Munich.
Official Oktoberfest guidance restricts larger bags and rucksacks, with bags brought onto the festival grounds generally limited to a maximum capacity of three litres and dimensions of 20 x 15 x 10cm.
So, if you’re heading from London to Munich for the final weekend, what exactly should you squeeze into your cabin case?
Luggage experts at it Luggage have shared their 72-hour Oktoberfest packing formula.
What to pack for 72 hours in Munich
For a three-day break, the aim should be to make every item in your cabin case earn its place.
Pack three tops, two bottoms, underwear and sleepwear, one warm layer or jacket, comfortable walking shoes and a compact umbrella or lightweight waterproof.
You’ll also need travel-size toiletries, a European plug adaptor, portable power bank, essential medication and, crucially, a small Oktoberfest-compliant bag.
If you’re embracing Bavarian tradition, you’ll also need to find room for your dirndl or lederhosen.
The easiest way to save space is to wear your bulkiest items while travelling. Trainers, boots, jackets and heavier layers take up a surprising amount of room inside a cabin case.
And if you are taking traditional dress, make that the centrepiece of your wardrobe rather than packing it on top of enough clothes for an entirely separate weekend.
Nick Gaskin, Sales & Marketing Director at it Luggage, said:
“Oktoberfest is exactly the kind of short trip where people can easily overpack because you’re trying to prepare for several different experiences in just three days.
“You need clothes for travelling and sightseeing, potentially traditional dress for Oktoberfest and layers for the autumn weather.
“The easiest approach is to plan the Oktoberfest outfit first and then build a small capsule wardrobe around it. Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket while travelling and choose pieces you can wear more than once.”
The Oktoberfest bag rule London travellers need to know
This is probably the most important packing tip for anyone heading to the festival this weekend.
Bags and backpacks taken onto the Oktoberfest grounds should not exceed three litres in capacity or measure more than 20 x 15 x 10cm.
That means your usual sightseeing backpack could be too big.
Instead, put a small cross-body bag that complies with the restrictions inside your cabin case and leave your larger bag securely at your hotel when you head to the Theresienwiese.
You only really need the essentials: your phone, payment card or cash, portable charger and anything medically necessary.
Nick added:
“It’s also really important to think about your day bag before you travel. Oktoberfest has strict restrictions on the size of bags allowed onto the grounds, so packing a small compliant bag inside your cabin case means you won’t get caught out when you arrive.”
How to pack a dirndl or lederhosen
You certainly don’t have to wear traditional Bavarian clothing to attend Oktoberfest, but you won’t be alone if you do.
Dirndls and lederhosen are everywhere, including on international visitors wanting to embrace the occasion.
The problem is they can take up a considerable chunk of your luggage allowance.
If you’re taking a dirndl, lay the dress flat and fold it carefully rather than trying to squash it into the smallest possible space. Pack the blouse separately and use smaller accessories to fill the gaps around larger items.
Lederhosen are heavier, so make them one of your main pairs of bottoms for the trip rather than adding them to several other pairs of trousers.
And whatever you wear, don’t sacrifice comfort for the perfect Oktoberfest outfit.
The festival involves a lot of walking and standing. Those brand-new shoes that look fabulous when you leave your hotel may feel very different several hours later.
Day one: Swap London for Munich
Once you arrive in Munich, check into your hotel, dump the cabin case and start exploring.
Marienplatz is the obvious place to begin, particularly if it’s your first visit to the city. Wander around the historic centre, find somewhere for dinner and resist the temptation to make your first night too late.
You have Oktoberfest tomorrow.
Day two: Oktoberfest
It is the last weekend of Oktoberfest (Image credit: Marlene Haiberger/Unsplash)
This is the big one.
Leave your normal bag at the hotel, take your festival-compliant cross-body bag and head for the Theresienwiese.
There are 17 large and 21 smaller festival tents at Oktoberfest in 2026, alongside fairground rides, food stalls, live music and entertainment.
And despite its international reputation, Oktoberfest isn’t simply about drinking enormous steins of beer.
The Wiesn is a huge folk festival with Bavarian food, traditional dress, music, fairground attractions and more than two centuries of history.
If you want to see a different side to it, the Oide Wiesn celebrates the festival’s heritage with traditional music and nostalgic fairground rides.
Day three: Recover, explore and head back to London
Depending on exactly how enthusiastic you were the previous evening, keeping your final day flexible is probably sensible.
Have a leisurely breakfast, explore anything you missed on day one and pick up your souvenirs before heading back to the airport for the journey home to London.
Just remember that everything you buy needs to fit inside the case you arrived with.
Nick said:
“Leave a little room in your suitcase. Munich has plenty of opportunities for souvenirs, and nobody wants to spend the final morning of a great weekend sitting on their suitcase trying to close it.”
Your 72-hour Oktoberfest checklist
Before leaving London, make sure you have three tops, two bottoms, underwear, sleepwear and layers, along with comfortable shoes you already know you can walk in.
Add your dirndl or lederhosen if you’re dressing traditionally, plus a small festival-compliant bag, phone, portable charger, passport, travel documents, medication, European adaptor and travel-size toiletries.
A compact umbrella or lightweight waterproof is also worth squeezing in for Munich’s autumn weather.
And finally, don’t fill your suitcase to bursting point before you’ve even left London.
Three days, one cabin case and a little bit of spare room for whatever makes its way home from Munich with you.
That should hopefully mean no wrestling with the zip on the journey back to London.
