More rides, more revenue: Oktoberfest boosts Munich's taxi industry

A recent analysis by the payment service provider SumUp shows how strongly the Oktoberfest boosts Munich’s local economy. On the opening weekend, September 20 and 21, 2025, merchants’ revenues were on average just under 30 percent higher than on a regular September weekend. The number of transactions per merchant also rose significantly (+24 percent). The share of foreign visitors carried particular weight: they generated almost half of total sales, spending more than twice as much as on a typical weekend.

Significant effects for taxi and ride services

For taxi companies and other commercial ride services, the start of the Wiesn was particularly noticeable. Compared with a normal September weekend, they recorded a 32.9 percent increase in revenue. At the same time, the number of transactions rose by 51.8 percent. According to the analysis, the most noticeable effect was a marked increase in individual trips.

Retail benefits the most

With a revenue increase of around 300 percent, Munich’s retail sector was the biggest winner of the first festival weekend. Food trucks also recorded significant gains: revenues were 92.3 percent higher, and the number of transactions rose by 145.1 percent.

Restaurants and cafés with moderate growth

Cafés and restaurants outside the festival grounds also benefited, albeit to a lesser extent. Here, revenues rose by 31.1 percent compared with a regular September weekend.