Getting to and Parking at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati®

Directions

LOCATION
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati takes places on Second and Third Streets, between Walnut and Elm Streets, downtown.

STREET CLOSURES & TRAFFIC CHANGES
The following local streets will be closed to through traffic Wednesday, September 15 at 6:00am through Monday, September 20, 5:00pm:

  • Second Street from Elm to Walnut Streets
  • Vine Street from Third Street to the Central Riverfront Garage entrance, midblock between Second and Freedom Way
  • Race Street from Third Street to the Central Riverfront Garage entrance, midblock between Second and Freedom Way

The following local streets will be closed to through traffic Thursday, September 16, 9am through Monday, September 20, 5:00am:

  • Third Street from Elm to Walnut Streets
  • Vine Street from Third Street to Ogden Alley, midblock.Vine Street will become two-way from 4th to 3rd
  • Race Street from Third Street to Ogden Alley, midblock.

FROM I-75 SOUTH
Take Fifth Street exit (on left)

FROM I-71 SOUTH
Take Reading/Gilbert exit.
Stay in right lane for Reading Road exit.
Travel south on Reading Road to Central Parkway.

FROM I-75/I-71 NORTH
Take Fifth Street exit after taking Brent Spence Bridge into Ohio

FROM I-471 NORTH
Take westbound US 50 exit after crossing Daniel Carter Beard (Big Mac) Bridge.
Take Street exit.
Make a right turn on Main Street.

OR

Follow I-471 north to I-71 north.
Merge immediately to left lane.
Take Exit 2 Reading/Eden Park (exit is immediately on left).
On exit ramp veer right to Eden Park Drive.
At signal turn left onto Eden Park Drive.
Travel west on Eden Park Drive to signal, southbound Reading Road (less than 1/10 mile).
Turn left onto southbound Reading Road.
Travel south on Reading Road to Central Parkway.

FROM WESTBOUND US 50
Travel on US 50 until it becomes Fourth Street.

FROM EASTBOUND US 50
Take Fifth Street exit off of US 50.

Parking

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is held on 2nd and 3rd Streets, between Elm and Walnut in downtown Zinzinnati. There are many public and private parking garages downtown within walking distance of the festival site. Information subject to change.

Preferred Parking for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is not affiliated with any of preferred parking options, below. We share them as a courtesy to visitors of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

Find up-to-the minute availability and rates at www.bestparking.com

312 Elm Street Garage
312 Elm St.

580 Garage
580 Walnut St.

8451 Parking Garage
100 W. Fifth St

SP+ Garage- Race St. Entrance
321 Race St.

All Pro Garage- Vine St. Entrance
309 Vine St.

Crown Plaza Garage
224 E. Fifth St.

First Financial Garage
430 Main St.

Fountain Square Garage
520 Vine St.

Olympic Auto Park – Vine St. Entrance
309 Vine St.

Olympic Auto Park – Walnut St. Entrance
309 Walnut St.

Queen City Square Garage
340 Sycamore Street

Scripps Center Garage
250 Third Street

Driving and Parking along the Streetcar Route
Click here for a map and station stops.

Parking Meters

Hours of operation for parking meters are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays.

Getting Around

The Connector
The Connector streetcar is a 3.6-mile loop with 18 stations between The Banks, Downtown and Over-the-Rhine that easily connects you to dining, shopping, entertainment and attractions like Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. To alleviate parking concerns, we suggest parking north of Oktoberfest and taking the Cincinnati Bell Connector. The closest station stop to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is Stop #1, the Cincinnati Cyclones station at The Banks.

Overnight Parking
Overnight parking is available at Fountain Square and Fountain Square South (under The Westin Hotel).

Public Transportation
The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is not affiliated with any of the listed transit options. We share them as a courtesy to visitors of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Information subject to change. This site will continue to be updated with new information, links and transportation options as they become available.

Metro Bus Service
Metro is Southwest Ohio’s Fixed Route bus service. Regular Metro bus service will be running during Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. Metro*Plus will see some detours, but no stops will be missed. View routes, schedule, and fare information.

Tank Southbank Shuttle
The Southbank Shuttle Trolley travels the riverfront cities of Newport, Covington and downtown Cincinnati.TANK’s Southbank Shuttle extends its hours to operate until 30 minutes after the end of a special event, such as Oktoberfest. When there is no special event requiring an extended schedule, the Southbank Shuttle’s regular hours are from 10 am to 10 pm on Sunday, 6 am to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, 6 am to midnight on Friday; and 10 am to midnight on Saturday. View fare and schedule.

Cincinnati Red Bike
Red Bike is Cincinnati’s shared bike system. There are 57 stations and 442 bikes located throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. View fares and bike rental info.

Uber Lyft
Uber and Lyft ridesharing are both available in Cincinnati. Simply download the Uber or Lyft app and request a ride. Please be aware that rates may increase during special events like Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.