The Oktoberfest is a tremendous experience but not cheap. A litre of beer will cost €9.50 this year and you'll usually give 10 and tell the waiter to keep the change, so that's something like £7.85 for less than 2 pints (though the beer's quite strong). Accommodation is expensive at that time of year. I've got quite a good deal for a single room but it's €100 a night including breakfast. Hostel-type accommodation is obviously cheaper if you can get in. Weekends are best avoided. On Saturday and Sunday you need to start queueing well before the tents open at 11am to get an unreserved table. A large number of tables are reserved from 4pm and you can sit there until then, but then they throw you out. My advice would be to travel out on Sunday and go to the festival on Monday and Tuesday, when it's far less crowded. It's a great experience, though, despite the expense.
