Interested in paying homage to Bavaria’s favorite beverage? We’ve got some tried, tested, and true Oktoberfest advice to ensure your experience runs more smoothly than the author’s last attempt at conquering Europe’s biggest beer bash did. Strap on your lederhosen or dust off your dirndl, and let’s go!
Have you’ve always dreamed of partying at Oktoberfest in Munich? Don’t worry— you’ve still got tons of time to prepare. As everybody knows, Oktoberfest takes place in October, so I’m sure you can just show up and party with little to no planning, right?
I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you couldn’t be any more misinformed. Oktoberfest actually begins in September, with the ceremonial tapping of the first keg by the Lord Mayor of Munich. While the early bird may get the worm, you still have a little time to get to Munich to give that aforementioned worm a tutorial in partying 101.
Learn from My Mistakes
They say that the best way to learn about something is to tackle it head-on and then learn from your mistakes. As an eager beer enthusiast, I spent years dreaming about visiting Munich’s autumn-inspired keg-fest. While I planned ahead and booked a hotel room six months in advance, there were still several lessons that I unfortunately learned the hard way. While I may not have survived Oktoberfest, I can certainly guarantee that you will if you follow my trusted advice.
Just the Facts
Originally held to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 18, 1810, today Oktoberfest in Munich is known as the largest “people’s fair” in the entire world. The festival draws over six million visitors for sixteen frenetic days of eating, drinking, and amusements. During this time, almost seven million liters of beer are knocked back, and more than five hundred thousand chickens and one hundred forty thousand pairs of sausages are wolfed down by locals and visitors alike.
Book Hotels and Train Tickets in Advance
Hotel rooms in and around central Munich fill up months in advance, and even campgrounds tend to be maxed out during the festival. As every Bavarian, and Italian for that matter, is as interested in the festival as you are, don’t expect to find a comfortable, cheap place to stay right around the corner from the Wiesn. Also, if you do book well ahead, be prepared for special “festival pricing.” The Disney-themed family room I accidentally booked in the commuter suburb of Pasing was no bargain at over 100€ (US$128) a night—and that was with significant advanced booking.
Hotels of all prices and styles in the beautiful and historic city of Nürnberg, only an hour outside of Munich by high-speed rail, still have rooms readily available. At the time of writing, numerous discounted rooms in Nürnberg could be found on the Hotel Deals section of TripAtlas.com. Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Landshut, and Rosenheim are also popular alternative accommodation choices for partygoers who can’t find a place to stay in central Munich.
Trains always fill up during the festivals, so you’d be wise to plan your time and make rail reservations in advance of traveling. The Deutsche Bahn Web site is easy to use, and it is imperative to bookmark this site prior to traveling. Here you can check schedules, travel times between cities, and most importantly, make online reservations. It may come as no surprise that most high-speed and long-distance trains in Germany require that seat reservations be made at an extra cost. Simply showing up, buying a ticket, and sitting wherever you’d like doesn’t fly in Germany.
Prepare a Battle Plan
Do a little homework and create a list of the tents, events, and activities that you want to visit. Each tent offers a unique atmosphere and supplies visitors with their own special niche.
