Oktoberfest 2024

I lived in Augsburg, Germany for four years and did the Oktoberfest three times. It is great fun.

Consider going to the beginning of the fest when they have a parade with the horses pulling the beer wagon and people are wearing the traditional German clothing. If you do that get to the parade route about two hours before so you can see it well.

You need about 4 days minimum in Munich if you go to the fest. Probably two days would be enough for you, the two days to see the sites. Also, if you go to Garmish/Fussen you need a couple more days there. Be sure and do the Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany and still has a glacier in the Summer.

You need minimum of three days in Prague and four in Vienna. Salzburg/Berchtesgaden suggest 3 days.

This all adds up to a minimum of 16 days, but there is some travel time involved.

Other great places to visit in Southern Bavaria are Regensburg and Augsburg (do this city on a day trip from Munich).

Also, when drinking at the fest, remember that German beer has a higher alcohol content than American beer.

Pace yourself with drinking and be sure and eat while at the tent. The traditional food to eat at the fest is roasted chicken.

I would say 3 weeks for all of that, maybe even drop Vienna, or think about it.

We did a wonderful trip getting to Munich just before the fest started. We did things around Munich, saw the Parade, and visited beer gardens and breweries in Munich, Freising, and the Andechs Monastery. We then hit the fest on the Monday, in the afternoon. Crowds had eased, and we had our pick of tents. Fussen and Salzburg would be nice from there, but do not overlook Bamberg and the surrounding area for beer. The Stuttgart Cannstatter Volksfest will also be going on, similar to Oktoberfest, but maybe better.

From there, Pilsen and Prague are well worth a visit.

We were at Oktoberfest in 2022. Download the official Oktoberfest App--it gives you a ton of information we found very helpful. There are rules. Example, bags are limited in size. I saw many people having to store their backpacks at the luggage station.

We went early in the day and had no problem getting into tents. We did manage to get into one tent at night and it was packed. One day at Oktoberfest is really enough. We stayed nearby went in the morning, early afternoon, took a break and then went back in evening.

I suggest making reservations as soon as hotels have their calendars posted for 2024. The rates go up for Oktoberfest, so be prepared to pay double. We stayed 2 nights in Munich. (had been there before on a RS tour so we had already done alot--we were there last time just for Oktoberfest) We found our hotel in the RS guidebook and were very pleased.

If you have 3 weeks-that would be great. Prague has so many really great things--4-5 days there would be great. We were there for 3 and we could've spent another day or 2. It's a confusing city with streets going every which way. We wasted alot of time getting lost. Vienna is just beautiful to hang out. 3 days should do it, depending on your interests.

Heads up: Oktoberfest is boring for beer taste lovers - just 6 Munich breweries, not even other Bavarian brews allowed. Beer lovers and foodies may more enjoy Berlin beer week or other beer festivals.

MarkK :-) Now I have to really laugh .... Oktoberfest is much more than beer

If you are convinced to skip Oktoberfest because you don't like the beers on offer you can always head over to Stuttgart for Cannstatter Volksfest. https://www.cannstatter-volksfest.de/en/volksfest/

Berlin beer over Bavaria beer, WHAT A JOKE.
The beer in Bavaria beats all other beers in Germany, I have tried many, including beer from Berlin.

Yes, I have a couple of guided tours in mind. One for Opening Day (seems a bit pricey but probably worth it):

https://www.the-local-experience.com/

And one to get us from Munich to Prague (which stops at Regensburg and Pilsen):

https://www.sidetriptours.com/travel-info/munich-to-prague/

Still doing research and planning though so anything can change. Oh and I agree with Mignon and geovagriffith: not going to Oktoberfest just for beer. :)

A tour for the opening day? Why? What are they telling you and do they have a table reservation for you? Too expensive if no reservation.

Yes, balcony reservations included (with breakfast, no lines, and more) according to the web page.

OK this sounds fair.