Our last day of 3 days in Munich will be on Sat., Sept 21, 2013, the opening day of Oktoberfest. We had planned to spend 2 days in the Salzburg area after that before heading north. Any advice where to look for hotels for the stay (we're a family of 3 adults) as well as what events related to Oktoberfest are not to be missed. We are older and want to avoid enormous, drunken crowds, but still, to be in Munich at that time and not experience something of Oktoberfest seems like sacrilege. And we like beer (in moderation). Perhaps it would make more sense if we wish to avoid huge crowds to stay in Munich on the Thurs and Friday we arrive, visit Salzburg and Eagle's Nest on Sat (opening day of Oktoberfest) and Sun and back to Munich on Monday to visit the beer tents when the crowds are smaller and we might get a hotel Sunday night near that area. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
20958 posts
You might just want to stay in Salzburg the entire time and commute into Munich to visit the 'Wiesen. The last time I was there for Oktoberfest in 2010, we spent one might at the Pension Locarno by the train station for 150 Euro midweek. This is a place with the toilet/shower down the hall, and it was the rock bottom lowest room available in Munich, and full of 'festers.
Not to be missed events: Since you are there, definitely go on opening day. There is a parade of beer wagons and bands and groups in traditional garb entering the grounds, and a ceremonial tapping of the first keg at noon, then the beer will start to flow. Actually, the beer will be flowing before then as the waitresses stockpile masses of beer for when the whistle blows and they can start serving. 20,000 people will then want a beer RIGHT NOW. Seats will be hard to come by and you must have a seat to get a beer. See if your hotel in Salzburg can organize a table reservation for you and othere staying at the hotel. Don't be picky about which "tent" you go to, getting a seat is a priority. It will be fairly civilized at first. Stay for at least 2 beers (1 liter each). That way you will be very good friends with your table mates when you leave. Late night is when people will be obviously overserved. Since there is no entry fee, you can come back anytime. After opening day, you can always find seats during the afternoon, as the tables are all resrved in the evening by big Munich companies for entertaining employees, clients, & suppliers, and you can sit at their tables until the start of their reservation time.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2168 posts
I'd suggest being in Munich for the whole opening weekend of Oktoberfest. The opening day is fun ... we were surprised that in addition to the enormous beer tents, the Oktoberfest grounds have a carnival, with rides and food. We didn't find the crowds overwhelming. Then the NEXT day, Sunday morning, you could go to the Oktoberfest parade. I think it starts around 10 am and runs until 12 or 1 pm. We bumped into it unexpectedly on our way to the train station. Our train into Italy was cancelled (train strike) so we walked back over and watched the parade. Fascinating. People from various little towns, in amazing native costumes; some with musical instruments, or antique weapons, or even farm animals. Quite a colorful spectacle. Then Sunday afternoon you could head out for Salzburg or wherever.
Posted by
Munich, Germany
102 posts
If you want to avoid the crowds I highly suggest you avoid going on the weekend. Watch the parade but then don't go to the Wiesn. Go during the day on Monday and you should be able to walk into the tent to have a meal and a beer.