Consider stopping in Munich on the way back from Italy in September.
We'd arrive in Munich on Thursday 9/24 or Friday 9/25 and depart on Sunday 9/27.
This is primarily just to be able to stop in on the Oktoberfest.
Any recommendations on lodging? Or are we already too late to book?
Best way to find out is to check booking.com or a similar site to see what's available on the dates you want and in your price range. Many people book their rooms a year ahead, but there may be openings ... or you might want to commute in from an outlying area (Salzburg? )
We searched on booking.com and then booked directly with the hotel.
Hotels often jack up their prices by three times or more during Oktoberfest, so we went with a better place at over €300/night instead of a normally rock-bottom hotel that was running €150. We accepted the cost and economized elsewhere on our trip. We also rearranged things so we were there during the first week.
That second weekend is typically full of other Europeans, especially Italians. The tents are very full, so plan on getting there as early as possible to get a place at a table before the reservations start in earnest and you get kicked out.
A good site w/great info is Oktoberfest-insider.com
We have visited Munich during Ocktoberfest and stayed at the Hotel Monaco, a lovely B&B not far from the grounds. Usually rates are much higher but it isa nice experience. We have gone in the afternoon and cleared out around dark as the locals with reservations arrive and it really gets crowded. We were befriended by a lovely group of young Germans (20s, 30s) and joined their table for a while. We had a late lunch there and BEER!!
I just booked a place for 3 nights for Oktoberfest. It's called Pension Margit. Nothing fancy at all, and prices were higher, as expected. Very close to the train station, and Oktoberfest. Looks like a place Rick Steves would encourage though. Family owned, local, and bare bones. I'm looking forward to the experience.
