Best of Europe 14 days in Munich during Oktoberfest

Hi Diane, the Rick Steves Tour Department would be able to provide a definitive answer for you.

Hi, I took this tour in early Oct of 2018. The tours may vary, but on our first night in Munich, we ate at a German restaurant in Marienplatz, not sure of the name, but the itinerary said the same thing about it being a raucous beer-hall. Fantastic food. The 2nd day we had a morning tour of the area around Marienplatz with a local guide that finished at noon. Most of the group went to the Hofbrauhaus for lunch, which was packed. I went to the Hard Rock Cafe just across the street and was the 1st person in line when they opened for lunch. Ironic that the Hard Rock would be the "quiet" place to escape to. That night, our guide took those who were interested to Octoberfest. I opted out, not being a beer drinker, so I don't know which of the many tents they went to. It was fun seeing everyone going to the festival dressed in their traditional dirndls and lederhosen. It's a fabulous tour.

Unfortunately Oktoberfest is the worst time to visit Munich. You won't see real city or some old Bavarian custom. It all deformed into a major tourist trap where you pay for watered down beer and sausseges, both worse than any other day. You will see just enoromous crowds, mostly young Americans, that come for only one reason-to get drunk. And they do get drunk and vomit all around. Nothing really to see there. Prices in the city are much higher than usually and the city is much dirtier. Oktoberfest has not been what it used to be for maybe last 30 years.

Not been on the tour, but due to cost and planning required, it would not be in one of the tents, but one of the many, and mostly good beer halls around the center core. "Raucous" might be a bit of hyperbole, if it is busy, then more loud, if there is a band, then the crowd might get more into it; otherwise it might just be a nice dinner.

I guess I would disagree with the above poster. I have been in Munich twice in the last 15 years or so for the opening weekend. The town is crowded, but not oppressive (well forget about Hofbrau Haus maybe), I do not recall having to step over all the drunk Americans or their oceans of vomit, or really many issues at all. If you stay out until the tents close, then the S-Bahn might get a bit interesting, but really not a problem.

As for visiting the fest grounds, actually Monday evening would be great. There is sort of a lull after the weekend and chances are high that you could get a seat in several tents. The protocol and tricks related to visiting the tents has been discussed on here, do a search on "Octoberfest" or "Oktoberfest" (or both) then on the left, where it says filter, click Travel Forum below it and you will be able to rank by date. Lots of info there.

diane, on our tour, the beerhall (note the term has a specific meaning) was a large restaurant on a main square (the Marienplatz) not at Oktoberfest, which is held at a large field outside of the city center, not all over town. Visiting Oktoberfest itself was not an included part of our tour (maybe on yours) but was an optional event that we visited during the day in our free time, and stayed only as long as you wanted. The tour leader showed us how to get there and back. There is a metro stop right there. We did not see any drunken crowds on the streets anywhere in the city. We found Oktoberfest to be more of a giant "state fair" with carnival rides and side shows full of multi-generational families strolling about.

(added) I see that the language in the itinerary is ". . . Opportunity to enjoy Munich Oktoberfest festivities!" The word opportunity is your clue that it is not included, but you'll have time to go there if you choose.

Maybe some of you did not see drunk people, did not step in vomit etc, but I did. I visited Munich many times sometimes for ten days, first time 30 years ago. At that time I visited the city during Oktoberfest and although very crowded it was very different from what it is now.
Last year I was there during Oktoberfest unintentionally and for the first time I decided to go to Theresienwiese. It was all exactly like in the film below (not mine). It was not possible to get into tents (which was not my intention anyway) there were at least 30-50 people in front of any of those trying to get in. Crowds everywhere mostly tourists, very few actual Bavarians. Most of the people were under 30, half of them drunk. I saw several fights, many people behaving strange and vomiting, and a few actually rolling on the floor which was full of garbage and yes, vomit. I didn't believe my own eyes, and after an hour came back to the city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkN1MiIOMGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn1dPxyk2mY

We have a free night on a Monday and would love to get into the main event if possible. Any suggestions?

As Paul said, it should not be a problem to visit the fest grounds on a Monday and things will have died down. If it is only two of you just pick a tent you like, enter and if you find two spots at a table with others just ask if you can join them (most people will say yes). You can also ask a server if they can help you find a seat.

Some advice I would give is the table reservations turn over at 5pm and the people with evening reservations start arriving so shoot for showing up at a tent at 6pm at the earliest (otherwise the service will be slow as servers take breaks at this time and you might get bumped from where you are sitting to seat a reserved party).

Take some time to visit the midway and ride some rides (like Stan says it is like a giant state fair).

Enjoy your trip!

DJ