We are taking a Danube River cruise in mid-September. The cruise ends in Regensburg, and we'll be transferred to Munich on September 20. We plan to spend an extra eight days in Germany and Austria before flying home. We would like to spend two-three nights in Munich before moving on to Salzburg. Our goal is to hit the main sights because we visited Munich several years ago. Right now, we don't plan on taking in any of the Oktoberfest activities. I realize hotels prices will be astronomical. Any suggestions on managing hotel costs? Staying in an area of the city further removed from the festival grounds and using U-bahn or S-bahn to access the historical center? Is it possible to find something under $350/night? I would like to avoid staying in a small community and traveling in 50 miles as other posters have suggested. Thanks in advance for your advice!
We stayed one night at the Hilton Munich City. It looks like it's $400 a night over that weekend of the 20th. (Check for AAA or senior rates too.) Do you happen to have any Hilton Points you can use? It was next door to the S-bahn train station. It was very nice. Definitely felt like a business hotel, not a touristy hotel, (well dressed business professionals and us in our tourist wear) but it served it's purpose, and we could go back and forth to the city center, quickly and quite easily. I remember the front desk staff as being very warm, welcoming and helpful.
Also, there was a Holiday Inn Munich City Centre nearby. It's rates are lower than $350.
Holiday Inn Munich City has S-Bahn access from inside the hotel. I see the Best Western Arabellapark is less. Walking distance to U-Bahn station.
We faced this same pricing challenge last year during October Fest. We moved out of center but along the S1 line and could not be happier that we did. We found the Hotel Gastoff Maisberger which is directly next to the S1 line at Neufahrn. Large rooms, great restaurant and family owned. Prices do go up during Oktober fest but do meet your under 350 euros a night budget.
https://www.hotel-maisberger.de/eng/
If you have a problem finding lodgings in Munich, check out Augsburg, 50 miles west of Munich. You can take the train into Munich.
Lodgings are cheaper in Augsburg.