We will be in Munich for Oktoberfest and will be attending the Beer Vendor's parade on Saturday. We will be leaving Munich on Sunday to go to Budapest. We have an option of staying in Munich for the Sunday people's parade or we could take an early train, make a stop in Bratislava for about 4.5 hours and then continue on to Budapest. I'm wondering if 1) Is the people's parade almost the same as the beer vendor parade and 2) Is 4.5 hours enough time to see anything in Bratislava. We would have to leave our luggage in a locker, travel to old town, do our quick sightseeing and then hustle back to the train station, collect our luggage and be on our way. If both are good options, which would you recommend?
Posted by
The Netherlands
6 posts
The sunday parade is much bigger and involves all kind of people in local dress. The saturday parade is mostly about the old fashioned beer wagons, but you can see those at the Oktoberfest grounds as well.
Personnally I am more interested in the beer tents than in the parades though....
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I have loved the Sunday Oktoberfest Parade and enjoyed a day in Bratislava. I highly recommend the parade as probably a simpler option and more memorable - a great photo op from beginning to end. Slovakia might fit into a future trip plan but you're probably not going to repeat Oktoberfest soon, if you've already "done" it.
Posted by
San Diego, CA, USA
321 posts
Hi Janice- When we went to the Sunday parade a few years back it was hard to get a decent place to watch and take pics and it was standing room only. The weather was very good. We left after an hour or so... I noticed a few folks sitting in bleachers- I suspect someone in your hotel might have information about reserving bleacher seats- you might want to contact them ASAP and see about advanced reservations.
Have a great trip!!!