We want to go to southern Germany in October to see the fall colors but am worried about it being overly crowded due to Octoberfest!! I don’t drink and don’t want to be in the middle of a month long party every where we go!! We will be in Munich and Salzburg and seeing the sights! I’m not sure what to expect! Can you give me and idea what I might be in for!? Is it like Mardi Gras down in New Orleans?
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2375 posts
Oktoberfest really only takes place on the festival grounds. The rest of the city/country won't be affected.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4857 posts
Munich's Oktoberfest ends Oct 6, so if you arrive after that, you're fine. If you arrive during, but steer clear of the festival grounds, you won't notice much other than exorbitant hotel pricing. If you are outside Munich, I doubt you'll notice anything at all.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8942 posts
Only Munich is affected. This is a city festival and not a Bavaria festival.
You may find all kinds of festivals happening in many other towns though, as this is something that happens all over Germany in every season except Jan. Feb. & March. If you run across one, you can enjoy them without drinking.
Posted by
Houston
3518 posts
Most of Octoberfest occurs in September. The only real impact you are likely to see during that festival is in Munich and on the festival grounds. Hotel prices in general run higher in Munich during this time, and on festival days the subway routes going to the festival grounds can be very crowded.
If you do make it to Munich before the end of Octoberfest, it would be worth visiting the festival grounds just to say you went. I found it fun when I went and I didn't even have any beer (opening day and way too crowded, but was a fun crowd).
Posted by
1 posts
You shouldn't change your dream travel plans to Germany, just because of the Oktoberfest. First thing, Oktoberfest ends on the first Sunday of October; for Oktoberfest 2019 it is 6th October. If your travel dates are after 6th October, then you don't need to care about anything.
In another case, it is still fine to travel to Munich during Oktoberfest is absolutely fine; as all the festivities are done at the Theresienwiese (Official Oktoberfest ground) between 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Alcohol laws are quite strict in Germany, there is zero-tolerance for drink and drive.
Posted by
Berlin
2232 posts
Outside Munich nobody cares much about Oktoberfest. It is a walled community Volksfest; no breweries allowed from rest of Bavaria for example.