Oktoberfest Experiences

My wife and I went last year. We had so much fun we're going again this year.
We spent most of our time in the Hofbrau tent. Although we stopped in each tent just to see what the each on looked like and to get an idea of the atmosphere.
We sat down with a table of Norweigians and were best friends after a couple of hours. In fact we're going to meet them again this year.
The best part was just being around a few thousand people having fun...the definition of Gemütlichkeit.

Plus you can't miss those thousands of people standing on their benches singing John Denver's Country Roads at the top of their lungs.
It was incredible. One of the best times I've ever had.

gute Reise and Prost!

Reg

You will have fun no matter where you go. However, the later in the afternoon/evening you wander into a tent the less likely to find a seat. Expect to possibly get separated from whomever you are with- or wait to find seats together.

The Hippodrom was our favorite.

My husband went last year and loved it. It is like being at the biggest party in the whole world. It is very lively with the singing and easy to make friends there. I will get a chance to go this year perhaps.

One thing that was I suppose sort of funny is that the attendees are not at all shy about public urination!

With that many people, and that much beer being consumed, I doubt they could ever have enough facilities to serve everyone. Imagine the urinal lines are never ending.

I am heading into Munich for Oktoberfest in just a couple of weeks...We didn't get a room yet..We don't want to spend too much, but want a toliet/w shower...We have our Eurail passes..As you can tell, I just now found this web site and will be getting some of Rick's books today..Any help out there?

Thanks

Thank you all....While I was in B&N buying all of Rick Steves books, a lady approached me when she heard me telling someone about Munich and the room situation...This lady had a friend visiting from Munich that was also shopping at the book store...It was great..The lady from Munich gave me all of the towns the S-sub stops at from 45 mins outside of Munich...Hopefully now armed with info, I will be able to get a room...I'll keep you posted...

Lauren,

No hotel reservations for Munich during Oktoberfest AND you want a place that's inexpensive?

Good luck. We made our reservations about 6 months ago for this year's celebration...and that was pushing it. Most people at this point stay outside of Munich and go by train into town each day. Plus the hotels raise their rates about 3x for Oktoberfest.

I'm not saying it's impossible...but at this point you're behind the 8 ball.

Hope to see you in Munich.

Prost!

I'd be surprised if you can get any lodging at this point for Octoberfest. I live in Germany and have heard it is a 'certain type' of German that is there (whatever that means) and TONS of Americans and other foreigners there to see the show.

A few years ago I was there on the last day of Oktoberfest, a Sunday, b/c of a long flight layover in Munich. I went into town and was dismayed at all the drunks lying ALL over the place (I am not kidding, I was stepping over people every 3 feet and I was walking through wide thoroughfares!) and everything reeked of urine. Oh Munich, not your best face AT ALL! Normally Munich is just lovely, clean, orderly, and still lively, but I have zero desire to ever go during Octoberfest.

Disclaimer: I have never been a 'party hard' type of person anyhow.

Lauren, I also sent you a private message but a room in Munich will be HARD to find now. This was your 1st post and you said you had just found it. This is a great site for any info on Europe. You can learn more here in an hour than you can find on your own in a week. So much info here, but most will agree, Munich in Sept and early Oct is a busy place will rooms at a premium and hard to find. Good Luck

I agree with Reg's comments about the singing and comeraderie of Oktoberfest.It turned out to be a highlight of our Germany/Austria/CR trip last year. One word of caution, however! Make sure you eat before going--after all that beer from 4 pm on, I could hardly walk to our hotel and make our train the next morning!

If you have a Eurail pass, you could choose to stay in town outside Munich and find available and cheaper housing. I stayed at a youth hostel in Garmisch back in 1990 and just took the train into town. You can probably find something closer and with the rail pass, the train doesn't add any cost.

I ate an early (late afternoon) dinner before heading to the tents. I bought a t-shirt at the Hofbrau tent but spent most of my time at the Lowenbrau tent. I had intended to start at one tent and work my way through but once I sat down at Lowenbrau, I stayed and had a great time.

I was there on the first day of the festival one year and really enjoyed the parade in Munich's city center. The locals looked great in their lederhosen and drndels. I was tempted to do the Chevy Chase thing but thought better of it when I priced them.

It closes early but I went to a nightclub afterward with the people from my table.

hey tony! i am from nashville, too, and my husband and i are going to be at oktoberfest 9/20-21. i have no earthly idea which tent(s) we are going to hit and i am hoping that we don't need to get tent tix in advance. know anything about that? can you just wing it when you're there?

oops just realized you said you would be there NEXT year. we are going this year. i can let you know what i find out to help you prepare for your beer adventure.

I went in 2005 we were fortunate to book a room about 6 months in advance. We were about a 10-15 walk to the Oktoberfest site. We had a great time. We spent most of our time in the Spaten tent. It was HUGE!! We did not have any trouble finding seats because we went early enough. However, some people have tables reserved and will sometimes let you stay. The tables are marked with paper with the times people will be coming. If the table has no reservation markings then you can sit there without any problems. Be prepared for a lot of people sitting at the table with you. We met some great people from all over. The singing of "Country Roads" is so fun. The beers go down very well. The hangover is worth it.

I've been to Oktoberfest twice--the first time in 2002, when a friend and I stayed with Munich locals who knew exactly how to get there, how to get in the tents and get to a table. We were lucky to be staying with them in their apartment. I can't remember the tent we were in the first night (maybe Lowenbrau), but the second night we had wrist bands to the Hippodrome tent. It was such a blast--so much beer, so much singing, talking to locals and others from around the world. It's a memory I'll never forget.

The second time was in 2004 with my parents. We were touring Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic without any hotel reservations. We happened to drive into Munich on one of the fest days, and about the fifth hotel we checked with, we got a room. We weren't in the city center, but we were just a fairly short subway ride from the fest grounds and Marienplatz. The room wasn't cheap, but with the exchange rate then it wasn't sooo bad--maybe $200. So it can happen that you might stumble upon an open room, but it's taking a big chance.