Does Oktoberfest seriously impact general travel through Bavaria, or is it confined mainly to Munich? Places of interest include Bamberg, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Passau. We would travel by train. We were thinking maybe a week in Bavaria, at the end of a 3 week trip starting in Cracow, through CZ to Prague and ending in Bavaria (fly home from FRA) . We were hoping to wing it, no reservations and thought Sept. would be amenable to this idea. Would hotels, trains et. al. in the region be impacted by the festival? We could turn it all around, starting in Germany and ending in Poland if need be. We've been to Munich and loved it, but have no need to plunge into Munich during its run. Any thoughts would be appreciated. And BTW, why don't they call it Septemberfest? :) Woulda made my life easier. Thanks!
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
If the closest to Munich that you will come is Regensburg and Passau, then I do not believe that Oktoberfest will affect you. However, September is still high season or close to it. Trains will not be an issue. You might have trouble finding decent hotel prices if you just show up.
There are several hotel finding sites where you can check for available rooms and follow what is happening. I like HRS.com. It is the largest in Germany. If rooms are disappearing, you will see it.
Regensburg has always been sticky for us. We find rooms but often pricey for our budget. I would look to it early.
Nuremberg has lots of trade fairs. If no fairs, then rooms are usually available at a reasonable price. We skipped Nuremberg a couple years ago due to high room prices (high occupancy).
I will put in a plug for Würzburg, one of my favorite towns. It has very good train connections to the Frankfurt Airport. We have left the country twice from there.
Regards, Gary
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
In 2007, I traveled up the Romantic Road to Würzburg, then over to Passau via Bamberg and Nürnberg. I spent one night outside Passau at Pension Sagerer in Vilshofen. They are a small Pension, catering to canoeists on the Danube and bicyclist on the bike path along it. You'll have to email them for prices. In 2007 (Oct) I spent €38 for a single room with breakfast.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
Once you get past suburbs of Munich (and maybe Salzburg), I don't think you will have any problems.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19274 posts
I stayed in Landsberg am Lech (less than an hour by train from Munich Hbf) in 2007 on the last saturday night of Oktoberfest, and I found a place (in advance) and they hadn't raised their rates for Oktoberfest.
Posted by
England
375 posts
I know you were just kidding about Septemberfest, but if anyone wants to know, the first one was held on October 12, 1810 in celebration of wedding of the then Crown Prince Ludwig. Everyone liked the party so much they kept doing it every year, but I don't know why it begins in September now.
Posted by
OP
Columbus, OH, USA
2085 posts
Thanks for all the replies! The information is quite helpful.