We are doing a Rick Steves trip that includes Germany and Austria. We will be there from September 19 through the 26th. I’m pretty sure the original listing commented about Oktoberfest being celebrated while we were there and that our tour would include that celebration as part of our trip. Now that we’re all booked and ready to go I am not finding any information on that celebration being included. How can I find this out. I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that reservations need to be made for the tents especially for a group of people and I do believe we have 8 to 10 in our group on this trip. Thank you for any help.
Posted by
585 posts
contact the RS office to get the correct information?
Posted by
OP
12 posts
I thought of doing that and probably will end up calling them but sometimes the wait times to get through to someone is exorbitant. At least that’s what I found with other tour companies. This is our first RS tour. Maybe Rick Steves is different. But I will probably try them. Thank you.
Posted by
Fort Myers, FL
1880 posts
I thought of doing that and probably will end up calling them but sometimes the wait times to get through to someone is exorbitant. At least that’s what I found with other tour companies.
Email is best.
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2660 posts
Some of the answers on this thread should help.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tours/boe-14-questions-about-time-after-group-activities
The wording is Opportunity to enjoy Octoberfest
So the guide will offer help, but it likely won't be a group activity.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
Not been on the tour, but I seem to recall discussion that Octoberfest is not included as part of the tour, but people reported that it was offered as an option on your own, to do by yourself, or you were hooked up with a guide.
If you want to be assured a table (for 10 is the only option, so for two, you would need a reservation for a table for 10) you reserve, and pay for food and drinks as the reservation fee (a Maas of beer and an entree) for the 10. However, you can still go, find a place to sit if available, which is not too hard during the week in the afternoon, or at a smaller tent in the evening. Weekends are likely already sold out.
At the very least, it is well worth a visit, see some tents, take in the fair grounds, and worst case, find a beer garden someplace.
Posted by
Lancaster PA
262 posts
Paul provides good advice. As a twosome, we wandered into the Paulaner tent and were allowed to occupy a table with other people with the understanding we would be out by a given time. It was fine and a memorable experience. Go for it.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8965 posts
As LizinPA said, words are important and must be carefully read. It was not included on our GAS, but as said, we had the opportunity to go on our free afternoon. Not everyone in the RS group wanted to go, as there are many other things one can do. The tour leader offered to get tickets for those that wanted to go, and showed us the right U-bahn route to get there. Once there, we were on our own. It was a weekday afternoon, and the tents were not full. Many tables were "reserved" but that was for the evening so we sat at one of th many empty tables. No problems. Some people who wanted to party more, stayed until evening or came back later.
Posted by
Green Bay
21140 posts
If I calculate rightly, you will have a free afternoon on Wednesday Sept 20 and you can visit the Oktoberfest. Most of the tables will have reserved signs on them with the start time, usually 5 or 6 pm, so you are free to sit there until the reserved time, and maybe a little longer. Usually they are big corporations, with standing reservations to entertain employees, suppliers, customers. When we saw the organizer arrive at the beginning of the reservation time, we talked to her and told her we would clear out as soon as she said. Her answer was not to worry and she did not know how many people would actually show up. We were able to stay another hour until it was obvious a lot were arriving so we said our thanks and moved on.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
748 posts
We were not on a RS tour and so did this independently as 2 people. As others have said, you can try and find seats at tables. We were fortunate to be welcomed by a group of young men whose country of origin was India but who were now living in the UK and Germany. they were great - squeezed us in ( it helped that my dad is a very gregarious senior citizen and they were very anxious that he be able to have a place to sit). A second evening we were able to get in a 'wine tent" and could order - met people from Germany who had relatives in NJ!. Even without the tents, we enjoyed seeing the different food stalls ( barbecued mackerel on a stick was delish) and the overall atmosphere was so much fun. I was reluctant to go as I am not an alcohol drinker and was concerned it would be a lot of drunk people. It was not - lots of families and others just having fun. So do go- you will enjoy it!