sparkchaser

Dunno dude. We either have a table reserved or just show up and find a spot to sit.

oliver2002

There are no 'tickets'. In spring, you book tables of 6/8/10 seats with a prepay of 30-60€/Person depending on the time of day or tent which are then allocated based on reputation, vodoo, connections etc. Upon allocation, you have to cough up the prepayment instantly. By easter all good days/locations are gone.

Then you are left with brokers, who snap up 1000s of tables in advance and sell you events with extra fees for tours or attendants. Some of these tables become vacant in the last minute and are sold at cost. I snapped up a table at the Winzerer Fähndl for 66€/Person that was originally booked by Expedia for an employee event. The Expedia people though I would pay them the amount they paid to the event company, which led to some discussions at the tent... Luckily the lead negotiator already had consumed a liter of Beer...

MariaSF

You guys enjoy Oktoberfest 2012, because things may change in 2013.

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20120504-42351.html

sparkchaser

Not an issue for me since I only order maß and don't spend all day at a table.

I suspect that the majority of the troublesome drunks aren't Germans at all.

oliver2002

Already today a large section in the area around the band in the pit is reservation free and first come first serve. The servers there have a weird system though pretending its reserved, which can be negated by a firm look in the exe and promise to consume copious amount of alcohol/food.

The beer tents are a massive money printing machine, the new lord of the jungle knows that and will probably know better soon enough. A large section of Munich citizens hate the chaos and primitiveness that descends on this town each year...

PetePDX

That's sad.

I'm going this year: I'm hazarding a guess that this will be a fascinating experience...

sparkchaser

It will be an experience, that's for sure. Just try to avoid going during Italian weekend.

mickeydfly13

Anyone have a few hotel recommendations in Munich for Oktoberfest? Going September 25-27......

sparkchaser

Whichever ones still has availability and are within your budget.

mickeydfly13

great, thanks..............

sparkchaser

My reply may have come off as snarky but it's the truth. Hotel prices in Munich during Oktoberfest are 3-5x times the normal rate (if not more!) and book very, very, very quickly.

AA-Flyer-SAN

Anyone know where I can try and make reservations for tables? Is very frustrating and can't seem to find it.

sparkchaser

You have to contact the tent directly. Here is a good starting point: http://gogermany.about.com/od/oktobe...beer_tents.htm Note that most tents will not reserve a table for you if your party is less than 10.

oliver2002

In January/February you fill out the form(s) on the websites of the tents, which will then send you the application form around March/April which you need to fax/email in. The invoice for the prepayment comes in june and needs to be paid by July. They start mailing the vouchers and exact details of which table you have in August.

mickeydfly13

no worries--I know the prices are quite high, but I often stay in NYC...kind of looks like that.

Anyone know if it's difficult/easy to get from hotels near the airport to the Oktoberfest grounds?
Thanks