Oktoberfest 2012
 

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Europe next year, and the main objective is to attend Oktoberfest. I am flying out of SEA, and thinking about going into FRA or AMS, spend a couple days sightseeing, and then take the train to Munich. I will probably spend a maximum of two weeks in Europe, so I need some advise on where else to go that would maximize my dollar. Thinking of getting some sort of rail pass and start from Amsterdam, spend a couple days. Train ride to Frankfurt, spend a day or two, then off to Munich for a couple days (how many litres can one possibly drink?). Zurich then Paris on the train as well. Then fly back to SEA from Charles de Gaulle.

I am wondering if it's still too early to book hotels or flights. It would be great if I can maximize my miles with Star Alliance on the trip, but that would be a bonus. Any suggestions on flights, hotels, landmarks and other must-sees are appreciated.

Thanks!

I'll just try to give you some advice on visiting the Oktoberfest.

The event has seen a big surge in popularity in recent years. Nowadays it is virtually impossible to get into any of the "tents" after 5pm. On some days (weekends!) the doors may even close at noon - for people that don't have a reservation. You don't really need a reservation that early, but once all the tables are taken, no one without one is allowed inside.

Without a reservation, you can do what a lot of the locals do: visit the ""Mittagswies'n". Get there at about 11am and find a nice table out in the sun. If the weather sucks, find one inside. Noon crowds are very much weather dependent. Have some beers and food before the huge crowds arrive and leave when they do.

For the noon version of the OF I like the Ochsenbraterei. But most others will do as well.

If you really want to go at night, you absolutely have to book a seat at a table and prepay for the equivalent of 2 liters of beer and half a chicken. But you can use the vouchers you receive for whatever else you like. Which should cost about EUR 35. Most people/groups/companies book entire or multible tables, but there are lots of tour operators which have offers for individuals. They are usually a bit more pricey.

But forget about getting into any of the major tents by just showing up at night. The last time that was possible was around 1995.

Having lived in Germany several years in the 90's, I personally would advise skipping "Oktoberfest" in Munich, and attending one of the many regional or city fests in other areas. Bad Durkheim is awesome, (especially if you like wine) and many of the fests around Christmas are terrific! Oktoberfest is really not a lot of fun, too big, too crowded, too commercialized. Think Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Lots of drunk people, packed into a small area. No fun. There's loads of fun fests in Germany, but Oktoberfest has outgrown itself.

Stuttgart has a good local one too. They call it "Wassen".

Thank you all. You have been most helpful. What I am gathering is that visiting the local festivals during the same time outside of the crowded main Munich Oktoberfest is the way to go. I'll have to let my group know and see what they think.

Do you have any recommendations on when to book hotels? One of my coworker said I should book in advance now for hotels in the city. I am thinking outside of the city and just take the train in to save some money, while avoiding the main crowds.

Moving this thread to the Germany forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

A couple of points for best results:

1. Go during the week. It won't be slow but it won't be as packed as on the weekends.

2. Go early and leave early, unless you really need to be cram packed in with thousands of people and wait a long time to go to the bathroom.

3. Go to the smaller restaurants scattered around if the beer tents are too full.

4. Go to the Nuremberg Volksfest instead; it is earlier in the year and the hotels won't be as outrageous.

Go early and leave early? Personally I don't agree with that. In the (early) afternoon it's rather quiet, which is not bad for finding a seat, but the real party is in the evening. So it's just what kind of atmosphere you like. Afternoons are a bit boring to me.

I usually enter the tents around 2 or 3 PM and always find a space to squeeze in. The only exception is saturdays, tents are normally closed down since the morning.