How to survive the Oktoberfest: your guide to Munich’s famous fair
Oktoberfest: Wondering which day and what time to go, and where to stay? Find out everything you need to know about the Oktoberfest here.
Christina Iglhaut “On your marks, get so, GO!” 5,000 people sporting tight lederhosen and colourful dirndls set off at a sprint - heading straight for the beer tent. They stumble, barge past others and leap over beer benches. They will do anything to secure themselves a place in the tent on the first day of the world’s largest funfair. For them, survival mode kicks in right here, at the Oktoberfest in Munich. The moment it begins. At 9 am at the entrance to the Theresienwiese. They want to feel the adrenalin. They need the kick ...
... for everyone else, we have put together a guide to ensure you get the most out of your Oktoberfest trip with as little stress as possible.
You’d be well advised to book your accommodation for next year right now!
There’s no point saying things like: “I’ll just look for a hotel when I get there” - not unless you’re happy to end up spending as much on one night in a tiny room in the southern outskirts of the city as you would for a short trip to the Maldives. We strongly recommend starting to look for a place to stay as early as possible. Hotel rooms in Munich are expensive and hard to find during the Oktoberfest. For those on a tighter budget, there are opportunities to camp near the fairground as well as hostels. Lots of locals also rent out their flats and private rooms. Why? To put it simply, because many local people flee the city for the duration of the Oktoberfest.
Planning which day to go will have a big impact on your Oktoberfest experience
The Oktoberfest doesn’t in fact begin in October, but in September (a bit strange, we know). On the third Saturday in September, to be precise. It ends on the first Sunday in October. For those who’d prefer a slightly more dignified visit, it’s best to go on a weekday - ideally a Monday or Tuesday morning. That’s when it is comparatively calm.
On the first Sunday, the traditional costume and rifleman’s parade takes place in Munich. This is a must if you’d like to learn more about the cultural origins of the festival.
If, on the other hand, you’d rather sit on beer benches, sweating, dancing, belting out “Zombie” by The Cranberries at the top of your lungs and getting to know lots of new people, you’d best dive headlong into the craziness that is the weekend Oktoberfest. And that’s anything but dignified. Though quite possibly unforgettable.
- Don’t call it “fancy dress”!
For people with a strong sense of tradition in Munich and Bavaria, dirndls and lederhosen are definitely not fancy dress. Both are traditional Bavarian garments and have about as much to do with carnival fancy dress as a proper freshly baked German pretzel has to do with an American snack pretzel.
- Be nice to the serving staff!
This should really be obvious. But unfortunately, some Oktoberfest visitors can be unfriendly or even abusive. Don’t be one of them! The waiters and waitresses spend all day lugging around heavy trays and one-litre mugs brimming with beer. Always remember who will be bringing you your next beer.
- Don’t underestimate a Maß!
A Maß is one litre of beer. Full stop. That’s a huge amount even for a normal beer. But at the Oktoberfest they serve up “Festbier”, a beer brewed specially for the occasion with an even higher alcohol content. So if you do order a Maß, drink it slowly, eat something in between and also switch to water now and again.
Game of tents: Which tent type am I?
Just as picking the right day will shape your Oktoberfest experience, so too will the choice of beer tent. You’ll find 14 large and 21 smaller tents at the Oktoberfest. Plus another three at the “Oidn Wiesn”. Though “tent” is perhaps a rather charming understatement: these are gigantic, lavishly decorated festive marquees with very different menus, bands, traditions and clientele. The various tents are worlds apart, offering everything from leisurely lunches to a wild party atmosphere, oompah music or a whole host of celebrities. And not every beer tent is the right fit for every Oktoberfest-goer. Here’s a small selection:
Be aware: Just because you’ve picked a tent doesn’t mean that the tent will also pick you. Depending on the day and time, long queues can form in front of the tents. Places inside are often booked months in advance. So if you don’t have a reservation, get there early to secure yourself a spot. Or you can just ask other guests nicely whether you can join them at their table.
Make sure to also visit the “Oide Wiesn”!
The “Oide Wiesn” – the historic part of the Oktoberfest - is situated on the southern edge of the Theresienwiese fairground. The fair feels less like a major international event there and more like a traditional Bavarian festival: old-fashioned rides, traditional alphorn blowers and people performing Bavaria’s famous shoe-slapping dance (Schuhplattler), historic stalls and tents offering a somewhat calmer atmosphere. The “Oide Wiesn” is of particular interest to international visitors because it reveals a different side of the Oktoberfest. It’s not about getting your hands on a Maß of beer as quickly as possible here. It gives you the chance to see how many of the traditions originated and why “die Wiesn”, as the Oktoberfest is known locally, is more than just a huge beer festival for Munich.
So on that note: vui Spaß (Bavarian for “have fun”)!
