Munich - Top 5 tips for Oktoberfest
Munich was 1 of my first trips booked after arriving in Poland
in March this year.
You must be wondering “Why Munich?”
In learning more about the geographical location of where Poland
is in Europe and its neighboring countries, the idea of participating in Oktoberfest sprung up.
Well, and I do miss the beer nights D & I have weekly in
Singapore. After work, we often visit a bar for beer / wine, ideally accompanied
with a live music band. That is definition of date night for us.
In late September, this long awaited trip finally materialized.
My colleagues on knowing about my upcoming visit to Munich
for Oktoberfest, started flooding me with information about this festival –
from (asking if I were to dress up) traditional costumes to cautionary notes on
pickpockets AND hangovers.
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| The drinking starts early here in Oktoberfest! So pace yourself, or you will be knocked out by mid-day! |
Truth be told, I knew little to nothing about this festival
before going for it.
All I was expecting – Beers, music, huge crowds and possibly,
how to deal with drunkards.
An experience to tick that bucket list, but not something I would do twice.
An experience to tick that bucket list, but not something I would do twice.
However, after my virgin experience with Oktoberfest, I believe
it should be on everyone’s “life” bucket list. Certainly an event I would definitely LOVE to return to Munich for again!
It was a huge expectation-reality gap, in the positive direction.
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| Hosted on a horse race track, Oktoberfest hosts beer tents and livens up with a carnival, suitable for families, couples and friends! According to some locals, companies would reserve tables in advance as a "treat" for their executives or key customers to this annual affair. |
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| Joining the crowd with my first beer in hand! I learnt from my walking tour that it is important to "hug" the mug (like above) if you wish to drink like a local. REMEMBER: Do NOT hold the mug like a tea cup. i.e. with 2 hands. You will be judged! |
Given how much I have been raving about it to D, friends and
colleagues, I felt it would be useful to share some tips that I hope will be
helpful for you as first time visitors to this highly popular German beer festival.
Top Tip 1: Book flights & accommodation in advance
As a global event, this more than 200 year old festival is visited not only by Germans or Europeans.
I was told by my walking tour guide (who shared some tips on this event) that Oktoberfest welcomes approximately 7 million visitors globally in its annual 2-week beer festival.
Nationalities that top the charts outside of Europe
are Australians and Americans. So you can imagine, there would be a high demand
for flights into Munich and a tough fight for accommodations.
Even though I booked my flights months in advance (securing tickets that were “normal” price), I thought accommodations would not be a major issue. I booked my accommodations one month before the event and felt that it was already ridiculously priced. On average, accommodations ranged from being 2.5 times to 4 times more expensive than its usual rates, both in the core center and its fringe areas.
Given that Munich has a pretty developed train system, I recommend staying on the fringe of the city center, even if you are there to visit just for the weekend. Surprising to me was that Oktoberfest's beer serving hours start from as early as 9am (on weekends) or 10am (on weekdays) and ends at 10.30pm (weekdays and weekends). This leaves you with a lot of buffer to ride the trains back to your accommodation.
Where to Stay: This refers to the area from "Pasing" to "Marienplatz". Many train lines go pass these places and they are easy to get to and fro the airport. Perfect for a weekend stay, if you are here just for Oktoberfest.
Top Tip 1: Book flights & accommodation in advance
As a global event, this more than 200 year old festival is visited not only by Germans or Europeans.
I was told by my walking tour guide (who shared some tips on this event) that Oktoberfest welcomes approximately 7 million visitors globally in its annual 2-week beer festival.
 |
| I was in a bubble of excitement in this high energy environment. |
Even though I booked my flights months in advance (securing tickets that were “normal” price), I thought accommodations would not be a major issue. I booked my accommodations one month before the event and felt that it was already ridiculously priced. On average, accommodations ranged from being 2.5 times to 4 times more expensive than its usual rates, both in the core center and its fringe areas.
Given that Munich has a pretty developed train system, I recommend staying on the fringe of the city center, even if you are there to visit just for the weekend. Surprising to me was that Oktoberfest's beer serving hours start from as early as 9am (on weekends) or 10am (on weekdays) and ends at 10.30pm (weekdays and weekends). This leaves you with a lot of buffer to ride the trains back to your accommodation.
Where to Stay: This refers to the area from "Pasing" to "Marienplatz". Many train lines go pass these places and they are easy to get to and fro the airport. Perfect for a weekend stay, if you are here just for Oktoberfest.
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| S-bahn train system map is taken from this link. |
Top Tip 2: Travel light to Oktoberfest
Today, many who attend Oktoberfest recall the terror attack that happened during this event in 1980. Following an explosion, 13 people died and 211 people were injured. Also, with the increased terror threat in Europe, security to major events have been raised.
Translating this to what it means for Oktoberfest party-goers, your bag cannot exceed a volume of 3 litres or a size of 20cm x 15xm x 10cm. The guards are pretty strict about this rule. Even though on-site baggage lockers are available, you would not want to count on searching for your bags after downing loads of beer during this event. And, even if you fulfill the above requirement, you will still need to go through bag checks. Why create such trouble for yourself?
What to bring: A small pouch to contain money (notes ideally), your phone and have loads of fun by letting your hair down!
Not forgetting, Oktoberfest greets with not just beers but it is a huge fun fair with carnival games and amusement park rides, suitable for all ages and risk appetite. By travelling light, you would not feel restricted in any way to just hop onto something!
Top Tip 3: Bring more cash than you would normally expect to pay for a beer in Germany
Oktoberfest is a free public event. Even though you do not have to pay for entrance fees, beer tents work in oligopoly by charging a "Oktoberfest" premium. This year, the official 2017 beer price ranged between 10.60 Euros to 10.95 Euros for 1 litre of beer. And yes, beers served here are mostly by the liter. One can only expect inflation to tip this over the 11 Euro mark soon!
I learnt also that tipping is a "culture" here to thank the beer servers, who are working extremely hard to serve the hungry alcoholics. More importantly, tables are hot property in big beer tents. So, unless you want to be chased out, tip decently. I would say approximately 10 - 15% at minimum.
Also, if you are keen for a game or a roller coaster ride, the cash would come in handy as these are charged per game or ride.
Top Tip 4: Visit Oide Wiesn
Since 2010, Oide Wiesn has become an essential part of the Oktoberfest culture.
Wiesn is the local name for Oktoberfest. And Oide Wiesn simply means Old Oktoberfest.
Oide Wiesn is located in the old grounds of Oktoberfest, where this used to be held back in the day. There is a 3 Euro admission charge for entrance, which in my opinion, is well worth a visit!
In its grounds, there is a beer museum, a big beer tent and a beer garden. My favourite of it all is the ambience of this place. Live Bavarian music, a dance floor and everyone being so welcoming to huddle and share seats. It was also here that we spoke to a local German couple who shared stories of their annual visits to Oktoberfest.
Top Tip 5: Visit both the big and small beer tents, share a table with the locals (or tourists) and taste some Bavarian delights!
With a grand total of 14 big beer tents and 20 small beer tents, you will be spoilt for choice.
Last but not least, some final moments here as the night drew to an end.
Translating this to what it means for Oktoberfest party-goers, your bag cannot exceed a volume of 3 litres or a size of 20cm x 15xm x 10cm. The guards are pretty strict about this rule. Even though on-site baggage lockers are available, you would not want to count on searching for your bags after downing loads of beer during this event. And, even if you fulfill the above requirement, you will still need to go through bag checks. Why create such trouble for yourself?
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| A slightly congested entrance due to tight security checks. But don't worry, the lines move pretty fast. |
Not forgetting, Oktoberfest greets with not just beers but it is a huge fun fair with carnival games and amusement park rides, suitable for all ages and risk appetite. By travelling light, you would not feel restricted in any way to just hop onto something!
When to visit: The best time to visit is around 3pm. This is because, the first wave of excited Oktoberfest party-goers who start at 9am would be drunk by then, and the second wave of dinner crowd would only arrive later.
Top Tip 3: Bring more cash than you would normally expect to pay for a beer in Germany
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| Did you know, all beers served in Oktoberfest carried the tradition of beer deliveries via these horses? |
I learnt also that tipping is a "culture" here to thank the beer servers, who are working extremely hard to serve the hungry alcoholics. More importantly, tables are hot property in big beer tents. So, unless you want to be chased out, tip decently. I would say approximately 10 - 15% at minimum.
Also, if you are keen for a game or a roller coaster ride, the cash would come in handy as these are charged per game or ride.
Top Tip 4: Visit Oide Wiesn
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| Oide Wiesn is located at the end of Wiesn, but not clearly found on the map. Walk to the end of Wiesn and you will see signs leading you to this spot! |
Since 2010, Oide Wiesn has become an essential part of the Oktoberfest culture.
Wiesn is the local name for Oktoberfest. And Oide Wiesn simply means Old Oktoberfest.
Oide Wiesn is located in the old grounds of Oktoberfest, where this used to be held back in the day. There is a 3 Euro admission charge for entrance, which in my opinion, is well worth a visit!
In its grounds, there is a beer museum, a big beer tent and a beer garden. My favourite of it all is the ambience of this place. Live Bavarian music, a dance floor and everyone being so welcoming to huddle and share seats. It was also here that we spoke to a local German couple who shared stories of their annual visits to Oktoberfest.
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| Live music and full of energy, everyone was definitely on party mode. |
Top Tip 5: Visit both the big and small beer tents, share a table with the locals (or tourists) and taste some Bavarian delights!
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| My appetite for beer definitely increased after this weekend! |
I suggest doing some research on the brewery and "theme" of each of the big beer tents. Because, even though each big beer tent can house up to 10,000 people, they are often crowded with lines to enter. Not forgetting, I doubt one can drink 14 litres of beer in 1 day?!
I recommend first timers to visit the Augustiner tent (where they serve the similarly named beer, a local favourite) as a safe choice. My personal favourite, however, actually goes to the Braurosl beer tent operated by the Heide family, who have been around for seven generations!
Last but not least, some final moments here as the night drew to an end.
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| Beautiful lights that adorn with nightfall. Bidding summer goodbye, we are starting to experience lesser daylight. |
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| Goodbye Oktoberfest 2017! I will certainly return back for more! |
Prost!
xx,
L
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