Just what exactly are you planning to do? Go to one of those beer tents some of which require reservations? Go to that carnival ride set-up assuming it is still operating? Go to the final day's parade depending on the time.

You can store all luggage in the main rail station.

If you do not have tent reservations you will still be able to have lunch in one of the tents. Most of the tables are reserved for dinner. There is usually a sign on the table that states what time it is reserved for. As long as you are gone before that time you are fine.

You can roam around the carnival grounds and walk through the tents for free. It is fun to watch the families all dressed in traditional lederhosen. Ride a few rides, grab some lunch, have a beer or two. A few hours is plenty to get a taste of Oktoberfest, although most of the activity (drunks, fights etc) take place later in the day, when most of the drinking takes place.

Fair question!
The only thing I'm dead set on is taking in the scene, watching people and drinking a few beers.
I don't think there's a parade (at least I couldn't find one on the event calendar) and while I'd love to see the rides/carnival, I don't think I'd partake in that.

michele_d... great feedback. Thanks. If I had more time, I would have done it differently and stayed longer (I mean, who doesn't want to stick around and see a good fight??) But unfortunately this work trip just came up and I'm trying to make the most of it!

While you may be tired from traveling, I would think that once you get there you will wake up. It is so fun. People watching was great, as was the beer. As long as you have the time I would say go for it.

thanks jscarbary.... seriously, we can sleep when we're dead, right?? haha. Thanks for confirming that my plan works. Now I just need to figure out how to get north to Erlangen after a few beers!

Check www.bahn.de for train times. It shows that there is a direct train (ICE) from Munich Hbf to Erlangen at 00.01 hours which arrives in Erlangen at 02.21. That's the last , and in that case you can enjoy the Oktoberfest the whole day.

You should be able to get in on sunday, don't worry about reservations.

Leave your luggage at the main station, plenty of lockers there. The festival grounds are a few blocks south-west by foot or 1 subway station away (U5 or U4). Tents open at 9. If you're there at 9, you should get a seat. Not all of the tables can be reserved. In fact, only about 30-40 percent of each tent's tables can be booked in advanced and the ones in the centre of the tents can never be reserved and are free for those, who come first. There are many trains from Munich to Erlangen, most of them go to Nuremberg/Nürnberg first. At least, one every hour. ICE trains are the fastest, yet on this particular high-speed rail track, the regional trains really are a good options, since they use the same rails as the high-speed-trains. They only stop a bit more often (3 times, I think). It's something like 1h vs 1h20min travel time ICE vs Regional trains. Regional trains on this track are called Regionalexpress (RE). You can use the "Bayern ticket" for that, which is also valid for the public transport in Munich. So, you could buy a bayern ticket once you arrive at munich airport at a vending machine or at the counter, take the s-bahn to munich central station, leave your luggage there, take the subway to the festival and back and travel to Nuremberg - all with the same "Bayern-ticket" for something like 20€.

Brink

Watzmann has summarized a good way to see the 'Fest in one day.Since you are going on business, is there any way you can go a day earlier? That way you could arrive on Saturday 7 Oct, and not have to get to Erlangen until the next evening. You will probably have jet lag if you arrive Sunday morning and you will not be at your best. If you arrive Sat you could go to the 'Fest for a few hours on Sat afternoon, get a hotel close to the train station (which is only 5-6 blocks from the 'Fest), rest up Sat nite then spend 5-6 hours at the 'Fest Sunday and go to Erlangen early Sun evening so you will be rested for work Monday. Fortunately the weather forcast looks good with no rain Sat or Sun, just a little cool Sunday (55 degrees F for the high). From the main train station, exit toward the south side (Bayer Strasse) walk South on Goethe Strasse for 2 blocks, turn right on Landwehr Strasse for 2 blocks and look for Festival signs (or follow the crowd).

At any rate, don't miss this opportunity to attend the 'Fest and enjoy it. Beers are less than 10 E per L. the food is fairly good, and the people watching is outstanding.