I will be in Munich this coming Oktoberfest where I am meeting up with my son who has spent the last few years working in London. Browsing through other messages on Fodor's Travel Talk I am alarmed to see that Munich hotels increase their prices by as much as 5 times for Oktoberfest. I'll have a car, so I'm wondering about communting in daily from nearby towns like Landshut, Landsberg am Lecht, or wherever. Does anyone have any recommendations for inexpensive hotels, pensions, B&Bs in these or other places?

You might take a look at Harburg, a tiny town along the 'romantic road' just north of Munchen. We stayed in a very nice little hotel there many years ago. The town at that time was delightfully undiscovered, with a fortress, narrow streets, and a stone bridge over a quiet stream. J.

Hello again. If you're wondering why I recommend Harburg, visit

http://www.harburg-schwaben.de/touri...ilderbogen.htm

Now can you see why it tugs at my heart? I've tried to locate an English site but don't have time to give it a real effort. I think we stayed at the Zum Straussen on the Marktplatz. I'm sure there are some folks looking in who can help you find a fax number for it. J.

Southwest of Munich, there is a small town called Diessen, situated on Lake Ammer (Ammersee). A couple of years ago, I stayed there at the Gasthof below - nice, clean, comfy little place:

www.diessen.net/gastronomie/unterbraeu/index.htm (60 Euros double)

This is a peaceful, scenic little village with all the necessities. There's also a boat that ferries you across to Herrsching (close to Andechs Monastery.)

To avoid traffic tangles, parking, etc. during Oktoberfest, I would recommend taking the train into Munich for the quickest in-and-out (the station is within a few feet of everything in town.

Now that I have a map in front of me, I see that Harburg is between Donauworth and Nordlingen, not as close to Munchen as I remembered. And Russ' recommendation of Diessen is a good one. If you've got a map, notice also that Starnberbersee is just a bit below the city. I've driven around that one, and there were several nice small towns. But Diessen looks really nice. Hope you find something that suits your budget. J.

i will be returning to the hotel hahn in munich this november....it is a small family run hotel which is very german, clean and comfortable, but not luxurous....it has a small parking space...check them out for your time frame---i stayed there quite a few years ago during octoberfest with no problem---they have a web site

Many thanks for responses. Yes, Harburg is some way away, but it looks great and I'll certainly consider it for an overnighter on our way down to Munich from Frankfurt. Diessen and Hotel Hahn are definite possibilities, and the photos on Diessen's website are also inviting. Again, thanks.

Following up Diessen advice, you could also check some towns on Starnbergersee - most are on the Sbahn. Try Tutzing hotels, or Starnbergersee - you will find some very nice looking places right on the lake which will not necessarily be double cost as not the average Oktoberfest goers choice.

Nick

For those who're interested I have been in the area before, and found a great B&B run by the Haltmair Familie at Gmund, on the northern tip of the Tegernsee. Rural atmosphere, walking distance to lake & local beer garden. I'd use it again, but am looking for somewhere nearer Munich this time, so thanks for all your ideas.