Berlin, Munich, or Both?
 

Hi,
MY husband and I are planning on traveling through Europe for a couple weeks and then spending two months in Italy. I have most of the cities mapped out we would like to go to but I can't decide about Germany. We will be traveling from Amsterdam and I would love to see Berlin but my husband would like to see Oktoberfest in Munich. We only have a few days, is it possible to do both? We would be leaving Amsterdam Sept 29th and arriving in Berlin/Munich then leaving Germany Oct 2nd. Thoughts?

No- you rally only have 2.5 days - and if you have to move from Berlin to Amsterdam you have 2 half days in Berlin and one full day in Munich. Be aware that the 2nd is the tail end of the fest i Munich - it starts 9/17.

I would choose and for me it would be Berlin - but then I've never cared for beer.

I enjoyed both Berlin and Munich, if for very different reasons. All else being equal, I would go for Munich on this trip -- it is SO much more than "beer" and its highlights can, I think, be seen in just a few days. In contrast, IME, Berlin easily merits 4 or 5 days.... JMO!

No time to do both. What's your next city after Berlin/Munich? Perhaps, flight/rail connections will determine which city you choose.

My choice would be Munich.

Munich will be a madhouse. I'd go to Berlin.

As everybody says, no time for both. Whereever you go, you fly from Amsterdam.

Oktoberfest is special. You either love it or hate it. There is nothing in between.

The only chance to survive it is total immersion - this means, drinking a lot, cheering to oompah-music and dancing on the table. The city will be crowded and you will have to pay double prices in hotels (if you find one). If you can't stand people urinating or vomiting next to you, better avoid it. In any case, it will be a lifetime experience.

So, the question is "Oktoberfest or not?" If the answer is "yes", go to München. If the answer is "no", avoid München.

I think, there is no need to write here how beautiful Berlin is. And it has better beer than München.

<i> And it has better beer than München.</i>

Lies.

Our next city is Paris after Munich or Berlin. We were thinking of taking train from Amsterdam. Is that not a feasible option?

Berlin is much much more interesting than Munich. If you like to see fat Bavarian men and scantily clad women get drunk and make fun of themselves, then by all means go to Munich.

How lucky you are to spend two months in Italy!
Can you tell us about your itinerary.

I like both, have been to both, and they are totally different in many ways. However, have you even looked at a place to STAY in Munich during Oktoberfest?

It is much more that getting bombed on beer and swaying along to those bands, and that is if you can even get INTO one of those beer "tents" at the Fest grounds.

>>We were thinking of taking train from Amsterdam. Is that not a feasible option?<<

There is a direct train from Amsterdam to Berlin that takes 6:21, so it is doable. A flight would take about 3:30, with transfers, security etc. Train to Paris takes 8:19 with one change.

To München, the fastest train takes 7:45 with one change. Flying is recommended. Fastest train to Paris takes 6:07 with one change.

You can book very cheap train tickets if you book exactly 90 days before travelling day online.

But you also get inexpensive flight tickets if you book ASAP. With Easyjet, the flight fare from AMS to Berlin is currently €82.09. The direct flight to München with KLM is €166.67.

So, after all, Berlin would be the more economical option, if that matters to you (also, hotels will be less expensive in Berlin).

Berlin hotels are generally cheaper than hotels in Munich and during Oktoberfest prices in Munich go sky-high. But it'd be a very rushed visit to Berlin, only 2 full days and a few hours more.
Since you are going to Paris afterwards you might consider staying in western Germany instead of criss-crossing the country. Or, just in France, Strasbourg is a mix of German and French culture. You might like to stop off eg in Cologne first. Or look at the castles and villages in the Middle Rhine Valley.
Alternatively, after Strasbourg, Nancy on the TGV route to Paris is wonderful too and from there short transfer time to Paris
http://www.otstrasbourg.fr/en/
http://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/strasbourg-tourism/
http://en.nancy-tourisme.fr/

bahn.com would give you all the train timetables

There are dozens of other interesting cities in Germany in addition to these two.

Thanks for all the help. In response to kodakmoment we have an ambitious itinerary and most of you will probably think I'm crazy for everything I'm planning. I found buy one get one free tickets to Milan roundtrip so we are spending a few days in Milan with some friends then heading to Dublin, Glasgow, Lochness, (day trip to Edinburgh), checking out Jane Austen country, Cardiff, Stonehenge, London. From London to Amsterdam and Germany. Traveling from Paris and spending a few days in Loire Valley. The train to Nice will take us to Genoa and Cinque Terre then Tuscany where we spend a month. From tuscany to Capri and Ischia and Sicily for three weeks. It's a whirlwind trip but we are doing some specific things in each place and not looking to experience every facet of each city we visit, just some highlights. We can always go back and explore the cities we liked the best on another trip. I had wanted to visit Vienna, Prague, and Budapest but decided we just didn't have the time.

Oktoberfest is really crazy experience and, yes, you must love it to enjoy all the buzz. Personally I would choose Berlin. Its cultural profile is so diverse! Whether museums and galleries, or food and drinks, Berlin has something to offer to anybody. I'm sure your husband will find a hearty meal with beer in Berlin not worse than a Bavarian one. Hope you two achieve the compromise in the capital of Germany!