It's my Fiancé's dream to go to Octoberfest for her 30th and I need guidance so I'm turning to the experts! Here's where it's easy and here is where it's difficult..

Easy - I'm flexible with the dates and open to any and all experiences. The entire trip doesn't have to be surrounded by Octoberfest. I was thinking maybe two days in Munich for the Octoberfest and checking out Zürich since it's so close and I hear it's beautiful.

Difficult - I'm closing on a house that needs fully remodeled in the next month so I'm on a tight budget.

Flying out of Chicago ORD or MDW
Total time available for us to take off work = 6 business days + weekends
Budget = I need every dollar to go as far as possible
Accommodations = I don't plan on being indoors much so I'm open to staying just about anywhere*
Time frame = Anytime that fits into Octoberfest schedule, even if it's flying in earlier or leaving late so long as we get a few days there.

I want to make every day count to the fullest and for this to be the birthday trip of a lifetime for her. She made my 30th birthday one of the best weeks I ever had and I want to return the favor.

All ideas and information are welcomed. Thank you so much in advance!

*

There is nothing budget about traveling to Switzerland. It's a great country with a lot to see, but not really the place to go on a tight budget. Zurich, in particular, is very expensive. I would save Switzerland for another trip.

I hate to break it to you, but you may be hard-pressed to find lodging for Munich this late in the game for Oktoberfest (note the spelling) and, if you fo find it - it will be at a premium. So, if this is a budget trip, you may end up having a bit of sticker shock. FYI: I planned my trip to Oktoberfest around May of the year I went...by then most lodging was booked.*

Zurich? Beautiful? Not sure where you heard that...but there are FAR more beautiful Swiss cities (and far more interesting as well) near Munich. But, if you want to go to Zurich, go ahead and go. It is your trip, after all and if you will regret not visiting, who is anyone to tell you not to go...

Consider flying open jaw: in one city, and out another.

Also, figure in your time in transit to eat up a half to a full day for sightseeing, ditto for your arrival and departure days (at least 1 day gone for both, approximately). So in a sense, your 10 days (right? 6 business days plus 2 weekends?) - that makes it 7 - 7.5 days of sightseeing.

So, first of all, you do know the above dates, right?
And you mean 2019, right?
As noted above, you will likely have trouble finding budget accomodations this late. Conside staying in a nearby town to reduce price. How will you be travelling- train ?

To customize your air travel search, I suggest
matrix.its software.com
You can specify flexible travel dates and a number of other variables to find the cheapest flights.
Lucky you! I find flights ORD-FRA (Frankfurt) DIRECT
at just $579 departing on a practice date of September 23 and staying 8 nights!
(I did not search ORD-Munich ?MUC), so feel free.
But, FRA is just 3.5-4 hours to Munich by train, if you need to elect that option. They earlier (more in advance) that train tickets are purchased, the generally cheaper. Just be sure to leave enough time, because these sale price tickets are train specific (if you miss it, not refundable).
Maybe come back with a question about best place to base to experience Oktoberfest.

I would NOT travel to Zurich (much as I love it, there are many great small German towns to experience much closer to Muenchen).
Try Fuessen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen for the German Alps and the Zugsitze, given your limited time

Plane fare to MUC (Muenchen) noted above.
Quick search for accomodations on booking.com:

Starnberg -30 minutes by train-sample input of 5 nights= 1000€ average, with many options sold out.

Ottobrunn- 26 minutes away- 700-800€ for 5 nights, many options sold out .

Bad Toelz-one hour away by train- 500-800€ for 5 nights (many options remain).

And again, I highly recommend a day trip to Garmisch-Partrnkirchen to ascend the Zugspitze. This is sure to be a highlight!
Happy planning!

Switzerland and budget don't belong in the same sentence.

Plenty to do in/around Munich to fill your time..and more. I too, highly recommend the Zugspitz (although not cheap) and Garmisch, as well as Salzburg, which is an easy trip from Munich.

Hi ChickemTravel,

As others have said above, you have left it startling late to get to the Oktoberfest this year. I live in Garmisch (abut 1h20 south of Munich) and treated my nephew to a trip to the O'fest two years ago. It was a last-minute trip, and I found decent hotel rooms in Freising, a town out by the airport with journey time to Munich about 20 or 30 minutes; it was also a good location for his flight out. This could be an option for you.

I'm treating my nephew again this year, and I secured rooms for us in May. This time, I found a nice hotel in the Munich district of Hadern, about 15-20 minutes to the fairgrounds or central Munich. Yes, most hotels that normally run around $200/night will run $500 or even $700/night during the fest. Really strongly encourage you to do this for *next* year, and start planning it in the spring.

Good luck, and have fun as you plan!

s

I would stay anywhere on the train line. We have never stayed in Munich for Oktoberfest but didn't mind the train ride as it was a party in itself. Follow the lederhosen. Hofbrau always has standing room only tables and it is party central. Cash in the tents. I would imagine beers are going for 11 euro this year. Pace yourself. We found room in every tent before 4 to sit and you might find someone that will invite you to sit with them later. Everyone is super nice. Do go to Garmisch, visit the gorge and old Olympic stadium, the new ski jump is a marvel. If nice day the Zugspitze is worth every penny. Just stay up there and enjoy a beer and food taking in all that beauty. She will never forget that. You can find accommodations there at a much cheaper price and then take the train down to Innsbruck for the day. Have fun planning. Ibis hotels are no frill hotels but clean We are actually spending two nights in Freising after Christmas so we can hop on a train one day to go to Regensburg and then be there the next morning for an early am flight. It is easy taking the train. Have fun planning. Ask any questions.