My wife and I will be traveling from the Rhine through Bavaria and then to Salzburg and Vienna. This coincides with Octoberfest and I am unsure if it's worth the trouble. I love German (particularly Bavarian) beer, but am concerned that it will be too crowded to be enjoyed. Some people who have been there insist that we should go, while others say it isn't worth the detour. I'm not a huge fan of big crowds. Any opinions?

I went to the Oktoberfest last year and enjoyed it but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. It is very crowded and there is sometimes trouble - as you'd expect with so much alcohol around. I'd say you'd be better off going to a beer garden or beer hall where the beer isn't watered down and where it won't be as crowded.
If you do decide to go I'd say go during the day when it should be quite as full and rowdy.

Martin: Rather than the Oktoberfest where you can indulge in Lowenbrau, Spaten, Hacker-Pschorr beers, most of which are available in the states, consider going to Andechs on the eastern shore of the Ammersee, southwest of Munich. The monastery in Andechs has been brewing beer for hundreds of years; the beer is one of the world's premiere beers, does not travel well and is available only in the immediate Andechs area. You'll escape crowds parking problems and high prices as well.

On my visit to Munich 4 years ago, I intentionally spent the evening just to experience Octoberfest. I was not disappointed, in fact, we had a ball! I would agree that it is more enjoyable during the day, and probably just for a few hours at best, but come on, how often to you see Schnapps stands along side cotton candy vendors?!?? Enjoy it! <BR>

On my visit to Munich 4 years ago, I intentionally spent the evening just to experience Octoberfest. I was not disappointed, in fact, we had a ball! I would agree that it is more enjoyable during the day, and probably just for a few hours at best, but come on, how often to you see Schnapps stands along side cotton candy vendors?!?? Enjoy it! <BR>

<BR>Can you recommend any good places to stay/other things to do in Munich during Oktoberfest? I'll be there for a week, and won't to experience as much as possible.