moo

We would like to attend Octoberfest in Munich this September (2017) and need help in understanding the best way to do this. Can anyone outline what there is to do there and explain how the fest works? I lived in Salzburg about 30 years ago as a student so I am a bit familiar with Munich (but not Octoberfest) having traveled there several times but as a mature adult and considering things change over time, please suggest where to stay, how many days to attend, advanced ticket information, etc. Going with a small group and might rent a house in the Salzkumergut area but a day or few days trip to Munich to experience Octoberfest is in the hopper too. Enlighten me please. Danke!

PalenQ

IMO=

a great time to visit is during the opening weekend when the world-famous parades are held -escorting the ceremonial first barrel of beer to the festival grounds to be tapped and officially open Octoberfest.

I've gone several times but not in past several years so may have changed but I just hopped from tent to tent to see the differences, near different bands, etc - There was no charge to enter tents - getting a table is different - go at odd hours or reserve one in advance.

There is a carnival aspect to it too- the usual carnie and food stuff - lots of roasting sugar-coated hazle nuts roasting away.

There are special vomit pits in the bathrooms that seemed to be very popular.

Fodorite018

PalenQ--We will also be in Munich in September, but leave just a couple days before Oktoberfest begins. Do you know if things are set up before the official start of it by chance? We leave on the 13th and I believe it begins the 16th or 17th, so was wondering if we would be able to see any of it.

FuryFluffy

moo and mms, things will not begin before the official day. On the official day, after the first parade, the mayor will tap the first beer barrel of the festival.

There's no ticket either, you can queue to see the parade, and then you should book for the table inside one the beer tents. The festival beer tents will hold on together on a fairground, usually at Theresienwiese. There will be parade and festival activities during several days, after that, the beers tents continue to open for 2 weeks. You can look for its program on internet:

http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article...dar+2017/4928/

FuryFluffy

Forgot to mention, it's not something like a sophisticated festival. It's for beer lovers, point stop. The parades on the 1st day and 2nd day are huge and very colorful. The beer tents serve good beers, German foods, with oompah bands playing festive music. Nothing more, nothing less. You can stay anywhere in Munich that is near/have public acces to Theresienwiese, the Oktoberfes fairground. The hotel price in Munich will go up skyhigh for the festival period. If that is the case, you can choose to stay in Augsburg, a small decent town 40 mins of train away from Munich.

Here is my experience of the Oktoberfest last year, if you're interested:

https://moveablefeastofamess.wordpre...eers-and-more/

PalenQ

Do you know if things are set up before the official start of it by chance?>

Not sure but would just be a bunch of closed tents and carnival setting up -think not worth the trouble.

Fodorite018

Thank you Wish we could be there for it, but that isn't the focus of our trip so it doesn't really matter. Just would have been interesting to see.

Macross

We go during the week and get there around 11. You can get a seat at all the tents if you go before 3 or 4. We usually eat something at each tent. The chicken is wonderful, great salads, and even fish. We split the food but get our own beers and pace ourselves. My fav tent for food is Augustiner but Hofbrau is our fav party tent and they have standing room only tables that are not reserved. You sit with others and it is a fun time. Just eat a pretzel or something because these are big beers around 6%.
We stay out of town and take the train in and walk right into the festival. This pass year they changed things due to security. They might have a better set up next year. Take very little in with you because everything does get checked in your bag or purse.

We like staying in Augsburg and the train trip going and coming back is a party. We have also stayed in Murnau and Garmisch.

Have fun

PalenQ

I stayed in Garmisch and took train in to a station just before the main Hbf and followed the crowd to the fair grounds - about a 10 minute walk- so get off the stop before the Hbf main station.

Macross

Theresienwiese station.

swandav2000

Hi moo,

PalenQ's suggesion won't work these days. On the train from Garmisch to Munich, the stop before the main station (Hauptbahnhof) is Munich-Pasing. Munich-Pasing is a suburb of Munich and nowhere near the fest grounds. If you stay in Garmisch, you will need to go to Munich Hbf and then take a Ubahn to Theresienwiese station. Journey time is from 1h30 to 1h40.

Have fun as you plan!

s