We (2 couples early 60's) are in the very early planning stages for a 2020 Oktoberfest visit. We will be doing a tour with Go-Ahead tours starting in Lucerne and ending in Munich for Oktoberfest during "Italian Week". We will have access to one tent probably on a Thursday and then have all day Friday on our own. The hotel will be taken care of by Go-Ahead. What I am specifically looking for is tips on how to survive the day, what to wear, what not to miss, fun things you did. Thanks!

We horribly timed our trip to Munich last fall with our daughter. Munich was between time in Switzerland and Austria and then back to Munich for flights out. The only problem was our flights out were scheduled the same day as Oktoberfest began. (We hadn't thought about Oktoberfest until after we had finalized the trip that was around time off from our daughter's work). Anyway, while in Munich, days before the festival began, we followed the Oktoberfest arrows imprinted on sidewalks and eventually found the site in a largely residential area in what can best described as a large area that might house an amusement park. Not to take any anything away from your upcoming experience, but it looked like a giant carnival. We had always thought it was part of the beautiful Munich downtown. Anyway, we left for Salzburg, where they were having their own Oktoberfest (just called something else) right in the heart of the village, with all the lederhosen, music, dancing, etc. It was wonderful. Still a little disappointed that we missed the "real thing", we said goodbye to our daughter at one terminal at the Munich airport. Then, as we walked to a second terminal, through a beautiful very large covered (outside) pavilion and beer garden, we came across TV cameras recording the "tapping of the first keg for Oktoberfest" (we assume they tap more than one first keg in Munich), got free beer and enjoyed all the traditional clothing, a large band, men in lederhosen cracking whips to the music and dancing. Our best layover ever.

Have you thought about buying and bringing some traditional clothing, dirndls (ladies) and lederhosen (men)? I think you can find some online. We met Americans who came with their own. Plenty of places to buy locally, but some of the traditional clothing can be very pricey in many of the shops.

I went several times and always roved around the various big tents of beer producers - I just stood as most seats were full - just wanted to see the different tents and bands- they are not all the same. So, last I know you could enter tents freely but for seats needed reservation unless coming in mid-afternoon or so if empty seats.

I was amused by the special vomit pits they had in the men's toilet!

A short stopover at Munich airport during Oktoberfest is what sparked our interest in the first place. Our friends have already seen much of the world and really just want to see places they have never traveled to. Seeing the ladies in their dirndls and the festive atmosphere at the airport made us think 'Why not an Oktoberfest vacation?' I doubt we can talk the wives into wearing the dirndl . I know I won't be wearing any lederhosen --- I'll probably buy a hat and vest so I won't look too far out of place.

If you just love oompah bands, then all day at the Fest may be nice and walking around but for me 3-4 hours was enough - not that large a place. If I would have been with fiends or others at a table then that may have caused me to linger longer. But as a solo traveler after a few tents they did begin to be much of the same ole same ole. I did laugh when the oompah band in one tent struck up the Notre Dame fight song! So, it not all old beer hall tunes.

We have been three times. We go during the week and go around 11am, easy to find seats at most tents before 4 pm. After that time the tables that are reserved are filled. Hofbrau has tall tables in the middle of their tent that are not reserved and they are where the party animals stay. We love Augustiner and they have great food. The Augustiner fish tent will find you a place at their tables for eating even after four. I admit the first time we didn't pace ourselves and we got hammered. The next year we had a plan. I would buy a soda and food, husband a big beer and we would split. We actually got to 6 tents in one day that year. Next day we just visited our fav tents and then went into town and did our usual stuff. We have never gone all out with the costumes except first year and husband never did but a friend and I did. We went to Stuggarts festival one year but it was not anything like Munich. I love seeing the horses come in during the week, all the booths and rides. The bands are fun and the food is amazing. Cash is king and do tip your servers. Don't bring anything big like a backpack or your own water or drinks. Security has increased over the years. You do get checked at each tent as you enter now. Have fun. We are in our 60's and loved it.

Thanks All for the advice. I read that 1 tent specializes in wine. Can you also get wine in the other tents?

Wine Tent (Weinzelt) at the Oktoberfest in Munich
They cater to many. I drink beer but would get a wasser with gas.