First-Time Traveller’s Guide to Oktoberfest

As with attending any event in any part of the world for the very first time, the amount of planning involved can be a bit overwhelming. In this guide to Munich’s Oktoberfest we’ll walk you through some of the things to keep in mind, and some other things you may not have thought about.

So if you’re planning to make it to Munich for the beer festival, read on for some helpful advice.

Decide on Your Group

Some people simply expect that their friends will be able to tag along for the ride however accommodation does fill up fast and if you don’t plan ahead and make your bookings as a group, you may find yourselves without a room. Oktoberfest you should plan at least 6 months out, although a year out is recommended.

Packing Your Suitcase

Once you’ve booked your flights and accommodation all you really have to do is make sure you save the dates. Keep in mind that you’ll be arriving in autumn so the weather at night can drop to fairly chilly temperatures. During the day however you’ll be perfectly able to dress up in traditional lederhosen and dirndl.

Arriving in Munich

Upon arriving in the city the first thing you’ll need to get accustomed to is traveling by public transport as you will likely be doing a lot of this throughout your stay.

The U4 or the U5 subway lines connect directly with the Theresienwiese so getting to the fairgrounds will generally be hassle free. In many cases public transport will be the most efficient way to get to and from where you need to be.

Take Your Camera

If you’re going to visit a festival famous for making people forget their names, you’ll probably want to remember it. Cameras are allowed inside tents and photography is permitted as long as you don’t turn up with an entire film crew – you’ll need permission for that.

Unless you arrive very early in the day, you’ll be waiting a long time for a table

Patience is a Virtue

With over 6 million people attending Oktoberfest don’t be surprised if you have to wait a while for a table. Week nights are generally more relaxed but unless you arrive well before noon on weekends, you’re practically guaranteed to end up waiting all day. In any case there’ll be plenty of other things to see and do.

Pace Yourself and Don’t Overdo It

The trick to surviving Oktoberfest is to remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. German beer is typically stronger in alcohol content than what you might be used to and if you’re not drinking in moderation you’ll be setting yourself up for an argument with your head you’ll most likely lose.

Visit Other Parts of Munich

And finally, if you’re in town for an extended period of time be sure to take some in some of the sights away from the festival to go exploring. You are after all in one of the most culturally vibrant and beautiful cities in the world.

Munich is a beautiful city with amazing history (Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0)