Anybody been to Oktoberfest?????

[Greedo]

Early chat is it's on for a group of us next year.


Our groups Captain sensible is in the process of getting it all organised.

So surprised i've got to 37 and never been. Should be good, anyway questions for those who've been.

Any do's and don'ts from past experience
And can you recommend a good hotel as the day's of slumming it are long gone.

 

[Hover Fly]

I went into the toilets on Munich station when it was on once, some poor chap had put his holdall on the floor while he used the facilities, while his back was turned a bunch of Germans thought it was hilarious to stand in a circle round the bag piddling on it.

 

[snakehips]

.............. while his back was turned a bunch of Germans thought it was hilarious to stand in a circle round the bag piddling on it.

Who said the Germans don't have a sense of humour ?

 

[TheDoctor]

I went about 20 years ago, but I barely remember anything about it.
Book accommodation ahead of time, is about the only thing I can suggest.
Pack Resolve. A lot of Resolve.

 

[albal]

went the last two years.Paulaner bar was 5eur a go + 8eur deposit on the glass. Stein in the big tents were 10 i think .... & yes we only stayed 1 night, 150 eur for a room (which we barely spent 8 hrs in).
Good laugh tho' & we'll probably be there next year ( tie in with a bike tour).

 

[Hover Fly]

Who said the Germans don't have a sense of humour ?

The owner of the bag lived up to the stereotype.

 

[Andy in Sig]

What is interesting is the running order in which unconscious bodies are laid out on the grass behind the tents while they recover. First come the Italians and French, followed by anybody else who is vaguely meditteraneanish, then the Brits and Dutch along with a few Scandinavians and last of all the heroic Australians and New Zealanders. Although these days I suspect that the Russians would give them a good run for their money.

 

[User169]

I think there are better places in Munich to enjoy a beer, although to see the scale of it is quite an eye-opener.

If you sit outside, try not to sit down-wind of the fish that they cook on sticks.

Decentish places to stay are the Meridien and Sofitel which are just outside the main train station and only a short walk from the Oktoberfest.

 

[Hover Fly]

I can recommend the Einhorn, excellent breakfast when I was there.

 

[Alan Whicker]

I used to live in Munich, and I've been to O'fest twice. Well worth it at least once - though i have to say it's a tad overrated IMHO (unless huge crowds are your thing). I agree with Delfste Post about there being better places to enjoy Munich's beer - the Augustiner Garten, for example. The Hofbrauhaus always has a similar, pleasantly rowdy atmosphere to the better 'fest tents. Munich's a great city - the standard of living is sky high.

Book a table if you can (like, way in advance) if you're going as a group. Otherwise you'll be wandering around for ages trying to find somewhere to sit and wasting valuable drinking time. It can be hard to catch the waiter/waitress's eye (lots of competition!) but service is usually pretty slick.

I'd probably avoid the Hauptbanhof (main station) in the evenings. Munich's comically safe (we used to call it 'Toytown') but Oktoberfest is probably the only time you might see British-style drunken punch ups (although it's not usually Brits fighting in this case) - and there's a lot of drunk people around the station after closing. People always underestimate the strength of Munich beer. There'll be loads of (ferociously sober) Polizei too, mind.

I can recommend the Hotel Monaco on Schillerstrasse (which is what passes for a seedy street in Munich). Good prices, spotlessly clean and great staff. Handy for the Wies'n site and Hauptbanhof. Hotel Mirabell on Landwehrstrasse (nearby) is also good. If you find all the hotels booked up, Munich has a superb transport system - so even staying somewhere further out (like Pasing) could be a consideration.

 

[User169]

but Oktoberfest is probably the only time you might see British-style drunken punch ups (although it's not usually Brits fighting in this case) - and there's a lot of drunk people around the station after closing. People always underestimate the strength of Munich beer. There'll be loads of (ferociously sober) Polizei too, mind.

yep, the only time I've seen a fight in Germany was at the Oktoberfest. I was waiting for a tram home (our offices were just around the corner from the Oktoberfest site) when two blokes at the tram stop started fighting. Tram arrived, they got on and then continued to brawl in the tram.

 

[Cathryn]

i went about 5 years ago, we cycled there from friedrichshafen. Good fun, even for a girl who doesn't like beer! just don't ask for wine like i did. lots of lederhosen!!