Oktoberfest

Stolly · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:27

Anyone gone before ?

Since it goes on for a while, when is the best time to go ? Around the start, in the middle or at the end ? Want it to be busy but do want to actually get in the tents

How about places to stay and costs ?

Rotty · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:39

I looked once and hotel prices were very very high

danza · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:39

I've never been, but have an uncle who went a fair few times when he was younger and always had a really good time. I can't offer any advice, but share your interest in going one day.

I have a supplementary question - are there any campsites nearby (or is this a bad idea based on the time of year/weather)?

stulid · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:57

is this where they just sit around huge long tables getting ****ed up? with a band on a stage, while they just swing from side too side with their flagon's of ale?

Biohazard · 21 Oct 2010 at 23:59

People crushed at the last one, and a horrific sounding rape.

I thought the organisers said they weren't doing another one?

mjt · 22 Oct 2010 at 19:23

I went this year. The only thing I had booked was the hotel. I booked that in late July, it was 10 minutes from the Hauptbahnhof, and it was a 3* nothing special - €185 for a double room :eek:

As for Oktoberfest itself - rubbish. We went on the final weekend and it was absolutely rammed. Couldn't get into a single tent.
If you want to go for the last weekend, BOOK A TENT

It's usually all right during the week though as most people are at work, and it's probably not as packed at earlier weekends either.
Either that, or start queueing before 9am.

The Englischer Garten was much nicer though

Biohazard said:
People crushed at the last one, and a horrific sounding rape.

I thought the organisers said they weren't doing another one?

Uh, that was the Love Parade..

Wicksta · 22 Oct 2010 at 19:29

I went every year for 5 years while living in Munich - it's something else, great fun and good beer and generally nice people around.

As mjt says though, book a tent, or get there at 11am. You don't need to queue at 9am, no one is really there until after 12.

jp_bl_68 · 22 Oct 2010 at 19:31

stulid said:
is this where they just sit around huge long tables getting ****ed up? with a band on a stage, while they just swing from side too side with their flagon's of ale?

You left out the most important part:

I think the festival starts in mid September and ends in early/mid October. The main event takes place over a weekend in October, I think, so that's probably the busiest time to go. I'd imagine the hardest thing to sort out would be accommodation. Book early or be prepared to commute. If you do go then be sure to take plenty of pics of buxom Bavarians.

mjt · 22 Oct 2010 at 19:31

Wicksta said:
I went every year for 5 years while living in Munich - it's something else, great fun and good beer and generally nice people around.

As mjt says though, book a tent, or get there at 11am. You don't need to queue at 9am, no one is really there until after 12.

Yeah, I think we just went at the wrong time really.
All the 'bouncers' said that most of the tents had been full since 9-10am.

Stolly · 22 Oct 2010 at 20:00

Cool, i'd be looking to go during the week, the weekend looks like it'll be far too busy.

Good tip on booking tents, didn't realise you could do that.

I do kind of fancy having some time to see Munich its self as well....not sure to go on Monday and come back on Wed or Thurs really....

Stolly · 22 Oct 2010 at 20:01

stulid said:
is this where they just sit around huge long tables getting ****ed up? with a band on a stage, while they just swing from side too side with their flagon's of ale?

Yes sounds awesome doesn't it ?

Hamzter · 22 Oct 2010 at 20:09

I went this year, 20th-23rd September, getting a table wasn't a problem for us, even in the evening the were spaces, I guess it was the quieter period. We stayed in a 'hostel' about 4 minutes walk from the festival, which was actually a German frat house which was filled with mattresses, it was comfortable enough though

think it was about €120 for 3 nights. Drinks were about €9 per stein (litre), and expect to only eat sausage, schnitzel and giant pretzels! I also recommend hiring some bikes and going round the englisch garden if you go, great fun!

Stolly · 22 Oct 2010 at 20:31

Hamzter said:
I went this year, 20th-23rd September, getting a table wasn't a problem for us, even in the evening the were spaces, I guess it was the quieter period. We stayed in a 'hostel' about 4 minutes walk from the festival, which was actually a German frat house which was filled with mattresses, it was comfortable enough though think it was about €120 for 3 nights. Drinks were about €9 per stein (litre), and expect to only eat sausage, schnitzel and giant pretzels! I also recommend hiring some bikes and going round the englisch garden if you go, great fun!

Tell me more, how did you book it ?

I take it was a shared room ?

Saviola · 22 Oct 2010 at 20:56

Looking to go next year. Went 3 years ago and it was awesome

Hamzter · 22 Oct 2010 at 21:30

Stolly said:
Tell me more, how did you book it ?

I take it was a shared room ?

Yeh we had 2 rooms, basically unused bedrooms with extra matresses in, 3 of us in one room and 5 in another (big room that one mind). It's definitely not a hotel but that's not what we went to Oktoberfest for. My friend booked it, not sure how though, will have to check next time I see her, she spoke fluent german fortunately (although most people speak english anyway).

mjt · 22 Oct 2010 at 21:41

That's what my mate's friends did.
Lots of people rent out spare rooms for Oktoberfest.
However, they ended up having to sleep on the floor becuase the guy's GF had back problems or something :confused:

Failing that, check out Couch Surfing