I really love and an enjoy beer, so for me celebrating beer is the easy part. When I have a really good beer, then I like to taste as much beer as my liver can bear. I also enjoy a good party and love to let my hair down and dance until my feet go numb. So where is the place that I can do it all? Oktoberfest in Munich of course!
This gigantic festival celebrating beer is held in Munich every year commencing in September. One thing I have to warn you about though, Munich is so crowded during Oktoberfest that getting there and actually sitting at a table inside a beer hall can take longer than you expected. If you're going to go to Oktoberfest then you have to factor in that there will be huge crowds in Munich. I knew this before I went, so I got in line early on the opening day just to get ready for the Beerfest.
So what should you wear at Oktoberfest? Well the traditional Oktoberfest costume is a Dirndl dress for the girls and the Lederhosen for the guys. Both outfits are very traditional in Bavaria and you definitely will not look out of place at Oktoberfest if you rent or buy one these traditional costumes. They are sold throughout central Munich and cost somewhere between 80 and 300 Euros. If you want to look the part then make sure you look into getting a Dirndl or Lederhosen.
The Theresienwiese is the area where the Beerfest occurs in Munich and it is very central to the main centre of Munich. Depending on your budget, Munich has plenty of accommodation options from camping, hostels, cheap hotels to 5 star places. Camping prices start from around 50Euro per night though, so you're going to have to factor in high prices for accommodation whilst the Oktoberfest is on.
Like most European cities the public transport is incredible in Munich and you can easily get into and out of the Oktoberfest grounds. The U4 and U5 Metro Lines will take you right to the Oktoberfest grounds with a train arriving around every 10 minutes at the most.
Being inside a beer hall really is a great experience. If you're going to be by yourself there is no need to stress because it is easy to meet plenty of people to spend time with as everyone is in a party mood and ready for a great time. My recommendation is just start up a conversation with some of the the people around you. Also if you get the chance to meet local Bavarians from Munich you will more than likely learn a bit about Munich or the Oktoberfest as well.
I met a German couple at the Lowenbrau beer hall who told me one of the best Oktoberfest meals is the pork knuckle, which is pronounced Schweinshaxe in German. A pork knuckle is is basically a big shank or hock of pork. Pork is very popular at Oktoberfest I might add. Now of course it would not be a beer festival if I did not mention the beer and one thing you need to keep in mind is that Oktoberfest beer is one level stronger than normal beer and beer sizes come in a 1 liter glass stein. This is also called a Mass in German. So if you want one beer, remember "Ein Mass". A Mass costs around 9euro, but a tip is generally customary, so just give your server 10Euro and they will be back to serve you before you are done. After a few drinks I found myself singing drinking songs, knocking the table with my fists, dancing on tables and having so much fun with my new friends. The atmosphere in a beer hall is incredibly loud. Everybody is dancing, screaming and laughing all night long. I left the Oktoberfest when my beer hall, the Augistiner, closed at 10.30pm. The trip home in the Metro was quite fun though because the singing and dancing continued all the way back home!
I heard that there is plenty of companies that organise tours to the Oktoberfest. They are offering a place to sleep, sometimes with breakfast included, as well as transport to the festival ground. Apparently some even offer transport options in and out of the UK
I can recommend everyone to go to the Oktoberfest, even if it is just once in your life. I will be back next year and I hope you have it on your bucket list of things to do.
This gigantic festival celebrating beer is held in Munich every year commencing in September. One thing I have to warn you about though, Munich is so crowded during Oktoberfest that getting there and actually sitting at a table inside a beer hall can take longer than you expected. If you're going to go to Oktoberfest then you have to factor in that there will be huge crowds in Munich. I knew this before I went, so I got in line early on the opening day just to get ready for the Beerfest.
So what should you wear at Oktoberfest? Well the traditional Oktoberfest costume is a Dirndl dress for the girls and the Lederhosen for the guys. Both outfits are very traditional in Bavaria and you definitely will not look out of place at Oktoberfest if you rent or buy one these traditional costumes. They are sold throughout central Munich and cost somewhere between 80 and 300 Euros. If you want to look the part then make sure you look into getting a Dirndl or Lederhosen.
The Theresienwiese is the area where the Beerfest occurs in Munich and it is very central to the main centre of Munich. Depending on your budget, Munich has plenty of accommodation options from camping, hostels, cheap hotels to 5 star places. Camping prices start from around 50Euro per night though, so you're going to have to factor in high prices for accommodation whilst the Oktoberfest is on.
Like most European cities the public transport is incredible in Munich and you can easily get into and out of the Oktoberfest grounds. The U4 and U5 Metro Lines will take you right to the Oktoberfest grounds with a train arriving around every 10 minutes at the most.
Being inside a beer hall really is a great experience. If you're going to be by yourself there is no need to stress because it is easy to meet plenty of people to spend time with as everyone is in a party mood and ready for a great time. My recommendation is just start up a conversation with some of the the people around you. Also if you get the chance to meet local Bavarians from Munich you will more than likely learn a bit about Munich or the Oktoberfest as well.
I met a German couple at the Lowenbrau beer hall who told me one of the best Oktoberfest meals is the pork knuckle, which is pronounced Schweinshaxe in German. A pork knuckle is is basically a big shank or hock of pork. Pork is very popular at Oktoberfest I might add. Now of course it would not be a beer festival if I did not mention the beer and one thing you need to keep in mind is that Oktoberfest beer is one level stronger than normal beer and beer sizes come in a 1 liter glass stein. This is also called a Mass in German. So if you want one beer, remember "Ein Mass". A Mass costs around 9euro, but a tip is generally customary, so just give your server 10Euro and they will be back to serve you before you are done. After a few drinks I found myself singing drinking songs, knocking the table with my fists, dancing on tables and having so much fun with my new friends. The atmosphere in a beer hall is incredibly loud. Everybody is dancing, screaming and laughing all night long. I left the Oktoberfest when my beer hall, the Augistiner, closed at 10.30pm. The trip home in the Metro was quite fun though because the singing and dancing continued all the way back home!
I heard that there is plenty of companies that organise tours to the Oktoberfest. They are offering a place to sleep, sometimes with breakfast included, as well as transport to the festival ground. Apparently some even offer transport options in and out of the UK
I can recommend everyone to go to the Oktoberfest, even if it is just once in your life. I will be back next year and I hope you have it on your bucket list of things to do.
About the Author:
For an extensive array of information and advice for the Oktoberfest in Munich, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities you should contact the events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel.
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