Oktoberfest, or Wiesn as the Bavarians call it, is a well-known annual beer festival held in Munich, Germany. It lasts over several weeks and starts towards the middle of September with an opening ceremony. Many Bavarian foods and beers are served during this time until the first weekend of October when the festival closes. Some items to consider when going to Oktoberfest are…
Transportation to Oktoberfest:
Munich (and Germany in general) has a great public transportation system. There is no need to hail a cab to get there. Uber, the ride sharing company, is not widely used in Europe as it is in the United States. So hop on the train with the locals and tourists and enjoy the ride over! The train will stop directly at a station that will land you at the entrance of Oktoberfest. Even better!Bring Cash:
Cash is king! Some places will not accept credit cards so it helps to always have cash on hand. If buying food or beer, the cashiers can easily give change so no worries on bringing a ton of small change for service fees/tips.Try the Rides and Games:
There are plenty of carnival rides and roller coasters at Oktoberfest. Give some of them a whirl! Some of my favorites include the roller coasters. There is one in the shape of the Olympic loops and is quite the ride! For those who may want something tamer, there are many rides fit for smaller children (as well as adults!) and are slower.
Food Stand Eats:
There are MANY food stands at Oktoberfest, each selling great Bavarian eats. If heading to Wiesn with a group of friends, get a bunch of different plates to try a bit of everything. The food likely will not disappoint and ranges from pretzels to sausages, chicken, knödel, and even fish! However I do not recommend eating the gingerbread heart cookies. They’re quite hard.Gluten and Wheat Sensitivities? No problem!
There are still options for those who are going to Oktoberfest with gluten and wheat sensitivities or allergies. If traveling with wheat or gluten sensitivities, check out my wheat-free, gluten-free guide for how to approach eating at Oktoberfest. You maybe surprised that there are more options than you thought!
Avoid Crowds on the Weekdays:
To avoid the crowds, head to Oktoberfest on the weekdays. It’s much less crowded and there is hardly a wait in line. Be warned that it starts ramping up on Thursdays and especially Fridays! I went on a Wednesday and there weren’t many attendees in the daytime but the beer tents definitely filled up at night!Watch the Weather:
Fall season in Germany can be very unpredictable. Make sure to check the weather before heading out as it can be warm in the day and very cold at night. Check the reports for highs and lows. When in doubt, bring a light jacket!Arrive Early to the Beer Tents:
Wanting to get your food, dance, and singing on? Head over to the Oktoberfest tents, one of the few places where you can buy beer. Despite it being a beer festival, you actually cannot walk around the festival grounds while drinking a big glass of beer. There are designated drinking spots and the beer tents are a prime location for that! Be warned that people are only allowed in the tents until it fills up so come early!
Do Not be Too Visibly Drunk in the Tents:
I’m not telling you to not be drunk or not have fun. Just don’t walk through the tent swaying like a palm tree on a windy day and you’ll be fine. Security can reserve the right to kick anyone who is long gone out of the tent if they think you are unable to handle your liquor. Don’t be THAT person.The Tents Close Early:
The beer tents at Oktoberfest do close pretty early. Unfortunately they shut down at 10:30pm. However this is no reason to stop having fun. Just continue the party at a nearby bar or club!