Beer is something to be really enjoyed and celebrated. When I have a really good beer, then I cannot wait to down it and try the next one just as good. Everyone I know says that I love to party and get out and dance 'til my feet go numb. So where can I do all this? Beerfest! Which is more commonly known as the Oktoberfest in Munich.
This Beerfest is for the celebration of the best beers in the world, Bavarian Lagers. It is held in Munich over a 16 day period every September/October. If you go to Oktoberfest one thing that will blow you away is the size of the crowds in Munich. There is millions of people EVERYWHERE! So you really need to plan ahead and get there as early as you can, because actually finding a seat at a table inside the beer halls could take ages. So that is one thing that you have to keep in mind when are Oktoberfest in Munich - Get ready for the crowds!. I actually read up about this beforehand so I got in line at 8am on the opening day so that I was ready for the festivities.
One tip for newbie's is don't attend a "royal wedding" if you're not dressed properly. If you are a girl then you have to dress in a Dirndl, a traditional wear for Bavarian girls and if you're a guy like me, then you must dress in Lederhosen, Dirndl's male version. You can rent or buy these outfits, as I did, from every costume store in Munich from between 80 and 300 Euros. I opted for the cheaper version, but make sure you get the costume, it will make the experience so much better.
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 caught up with some local Bavarians in the Paulaner beer hall who mentioned that there favourite Oktoberfest food is a 1/2 metre long Bratwurst sausage in a large hot dog bun. It is basically a gigantic grilled pork sausage hot dog! Im not normally a big pork eater, but I found out that it is very popular in Germany. Now of course it would not be the Beerfest without beer would it? I found out very quickly that the Oktoberfest beer is much stronger than normal beer and that is just not the alcohol, because the glasses are HUGE! The beer comes in a gigantic 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 pretty much mandatory, so a beer will cost you at least 10Euro. After a few drinks you will definitely be singing drinking songs, dancing on the tables and having so much fun. The atmosphere in a beer hall is fantastic with everyone dancing and singing all night long. I left the Oktoberfest when my beer hall, the Lowenbrau, closed at 10.30pm. The trip home in the Metro was hilarious with everyone still partying from the beer halls.
I think if I was going to go to Oktoberfest again by myself I think I would hook up with one of the tour operators who specialise in Oktoberfest tours. They take care of it all for you, including somewhere to sleep, quite often some breakfast and other meals and if needed your transport to the festival ground. There is also heaps that offer a coach of even flights from London.
All in all, everyone must celebrate beer once in his or her life and Oktoberfest should be a must on everyones to do list. However, I'm still waiting to meet my Beer Queen!
This Beerfest is for the celebration of the best beers in the world, Bavarian Lagers. It is held in Munich over a 16 day period every September/October. If you go to Oktoberfest one thing that will blow you away is the size of the crowds in Munich. There is millions of people EVERYWHERE! So you really need to plan ahead and get there as early as you can, because actually finding a seat at a table inside the beer halls could take ages. So that is one thing that you have to keep in mind when are Oktoberfest in Munich - Get ready for the crowds!. I actually read up about this beforehand so I got in line at 8am on the opening day so that I was ready for the festivities.
One tip for newbie's is don't attend a "royal wedding" if you're not dressed properly. If you are a girl then you have to dress in a Dirndl, a traditional wear for Bavarian girls and if you're a guy like me, then you must dress in Lederhosen, Dirndl's male version. You can rent or buy these outfits, as I did, from every costume store in Munich from between 80 and 300 Euros. I opted for the cheaper version, but make sure you get the costume, it will make the experience so much better.
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 caught up with some local Bavarians in the Paulaner beer hall who mentioned that there favourite Oktoberfest food is a 1/2 metre long Bratwurst sausage in a large hot dog bun. It is basically a gigantic grilled pork sausage hot dog! Im not normally a big pork eater, but I found out that it is very popular in Germany. Now of course it would not be the Beerfest without beer would it? I found out very quickly that the Oktoberfest beer is much stronger than normal beer and that is just not the alcohol, because the glasses are HUGE! The beer comes in a gigantic 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 pretty much mandatory, so a beer will cost you at least 10Euro. After a few drinks you will definitely be singing drinking songs, dancing on the tables and having so much fun. The atmosphere in a beer hall is fantastic with everyone dancing and singing all night long. I left the Oktoberfest when my beer hall, the Lowenbrau, closed at 10.30pm. The trip home in the Metro was hilarious with everyone still partying from the beer halls.
I think if I was going to go to Oktoberfest again by myself I think I would hook up with one of the tour operators who specialise in Oktoberfest tours. They take care of it all for you, including somewhere to sleep, quite often some breakfast and other meals and if needed your transport to the festival ground. There is also heaps that offer a coach of even flights from London.
All in all, everyone must celebrate beer once in his or her life and Oktoberfest should be a must on everyones to do list. However, I'm still waiting to meet my Beer Queen!
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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