It’s that time of year again, the annual festival of beer, pretzels, and proust-ing that happens in September. Naturally it’s called Oktoberfest and every year thousands of travellers converge on Munich to take part in the action.
Experiencing Oktoberfest was high up on my Europe wish list, and I was fortunate enough to end my first backpacking trip in Europe with a visit to the festival. So if you’re heading to Oktoberfest this year, or it’s on your bucket list, what can you expect?
Well, here are eight things I learned at Oktoberfest.
1. Book early
Accommodation during Oktoberfest can be booked out as early as February and the closer you get to the festival the less choice you have. Same goes for flights. Even if you are the ‘I make no plans, I’m spontaneous’ traveller type, if you want to go it’s better to do your research and book straight away to avoid missing out. You can always leave the rest of your plans to fate.
If you’re a young solo traveller, consider booking a short tour that includes transport, accommodation, guide, and a group of new friends to party with. Companies such as top deck or Busabout are popular but there are many more (just google). The convenience is worth the small cost, and let’s face it, this is one travel experience best shared. If you know someone who lives in Munich or nearby areas, now is the time to call in a favour and ask if you can stay with them.
2. How to Proust!
Proust is German for Cheers. Expect to hear cries of Proust throughout the day and for anyone sitting near you to raise their stein and expect you to clink their glass. The important part in all this is you must look the other person in the eye. Why? There is a belief that if you fail to look someone in the eye, you’ll be cursed with seven years bad sex. I can’t tell you the origins behind this, but I can tell you the Germans don’t want to risk it. I even had one elderly German man raise his glass then give me a seriousl look whist pointing at his eyes then to mine to make sure I was going to look him in the eye.
3. How to get a table (without arriving at 6am)
Fact: Entry into the beer tents is free but if you’re not sitting at a table you won’t get served. Another fact: On weekends the beer tents open at 9am and often close at 11am due to overfilling. Many people get around this by getting there as early as 6am to secure a spot but if this doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, go on a weekday when the tents are less crowded. If you’re in a small group, sharing a table is another option. If a table only has a few people sitting at it and it’s not reserved, it’s the norm to simply ask if you can join. Plus it’s a great way to make new friends and before you know it you’ll be spending more time dancing on the tables anyway.
4. The dress code – Oktoberfest style
Dressing up in the traditional dress of lederhosen or dirndls (pronounced durn-dl) is all part of the fun. Yes, you will still be allowed in if you’re not wearing the traditional outfits, but it’s a bit like going to a costume party without a costume. At around 100 Euro they can be pricey however bargains can be found on eBay and the traditional outfits are good quality and make a great souvenir. You can also buy when you arrive in Munich. European clothing chain C&A is a good go to, especially if you arrive in the second or third week and don’t have time to shop as they have a big selection and sell the outfits in a complete set, so you don’t have to buy the dress/lederhosen, shirt and other picces seperatley.
Ladies, the way you tie your apron indicates your relationship status.
If you find yourself getting attention from the opposite sex, or none at all, it could be the way you’ve tied your apron. Another thing I learned at Oktoberfest was an apron tied in a bow on the left means you are single, tied on the right indicates there’s a man in your life, and tied at the back widowed. The middle is unconfirmed and confusing, some people say virgin, others say up for anything. As for the men, unfortunately there isn’t a traditional way to dress if you want to tell the ladies you’re available.
Oktoberfest survival tip: wear comfortable, flat shoes, it’s a long day.
5. Tipping Oktoberfest style
Knowing how much to tip in a foreign country is always tricky, (regardless of your own tipping culture) and before I went to Oktoberfest I was told a lot of mixed information. The advice given to me by a friend living in Munich is to round up the bill. With a litre of beer set to be priced from 10.40 – 10.70 Euros for 2016, hand over 11-12 Euros and tell your server to keep the change. Rounding up the bill is customary in most restaurants in Europe and is often called euro-tipping; and if your servers are exceptionally good or nice enough to pose for photos with you, give them a little extra.
Oktoberfest survival tip: Bring enough Euros for beer, food, water, and a fair-ground ride or two. Credit cards aren’t accepted and the lines for ATMs are long.
Another Oktoberfest tip: Servers are sometimes called beer wenches however it is not advisable nor classy to say this to their faces. Which brings me to my next point…
6. How to stay classy at Oktoberfest
Let’s not be naïve, we all know you’re not here to stay sober, however drinking so much you end up in the Red Cross tent, get kicked out, or pass out at 3pm and miss the rest of the night is not fun either. The best way to avoid this is to stay hydrated sample some of the German food on offer. Think fried chicken, soft pretzels, and German sausage specialities such as Weisswurst, Bratwurst and Currywurst. A radler, which is half beer and half lemonade is often recommended as a way to avoid getting too drunk, too early but for me the sugar made me feel more sick and dizzy than if I’d just had the beer. Water is a better option and bottles are sold at stands around the walls of each beer tent. Get a bottle of water for every 1-2 steins.
Oktoberfest survival tip: Don’t take your passport or fancy camera – drunk people lose things.
7. Oktoberfest is family friendly
The festival is not just about drinking beer; the fair grounds are packed with roller coaster rides and stalls selling giant gingerbread cookies and sweets. Lots of local families go to Oktoberfest and Tuesdays are family days so don’t be surprised if you see kids running around. If you have kids and want to bring them, do so just remember most tents don’t allow young children in after 8pm as it can get messy. If you’re a big-kid at heart make time for a cheeky rollercoaster ride (just don’t drink too much beforehand).
8. Why Oktoberfest is in September
Oktoberfest usually starts in the third week in September and finishes on the first Sunday in October. So why is it called Oktoberfest? Well, I found out the first Oktoberfest was actually held in October in 1810. The festival was to honour the wedding of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen but the people liked it so much they repeated the celebrations the following year. The festival was later moved to September so it could be enjoyed in warmer weather. So now you know. Here’s another fun fact so you can sound super-smart, the locals don’t actually call the festival Oktoberfest, they call it “die Wiesn” after the fairgrounds.
Oktoberfest 2016 runs from 17 September – 3 October.
Oktoberfest 2017 is 16 September – 3 October.
For more information, visit the official Oktoberfest website. Another starting point to plan your Oktoberfest is The Oktoberfest insider.