Tips for your first time at Oktoberfest

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Going to Oktoberfest for the first time can be very overwhelming, our friends always say they didn’t realise how BIG Oktoberfest actually is. So if you are here for the first time without a reserved table, then searching for a place to sit is like looking for a needle in a haystack! Keep reading to get money off at Beer and Pretzel Tours, or if you want to go it alone then here are some tips so you can make the most out of your holiday.

Book Early

A very obvious tip, but flights and hotels shoot up in price for Oktoberfest, so book early to avoid more costs! If you’re wondering where to stay, the U Bahn (metro) lines keep you well connected to Oktoberfest. Look for hotels not only on the U4 and U5 lines that go directly to Theresienwiese, but also U3 and U6 stop at Poccistrasse and Goetheplatz which are only a 10 minute walk away from Oktoberfest.

Wearing Tracht (traditional Bavarian outfits)

At Oktoberfest it’s normal to wear Tracht: Dirndl for women and Lederhosen for men (although nowadays you can also buy Lederhosen for women too). These range in price: Dirndls are around 80 – 500€ and Lederhosen start at 100€ upwards. I suggest looking at second hand (I got some great deals on Vinted) or just wear normal clothes. I wouldn’t recommend wearing fake Tracht – it’s not only tacky and makes you stand out as a tourist, but it’s also rude to the locals – this is not a costume but traditional clothing, we wear it to weddings, festivals, to work (for example for waiters and waitresses) and in the countryside even as everyday clothing.

Reserving a table

Table reservations open around late Spring and you can only reserve whole tables – which means reservations are for 10 people (8 people also works, everyone pays a bit more but then you have a bit more space on the benches). This year I tried a local tour group called Beer and Pretzel Tours. The tour includes a walking tour, a traditional beer garden and a reserved table at Oktoberfest including 2 litres of beer and food. It’s a great option to pick as it takes all stress out of the day, they look after you and also give you a lot of tips! Perfect if its your first time in Munich/at Oktoberfest. If you want to book a tour with them, then be sure to use my code to get some money off:

Code: THEBLONDEJETSETTER

Finding a table without a reservation

If you don’t reserve a table, then here are the easiest ways to find a place to sit in the tents:

Go on a weekday as its a lot quieter. As the evenings still get busy, be sure to find a space before 4 or 5pm as that’s when everyone from work arrives!
Go in a small group. The less people you are the more likely it is to find a space. I find four people is a good number, two people is even easier.
Let your female friends ask for a seat. This is unfortunately the case that if you’re asking random people if you can sit with them, you are more likely to get a seat if you are a woman. The best way to do it is let the women go in front and do the asking.
Don’t be shy when asking people. You have to ask everyone and anyone – I generally avoid the reserved table areas as they are less likely to have space (but you never know), otherwise if you see a space then ask politely. It also helps if you can say a little bit of German (Servus = the bavarian way to say hello goes a long way!)

I hope these tips help you! If you are going to Oktoberfest let me know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Larissa

The Blonde Jetsetter