Oktoberfest in München

The weather is getting colder. The leaves are starting to turn. It's that special time of the year known as Oktoberfest. And there is no place as famous for throwing a good Oktoberfest as München. Here's some tips on how to make your Oktoberfest experience even better.

Bring Cash and Lots of It

Oktoberfest is expensive. Oktoberfest in München is very expensive. One beer at Oktoberfest is 9.85 € and food can be up to 8 € or more. It's best to have mostly 10 € bills on you when you visit the beer tents. The tents are extremely crowded and the waitresses are very busy trying to deliver beer to all their thirsty customers. The waitresses will not be very happy if they have to take the time to give you change for 50 €. Larger bills are fine at the food stalls, where it is easier for the waitresses to give you change. 

Make sure that you not only have plenty of bills on you, but also plenty of coins. The waitresses in the beer halls work hard. They maneuver through crowds of people, while carrying 7 or 8 glasses of beer, and all without spilling a single drop. While tipping is not a necessity like in the United States, the waitresses greatly appreciate it. Giving the waitress a .50 € or 1 € tip every time she brings you beer not only shows her that you are thankful, but also may convince her to take your order faster and be more attentive to your table.

Drink Water

One beer at Oktoberfest

It's easy to become dehydrated very quickly at Oktoberfest. One beer at Oktoberfest is 1 liter. Imagine filling a Coca-Cola bottle with beer and you would have one serving of beer at Oktoberfest. Because German beer is often times stronger than U.S. beer, drinking one serving of beer at Oktoberfest is equal to drinking a six pack of Budweiser. There is no such thing as free water in Germany. You always have to pay for water and water at Oktoberfest is expensive (about 4 €). Fill up several water bottles to bring with you to Oktoberfest. You will not be allowed to drink your own water in the beer tents, but drinking your own water anywhere else is fine. Bringing your own water bottle will not only save you money, it will help prevent headaches by keeping you hydrated.

Book a Table

Oktoberfest is always crowded, even on a week day. If you are looking to get the full Oktoberfest experience of a beer hall, reserving a table in advance is the best option. Unless you plan to start drinking at 9 a.m., finding a free table will be almost impossible. There will be plenty of space outside of the beer tents, but those areas lack the atmosphere and traditional bands that are inside the tents. Reserving a table in advance will guarantee that you will have a warm place to drink, eat, and sing the night away.

Talk to the People Around You

Part of the excitement and fun of Oktoberfest is talking with strangers at your table. Oktoberfest attracts all sorts of people from all over the world. It's a great opportunity to learn about other people's cultures. Most people will be more than happy to talk with you and want to learn as much about your culture as you do theirs. There will be plenty of Germans who will be more than happy to tell you about German politics, culture, and more. It's also a great opportunity to practice your German speaking skills. Because their are so many tourists who come to Oktoberfest, Germans are surprised when a tourist can speak any German. Even if your German isn't perfect or even good, most Germans will be thrilled to talk to you in their native language. They are also very happy to speak slower and use simpler words so that you can follow the conversation.