Germany ?

[quackerback]

My FIL was talking about wanting to go there. I hear it is real expensive during Oktoberfest. Can anybody that has been there give me an idea. Is there another festival that may be less expensive.

[sethcros]

I lived there for four years, and never made it to Oktoberfest. I just don't like those kinds of crowds. There are tons of little fests like the Bernkastel Winefest or the Wittlich Pig Fest, but I wouldn't plan a trip just for those events. If I was going to be there already I would hit them up though. Flying over there is so expensive now, but once you get there, you can stay pretty reasonably, depending on where you go. I would assume the big cities like Berlin or Munich would be more expensive. Sorry I can't be more helpful on prices, but I haven't been since 2004.

[kumathebear]

Germany was one of my military son's bases but they were reassigned this past December to Hawaii. I never heard him complain about cost of living in Germany and they loved it! Hawaii...different story about living costs

[TXJIM]

That is kind of like going to see New Orleans during Mardi Gras. You will see less of the real place and a whole pile of drunks from somewhere else. If you are going to spend the money to go, pick a time that will allow you to see the area and access the local culture.

[Tarleton Jake]

I lived in Germany for nearly four years and did hit up Oktoberfest in the fall of 2010. Hotels in Munich during this time will be very expensive, and the crowd is beyond anything I've witnessed before.

Small towns throughout Bavaria will be throwing their own fests which may be more accommodating for ya'll. The small town that I lived in used to throw the best parties I've ever seen, hahaha.

Jake

[js4242]

My $.02 - I love the Oktoberfest. I have been 3 times. I have been to Mardi Gras, Time Square on NYE and other mass gatherings. Oktoberfest is by far my favorite. Its the only mass gathering I will ever attend again. I don't like being around that many people anymore, but would make the exception for Oktoberfest. They Hotel rooms will be expensive and book up early. As in, you probably will not find a room remotely close if you are planning on this year. The good news is, Germany's rail system is awesome and finding a hotel outside of the city is worth it. The short answer is - go if you want to experience the longest running festival in the world. Its a 2-3 day/night type of place to visit. Spend the rest of your time seeing the rest of Germany. The crowds will be at the Wiesn, Munich will be the same. Below is what I sent a friend that went last year.

Start here for info - http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/



My buddy says this is the fanciest - Käfer's Wies’n-Schänke

The most traditional tent - Schottenhamel - Pure Tradition <http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article/Beer+Tents/The+big+tents/Schottenhamel+-+Pure+Tradition/316/> – This is where they tap the first keg to start the ‘FEST and best for traditional garb. I would spend a couple of hours here no matter what.

We nicknamed this place the Animal Tent - Hofbräu-Festzelt <http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/article/Beer+Tents/The+big+tents/Hofbr%C3%A4u+Festhalle+-+World+famous/314/> Only go in for a quick lap to look at the craziness of it all. You will probably notice garments hanging off the big hippo/elephant in the center – they did not get there by accident or by choice. They are ripped off the users. Do not go into the standing room only portion in the center of the tent or you will lose said garments. Fun in your 20’s a little daunting at 40.



Be prepared to eat a lot of things with your hands or a small wooden spork. Remember a Maas is about 3.5 American beers with a lot more alcohol. Pace is key here. They serve beers room temp. Radlers are a mx of beer and lemonade. Very refreshing and a good break. You must be seated to be served. I would highly suggest getting online and making a reservation at any tent you want to visit.



What weekend will you be there? I would suggest taking this tour if they are still operating it - http://www.mikesbiketours.com/ great way to see the city and a stop in the English Gardens at a beer garden.



Make sure you understand the ticketing in the subway system – its very easy to get around Munich using it and cheaper than cabs. But they check tickets and “my mistake” is not an acceptable answer to having the wrong ticket. Take the train from the airport. Faster and cheaper than a cab and you get to see some countryside. You can also buy your subway pass that should get you unlimited rides from a person which could make it easier so you don’t get the wrong one. They are almost on time every time. German engineering at its finest.



Maximilianstraße – Avoid this street like the plague if you do not want to spend a lot of cash – high end shops line it.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marienplatz - Worth the walk around and the Glockenspiel <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rathaus-Glockenspiel> is not worth the wait, but if you’re there you will watch it like watching paint dry like everyone else.



Best beer hall in my opinion - http://www.weisses-brauhaus.de/ Not at the Fest, but the food and beer is great. Make sure you order the wheat beer from here. Its right by the Marienplatz. Do not go to the Haufbrau house. Tourist trap.



At the Fest and at beer halls they seat you with strangers depending on party size. I’ve had some of the best conversations of my life with total strangers. I wish we would do that here more often. Be prepared to eat a lot of pork while you are there.

[Ron]

I go over there a lot, twice last year. I wouldn't worry about festivals so much, there is a lot to see and do there.
There is a lot of history.

[grizzman]

Always wanted to do Oktoberfest. All I have to do is get over there and I have a place to stay (wife's family is all in Munich), and I doubt I have to pay for much. It's just the language barrier that would be a problem, unless my wife went with me.

[jsctx84]

Always wanted to do Oktoberfest. All I have to do is get over there and I have a place to stay (wife's family is all in Munich), and I doubt I have to pay for much. It's just the language barrier that would be a problem, unless my wife went with me.

You can get by on just English pretty well there.

[Landrover]

Summer and Fall is festival time there...............always something going on while he weather is decent. English was a non issue for the most part. Food is OK but I had been in Italy for over two months once I had made it into Bavaria.......... but the history and natural beauty was pretty impressive.

[1369]

All this talk of Oktoberfest and not a single pic?

TBH, I am disappoint.

[dustoffer]

There right now--dollar to Euro exchange rate is $1.13 for 1 Euro. Meals run from 5-6-7 E for snack-type meals (bratwurst and brotchen :-0 ) to 20-30 E for a meal in a nice restaurant. If you plan on renting a car and driving, I recommend you do the on-line international driving license routine to learn the traffic signs. You don't need it if you have a D/L issued in English -- rental car charge for 5 days about $350, unlimited mileage. We have a Volvo SUV w/diesel engine and more bells and whistles than I've ever seen on a car before.
Some other tourist things to do near Munich--Neuschwanstein-the original Cinderella's castle, Hitler's Eagles Nest, lots of old (300+ years) churches, and one that I think is a can't miss--the Wieskirche church. It's not the largest, but it is absolutely a breathtaker. Our tour guide really was high on the Technology Museum in Munich too--near the Isartor (Isar gate).

Forgot to add--breakfast is included in most if not all German hotels. It will be a variety of breads and lunchmeats and cheeses, cereals, yogurt, coffee, juice and tea. You can eat enough at breakfast that you won't need a big lunch.

And, if you aren't a city boy, you'll feel right at home. I just came in from the balcony and all I could smell outside was B.S. :-) Farm fields right across the street are freshly fertilized with it--but I'm thankful it is B. S. and not the stuff from the sewage treatment plants they sometimes use. :-(

[JeffJ]

Was there about 5 years ago. Love Germany. I found the people very friendly and accomodating to tourist.

[quackerback]

All this talk of Oktoberfest and not a single pic?

TBH, I am disappoint.

Well you convinced me that Oktoberfest is the time to go.

[Longue Carabine]

Oktoberfest is all about money and dont expect to get a seat in a tent. This year 1L of beer will be over 10 euros