Anyone go to Oktoberfest in Munich?

[robinb]

I am starting to plan a trip to Germany in 2024, specifically to experience Oktoberfest. We are in our early 60's and will be going with another couple who are about our same age. We may or may not take our young adult daughters (we met while they were on swim team) and their boyfriends, but I'm planning for just the two couples now. We are fine with crowds and we like beer .

If you've gone to Oktoberfest, do you have any advise? Did you do a tour? I've seen a number of tours that include hotels and entrance into 2-3 beer halls. It looks like it might be fun to go as a group with other people. But, they are pretty expensive (4 nights for $1500 each) and we also have a ton of Hilton points that we can use once the schedule opens up in a few months so we can do that and stay for free. I've also seen a tour that will introduce you to Oktoberfest and will include an entry into one of the big beer halls with food for about $175-$200. I was thinking of doing that if we go with the Hilton.

We would also go visit Neuschwanstein Castle to get a Disney fix . On the less fun side, will also go to the Dachau Concentration Camp. My DH's aunt's family was wiped out during the Holocaust and she was in Auschwitz but survived. We owe it to the victims of the Holocaust to remember and reflect.

Any other "must see" things nearby?

 

[Moliphino]

I went just after Oktoberfest, so I'm no help there. I did get out to Neuschwanstein - we didn't do a tour, just took the train from Munich to Fussen.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am starting to plan a trip to Germany in 2024, specifically to experience Oktoberfest. We are in our early 60's and will be going with another couple who are about our same age. We may or may not take our young adult daughters (we met while they were on swim team) and their boyfriends, but I'm planning for just the two couples now. We are fine with crowds and we like beer .

If you've gone to Oktoberfest, do you have any advise? Did you do a tour? I've seen a number of tours that include hotels and entrance into 2-3 beer halls. It looks like it might be fun to go as a group with other people. But, they are pretty expensive (4 nights for $1500 each) and we also have a ton of Hilton points that we can use once the schedule opens up in a few months so we can do that and stay for free. I've also seen a tour that will introduce you to Oktoberfest and will include an entry into one of the big beer halls with food for about $175-$200. I was thinking of doing that if we go with the Hilton.

We would also go visit Neuschwanstein Castle to get a Disney fix . On the less fun side, will also go to the Dachau Concentration Camp. My DH's aunt's family was wiped out during the Holocaust and she was in Auschwitz but survived. We owe it to the victims of the Holocaust to remember and reflect.

Any other "must see" things nearby?

I've been to Oktoberfest, but it was a long time ago. We were on a group tour of Europe, but going to Oktoberfest was on our own. It's easy to do. Since you wind up sitting at big tables with other people it quite easy to be part of a group enjoying it. We paid for our beers and food. It probably would be cheaper to do that than a package thing, unless you really want to do the package.

CAVEAT: Things may be different since COVID regarding being seating with other people (shoulder to shoulder) at large tables. Not sure about that.

Be cautious with the beer, it comes is REALLY large steins and (in my experience) the beer comes out faster than the food.

Neuschwanstein is beautiful, fairly easy to get to, but there is a bit of an uphill climb from parking lot.

I also liked the Deutsches Museum (Deutsches Museum von Meisterwerken der Naturwissenschaft und Technik (English: German Museum of Masterpieces of Science and Technology)), I could have spent all day there.

 

[Ronaldo17]

Be prepared for it being super busy, noisy and very crowded tables.

 

[Moliphino]

Neuschwanstein is beautiful, fairly easy to get to, but there is a bit of an uphill climb from parking lot.

There is a shuttle bus that will take you up for only a couple euro.

 

[rlk]

We just got back from a trip to Germany last week. I can't give any advise regarding Oktoberfest, but we did spend a few nights in various beer gardens in Munich. We visited Dachau. What a moving experience. If you have time, Nuremburg is also incredible, especially for WWII history. I know plenty of companies offer tours with transportation from Munich to Nuremburg. After our Munich stay, we rented a car to visit various towns in Bavaria and the Black Forest.

We overnighted in Hohenschwangau to visit the castles. Neuschwanstein and the views from Mary's bridge are breath taking. If you are in decent shape, the walk to the castle is quite enjoyable. They have horse drawn wagons that bring people to up most of the way.

 

[Moliphino]

It's so pretty in the fall.

 

[BrianL]

It's so pretty in the fall.

View attachment 764797

Hey, I've been there! I flew over it in a hang glider. The castle oddly leans to the left a little though when seen from the air.

 

[Moliphino]

Hey, I've been there! I flew over it in a hang glider. The castle oddly leans to the left a little though when seen from the air.

We actually did see a lot of people hang gliding in the area when we were there. I don't think they got quite as close as you do on Soarin.

 

[rlk]

That's right, we saw several people hang gliding. Looked really cool but not something I would do.

 

[BrianL]

That's right, we saw several people hang gliding. Looked really cool but not something I would do.

It's perfectly safe - Patrick told me so!

 

[rlk]

It's perfectly safe - Patrick told me so!

Big No for me. I surprised myself and was able to walk across the Highline179 suspension bridge in Austria. That was enough thrill for me

 

[BrianL]

Big No for me. I surprised myself and was able to walk across the Highline179 suspension bridge in Austria. That was enough thrill for me

If you're nervous, you can just use the extra strap. They say it's for "smaller aviators" but anyone can use it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I will be going this September!! So excited