Oktoberfest:The Oktoberfest for beginners

Abendstimmung auf dem Münchner Oktoberfest, 2014

Beer and oompah music for sure, but there's more to Oktoberfest then that. Swing carousels for instance.

(Foto: Robert Haas)

The Oktoberfest in Munich is the biggest beer festival in the world - and with many copies allover the world, there's only one original. Here's what to know if you visit for the first time.

Lisa Sonnabend, Sarina Pfauth

How long it goes on for

The Oktoberfest is 16 days of drinking, swaying along with oompah music and partying. This year the Oktoberfest takes place from September 19th to October 4th 2015. The festival is traditionally opened by the Mayor of Munich. On Saturday September 19th at 12 noon Dieter Reiter will tap a beer barrel until the beer starts flowing out. Then he shouts: "O'zapft is!" That's Bavarian. Translated from standard German it means: "It's tapped - the Oktoberfest can begin." Beforehand the brewery landlords arrive with horses to move into their tents at the Oktoberfest. A traditional costume parade takes place in the centre of Munich, involving thousands walking down the streets clad in traditional dress, playing brass band music and dancing. The parade is very popular among locals and tourists alike.

Opening hours

Opening hours

The Oktoberfest has opening hours and these are strictly observed: anyone wanting to order another beer after 10.30 pm can wail and whine as much as he likes - he won't be served any more beer. The Oktoberfest is not a 24-hour festival. From Monday to Friday you can order food and drinks in the tents from 10 am to 10.30 pm; on Saturday and Sunday from an hour earlier. The tents close at 11.30pm, the exception being "Käfers Wiesnschänke" and the "Weinzelt", which don't close until 0.30am. The stalls' opening hours are a bit more complicated: Monday - Thursday from 10am to 11.30pm, Friday from 10am to midnight, Saturday 9am to midnight and Sunday 9am to 11.30pm. Fairground rides and showmen open every day at 10 am, the last ride being around midnight.

Beer

Beer

Many tourists are initially speechless when the waiter/waitress puts the first beer down on the table because probably nowhere else in the world do they have beer glasses as large as they are in Munich. This jug holds one litre of beer (0.26 gallons). A one-litre jug of beer will cost between 10 and 10.40 euros at the Oktoberfest 2015. That is relatively expensive, because you can get a litre of beer in Munich pubs for about 7 euros.

The high price does not stop the visitors from consuming a lot, though: every year at the Oktoberfest they drink roughly 7 million litres of beer. The beer at the Oktoberfest is quite strong. It is brewed specifically for the Oktoberfest and has a higher alcohol content (about 6 per cent) than traditional pale beer (about 5 per cent).

Tipping

Tipping

Don't baulk at tipping the serving staff well. If you ordered a litre of beer (between 10 and 10.40 euros), give the waiter or waitress at least 11 or even 11.50 euros. Because if you're well in with the Oktoberfest waiter/waitress, you have a number of advantages: you'll be served faster, you'll be given a decently poured beer (often the jug is not filled to the top), an extra large portion of chicken, and if a larger table becomes available, the waiter/waitress will guide whoever gave them a good tip to the table. Treat your waiter/waitress well and they may even see to it that when you're waiting to get into a full tent next time you'll get in quickly.

Oktoberfest songs

Oktoberfest songs

Beer

In the beer tent the band plays one song after another and the visitors bawl along. If you're not sure of the words to sing you won't be popular with your neighbours on the bench. Here are the key songs and lines of songs you ought to learn by heart:

"Ein Prosit, ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit" (beer tent hit)

"Life is life - nanananana" (Life is Life - Opus)

"Da sind wir dabei! Das ist prima! Viva Colonia!" (Viva Colonia - Höhner)

"Alice, who the f*** is Alice" (Who the f*** is Alice - Smokie)

"It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A." (YMCA - Village People)

"Sierra, Sierra Madre del Sur" (Sierra Madre - Zillertaler Schürzenjäger)

"Atemlos" (Helene Fischer)

Dancing

Dancing

People not only sing along to the brass band, they also dance. As there is not enough room in the beer tent to dance on the floor, people stand on the beer tent benches to dance. They link arms with their neighbours and sway from side to side in time. This dance is called "Schunkeln".

Often it gets a bit too wild: the beer tent benches creak and threaten to break. But the stewards look on impassively. Only if a visitor stands on the table do they move in swiftly. You can do anything on the benches, but the tables are reserved for the beer jugs and chicken.

Flirting

Flirting

The Oktoberfest is a flirting paradise. Nowhere else is it so easy to get to know a nice lady or a good-looking man. The beer and the Schunkeln on the benches create a relaxed atmosphere. Often a brief smile is enough - and it goes on from there.

But there are a few things you need to know about flirting at the Oktoberfest: if the woman has tied the bow of her Dirndl apron on the right, you can save yourself the bother - she's already spoken for. On the other hand if she's tied the bow on the left, your luck may be in, she's single.

At the Oktoberfest many stalls sell gingerbread hearts with various slogans, which can be given to one's beloved. But not every heart is welcomed by a woman. Something just right and not too direct for the initial contact are slogans such as "I hab di lieb" (I like you) or "Spazl" (Darling). Despite the beery atmosphere you shouldn't overestimate your libidinous charms. When chatting up a woman go no further than she lets you go. Unfortunately, sexual harassment is an all-too-frequent occurrence at the Oktoberfest - and is punished severely, of course.

Toilets

Toilets

There are plenty of toilets inside and outside every beer tent - although there are never enough of them. Instead of standing in the long queues outside the toilets, many take a short cut by resorting to the grass behind the tent. Soiling nature in this way is forbidden!

Don't do it - the stewards keep a keen eye on this! Make use of the official toilets - they're signposted. "Damen" means "Ladies", "Herren" means "Gentlemen". The good thing is, even if the queue outside the toilet is long, it does move pretty quickly. You never have to wait more than ten minutes.

Children

Children

You're just beginning to feel really at ease in the beer tent. The waitress brings the third litre jug of beer; you're dancing with your wife on the beer tent bench. Your child has finally fallen asleep in the pushchair. But then suddenly a steward comes up to your table and says: "Children under the age of six are not allowed in the beer tent after 8 pm."

Children

Even children and youths under the age of 16 are not allowed to be at the Oktoberfest after 8pm unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pushchairs and prams are allowed on the Oktoberfest ground from Sunday to Friday until 6pm. On Saturdays, no prams or pushchairs are allowed at the Oktoberfest at any time of day. So: either leave the children with Grandma and Grandpa or better leave the Oktoberfest early.

Après-Oktoberfest

Après-Oktoberfest

Every drunk agrees that the Oktoberfest ends much too early. But don't think about pleading with the waiter/waitress for one more beer after 10.30pm or refuse the stewards' request to rise from the beer tent bench. Many have tried, no-one has succeeded.

There's one last resort: carry on partying in the nearby clubs. There are après-Oktoberfest parties for instance in the Löwenbräukeller (Nymphenburger Straße 2, clammy and jolly), in P1 (Prinzregentenstraße 1, chic and expensive), in M-Park (Landsberger Straße 169, for the young masses) or in Substanz (Ruppertstraße 28, alternative and handy).

How to get there

How to get there

We have nothing but sympathy for people flying to Munich. Why? Because Munich Airport is located more than 30 kilometres from the Theresienwiese, where the Oktoberfest is held. From the airport it takes about 45 minutes by S-Bahn [suburban train] and the fare is 10,80 euros. It's about 80 euros by taxi. It's a lot better for visitors arriving by train as you can even walk to the Oktoberfest from the Hauptbahnhof [central station] in under 15 minutes. If you're coming to Munich by car you should pay to park away from the Oktoberfest. Finding a free parking space near the Theresienwiese is like finding a needle in a haystack.

It is better to leave your car on the outskirts of the city and take public transport to the Oktoberfest. The Oktoberfest is easily accessible by public transport from all points of the city. From the Hackerbrücke, Theresienwiese and Goetheplatz stops it's just a few minute walk to the festival ground.

Public transport

Public transport

Quite a lot of people in Munich use public transport during the Oktoberfest - roughly half a million more people a day than usual. That explains why it's always very hot and congested in the underground around the Theresienwiese. Standing room can generally be found, though.

The S-Bahn trains heading for Ostbahnhof depart every two to five minutes roughly until one o'clock in the morning. During the Oktoberfest the last train to Pasing is at about 1.45am in the week, and at just before 2.30 am in both directions at the weekend. Anyone who has booked a room in the environs of Munich has to head back by midnight at the latest - there are no more trains after that. The exception is on the S-Bahn S 1 - S 8, where in the nights of Friday to Saturday and from Saturday to Sunday there is a night train between 2.10 and 2.40 am.

The U-Bahn underground trains run until about 02.00 hours. Anyone travelling in the city centre can also switch to the night network: on certain lines there are buses and trams running at night as well. The timetable is displayed at every stop.

Which lines to take to the Oktoberfest:

S-Bahn: S1 to S8 inclusive to Hackerbrücke S7, S20 and S27 to Heimeranplatz, then take the U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese or Schwanthalerhöhe U-Bahn: U3 or U6 to Goetheplatz and Poccistraße U4 or U5 to Theresienwiese or Schwanthalerhöhe Bus: MetroBus no. 53 to the Schwanthalerhöhe stop MetroBus no. 58 to the Georg-Hirth-Platz or Goetheplatz stop StadtBus no. 131 or 132 to the Hans-Fischer-Straße stop StadtBus no. 134 to the Schwanthalerhöhe stop Tram: No. 18 or 19 to the Holzapfelstraße or Hermann-Lingg-Straße stop Nos. 16 and 17 take you to the Hackerbrücke stop And if there's no other way, simply follow the masses on foot, because they'll be heading in one direction only - to the Oktoberfest.

Overnight accommodation

Overnight accommodation

If you want to visit the Oktoberfest 2015 and don't have a hotel room yet, you'll have serious problems. The hotels in and around Munich are usually fully booked months before the start of the Oktoberfest. The last free rooms can be found on the city's official Website (http://www.muenchen.de/uebernachten.html or on http://www.muenchen-hotel.de). Unfortunately, hotels put their prices up for an overnight stay during the Oktoberfest - under 100 euros for a room will be difficult to find. You can often still find slightly cheaper rates in the surrounding areas of Munich. If you don't have friends or acquaintances in Munich, you're out of luck. You can also search for a room via the hospitality network http://www.couchsurfing.com. Perhaps you're lucky and an Internet user will put you up for a few nights - for free. Some Munich residents sub-let their flat during the Oktoberfest - usually at rates much cheaper than the hotels.

Campsites

Campsites

An alternative to an overpriced hotel room is to put up a tent in, or take your caravan to, a campsite. There are two campsites in Munich - one in west Munich in Obermenzing and one quite central in Thalkirchen. Of course these are also really packed during the Oktoberfest - and the weather in Munich does fluctuate in late September/early October. You have to expect rain and temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. However, many visitors like the exuberant atmosphere a campsite has to offer. After the Oktoberfest they carry on partying on the campsites until the early hours. For further information: Campingplatz Obermenzing: Tel. 089 / 811 22 35 http://www.campingplatz-muenchen.de Campingplatz Thalkirchen: Tel. 089 / 723 17 07 http://www.muenchen.de/rathaus/Stadtverwaltung/Kommunalreferat/immobilien/campingplatz.html

Police

Police

Munich is regarded as the safest city in Germany - no, rubbish, many Munich folk think it is the safest in the world! And especially during the Oktoberfest people notice the reason for this perception: police everywhere. Car drivers and cyclists in particular ought to drive/cycle carefully and abide by the traffic regulations: alcohol in the blood? Driving erratically? Going through red lights? Even minor offences cost money in Bavaria - and sometimes even your driving licence. The police also do their utmost to ensure nobody steals a litre-size beer mug from the beer tent. If you want to take one home as a souvenir, buy it from a souvenir stall!

Fairground rides

Fairground rides

At the Oktoberfest there are funfair rides to suit every taste: the Wave Swinger for children, the Big Wheel for families, Bumper Cars for teenagers, the Krinoline for the nostalgic, the Ghost Train for the fearless, Frisbee for those not prone to vertigo, Free Fall for the bold. People suffering from high blood pressure or heart problems should, however, avoid the fairground rides. If you have back problems you should also keep away from Free Fall, Frisbee or Top Spin. Pregnant women ought not to expose themselves to the stress of a ride on the Big Dipper. And another thing: people who have had too much to drink often lose their stomach contents when hanging upside down in the air - much to the annoyance of spectators below. A go on a funfair ride costs between 3 and 10 euros; there is a discount for children.

Costumes

Costumes

You should definitely not buy yourself a T-shirt at the Oktoberfest with "I survived Oktoberfest" or similar printed on it. The folk of Munich don't find it funny, just plain embarrassing. And no Munich man or woman would ever wear the pseudo-traditional "Bavarian" hats so beloved by tourists.

Instead, why not put on a traditional costume? Because if you turn up at the Oktoberfest in costume - i.e. in Lederhosen if you're a man, and in a Dirndl if you're a woman - then you're in. And there are a few rules to be observed: absolutely no trainers with the Lederhosen or Dirndl; buy Haferlschuhe [brogues] instead.

A Dirndl should not be knee-length, but almost ankle-length. Another important thing is: if you tied the bow to the left it means you are single, and at the Oktoberfest that means you are "up for it". Wear the bow on the right and don't be surprised that no-one talks to you: it means you're spoken for.

Beer

Beer tent

"Wegen Überfüllung geschlossen" - these words on signs outside the beer tent annoy any visitor to the Oktoberfest. That means the beer tent is so full they cannot allow any more people in. And that happens every Oktoberfest weekend. If you can choose, go to the Oktoberfest on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. It's relatively quiet then, but the atmosphere is just as good. If you want to go to the beer tent at the weekend you ought to queue up well before the opening time of 11.00 hours to still grab a place. The first beer-thirsty customers are already there at 07.00 hours. Anyone managing to get into a tent should try to find an empty seat in the middle of the tent because not all the seats are reserved there. If a table is already occupied but there are still a few free spaces, you may ask whether you can join them. They will even insist on it, as meeting new people is part and parcel of a visit to the Oktoberfest! Our beer tent map will show you which beer tent is suitable for you. A word of caution: a beer tent is not to be confused with a beer garden. That means you cannot bring food from outside into the tents.

Zur SZ-Startseite

Lesen Sie mehr zum Thema

Jetzt entdecken

Gutscheine: