Oktoberfest was such a fun experience and definitely something I'm glad we got to experience while…read morein Munich! There is so much more to it than just the beer tents -- tons of food stands, rides, games, merchandise, music and people dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing. We went on a Thursday, which I would definitely recommend if you want to experience Oktoberfest without quite as much craziness as the weekend. It was still very busy and crowded, but manageable for most of the day. Around 8 PM, we definitely noticed the atmosphere starting to change -- the crowds became more rowdy and there were a lot more very drunk people. If that's not your scene, I would recommend going during the day and leaving earlier in the evening. We went on a couple of the rides, which were a lot of fun, although the cost can add up pretty quickly between rides, food and drinks. Definitely bring plenty of cash, as many places require it. For anyone who isn't a beer drinker, there are also places throughout the festival where you can find wine, liquor and mixed drinks. One thing we learned is that some places charge a deposit for the glass, so don't throw it away or walk off with it! You return the glass afterward to get your deposit back. Overall, we had a great time at Oktoberfest. It's crowded, expensive and gets a little wild later at night, but it's also such a unique experience. Going on a weekday and earlier in the day was perfect for us, and I would absolutely recommend experiencing Oktoberfest at least once!

You haven't been to a party until you've been Munchen Oktoberfest…read more.. World famous and illustrious for a reason, Oktoberfest is unarguably the world's biggest and best party... From bier enthusiasts to foodies to adventure seekers, Oktoberfest has it all. The bier (while different in each tent) is incomparable and unmatched, the food is authentic Bavarian, and the *majority of people are friendly and welcoming. This is the first time we've back in 15 years, and it still feels like an opportunity of a lifetime. Back in our younger years, we always visited the Hofbrau and Lowenbrau tents (aka the international party tents), but we elected for the Hacker Festvelt outdoor bier garten this time around for a more balanced and chill atmosphere. Mostly visited by Munich locals, Bavarians, and some tourists that mostly speak English, this is a good pick if you want to experience authentic Oktoberfest without all out pure chaos and debauchery (still fun, yet more tame). The Hacker Festvelt food is outstanding, the bier is strong and bit more on the bitter side, and the servers (who all speak flawless English) are friendly and attentive. Travel tip: Toss them an extra 10-20E on your first bier order and they'll make sure you're taken care of all day. Some recommendations and need to knows: -Arrive before noon on weekdays and 10:00 am on weekends if you want prime seats -Select the right tent and bier, based on your likes and tolerances - https://www.munichtourism.org/oktoberfest-beer-tents/ -Once you're in a tent/bier garten, stay put... As the day goes on, the busier it gets and the odds of getting other seats are slim to none -Eat something before drinking bier (aka line your stomach... "eine Grundlage im Magen schaffen") -Pace yourself and drink water with the bier... The bier is good (Das bier ist gut) and strong -Bring plenty of Euros as most tents and bier gartens are cash only -Talk to everyone at your table... We sat with a Swedish family and a few Bavarians, and ended up hanging out with them all day -Learn some German phrases ahead of time... Most Germans speak English, but they appreciate you trying to speak German Prost!