Everyone Abroad Ends Up in Munich
If you’re abroad in the fall, Oktoberfest is basically mandatory. It’s one of those weekends where every city clears out and suddenly everyone you’ve ever met is packed into a beer tent in Munich.
It’s insane — in a good way — but it only goes well if you plan ahead. You can’t just roll up in jeans and expect to slide into a table. Here’s what to know before you go.
Here’s what works:
Book early. Like… months early. Housing fills up insanely fast, and the closer you are to the fairgrounds, the better.
Reserve tent spots if you can. Table reservations are gold. If you’re in a big group, this is the only way to sit together.
Buy an outfit. Dirndls and lederhosen are not optional. You’ll feel out of place without one.
Bring cash. Cards don’t fly in most tents.
Don’t plan to hop tents. You’ll wait forever in lines. Pick one, stay there, and embrace it.
Go with people who can rally. The day is long. You’ll be dancing by 2PM and tired by 6PM — unless your group keeps the energy up 🎶🍻🕺
Hofbräu-Festzelt: Known for its lively atmosphere and international crowd. It's one of the largest tents and offers a quintessential Oktoberfest experience.
Hacker-Festzelt: Dubbed "Heaven of the Bavarians," this tent features a beautifully painted ceiling and a mix of locals and tourists.
Augustiner-Festhalle: Serves beer from Munich's oldest brewery and is popular among locals for its traditional vibe.
Stay Close: Aim for accommodations near the Theresienwiese (Oktoberfest grounds) to avoid long commutes.
Book Early: Hotels and hostels fill up quickly. Consider booking several months in advance.
Group Bookings: If traveling with friends, look for apartment rentals or hostels that can accommodate groups to keep everyone together.
Start hydrating the day before. Those 1-liter beers sneak up fast.
Eat real food before and during. The tents serve full meals — don’t just live on pretzels.
Don’t be the person yelling in English. Keep it low-key, respectful, and fun.
Pack a portable charger. Your phone will die fast with all the pics, and you’ll want it to find your friends later.
Most people mess up Oktoberfest by:
🚫 Booking their housing way too late (then staying an hour outside the city)
🚫 Not reserving tables or getting into a tent
🚫 Not knowing which tents are actually good
🚫 Showing up with no outfit and wondering why everyone’s looking at them weird
🚫 Getting separated from their group and spending the day wandering
It’s a massive festival — not a casual beer garden.
🎉 Oktoberfest is pure chaos in the best way — but only if you come prepared. Once you’re inside a tent with your friends, music blasting and beer flowing, you’ll get why it’s the trip everyone talks about for the rest of the semester.Just don’t wing it. 🛫💥🍻
