Travel Tips: A First-Timer’s Guide to Oktoberfest

Last year, almost to the day, I made my way to Munich to attend my very first Oktoberfest. It was a bucket list destination and event, so nothing, not even traveling solo was going to stop me from going. It wasn’t ideal going alone, more on that later, but it gave me a unique opportunity to stay somewhat sober and thus, more observant. I got one day at Oktoberfest, I know, barely any time! But in that short time I learned a lot.

Read on for my solo travel experience at Oktoberfest and for tips on how to have a great first time.

Some tips for your first time at Oktoberfest:

• Don’t worry about searching for tickets because you don’t need any, it’s a free event.
• Wear the traditional outfits! Trust me, more people are dressed up than not dressed up, if you want to fit in and feel more “in the spirit” definitely invest in a traditional Dirndl or Lederhosen. I got mine from Amazon and felt very on par with the traditional ones other people were wearing. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT wear a costume style-super short one!
  • • It’s pretty chilly out but go ahead and leave the jacket and panty hose at home. I wore both and could have done without. It just made keeping up with my stuff more intense and using the restroom more of a hastle. There are SO MANY people there that it just feels warm. **Keep in mind that I did go early in the afternoon and was gone by sunset.
  

• “But I don’t like beer, why would I go to Oktoberfest?”, if you aren’t a beer lover, there’s more to drink than just beer. So much to drink! Popular beer alternative options were Aperol Spritz, Mulled wine or Champagne and of course tons of non-alcoholic options too.
• Plus, Oktoberfest isn’t just a drinking event, its a whole shindig. There’s music, rides, food, drinks of course and lots of fun just socializing.
• If you want to eat and drink in the beer tents then make a reservation ahead of time because they book up quickly. Same with your hotels or Airbnbs, book in advance!
  • Pro tip: book an option with no cancellation penalty in case anything comes up. 
• The Beer tents aren’t the only places to eat or drink. Imagine a huge state fair, there’s all kinds of food all over the park in little food trucks and trailers, making the entire place smell amazing. Just follow your nose.
• Take cash, most bars and trailers only accept cash so plan ahead!

My Solo Experience at Oktoberfest

I lucked out and made some friends within the first fifteen minutes of arriving, turning my solo adventure into a “not-so-solo” one. It was so random too, I was in one of the smaller side bar areas and had just gotten a drink and was making a round when I saw a table opening up so I made my move for it. In the exact moment that I sat on one side another girl sat directly across from me and we both immediately started offering it to one another and then laughed and decided to share the table. After chatting with her and her husband-who arrived a couple minutes later with their drinks-for a few minutes he found out some of his friends were also there and invited me to tag along with them to meet up with the group. I’m so glad I agreed. My new German posse was from a few hours away and they were so chill. There were about nine of them, six guys and three girls, and we hopped from corner to corner of the park. We shared stories about travel, past Oktoberfests, Texas stereotypes and they even gave me tons of recommendations for my following day in Munich. I was so happy to not be alone in the shoulder to shoulder crowd of people.

But being with a group of people is nothing like being with your actual friends…I had a lot of fun but I didn’t feel like I could truly let loose and drink because I needed to be on guard later. I had to keep in mind that I still needed to navigate a train back to my hotel alone in a country where I didn’t know the language whatsoever. Needless to say, I felt a bit vulnerable. I didn’t stay as late as I would have if I had been with friends in tow and I didn’t make the same inside-joke-inducing type memories or get very many photos but I did face my fears and go to a festival in a foreign country by myself and I even made new friends.

All in all, I hung out for a few hours, having drinks, playing classic fair games and trying out different areas of the park. Most areas by the time I left were pretty similar, shoulder to shoulder and as rowdy as they were impossible to move through. It’s an experience and definitely one I’m glad I mustered up the nerve to embark on alone. I can’t wait to go again!

Next time I’m going with friends, are you coming with me?
Xx Sylvia