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Are you ready for Oktoberfest?

There are only 2 days, 17 hours and 7 minutes left until the grand opening of Oktoberfest… are you ready?

The greatest of all beer-swilling festivals kicks off in style on Saturday the 20th of September with the traditional tapping of the first keg by the lord mayor of Munich himself.

Once tapped, the festivities can begin, and the thirsty can head for the tents to slake their thirst for the golden frothy beverage that will be in such great abundance for the two weeks that follow.

If you haven’t booked accommodation yet, you’re unlikely to find any in the city, but some hostels do keep ‘walk-in’ beds available – so you might get lucky.   You can also try your luck at the tents at Wies’n‘Camp.

For all the rest, check out the official Oktoberfest website – it’s there you’ll find advice on everything from how to get there to ideas on how to brush up on your Bavarian, as well as a general festival faq.

May the force be with (and also with your liver).

Related entries:
Munich Oktoberfest: The Final Tally
Oktoberfest Brawl: When Flirting Fails, Hurl A Stein
Oktoberfest Chat Up Lines: Bavarian Flirting Made Easy
Packed Mag: A Backpackers’ Guide To The Oktoberfest

Travel resources backpackers might find useful:
Book hostels in Munich – find and book your hostel online at special discounted rates Oktoberfest.de – official Oktoberfest website
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

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Where to stay for Oktoberfest 2008

Oktoberfest might seem a long long way away, but if you take into consideration the fact that two of the three weekends on which the world’s most famous Bavarian beer fest takes place are actually in September (them crazy Germans!), it’s not really that distant at all.

Even this far in advance, accommodation in Munich, where Oktoberfest is held, is not only getting harder to find, but is also generally a great deal more expensive than normal, especially over weekends.

So, if you’re thinking about going, make sure your hostels are booked, and soon. Many hostels will have set aside space for walkins, but you’re likely to pay a premium, and even those will fill up fast.

Plus, you’ll probably spend all your time walking the streets trying to find a space, when you could be down in the beer tents, sampling the fine Bavarian brews!

But, hostels aren’t the only place backpackers can stay if they want to get to Oktoberfest.

An option that’s quite a bit easier on the budget is hiring a tent at the Wies’n-Camp, available from 19 September to 6 October this year.

Each tent costs between 52 € (Sunday-Thursday) and 62 € (Friday-Saturday), per night and can hold up to four people. The price includes access to restrooms and hot showers, and there will be places to buy food and drink.

Something to remember here, though, is that single travellers cannot share a tent with other single travellers met on the camping ground, so hook up before you get there. Bookings can be made here.

If you have your own tent, though, and don’t mind staying outside Munich, you could stay at the Campground Obermenzing (prices here), or the Campground Thalkirchen.

And, finally, the cheapest option – sign up on the Couchsurfing website and see if you can find a willing Bavarian to allow you to stay at their place, for free!

Related entries:
Munich Oktoberfest: The Final Tally
Oktoberfest Brawl: When Flirting Fails, Hurl A Stein
Oktoberfest Chat Up Lines: Bavarian Flirting Made Easy
Packed Mag: A Backpackers’ Guide To The Oktoberfest

Travel resources backpackers might find useful:
Book hostels in Munich – find and book your hostel online at special discounted rates
Oktoberfest.de – official Oktoberfest website
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

Posted in Destinations, Festivals | No Comments »

Wies’n'Camp: Oktoberfest accommodation for budget-watching backpackers

One of the best ways to save on your accommodation costs at Oktoberfest this year (hostels can be rather pricey at this time of year): gather 3 friends and rent a tent at Wies’n Camp.

During Munich’s famous beer festival the folks at Wies’n Camp will be setting up tents at the Olympic Horse Stadium München-Riem (just 10 minutes from Oktoberfest and the heart of the city with Metro), and renting them out to backpackers and other shoestring travellers.

Each tent can sleep up to 4 backpackers, and can be rented per night for 52 € (Sunday to Thursday) and 62 € (Friday and Saturday).

A deposit of 50 € per tent is required, which you get back upon departure (providing the tent is not damaged in any way). The rental fee includes access to restrooms and hot showers.

The Wies’nCamp also offers optional extras like luxury isolation-mats (6 € per mat per night with a deposit of 50 €), breakfast, food and beverages, and all camping facilities like security and a place to park (9€ per night).

You’ll need to book in advance here, and don’t forget to bring a sleeping bag and your passport.

Accommodation available from the 19th of September until the 6th of October 2007.

Related entries:
Munich Oktoberfest: The Final Tally
Oktoberfest Brawl: When Flirting Fails, Hurl A Stein
Oktoberfest Chat Up Lines: Bavarian Flirting Made Easy
Packed Mag: A Backpackers’ Guide To The Oktoberfest

Travel resources backpackers might find useful:
Book hostels in Munich – find and book your hostel online at special discounted rates
Travel Insurance – instant, cheap travel insurance for backpackers

Posted in Destinations, Festivals | 1 Comment »