Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A BIT OF HISTORY
The world's biggest foam fest has its origins in a simple horse race. In 1810 Bavarian
crown prince Ludwig, later King Ludwig I, married Princess Therese of Saxe-Hild-
burghausen, and following the wedding a horse race was held at the city gates. The six-day
celebration was such a galloping success that it became an annual event, was extended and
moved forward to start in September so that visitors could enjoy warmer weather and light-
er nights. The horse race, which quickly became a sideshow to the suds, ended in 1960, but
an agricultural show is still part of the Oktoberfest.
TOP 10 TIPS
» No cash changes hands within the beer tents - to be served beer, buy special metal
tokens (
Biermarken
) from outside the tents. If you have tokens left over at the end of
your session, you can spend them in some Munich pubs.
» From 2012 no more glass bottles are allowed at the Oktoberfest due to countless in-
juries in recent years.
» Food at Oktoberfest is as pricey as the beer, so bring your own snacks. These can be
consumed on the outside terraces of the beer tents but not inside.
» Beer tents are elbow to elbow all day on Saturday and Sunday, but for lighter traffic
try a weekday afternoon. Until Friday of the first week the evenings tend to be slightly
less swamped as well.
» Don't even think of lighting up in any of the beer tents. 2010 new anti-smoking laws
mean your time in the tent will be up and you could face a fine.
» If you pop out of a beer tent during the busy times, don't expect your seat to be free
when you return.
» Don't drink in excess - the beer at Oktoberfest is strong stuff, and probably much
more potent than your local brew.
» The vast majority of the beer tents have their last call at 10.30pm.
» The Wiesn has its own post office, left luggage office and childcare centre.
» You can reserve a seat at some of the beer tents up to a year in advance - see the
tents' individual websites to find out how.
