Make the most of your Oktoberfest by following these 5 expert tips.

1. Plan ahead to beat the crowds

With over 600,000 daily visitors, Oktoberfest has huge crowds so you must plan ahead to avoid them. The best time to visit Munich's Oktoberfest if you want to avoid huge crowds is during the weekdays. On Mondays through Thursdays crowds are much smaller compared to the weekend days where crowds can reach over 1 million people per day.

Expert Tip: If you have the flexibility to book your Oktoberfest travel for a weekday you will avoid the largest crowds and experience more flexibility to move between beer tents and sample the different cuisines served.

2. Reserve seating in advance

Seating at Oktoberfest can be hard to find so if you want to enjoy the full experience it's best to reserve seating ahead of time. Many people don't know that every tent is required to keep at least 50% of its seating open for first-come-first-serve patrons. This means that most reservations are booked out a year in advance.

Expert Tip: The easiest way to reserve a seat (or a table) at Oktoberfest this fall is to book your journey through Keytours Vacations. Keytours will reserve your Oktoberfest seating seamlessly; learn more here.

3. Pack like an expert, party like a local

As its name suggests, Oktoberfest occurs in the fall, typically in late September and early October. The weather in Germany around this time can be unpredictable, so it's important to be prepared for rain or sunshine. Pack a disposable poncho (rain jackets work too, they just tend to be bulkier to pack for the day) for your Oktoberfest festivities to make sure you can make the most of the day. 

Expert Tip: At least 75% of all Oktoberfest attendees will be dressed in traditional clothing (known as Trachten). If you want to really blend in and experience the festival consider dressing in Trachten. Be mindful to dress in true traditional clothing, you don't want to arrive and look like you are wearing a Halloween costume.

4. Plan your beer tent route

Oktoberfest has over 30 beer tents made up of large and small tents. The large tents typically host over 3,000 people where the small tents typically host a maximum of 1,000 people. Your tent selection should be based on the kind of experience you want to have. One of the most popular tents for international visitors is the Hofbräu Tent which boasts over 10,000 seats and a rich history; Munich’s historic Hofbräu was established in 1589. 

Expert Tip: Make a reservation for the unforgettable Käfer’s Tavern. It's a tent designed as an old weathered tavern and farmhouse that features two floors filled with rustic booths, a live band in the center of each level, and makeshift dance floors in the walkways.

5. Save room to sample the Oktoberfest food

Oktoberfest may be known as the world’s biggest beer festival, but for the locals it’s as much a celebration of Bavarian culture, tradition, family and food. Oktoberfest boasts many Bavarian specialties such as Brezel (Pretzel), Bratwurst, and Spätzle (German Mac and cheese). These dishes have been crafted over generations to provide sustenance for Oktoberfests' marathon beer drinkers.

Expert Tip: Try the Schweinshaxe (pork knuckle), better known as the king of German drinking food for its savory deliciousness and massive size. 

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