Oktoberfest! Have you been without a tent reservation? Does it really make a difference?

Question

What are the pros and cons of having/not having a tent ticket reservation?

Answer 1

I'm from the US and live in Munich. Some years ago, anyone cld get into the tents and, sooner or later, even find a seat. Since about 1 1/2 years now, there is a very strong trend amongst the tents proprietors to let in only the so called high society and VIP's as well as well known companies, clubs ans so on. If you can make a reservation then you should do that. Otherwise you might just not get in.

Answer 2

Listen to what chuck says and do not go without a tent reservation.  My German fiance (now my husband) went last year with his company, and they got a reserved table.  If we go on our own this year, there is no way we´ll get a table and seat.

You´ve got to have a reservation, or you´ll end up wasting your time if you want to go into the tent.

Tschüs

Answer 3

During week day early in the afternoon you can easily get inside without a reservation.

On weekends it has become almost impossible. We go every year and it becomes harder and harder... especially when the weather is bad and nobody wants to sit in the beer gardens outside.

The problem is, you probably won't be able to get a reservation anymore. I tried in March and everything was sold out already. (At least in the internet, by calling each and every tent, you might be lucky).

Reservations also go by table, that means 10 persons per table and you need to pay 2 beers and 1/2 broiler per person in advance. So if you're only two or three persons, making a reservation is not convenient.

http://www.inside-munich.com/oktoberfest...

Answer 4

You could always do what I did.  Get up early.  Go to the tent about 7am and wait until they open around 9am then wait until 12 until they serve.  The Hofbrauhaus tent is wild and you don't want to be in the reserved section anyways.  You will have way more fun in the center (pigpen) at the standing tables under the hanging statue thingy!  Just don't wear underwear. They will come off of you forcibly and end up on the statue.  I was fortunately warned by kiwis and Aussies last year when I went.  It had a great time there without reservations.

Answer 5

It depends on when you intend to go there. During the opening ceremony during the first weekend, you'd be mad trying to get in a tent without a reservation. And by experience I can tell you they are all fully booked and tickets should not be available any more.

If you want to go there on a regular weekday, it should be very easy to get inside the tents before 6pm. On weekends, try to get there around 3pm and you will mostly be able to find a spot without too much trouble.

If you are planning to get there as a group of more than 3, it is advisable to be there very early. Please note that it is perfectly normal in Munich to share a table with complete strangers. Bavarians are a very gregarious bunch. Just ask if you see a few available seats on a bench.