Oktoberfest / Munich – FAQs

The Top Ten

I want to travel with Spyns but how big are your groups?
How do I book a tour?
Why is it called Oktoberfest?
Is the festival just a drunken brawl, like Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Do I have to wear lederhosen?
What is there to do at Oktoberfest (other than drink beer)?
What are your dates/prices?
When is Oktoberfest?
Where is Munich?
Do I always have to stay with the guide or group?

Oktoberfest Questions

Why is it called Oktoberfest?
Do I have to wear lederhosen?
What is the history of Oktoberfest?
What is “d’Weisn?”
How many people attend Oktoberfest?
Is Oktoberfest appropriate for families with children?
What is there to do at Oktoberfest other than drink beer?

Munich Questions

How many people live in Munich?
Where should I stay in Munich?
How do I get around Munich?
I want to stay right next to the Oktoberfest grounds, is this a good idea?

Travel Questions

How do I get to Oktoberfest / Munich
Do I need a passport to travel to Germany?
How much money should I bring to Oktoberfest / Munich?

Questions about Spyns

What is Spyns?
Where is Spyns located?
How do I contact Spyns?
How long have you been in business?
What services do you provide?
Do you book airfare?
Can you reserve rental cars, hotels, or train tickets before or after the tours?

Questions about our tours

How do I book a tour?
I want to travel with Spyns but how big are your groups?
How much are your tours?
What are your terms & conditions?
What if I have to cancel, do I get my deposit back?
When should I reserve my tour?
For your active tours, how difficult is the cycling?
Can you reserve rental cars, hotels, or train tickets before or after tours?

I want to travel with Spyns but how big are your groups?
We specialize in small, luxury tours so you can expect to have about 8-12 guests per guide.

How do I book a tour?
Two ways:
1. By telephone. Call us at 1.888.825.4720 and we’ll take your reservation over the phone. We require a credit card number and payment of a US$350/person non-refundable deposit to confirm your reservation.
2. By fax: Go to our forms page and download a registration form. Print, sign and fax the form to us toll-free at fax 1.866.573.4248.

What is included in the tour price?
All hotels, breakfasts, transportation (during the tour), 1 group dinner, and reserved table(s) to beer tents. Pick up and drop off at the Munich airport or train station are included. A guide will also be on-call (but not on your back) throughout your stay. Please visit our forms page to see detailed itineraries complete with what is included for each tour.

Where is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is held every year in Munich, Germany (click here to see a map). Munich is the capital city of the province of Bavaria. Bavaria is Germany’s largest province. Located in the southeast corner of the country, Bavaria borders Switzerland and Austria. With a population of 1.5 million, Munich is the 3rd largest city in Germany (after Berlin and Hamburg). Within the city, the festival is held on the fields of the “Theresienwiese” or “d’Wiesn” in Bavarian.

How do I get to Oktoberfest?
Click here for our travel page. Oktoberfest is held every year in Munich, Germany. Located in southeast Germany, you can fly direct from most major US cities to Munich International Airport. There is also daily high-speed train service from Frankfurt International Airport (Germany’s largest) to Munich. Travel time is 2.5 hours.

When is Oktoberfest?
Oktoberfest is held every year starting the 3rd Saturday of September and ending the 1st Sunday of October. Below are dates for the next 4 Oktoberfests:

2012: September 22 – October 7
2013: September 21 – October 6
2014: September 20 – October 5
2015: September 19 – October 4

Why is it called Oktoberfest?
“Oktober” with a “k” is of course the German word for “October.” The very first Oktoberfest or “October Festival” took place on October 12, 1810. It lasted just 5 days. Since 1810, organizers have changed two things to increase attendance: first, the festival now lasts 2 ½ weeks; and second, the starting date is now mid-September when the weather is warmer.

Is the festival just a drunken brawl, like Mardi Gras in New Orleans?
Click here to see our video clip about Munich and Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is very safe, orderly and friendly. Make no mistake, this is a beer festival and the major attractions are the beer tents on the fair grounds. While in the tents, you’ll find a typical beer hall type atmosphere with a German band, long tables, and people clad in traditional Bavarian lederhosen or Dirndl (frilly dresses for the women). At lunch or dinnertime, most people sit down to eat but while drinking and singing. The overall feeling is friendly, welcoming and organized. The festival’s organizers have worked hard to keep Oktoberfest “family friendly” so until 6 p.m. there are noise restrictions on music in the tents. From 6 to midnight, however, the festival is in full swing and you’ll see your share of people who have overindulged.

Do I have to wear lederhosen?
No. Many attend the festival in casual attire.

What is there to do at Oktoberfest (other than drink beer)?
Lots. This is the world’s largest open-air festival with 6 million people attending annually. During the festival, there are endless parades, bands, concerts, competitions, food stands, games and an entire midway to keep you busy. During your tour, you won’t just be at the Oktoberfest fair grounds. We explore the sights around Munich and there are optional day trips as well for example to visit nearby Neuschwanstein Castle (the white hilltop castle you’ve seen on all postcards from Germany).

What is the history of Oktoberfest?
Click here for our Oktoberfest history page. Oktoberfest was first held on October 12, 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese Saxe-Hildburghausen. It was an elaborate horse race but horse races have not been a part of the festival since 1960. The modern-day Oktoberfest became an annual event in the mid-1800s and the breweries (and beer tents) started organizing the annual festival in 1887.

What is the “Wiesn” or “die Weisn?”
This is a short-form for “Theresenwiese” or “Theresa’s Field.” Oktoberfest was first held on October 12, 1810 to commemorate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese Saxe-Hildburghausen. The location was called the “Theresenwiese” and now just the “Wiesn.”

How many people attend Oktoberfest?
Approximately 6 million people attend the festival every year.

Is Oktoberfest appropriate for families with children?
Yes. During the daytime, you’ll see lots of families attending the festival but the evening (usually after 6 p.m.) is more “festive.” Children are allowed in the beer tents until 8 p.m.

Where is Munich?
Click here for a map. Munich is the capital city of the province of Bavaria. Bavaria is Germany’s largest province. Located in the southeast corner of the country, Bavaria borders Switzerland and Austria. With a population of 1.5 million, Munich is the 3rd largest city in Germany. Within the city, the festival is held on the fields of the “Theresienwiese” or “d’Wiesn” in Bavarian.

How many people live in Munich?
Munich has 1.3 million citizens.

Where should I stay in Munich?
Please click here to see our Munich hotels page.

How do I get around Munich?
On foot, by Spyns van, bike, or train. Spyns has shuttle vans on site during your stay. Munich has an extensive subway, tram, and bus system. The Oktoberfest grounds are located above the “Theresienwiese” station.

I want to stay right next to the Oktoberfest grounds, is this a good idea?
Yes. Spyns reserves hotel rooms all over the city and most are within walking distance of the Oktoberfest grounds. For more information, please see our hotels page.

Do I need a passport to travel to Germany?
Unless you are a citizen of a European Community country, you will need a passport to travel to Germany.

How much money should I bring to Oktoberfest / Munich?
We recommend bringing 250-300€ cash (approx $450) on your tour and taking about 50-100€ with you to the fair grounds.

What is Spyns?
Spyns (pronounced ‘spins’) is an active travel company. We organize luxury tours to Spain, Italy, France, Ireland and Morocco to events like the Pamplona Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Oktoberfest, the Palio Horse Race in Siena, and the Tour de France.

Where is Spyns located?
We’re a Canadian company located in Whistler, British Columbia with a European office in Beaujolais, France.

How do I contact Spyns?
Call 1-888-825-4720 or email info@spyns.com. For our international clients, you can use our live chat feature or call us through Skype “spyns.com”. For instant answers online, you can also use our online chat button at the bottom left of this page.

How long have you been in business?
We’ve been organizing tours to Europe since 2003.

What services do you provide?
We provide guided luxury tours for small groups to festivals and events throughout Europe. Everything but air. We can arrange for hotels, train tickets, or rental cars at no extra charge.

Do you provide airfare?
No. We do not book flights.

Can you reserve rental cars, hotels, or train tickets before or after the tours?
Yes. We can arrange for hotels, train tickets, or rental cars at no extra charge.

How much are your tours?
Click here for our dates/prices page. A Spyns tour will usually cost approximately $500/day but this can vary depending the kind of hotel you select.

What are your dates and prices?
Click here for our dates/prices page. A Spyns tour will usually cost approximately $500/day but this can vary depending the kind of hotel you select.

What are your terms and conditions?
We require a US$350/person non-refundable deposit followed by full payment 90 days before you travel. Click here for our terms & conditions.

What if I have to cancel, do I get my deposit back?
No. Once paid the deposit is non-refundable.

When should I reserve my tour?
A good rule of thumb is at least 6 months before your tour although our trips do tend to sell out quickly, particularly for Oktoberfest’s first weekend.

For your active tours, how difficult is the cycling?
The cycling is optional and if you don’t want to ride, take the van or one of our electric mopeds. If you do want to ride, the rule of thumb is if you can handle 2 hours of flat riding, you can do any of our cycling tours. However, you should keep in mind that there are always hills.

Do I always have to stay with the guide or group?
Only if you want to. Our tours are like a great meal, we provide you with a menu, and you pick and choose what you want. Our guides are on-call to make your trip effortless and unforgettable. If your perfect holiday is going it alone, no problem. If you want to explore Munich with your guide, we’d love to have the company. We give you an itinerary, and you have the freedom to pick and choose what you want to do.