• Is this Trip right for me?
• What about getting cash?
• Travel Issues
• Arrival Issues
• Departure Issues
• What about making my own arrangements for Oktoberfest?
• Where do I meet the group?
• What if I miss my flight or experience a delay?
• What if I want to extend my visit?
• Is there a lot of walking involved?
• Safety & Security
• What to wear?
• What to bring?
• What type of accommodations should I expect?
• Can I plan on washing my clothes there?
• Do they have Internet service?
• What sort of food is offered?
• Will my cell phone work there?
• Attitude?
• Power and Electronics
• Can't I just buy Oktoberfest Tickets from you?
• Weather
• References

Getting Cash: Germany has as many ATMs as the USA and this is the easiest way to get Euros. Even though your bank will charge you a service fee to use a foreign ATM, the exchange rate from an ATM is better than changing currency. Credit Cards are most often NOT accepted and many US cards charge you a fee and/or 2-3% of the transaction cost. We use Capital One, since they are one of the few that don't hit you with such fees. Traveler checks are not as accepted as they used to be and the exchange rate for them is awful. Lately, banks have refused US $100 bills due to the high instance of counterfeiting.

Currency Exchange issues: The Dollar-Euro exchange has greatly improved, but things in Munich, in particular, are quite expensive. By booking my packaged tour, you have limited exposure to currency changes. We work with a bank in Germany and buy Euros throughout the year so that we can "hedge" our exposure to variation in the Euro-Dollar exchange rate.

With our packages, you are responsible for your own drinks, souvenirs, and some meals. Two meals are included each day. Breakfast is always at the hotel and the second meal can be either lunch or dinner, but is always a large meal.

Many of our guests do not eat a third meal - often they grab some great German bakery or a small snack. Here is a sample of prices in downtown Munich as of March 2008, which is obviously a bit more expensive then when we are in a smaller town like Füssen (a three course meal there is only 12 Euros!):

6,95 = 8 Grilled Nürnburger Bratwurst with Potato Salad (Restaurant Bratwurstherzl)10,80 = Roasted Pork Dinner (Restaurant Löwenbräukeller)
7,30 = Sausage Loaf with Fried Egg (Restaurant Löwenbräukeller)
2,70 = Soup, Maultaschensuppe (Restaurant Hofbräukeller)
8,50 = Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon (Restaurant Augustiner Grossgaststätte)

Tipping is small and you typically round up the bill. So, if your bill is 14.25, you would give the waiter/waitress 15 or 16. The only other major expense is paying for beverages. At Oktoberfest a liter of beer, with tip will 10 Euros or about $13 each. Otherwise, here are some current drink prices:

3,80 = 0.5 liter Weissbier (Weisses Brauhaus)

So is $10-15 for a beer expensive? Sure it is, but keep in mind that by volume, 1 Liter (Mass) is the equivalent of 3 12-ounce beers. And, it tastes a lot better and has a slightly higher alcohol content. At Oktoberfest, the price of the beer also supports the overhead of the beautiful tent, the music, real glass mugs, etc. In a nutshell, most people feel it is, on balance, a fair price.

We sell a "land only" package which allows you to obtain your own flights and provides the flexibility of making your own travel arrangements. Since all incoming international passengers have to exit through the same door, meeting up is not an issue. However, keep in mind the arrival times of our group flights: To meet up with us, you must arrive in Munich before the main group. If you are booking your own flights, you are responsible for meeting the group at these times. No need to be anxious about taking this approach - we do it all the time and have never lost anyone!

There are many sources on the internet to book your flights or we are happy to assist you personally. Be sure to try our friends at Cheapoair

Ideally, you should arrive in Munich the morning that the tour starts. If this isn't possible, there are many other options. One option would be to arrive the day before our group.

There is a hotel right on the airport property - the Hotel Kempinski Airport Munich - this would allow you to meet the group absolutely refreshed on the following day. A second choice on the airport property, but requiring a shuttle, is the new Novotel. These are the best options if you are arriving later in the afternoon or evening and want an easy solution.

If you want a hotel with a little more Bavarian personality, I recommend Brauerei Gasthof Lohhof. It's a family run place, the own their own brewery, have a great restaurant and a nice beer garden. Best of all, it's simple to reach. Walk off your plane, board the S-1 suburban train (runs every 20 min), and get off 4 stops later. From the platform, you can see the hotel! Don't be put off by the all-German website: Just send an email to infobrauereigasthauslohhof.de

Other nearby hotels:

Hotel Bayerischer Hof: Located in downtown Freising, in a historically protected building in Freising’s old town built in 1840 in neo-gothic style. It was built on the site of an old brewery, but the Dettenhofer family has been running the place since 1889. It's a cozy little place with 22 double rooms and 48 single rooms. They don’t have a website, but you can send a fax to 011-49-08161 538339.

Mövenpick: 8 Minutes from the airport on the S-1 Line, shuttle to airport every 30 minutes.

http://www.esys.org/freising.de/hotels.html

Erding is also nearby: http://www.erding-tourist.de/frame.html

Most flights leave in the morning. If the trip you have booked a trip with us ends in Munich, then your departure time is not so important - getting to Munich Airport from downtown Munich is very easy and we will make sure you make your flight. If we are somewhere else (Füssen, Bad Tölz, Bamberg, etc) then, we usually take a bus from our hotel to the airport. If the trip ends in Munich or Munich/Grünwald, you will make your own way to the airport. Downtown Munich is some 40 minutes frohe airport and Munich/Grünwald is about 75 minutes. Keep in mind that booking an 8 AM flight will have you up as early as 4 AM!

Before the trip, we send out detailed instructions on this topic. You will have our cellphone numbers and can get a hold of us if you are on the ground when the delay happens.

If you can't contact us, we issue a back up plan which tells you how to meet up with the group if you experience a significant delay.

Although we can't promise it, usually one of us will stay behind and accompany you via public transit or taxi you when you do arrive.

We encourage people to stay on and enjoy the area and we are happy to give you some advice on some other things to do while you are here. Many people try to overdo it and try visiting 15 other countries. Remember it isn't a race, it's a vacation! We recommend you take it a bit slower and see more of a smaller territory, rather than spend all of your time traveling. We are happy to offer some suggestions to fit your personal needs upon request. Also, if you choose to ignore the advice, we can recommend some nice places to visit in Austria, Switzerland or Italy. Unless we are talking about the height of summer, reservations outside of Munich are usually not necessary. We recommend that you don't finalize your plans until you are in Germany. If the weather is warm and sunny, then you might want to do some outdoor activities in the mountains. On the other hand if is cold, rainy and cloudy, you might want to visit some museums and such. Stay flexible!

Yes - you will be walking often across uneven paving stones and up and down stairs on occasion. Over the course of a day, it's not uncommon for us to cover several miles.

That said, activities are optional and there is almost also an option to sit something out or take a taxi to the end destination.

Germans are very aware of world politics and enjoy discussing current events. However, most do not hold the policies of our government against us as individuals. If you are friendly, polite and respectful of German ways, you will be repaid and then some. The people of Füssen are great people and we have never had an issue. I've not had problems in Munich, but in larger towns, there are so many foreigners that most people are a bit fatigued in dealing with them - another reason we prefer smaller towns, off the beaten track.

I feel safer in Germany than in most US cities. The smaller towns we are staying in are small and quaint. Most of our hotels are located such that there is very little, if any, traffic. The smaller towns are almost crime-free and we have never had any issues there. In fact, you are more likely to be killed in the United States than you are in Germany!

The greatest risk is at the Oktoberfest grounds. For such a large festival, you can imagine that some bad characters are in attendance. You just need to use your head. Be conscious of pick pockets - do not bring your passport to the beer tents and do not bring all of your money along. Always take a partner with you to the restroom or walking about. Typical big-city precautions will keep you out of trouble. Before visiting Oktoberfest, we give you a briefing with some helpful hints. None of our guests have ever had an issue (but my wife has!) - the buddy system is, however, the key.

Shoes: Comfortable shoes that go with everything - the single most important item you can bring. The wrong choice will haunt you and make the trip miserable!

Rain gear: It will rain while. Bring a jacket that repels water and a small travel umbrella. If it rains, we will do our best to stay out of the rain, but it's possible we could be walking in it.

Backpack: Get a small one. It's better than a purse and should hold your umbrella, camera, etc. A luggage lock doesn't hurt either.

Hiking/Exercise Gear: If you want to go on the optional hike, bring along suitable clothing. It is not a technical hike at all - even tennis shoes or trail running shoes are fine. Comfortable clothing, however, is a must as well as a day pack. If you like to exercise,  we will have some other joggers on the tour and this can be a great way to see the countryside. Bring along your things if you are interested. Also, Hotel Ruchti in Füssen has a weight room and sauna that you can use for no extra charge

Electronics: Try to have all your batteries, film, etc that you will need. See the section under Accommodations about cell phones and laptops.

Personal Items: Women who require a hairdryer and a curling iron are advised to bring their own. The hotels we use do have some hairdryers they loan out. We recommend a dual voltage curling iron and hair dryer- check if you need an electric adapter. Hotels provide bath gel, but you may want your own shampoo for hair care.

Money: You will obviously want some cash for souvenirs and miscellaneous items. We advise bring along 1 ATM card and one Visa (Capital One) card. You can easily get money from either all over Germany - do not get Euros in advance nor traveler's checks. Keep in mind you will have to pay a fee for the ATM and most Visa cards also charge some fees (not Capital One). We think the best deal is to try to pay in cash for things.

Monetary Security: Bring along a money belt or neck pouch. This is the best way to carry your cash and passport on the plane and when we are in crowded places, like Oktoberfest. Make sure your assets are split up - have most of your money in your neck pouch, but some money in your front pocket - you don't want to be digging into the neck pouch in plain view every time you need something. Plus, make sure your spouse has some of the assets on him or her - Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Before you leave home, bring only the credit cards and such you are sure you will need. Make copies of them all - front and back and copies of your passport. Pack one copy in your suitcase lining and leave one at home with someone. Make sure you have the bank/card telephone numbers in the event you lose them!

We use smaller, typical Bavarian hotels with a nice atmosphere - all are at least 3 stars, if they are rated. With their cozy nature and friendly staff, they more resemble a nice Bed and Breakfast in the US. The hotel we use in Füssen has a website here: www.hotel-ruchti.de . We have used Hotel Ruchti for years, because it is a family run business with excellent service and the best food in the entire city of Füssen. Steffi, her father, and their staff will literally bend over backwards to ensure you stay is pleasant. In Munich, we use the Alter Wirt in Grünwald/Munich. This beautiful hotel is owned by the Portenlaenger family and they run a top notch operation!

Bed Types: The concept of 2 double beds or 2 queen size beds in a room is not common in Germany at all. Most rooms called a "Double" room, will feature to single beds directly next to each other, each with its own bedding - the German Federbett - a cozy down comforter full of feathers. Sometimes, the beds will be split apart, sometimes right next to each other.

Bathrooms: When making a reservation at a European hotel, don't take it for granted that the room has a toilet, shower or bathtub - many do not have private facilities. With one exception, all the rooms we use will have a private toilet and bath or shower. If you receive a room with a bath, it will have a handheld shower apparatus to aid in washing your hair.

Amenities: Your room will have soap or shower gel and shampoo, but will likely not have a hairdryer. If you bring this from home, you will need a special adaptor. Some hotels have a limited number that can be lent out, but another option is to buy a cheap hairdryer once you arrive in Fuessen. Be aware that you should not use the same power adapter for hairdryers and curling irons as you do for electronics.  

Air-Conditioning: Does not seem to exist in Europe. I know, get over it.

Generally, no. Some of the hotels have been flexible on this depending on their level of activity. But you should not count on it. Also, Laundromats are in short supply, as is your time. That said, it is common for European travelers to rinse out undergarments and hang them to dry in the bathroom (not on the balcony!) Plan on bringing a little bottle of Woolite for this purpose. Alter Wirt and Hotel Ruchti will do laundry on request, but you need to turn it in when we check in.

Most of the hotels offer wireless access, but require you to pay. Alternatively, there are a few internet cafés in town that offer service and you can use their PC and not have to bring your own. Alter Wirt and Hotel Ruchti offer a PC for guest use.

Will I like it? German food is excellent and, if you have an open mind, you will find many things you like! We pride ourselves on selecting menus that allow you to try a cross section of traditional  Bavarian Food. Our philosophy is that when in Rome, you should eat what they eat!

German food is heavy on the meats and breads. Vegetarians can be accommodated, but you should let us know ahead of time so we can notify the hotels. We have successfully accommodated Vegetarians, Wheat-Allergies, and Protein intolerance - just let us know ahead of time!

Breakfast is easy since the hotels offer a buffet format with fresh baked breads, sliced meats, cheese, yogurt, jams, cereals and juices. Often, eggs are offered to American guests, although a soft-boiled egg is the typical German choice at breakfast. The coffee is strong and rich and decaf is not commonly offered. Tea and Hot Chocolate are also available. In the mornings, you will be asked if you would like a hot drink.

Lunch is usually on your own and there are lots of good choices in town. At least once, you should try a pizza at an Italian restaurant - it's different than ours and very tasty. A good inexpensive choice is to stop into a bakery - most offer sandwiches and some have salads, plus great pretzels and hard rolls. Another popular choices is called a "Doenner" - it is similar to a Gyro.

Most Germans consume their largest meal of the day at lunchtime, sometimes we will follow this custom and other times we will eat in the evenings together. Usually soup is offered and this course should not be missed - they are usually made from scratch and are always excellent. The main course will vary and will sometimes be a buffet. We like to have the hotels offer typical regional fare, so plan on getting a real sampling of German cuisine!

Keep in mind that we are staying at smaller inns. Germans are hurt and offended if the food they serve is not enjoyed and fully consumed. They work hard to put out a good meals and, just like at Grandma's, want to see their guests eat heartily and enjoy the meal. Open yourself to trying something different and give it a try. You might not like everything served, but we do try to offer typical, mainstream Bavarian fare at all our meals. You will find nothing too unusual and it is also top notch quality. Keep in mind also that the portion size in the United States are larger than anywhere in the world. Large by European standards, German portions are still smaller than what you might be used to at home.

Sometimes, I won't tell you what it is until you taste it. I've done this a long time and will NOT serve you anything that is too far out there. That said, sometimes when people hear what part of the animal they are consuming, they can't stomach it. Just try it - most of our guest are astounded that actually like something that sounds awful in English!

Drinks: You will quickly find that soda is one of the most expensive drinks one can order - the beer is cheaper. German kids will drink apple juice or Apple Schorle - a mix of mineral water and apple juice. A German soft drink the kids like is called Spezi - a mixture of Cola and Fanta. Be warned that the drinks are extra - and you should pay your server after the meal. Also, be warned that ice cubes are in short supply anywhere in Europe - get used to having your drinks a little warmer than you do at home.

Water: German tap water is one of the cleanest and safest in the world. It is puzzling that no German would ever drink it! Typically, the have mineral water and always with bubbles. In the restaurant you can ask for water without gas, it's called Stilles Wasser. Look for a few bottles at the supermarket upon arrival. Finding water with absolutely no gas is sometimes impossible.

Adult Drinks: Beer is the beverage of choice, of course! You can order several different types and they are all very tasty. A draft beer, or Helles, is the most common and is similar to an American style beer, but with much more body and taste. Another choices is a Pils - a pilsner - also not unlike what we have at home, but is slightly more bitter. Many find the Weissbief to be the best - this is brewed with wheat and the yeast is unfiltered - this type of beer comprises 10% of market in Germany. There are also some other types available including dark beers, Dunkles. Experiment and try all the different varieties! At Oktoberfest, you get the Oktoberfest brew - a Märzen - a bit on the amber side, but definitely not a dark beer. There are options for non drinkers as well - soda or water most commonly.

Too much beer? There are a few tricks involved in learning to drink those big German beers. I'll teach you how to have a great time, enjoy the beer, and still be healthy enough to do it again the following day!

Although not available in the beer tents, Wine is another common choice in restaurants and they are not limited to the sweet varieties many Americans think of. They have some excellent drier whites from Austria - likely the now trendy Gruener Veltliner,  and also some tasty reds, like Franken Wein. Just ask your server and specify that you want to try some regional wines.

Schnapps is another solid choice, especially as a nightcap. Each bar will serve their favorite - like apple, pear, or herbal schnapps.

Other mixed drinks can get pricey very quickly, so be careful!

Not unless you get an International Plan from your carrier. Rates can be outlandish, so be careful! We will provide you with the phone numbers of our hotels that you can give to your families and, of course, they can also call my German-based cellphone in case of emergency.

The first thing needed to ensure you have a great trip is to make sure you are open to experiencing a new culture. Germans do things differently sometimes, just like any other country. Be sure you are prepared to handle such differences. And, regardless of how much we plan in advance, there will be little snafus along the way. Be flexible, understanding and of good cheer and things will stay pleasant for everyone! Unlike some parts of our country, Germans do not respond well with assertive behavior - they simply shut down and refuse to help you further. Grace and understanding will take you much further.

Also keep in mind that the food is different, the drinks are different, the hotels are different, et cetera, et cetera. The way in which you choose to respond to these difference is very important. Being flexible and good natured is the key. This FAQ is designed to help you understand in advance what some of the differences are.

We will be using the subways, trains, trams, and a few busses. Be considerate of others and be on-time. If you need some extra time or a break, let me know a bit ahead of time, and we'll plan in a stop. Be warned: I don't hesitate to leave people behind who run late!

We do not try to cater to American tastes - most of our guests want to experience the "real" Bavaria and we strive to deliver. No McDonalds, No Starbucks, no Coca-Cola, Gott sei Dank!

Be aware that Germany uses a different power standard than North America. Also note that the power adapter necessary for Hairdryers and curling irons is UNSAFE for electronics - Laptops, Camcorders, and Cameras. Many electronics nowadays are compatible with 110 and 220 Voltage.

No. Buying and selling tickets violates the rules of the tent hosts.

Operating BayernTrips isn't all we do. We like to think that pursing other interest helps us approach our work at BayernTrips with passion, excitement and freshness. If you are interested in coming along with one of your groups, I will happily e-mail you my resume and references. Also you can see some comments from others in our "About Us" SectionReferences