Oktoberfest comprises three great weeks of drinking the finest beer, eating local food, meeting jolly people, dancing and having fun. This is a must-visit for students all around the world since it may become the best party experience in student years and in a whole life. Still, a tour to Europe with increased prices during festive time may turn out to be far from a student-budget-fitting journey. But there is a good way out for students who are fond of high- quality German beer and world-beloved fun events. Get to know more about Oktoberfest in advance and use the following tips to visit it on a student’s budget.
It’s All About Beer
Oktoberfest is mainly about beer. This is an event where you can share a pint or a dozen of delicious German beer with total strangers and have a great fun out of it. So, beer is the last point to save on. But here are some vital things for you to consider:
● Beer size and price - mind that at Oktoberfest you will drink beer from special large mugs which contain a liter of beer in it equaling two pints. So, when you see the price of €11 for a delicious Bavarian beer you will agree that it is worth the money.
● Beer halls - there are plenty of beer halls on the territory of Oktoberfest where everyone gathers to be served beer and have fun together. The primary thing to remember is that admission both to festival premises and halls is absolutely of no charge. But if you are after cheap festival time, you’d better opt for smaller beer halls since they will offer beer at a lower price.
● Tipping rules - it is normal to tip a beer server at the beer hall. So you’d better have small denominations such as one and two euros in your pocket. This will save you from the issues with change, over and undertipping. Mind that €1 is a standard tip for a beer.
● Half-liter beers - in case you know that a liter at one seat is too much for you, it is a good idea to opt for the beer gardens around festival territory. They are usually less crowded and serve half-liter wheat beers to suit your pocket and preferences.
Assess your drinking appetite and budget in advance and make the right choice to be able to save money and devour German beer with ease.
Full Plate on a Budget
It is obvious that you will not drink a pint after a pint with an empty stomach. So it is vital to think of a menu you can afford on a student budget. If you aim to taste delicious German cuisine and don’t throw your money around, look at some good advice here:
● Outside-hall pretzel - pretzel is a knot-like bun that goes great along with German beer. Although, you may buy it inside the beer hall together with your next liter, you’d better avoid it. By purchasing the pretzel at some outside stall, you will pay three times less per one piece.
● Full meals - the variety of full meals will amaze and seduce you. Snacks, sausages, sandwiches, baked, open-fire cooked dishes may cost a bit but are worth the price.
● Share and care - another good idea is to share a big full meal with your friend. For example, a traditional deep-fried chicken costs around €15-20 per serving but may be too big for one person meaning that there can be two of you to pay less and
devour a traditional dish.
Anyway, you should also count the possibility of eating at your place. Some accommodation offers include breakfasts and dinners, while others have a kitchen to cook on your own. This will reduce your travel expenses significantly.
Fancy Clothes without Waste
You may have noticed that usually visitors of Oktoberfest wear appropriate national clothes. Guys wear lederhosen while girls put on dirndl. Such new clothing may cost not less than €100. If you want to fit in a festive atmosphere but not waste much, review these ideas:
● No cheap alternatives - never opt for cheaper alternatives. They are of very poor quality. And you will be mocked for your look.
● Rented outfits - you can rent an authentic fine-looking costume for €40-50 a day. But you are not guaranteed to find exactly what you want and the clothes of your size.
● Simple solution - there is no need to stick to a costume idea and waste a fortune on clothing you will never wear again. Instead, guys can wear a blue and white checkered shirt symbolizing Bavaria. At the same time, girls can style their hair in two braids adding blue bows.
Mind that ignoring the dress code of Oktoberfest is not an option. You will not feel the true festive spirit this way.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation
Accommodation is a vital point to arrange in advance if you want to visit Oktoberfest. Otherwise, you won’t find a place to stay at either at student budget or for a fortune. So, make your choice beforehand and select something from the list to book as early as possible:
● Camping - from self-camping where you have all the gear and pay for a place for a tent and some facilities up to all-inclusive camping with tents, breakfast, free beer, and so on, this will be the cheapest option. Additionally, you will have more fun meeting new friends and having fun at the campsite together for just €35-60 per night, depending on the pack of services you choose.
● Hostels - for as much as €80-100 per night, you can sleep on a bunk bed with 5-9 other drunk strangers, which is comparingly cheap but not a very pleasant option.
● Apartment rentals - this choice will give you more freedom, comfort, and security and will cost starting from €140 per night on average. Mind all the conditions and reviews before you book a bedroom or a flat.
You can also stay at a hotel, but it will only suit a student budget if you have some hotel points accumulated to use for hotels in Munich.
Wallet-Caring Transportation
Transportation around the city and getting to Oktoberfest place from your city or country will cost you a lot, so you’d better care about some saving ways out in advance. Here are some ideas for you:
● Commute on foot where you can.
● Use public transport together with collective passes for several days.
● Sometimes taxis can be cheaper than an Uber, so calculate before making a decision.
● Book a flight a year ahead.
● Catch last-minute cancellations.
Mariam Carter, a Pennsylvania University student, recalls her first time at Oktoberfest, ‘My friend fell ill and she offered me her plane tickets for peanuts. So I packed my belongings, handed professionals to do my homework, did student-budget travel research, and headed for a life-time experience I will never forget.’
Oktoberfest is a great event to visit for everyone. Even if you are a student, you can easily arrange your expenses to fit your budget and find the best time to visit this great event. Do your research, plan well, and head to Oktoberfest for delicious beer and pure fun.
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