And if you are looking for more hustle and bustle, Munich has that too. During Oktoberfest, you’ll also see the wild side of the city.

Sure, Munich is pretty affordable, and that goes for hotels too. But not all budget hotels are the same, and we certainly don’t want you to sacrifice your nice vacation just to save a dime.

Read more about visiting Germany
• 10-Day Germany Itinerary: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein
• 50 Tips to help you save on your trip to Germany

Best budget hotels in Munich

We found hotels that check off more than just the budget-friendly box — these hotels are clean, comfortable, charming, and staffed with the best of the best.

You won’t beat the location at Pension Locarno. Photo: Booking.com

Pension Locarno

Neighborhood: North of the Train Station
Double room from $65

Location, location, Locarno. While the rooms are simple, the staff is kind and the location near Central Station and top-notch shopping is hard to beat… especially with rates this low. Bathrooms are shared, rooms are spacious, and the free Internet is fast. Read the full review

Enjoy simple rooms with all the creature comforts at Ibis Munchen City. Photo: Booking.com

Ibis Munchen City

Neighborhood: North of the Train Station
Doubles from $77

Sure, this is a hotel chain, but Ibis offers familiar comforts in a convenient location near the train station, all for rates that won’t put you over budget. Enjoy TVs, free Wi-Fi, and even air conditioning—a less common perk in Munich hotels. Read the full review

Indulge in Pension Haydn’s breakfast buffet, included in the nightly rate, in the cozy dining room. Photo: Booking.com

Pension Haydn

Neighborhood: South of the Train Station
Doubles starting at $97

Looking for some peace and quiet? Book at Pension Haydn, which sits on a quieter side street. Rooms are colorful and have flat-screen TVs, and you can access free Wi-Fi in the common areas. If you book in advance, you may even score a room with a balcony. Read the full review

Belle Blue Zentrum

Neighborhood: South of the Train Station
Doubles from $106

The Belle Blue Zentrum has made blue one of our favorite color. In reality, the attractive hotel is decked out in an array of bright shades. Rooms are soundproof and have televisions, air conditioning, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Best of all, the hotel offers complimentary coffee, tea, prosecco, and mulled wine. Cheers! Read the full review

Nice view! Splurge on a patio room at Motel One.

Motel One München Sendlinger Tor

Neighborhood: Stadtmitte
Doubles starting at $109

The Motel One chain is stylish and affordable, and the Sendlinger Tor location is a great cheapo spot. Rooms are sleek in teal and black, and amenities include air conditioning, flat-screen televisions, free Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms. Read the full review

More budget hotels in Munich

Want even more choices for hotels in Munich? Check out EuroCheapo’s complete Munich hotel guide.

The post Best budget hotels in Munich for 2024 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We prefer going in September before the masses start arriving from all over Europe and the world. But no matter what day you go, prepare for an unforgettable time — if you can remember anything at all after so many gallons of beer.

Once you get to Munich, there are plenty of ways to shrink your wallet while expanding your beer belly. If you don’t follow a few simple tips, it’s easy for first-timers to waste a lot of cash and time. Here are some ways to save when hitting the happiest place in Bavaria.

1. Arrive “beer-ed” up and ready to go

The cost for a one-liter stein of beer has passed the €10 mark, so make a plan to pre-party elsewhere first. Smaller beer tents sell beer for a euro or two less, but outside the festival, there are dozens of beer gardens to hang out at for €6.50+ a pop.

The breakfast room at Meininger City Hostel & Hotel. Photo: Courtesy of Meininger

2. Hotel regulars: try hostels

Munich is a place with a huge selection of decent hostels around the city, many of them with private rooms. Hostelling Youth International is present, along with Germany’s well-received Meininger Hotel or try CVJM/YMCA Hostel for a really cheap sleep. Some hostels rival cleanliness and amenities with large city two-star hotels. Don’t let the experience of age get in the way of a good offer at a Munich hostel.

Search all Munich hotel options on EuroCheapo

3. Hostel regulars: try camping

Campsites specific for Oktoberfesters include The Tent and Wies’n Camp that cost €35 to €140 per night depending on how much equipment you have. Camping gear is also available for rent, even ready-made tents, so you don’t have to bring much. For lower costs, remember that the larger your group, the cheaper the price. Other Munich camping sites include Campsite Nord-West and Campsite Obermenzing.

4. Stay local and cheap during Oktoberfest

The festival is not located in the old city center or anywhere near the Hofbrauhaus, so staying downtown is probably not ideal if you are only town to experience Oktoberfest. The festival is located at S-Bahn station Hackerbrucke, which is a few stops away from downtown. Look to book closer to the festival in neighborhoods like Laim or Hirschgarten (an area with amazing greenery, cute deer, and large beer gardens).

Related: Our favorite cheap hotels in central Munich

5. Metro trains are the best way

Forget taxis, the best part about traveling around Munich are the quick and efficient S-Bahn and U-Bahn (metro) trains. Since the festival ends every night at 11:30 p.m., the metros are still running for an extra hour or more. It’s easy to get around, and a three-day travel ticket is only €16.80, while a one-way trip is €2.90. There’s even an online guide to using public transport during the festival too.

6. Scoring deals on lederhosen and dirndls

It’s a great souvenir and beer-drinking outfit that lasts a lifetime but make sure to shop around for the best deals. If you’re not looking for uber-authentic, try larger department stores around Marienplatz than the real McCoy. A full dirndl outfit set can be as low as €60 if you shop smart.

7. Eat a big meal before you enter

The roasted chicken and warm potato salads are to die for, but the prices might just kill your wallet. It’s not an insane amount, but a pretzel, a beer, an apple strudel…it all adds up very quickly. Grab a big meal before heading into the festival to guarantee you’ll be eating just enough to get your beer belly through the night.

Related: Our favorite cheap eats in Munich

Those giant cookies may look tasty, but they make better souvenirs than desserts. Photo: Erik C.

8. Pass on the lebkuchen

Lebkuchen are those heart-shaped cookie cakes with adorable phrases written in icing look so delicious and sweet! But don’t be fooled. They’re not as fresh and moist as you think, and the shrink wrap around it doesn’t add a very nice flavor either. These cakes are not to eat, they’re to wear as a necklace. A cute gift, but don’t go for the XXL size.

9. Don’t buy a pointy hat

This is a personal pet peeve I have with first-timers at Oktoberfest. Maybe it’s because they’re the cheapest souvenir around, but these tacky, grey felt hats claim to be “original Bavarian” style. Trust me, there are much better and much more flattering Munich hats out there that don’t resemble a drunk college guy meets wimpy Halloween witch.

Most importantly, remember to have fun. Cheers to a happy time at Oktoberfest! Photo: Jason Paris

10. Save time by knowing when to go

Yes, it’s true people wake up at 6 a.m. to score a seat in a tent, but it’s more out of anxiety than necessity. Large tents are open from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. but waiting early for a tent to open is for beginners. Locals know that Oktoberfest weekends are for sunny beer garden afternoons and weekdays are for hassle-free walk-ins to any beer tent.

Timing is still important: try to get there before 4 p.m. for any decent seat. But the key to a fun Oktoberfest experience is flexibility, patience and going with the Oktoberfest beer flow.

Your secrets to enjoying Oktoberfest

Have you been to Oktoberfest in Munich? Let us know your tips in the comments below!

The post Munich: 10 ways to save time & money at Oktoberfest appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

After you hit the beer garden in the Munich Airport and get into the city, it’s time to have fun.

From steins to sausages and finding affordable beds and public transport, here are 10 ways to save on your next trip to Munich.

Related:
• 50 ways to save in Germany
• The best SIM Cards for your trip to Germany
• Tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle

Munich budget travel tips

1. Consider sleeping away from Marienplatz

Marienplatz is in Munich’s core (Stadtmitte), and its nearby S-bahn stops Karlsplatz, Hauptbahnhof and Isartor have the most expensive hotels.

Luckily, the public transport in Munich is extremely efficient and fast. Look for hotels in the artsy district Schwabing or South of the Train Station to find a much better deal just a stone’s throw away from the sights.

Search and book our favorite hotels in Munich. 

2. Travel with IsarCards and Strip Tickets

If you’re staying in Munich for a week, look into buying a blue paper IsarCard. It cheapens your rides with a one-time fare, and unlimited S-Bahn and U-Bahn travel for seven consecutive days. Those here for less time should get the discount Strip Card, a long strip of paper that you use to punch in your one-way rides.

Taxis here are expensive, so try to avoid them

3. Drink like a local

The English Gardens and Hofbrauhaus have the rep as the most popular stein drinking spots in the city. But if you want to drink like at local, at a local’s price, venture to where the Munich people hang. The Hirschgarten is the biggest beer garden in the city (maybe the world), and you can drink beer next to live deer. Both the Paulaner and Hacker-Pschorr Bräuhaus breweries have beer gardens in the summer and beer cellars in the winter that carry the same Bavarian charm as the famous ones. The steins here are around a few euros less.

And speaking of beer, here are 10 tips to save time and money at Oktoberfest.

4. Schnitzel on the go

VinzenzMurr is a chain meat house that hands out hot slices of pork, schnitzel and sausages to go with mustard and on a roll for €2-3. Cheaper than buying at a restaurant, and just as good. Want a selection? Try the small meat houses along the Viktualienmarkt as well.

Related: 5 Classic Munich dishes for around €1

It’s hard to beat a pretzel for breakfast. Beer is optional! Photo: Bernt Rostad

5. Breakfast on the cheap

The bakeries in Germany are the absolute yummiest in Europe with plenty of sweet and savory picks. From big salty brezen pretzels to cheese croissants and jam pastries, Munich is heaven for pastry and bread lovers. Keep an eye out for Müller, a popular chain with many items for as little as €1 or 2.

6. Buy beer in gas stations

We know this sounds a bit out there, but trust us on this one. Gas stations in Munich can be a handy option for picking up a few biers. They are open late, accessible by foot and sell cheap beer. Locals who want to hang outside, come here to grab a few when the supermarkets close and the picnic party on the Isar River is still happening.

7. Order the midday plate for lunch

When eating out, look for the lunch specials called “mittag teller.” It’s not a fancy meal, more like a cheap plate of a hearty serving with a few sides. And the choice is usually traditional items like pork with potatoes and vegetables. But with prices starting at about €8-10, you won’t find a better and more filling deal in Munich.

Looking for more great deals? Check out these 5 cheap eats in Munich that locals love.

8. Affordable (and lovely) view of the city

Climb the 306 steps of St Peter’s Church downtown for a bird’s eye views of the city. Dating from 1180, it’s Munich’s oldest church and worth a look-see anyway. The cost to climb the steps is €2.

Related: 7 Free and fun things to do in Munich

9. Check out museums on Sundays

Some museums are free, some cost a few euros and some might even be closed. If you spot an exhibition or history museum you want to check out, see what offer they have on Sundays. There is usually a huge discount, and in fact, many only charge fees as low as €1.

10. English Gardens for a day

You might have thought you saw the English Gardens, but did you catch the surfers ripping the natural wave on the Eisbach creek? Get a glimpse of the naked sunbathers in the nudist part? Check out the rose garden, the Chinese beer garden, Japanese teahouse and the big lake? It’s easy to spend a free day exploring this massive park.

Your tips

How do you save in Munich? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The post Munich: 10 simple ways to save on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

However, not everything is out of a Cheapo’s budget in this city. Munich is also home to wonderful traditions and scenery that won’t cost you even one euro to experience.

Here are seven of our top free things to do when visiting Munich at any time of the year.

Related: 10 tips for saving in Munich and our favorite budget hotels

Munich free things to do

1. The Glockenspiel clock

Every day at 11 AM and 12 PM there are hundreds of tourists waiting at Munich’s Town Hall. The crowd’s size misleads others to think something huge is going to happen, but it’s really just a joyful chime of traditional music and figurines circling around the clock tower. Maybe you shouldn’t plan your European vacation around it, but it’s cute to see once while drinking a coffee to go.

2. Church of Our Lady

Nearby the town hall and Marienplatz is Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) boasting the tallest towers in the city. One of the towers is open to climb, and on a clear day, you can see as far as the Alps. The inside holds artwork from the 1300s, as this is one of the oldest churches in the city, built in the 1400s.

3. The English Gardens

The large central park has everything you need for a typical Bavarian summer outing: a babbling brook, trees, soccer games, al fresco picnics, nudists… and a beer garden next to a large Chinese-style tower. Alright the last two sound weird, but in the English Gardens (Englische Garten) it’s totally normal. Wandering around the park leads to rose gardens, more cafes and large, gothic buildings. It’s a must-see.

Related: 3 beer gardens popular with locals in Munich

4. Isar River

There’s a part of the river running through the English Gardens where locals surf on a naturally made wave. It’s great to watch from the bridge above. Following the river is a beautiful walking path, especially when the leaves are changing. Some of the waterfowl along the Isar are rarities in Europe — like Asia’s mandarin ducks.

5. Viktualienmarkt

Just next to the town hall is a market area with all things foodie. From boutique cottage stores selling homemade jams and organic honey to a slew of butcher’s competing for the world’s best pork slice of leberkase, it’s free to walk around but the smells are tempting. There are quite a few fresh juice stands and traditional Bavarian food kitchens, all, of course, surrounding a beer garden to sit and eat at. This is a great lunch spot.

Related: 5 classic Bavarian bakery items in Munich for around €1

6. Hirschgarten

This is my favorite attraction, and it’s perfect for families. Hirschgarten has everything Bavarian: nature, wilderness, hearty food and beer. The word means “deer park”, and dozens of deer hang around, grazing and snoozing. Kids (and adults) love to feed them grass through the fencing, while the park itself is large with play areas and nature paths.

To top it off, Hirschgarten is the largest outdoor beer garden in the world, with ample seating, and tasty food and drink at very fair prices. The S-bahn even recently built a “Hirschgarten” metro station to better guide park visitors.

7. Nymphenburg Palace

Within walking distance from the Hirschgarten is this jaw-dropping Baroque-style palace built in the 1600s. Rulers of Bavaria like Maximillian II and his son King Ludwig II resided with their families in this gigantic building that looks more like a grand hotel. Entrance inside is €11.50 during peak season, but it’s free to walk around the stunning gardens, ponds and greenery sculpted around the premises.

The post Exploring Munich: 7 free things to do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Of course, there’s much more to Munich than the tired stereotypes of Bavaria. And if you’re craving that weisswurst, bratwurst or schnitzel, our friends at Spotted by Locals have you covered.

They’ve come up with five affordable places serving everything from traditional German fare to burgers and crepes.

Accommodations: Our favorite budget hotels in Munich

5 Top spots for Munich cheap eats

Hungry yet? Here are tips by Munich locals on where you can nosh without spending a fortune.

Alter Simpl

Türkenstraße 57

This tavern located close to the city’s main university is local Tina’s first choice for taking guests who are visiting Munich. Alter Simpl started out as a cabaret early last century and had a key hand in helping shape the city’s vibrant culture. Nowadays, this cult gastropub serves up simple yet delicious offerings, and most importantly, its kitchen stays open until 2 am daily.

A currywurst with French fries will set you back less than €7.

Tram Cafe

Wredestraße 10

Tram Cafe is the only place where a simple Nutella crepe just won’t suffice. How about a crêpe with white chocolate, almonds, and coconut, or one with spinach, corn, olives, and gorgonzola? Alternatively, you can try one of the monthly specials, like chili cheese fries that was recently on the menu.

Enjoy your hearty savory crepe for around €5 inside a real tram car!

Gasthaus Isarthor

Kanalstraße 2

This traditional Bavarian restaurant is so central it somehow even eludes most locals, let alone tourists. Local Stefan sets out the rules: “order some ‘Leberkas’ (meatloaf), get an Augustiner (the best beer in Munich) from a wooden keg and don’t dare sit down at the ‘Stammtisch’ (the regulars’ table)” — this way you’ll be sure to discover the friendly and hospitable side of Muncheners.

Alternatively, you can try Gasthaus Isarthor’s lunch menu for €5.90, or for the extra-local experience, opt for the white sausage breakfast, including beer, for €7 (available before noon).

Schnelle Liebe

Thalkirchner Str. 12

Schnelle Liebe means ‘fast love’, and this is exactly what you’ll get at this quality burger joint. They believe that fast food doesn’t need to be rubbish if you put a little love into making it — and it shows. The interior is uncomplicated and the crowds it attracts are a mix of down-to-earth and creative locals.

Perhaps ironically, just be prepared to wait a little bit if you want to catch some of the love — especially if you drop by in the evening. Burgers start at €6.

Lindwurmstüberl

Lindwurmstraße 32

In the words of local Alexander, “Oktoberfest is off 96% of the time, but you can always enjoy the typical combination of half a chicken and a ‘Mass’ of beer here, just 100 meters away from the Theresienwiese” (the main area where Munich’s Oktoberfest takes place).

Lindwurmstüberl closely follows the atmosphere to be found in the city the remaining 4% of the year, when the beer flows and the population explodes. Grab a seat on the terrace and soak in the atmosphere. A Mass (1L) of draft Augustiner goes for €7.40 and half a chicken will cost you around €9.50.

———–

Want to learn more about local tips in Europe and beyond? Check out Spotted by Locals, city guides featuring insider tips by locals in 70+ cities around the world. Guides for iOS/Android cost $3.99 each and include free regular updates and offline maps

The post Munich: 5 Cheap eats that locals love appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

If its white, limestone façade and fairy tale turrets immediately make you think “Disney”, there is a reason – Walt Disney fashioned Sleeping Beauty’s castle after Neuschwanstein, just one of the reasons why it is among the most popular castles in the world.

Here are some tips for maximizing your experience at this unforgettable sight.

Getting to Neuschwanstein Castle

The castle is located at Neuschwansteinstraße 20, Schwangau, Germany. Some tips for arriving:

By car

If you’re driving, you can take the A7 autobahn (direction Ulm-Kempten-Füssen) to the end and then head towards Füssen. From Füssen, you get on the B17 to Schwangau, following the signs to Hohenschwangau.

Another option is to get off the A7 at the Kempten exit and drive the B12 to Marktoberdorf. From there, get on the B16 to Roßhaupten – OAL I to Buching – and then on the B17 to Schwangau and Hohenschwangau.

Save on parking: If you opt to drive to Neuschwanstein, you can usually find free parking along the forest road about 900 feet south of the touristy area in the village Hohenschwangau.

Related: Need a rental car? Reserve well in advance to get the best deals. Search for your dates here.

Taking the train? Get off at cute-as-a-button-Füssen. Photo: ho visto nina volare

By train

One of the best ways to reach Neuschwanstein is by train from Munich to the village of Füssen. The ride takes about two and a half hours and will give you a lovely view of the picturesque Allgäu countryside.

Once in Füssen, you need to take Bus 73 to “Steingaden Feuerwehrhaus” or Bus 78 to “Tegelbergbahn, Schwangau”. The bus stop you’ll need to disembark is “Hohenschwangau, Schlösser”.

Tip: Save on your train trip with the Bavaria ticket

The normal round-trip train ticket from Munich costs €58, including the bus fare. However, you can save if you buy a Bavaria ticket. This ticket offers one-day unlimited travel on Bavaria’s local transportation, including buses and trams. The ticket costs €23 and is ideal for groups of travelers: If one person in the group has purchased the Bavaria ticket, up to four travelers can go along with them for a mere €5 each.

Furthermore, children 15 and under travel free when traveling with parents or grandparents.

Learn about the Mad King as you make the walk up to the castles. Photo: luizcontreira

How to reach the castle(s)

Once you’ve reached Hohenschwanngau, you still need to get up to the castles – in plural because Hohenschwangau, a terra cotta colored castle built by Ludwig’s father, is right across from Neuschwanstein. Your options include hoofing it or taking the bus.

In our opinion, the best – and cheapest – option for outdoorsy and fit travelers is to walk. You’ll see signs warning of steep trails and a 40-minute walk but, in reality, most fit travelers can manage the trek in about half that time. The walk takes you along paved paths through the forest, and signs along the way offer interesting reading about the history and intrigue (as well as shenanigans) of the Mad King. With a little luck, you may even see a lone stag traipsing through the woods, making it just about the most romantic experience ever.

Those not in the mood for the work out should opt for the bus ride up the hill, which will only set you back €1.80. (You can always take a more leisurely stroll back down the trail afterward.) Note that buses don’t run when there’s ice and snow.

Tickets to visit the castles

The price is €12 per castle or €23 for both. Kids 18 and under are free if accompanied by a paying adult.

The time of your tour will be listed on the ticket, so be sure you don’t arrive late. It’s a one-time opportunity, folks. If you miss your tour, you’ll have to pay again.

Make sure you have your ticket before you reach the castle. Tickets can only be purchased at the ticket counter in Hohenschwangau or reserved online in advance for a small fee. The address of the ticket center is:

Alpseestraße 12, D-87645 Hohenschwangau
Telephone +49 (0) 83 62 – 9 30 83 – 0
Fax +49 (0) 83 62 -9 30 83 – 20
Online reservations

But, here’s the big question: Do you even need to visit the castles’ interiors?

In our opinion, the answer is: not really. Entrance is by guided tour only and the tour guides take you through the rooms at break-neck speed and you’re not allowed to take photographs. The castles are most beautiful from the outside anyway, and will give you plenty of gorgeous vistas and photo ops for Facebook and Instagram envy.

Tip: If you can, go off season

Neuschwanstein boasts 1.4 million visitors a year, and most of them come during the summer. If you do visit at this time, be prepared for long waits at the ticket counter and streams of tourists marching through old Ludwig’s palace – in the peak season, up to 6,000 pass through each day. Thus, if visiting during the summer, arrive as early as possible to beat the crowds. High season hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

But if you hold off your trip until, say, February, you’re likely to have the place almost to yourself. But don’t get there too late in the off-season: From mid-October to mid-March, the castles are only open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Nearby hotels

As noted above, many visitors to Neuschwanstein make the journey down from Munich. If you plan to do the same, here are some budget-friendly hotels in Munich that we recommend. However, there are many hotel options in Schwangau, as well. Search your dates for Schwangau here.

The post Tips for visiting Neuschwanstein Castle appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Airport bars and lounges are nothing new, of course. But Munich’s airport offers a uniquely Bavarian twist to “grabbing a beer between flights”: Don’t just head to a bar. Head to the airport’s biergarten.

At this convivial outdoor space, you can sample the airport’s own home-brew, crafted in strict compliance with the Purity Decree of 1516 (which, side note: turns 500 years old next year!). This isn’t just any old beer, but one brewed with Hofbräuhaus yeast and hops from the Hallertau region. We’ll take two.

Cheapo note: A half-liter of the biergarten’s brew will only set you back €2.75, notably cheaper than at bars inside the airport (not to mention in the city center).

In addition, their kitchen dishes up plates of Bavarian specialties that will practically ensure that you’ll fall asleep on your next flight. Throw in the possibility of cabaret-style performances, and we’re suddenly excited about a layover.

But is it practical?

But wait, we hear the Nervous Nellies (understandably) protest: Is grabbing an air-brew and sausage platter really a practical option between flights? What about security? Getting to your gate on time? Getting tipsy, passing out and waking up in Nuremberg?

Fortunately, it’s logistically pretty simple. The beer garden is located in the airport’s “forum”, the outdoor public space between the airport’s two terminals. As the airport is already comparatively small, reaching the beer hall isn’t more than a few minute’s walk from most gates.

Given the airport’s size, security is also a relatively quick and breezy experience. Airport insiders tell us you should give yourself about 20 minutes to reach your gate from the beer garden in normal flying conditions.

As for getting tipsy and waking up in Nuremberg, well, here you might want to exercise a bit of prudence. After a couple of steins of airbräu, you might want to give yourself a few extra minutes to navigate to the right gate.

More in Munich

Heading to Munich soon and looking for affordable sleeping options? Check out our list of recommended budget hotels in Munich’s city center, all inspected and reviewed by our editors.

Looking for more ways to save in Munich? Read more tips in our Munich blog.

The post Layover in Munich? Hit the airport’s beer garden! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Curious to try some of the best? Here are five top picks when searching for Bavarian baked goods in and around Munich.

Related: A guide to Germany’s discount grocery stores

Bigger is usually better when it comes to German pretzels. Photo: Audrey Sykes

1. The pretzel

It’s soft, it’s lightly salted, and can be the size of your head. Yes, the Bavarian pretzel, or brezen, is a staple to all beer halls and traditional bakeries in Munich. Mouths will water when the gold-crusted dough breaks apart to reveal a fluffy white dough, slightly sweet and amazing with a spread of butter or mustard.

Krapfens (aka Berliners or doughnuts) always make the taste buds happy. Photo: digital cat

2. The Krapfen

Imagine a homemade pastry the size of your fist, fried and sprinkled with sugar. The krapfen is made with an airy yeast that melts into a joyfully dense doughnut in your mouth. The krapfen filling can be vanilla cream, raspberry and apricot. The pastry has different names depending on the region in Germany, but Bavarians carry an assortment on display (the vanilla is similar to Bavarian cream).

3. The Plum Cake

In German it’s zwetschgenkuchen, but let’s just stick to a somewhat messy plum cake. It’s like an angel food cake dough, with freshly sliced plums on top that have been slightly cooked in a gelatin. The plums are juicy enough to seep through the cake, then the final combo is chilled to perfection. Sometimes topped with butter crumbles or whipped cream, a perfect choice for the not-so-sweet dessert types.

4. The Apple Strudel

Apfelstrudel is a slice of Bavarian heaven, and a personal favorite worth a couple extra euro splurge. Pastry dough is rolled as thin as possible, and the strudel in general consists of multiple layers of baked cinnamon apples, strudel sheets, nuts and raisins. It’s served warm with a vanilla sauce that tops it off as a comforting, heart-warming dessert.

5. The Rum Raisin Pancake

A Bavarian and Austrian classic, this rum raisin and almond pancake is called a kaiserschmarrn. Small strips of pancakes that are light and sweet, usually with a warm side topping like homemade applesauce or plum sauce. Usually it’s created as one large pancake, and the tradition is to tear it apart into pieces with your hands. It’s a simple snack and perfect for two, to go.

The post Munich: 5 classic Bavarian bakery items for around €1 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

No matter which tent you end up in, beer will be €10 a pop and people are bouncing off the walls in dirndls and lederhosen. But to get a grasp of what’s happening in other tents, here’s a rough guide.

Caravans from Italy

The second weekend of Oktoberfest is “Italian weekend.” Camping spaces around the festival are reserved for caravans from Italy, and there’s a notable presence in Munich of accents and sweaters that read “Italia!” These Italian stallions are found in large groups at the beer gardens outside — they arrived too late in the day to actually get in any tent.

Lowenbräu and Hofbräu: The “tourist” tents

Maybe it’s the 15-foot tall lion statue above the entrance that makes things look exciting. Still, Italian tourists, along with Australian and Asian visitors, are known to “park it” at the Louwenbräu tent. The line is always the longest, the tent look is very traditional, and the indoor and outdoor seating hit the 8,000 mark.

The Hofbräu tent seems to be reserved especially for the North American backpacker traveling Europe via Eurail, and the Aussies on Busabout party coaches who like to rockstar their way through Europa. They’re psyched out of their mind that the legendary bierhalle (and legendary tourist trap) Hofbräuhaus has – for a limited time – a flippin beer tent!

Bräurosol and Hacker: The “local rager” tents

The “Hacker” tent (aka “Bavarian Heaven”) and the “Pschorr Bräurosol” are the real party tents for Bavarians ages 18 to 35 (the 16-year-olds are at the Paulaner tent, along with more Austrailians). Both are massive and have lots of side entrances to help you sneak in when main doors are busy (but make sure your group’s woman-man ratio is at least 2:1). Tables are also great for the bigger group.

These tents’ bands are known to mix things up after 5 pm with more rock and pop hits, but don’t expect anything beyond Bon Jovi, White Stripes and the guy who reminds me my life was fine before knowing of his existence… what’s his name… Robbie Williams.

Trend of 2013: The smoking ban inside the beer tents has caused some creative initiatives. Besides sneaky, under-the-table puffs when servers aren’t looking, both men and women in the Bräurosol are smoking out the wooden corridor just before the men’s toilet. Intimate talking corner? Maybe. Ashtray that looks like a sauna hall? Heck Yes. Gross.

Fisher Vroni and Ochsenbraterei: The “foodies” tent

Worthy of a mention are the beer tents that offer more than your run-of-the-mill Oktoberfest food.

Above the Ochsenbraterei entrance sits large motorized figurines roasting a giant ox on a spit – a fair warning for vegetarians, and a mouth-watering invitation for carnivores. Inside the tent, a mechanical ox rotisserie roasts more than 100 bovine during the festival for dishes that go from €15 to €30 per plate. Not the cheapest pick, but as far as rotisserie pros go, 100 years of practice puts Ochsenbraterei at a master level.

Fish-on-a-stick might be a sore second after something as savory as 100 rotisserie oxen, but think of a 50-foot row of fresh mackerel, salmon, trout and more grilled over hot coals to Bavarian perfection. It looks impressive after drinking one beer, and after your second beer it’s to die for.

Hippodrome: The “celebrity” tent

The bourgeoisie of Munich are the “Shickeria” – amazingly tanned, platinum blonde, pearly white smiling (always smiling), and apparently hanging out at Oktoberfest for people to see them drink themselves silly. Yes, Hippodrome is the “see and be seen” tent, which is an obvious reason why they’re the first tent in line at Oktoberfest.

I don’t know if most people who go to Hippodrome are already famous, want to be famous, famously blow more than your average Bavarian spender (an already wealthy bunch), or have a thing for drinking beer on white tablecloths – but I’m guessing it’s a combination of all of these. It can’t be because they like breweries, Hippodrome serves other brewer’s beers… and champagne!

The plus is that the Hippodrome tent – besides looking like a glam “Moulon Rouge” gone Bavaria – has the latest closing time. While other tents end at 11 pm, the upperclass of who-the-heck-knows-your-famous-outside-Bavaria-anyways get to rage it until 1 am. And for singles, it’s a jackpot.

Augustiner: The “family friendly” tent

As cultural and cozy the mood at Oktoberfest is, things easily get loud, messy large men hit the ground – it’s just no place for kids. Good news is the Augustiner tent is known to be great for families, which is vital information for anyone planning to hit Oktoberfest with the little ones.

Tuesdays are “kids day,” which means kids drink for free! Just joking. It means the food and drink menu is marked at a discount for adults and kids with a talking tummy.

The post Report from Oktoberfest: A guide to the tents, tastes, and trends appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are three beer gardens that are very popular with Munich’s locals, all of them ready to pour one-liter drinks and dish up hearty meals.

Taxisgarten
Taxisstraße 12
Hours: 10 AM – 11:30 PM
U-Bahn station: Gern

The Taxisgarten biergarten has been serving 1,500 guests at a time in its outdoor garden in Western Munich since the 1920s when a group of World War I veterans started the establishment. The place pours both well-known Spaten pils and Franziskaner weiss beers, and offers tradition Bavarian goods like spare ribs and radishes dabbed with avocado cream. Getting there is a bit of a trek, but well worth the effort, as Taxisgarten is a staple for locals and an unforgettable spot for visitors.

Augustiner biergarten
Arnulfstrasse 52
Hours: 11:30am – 11:30pm
S-Bahn stations: Hauptbahnhof or Hackerbrücke

Conveniently situated beneath a canopy of chestnut trees near Central Station, the 8,000-seat Augustiner biergarten is a hidden treasure offering beer and food at reasonable prices. Their obadza cheeseball with brazen is a mouth-watering salty match, although all of the food is a smorgasbord of yummy traditional grub. The beer, Augustiner, is from Munich’s oldest brewery and has been proclaimed the “state’s best beer” twice over.

Hirschgarten
Hirschgarten 1, 80639 München
Hours: 9am – midnight
Getting there: S-Bahn station Laim

Hirschgarten (“Deer Garden”) is not only Germany’s (and possibly the world’s) largest biergarten, but also a unique opportunity to drink a beer in the company of deer. Located in a green pasture home to many deer, the animals shuffle about, offering a unique Bavarian photo-op. As the beer garden can accommodate (unbelievably!) up to 8,000 people, a seat is always easy to snag. Happily, the beer is also uber cheap, and you’re sure to mingle with a Munich crowd. Grab a wurst and a beverage, and be sure to check out the nearby Nymphenburg palace to polish off a perfect weekend afternoon.

The post Munich: The three beer gardens popular with locals appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.