BIG UPDATE: GET ALL OUR BOOKS ON KINDLE NOW!

Posted: 9/13/2018 | September 13th, 2018

Today is a big day over here! While we’ve been creating PDF guidebooks to destinations around the world for years, we’ve lacked the one thing people really want these days: Kindle editions.

For years, you’ve asked me “Matt, can you make a kindle version of your books? That’s how I read these days.”

Well, your wish is my command!

Making Kindle guidebooks isn’t as easy as you would think because of all the maps and images we have but, after we updated the content in all our books in July, we set off trying to format them so they look beautiful on Kindle!

And now they do!

And, to celebrate this, for the next 72 hours all our books – PDF or Kindle – are on sale for only $5 USD.

These guidebooks are meant for travelers looking to get off the beaten path, save money, and have more interesting and local travel experience.

In short, someone like you.

These guides give you the straight to the point information you need to plan your trip. They feature all my money saving tips, suggested itineraries, favorite restaurants, bars, and accommodation as well as maps, practicalities, language sections, suggested walking routes, budget tips, and much more.

They give you all the information you need to save you time in your planning so you can spend less and enjoy your trip more.

Below is a list of all our destination guidebooks. Get one today for only $5 USD (and, if you purchase a book as a PDF, you get the second one for an additional 50% off too):

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Learn More | Get Kindle

Additionally, we added two non-guidebooks to kindle:

How to Teach English Overseas – This new edition of our flagship guide to teaching English overseas features expanded country guides, new tricks on finding work, and 24 new interviews with teachers sharing their experience overseas! Get as PDF | Get on Kindle

Conquering Mountains: A Guide to Solo Female Travel – We updated Kristin’s guide to solo female travel earlier this year with 50 pages of new content, including new interviews, tips, tricks, and advice! Get as PDF | Get on Kindle

***

So pick up a copy and get everything you need to travel cheaper, better, and smarter.

If you have any questions, leave a comment below!

– Matt

P.S. – If you’ve purchased one of our guides since our update in July, I’d love you to leave a review on Amazon. Amazon downgrades books without reviews so we need your help to increase their visibility! Or, if you buy one now, please consider leaving a review in the future! 🙂

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September 13, 2018 at 04:46PM

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Finding Love in Tbilisi in 72 Hours

Post: 9/12/18 | September 12th, 2018

“When did you first hear of Georgia?” Mako asked after a long drag from her cigarette. She was a Georgian tour guide helping my friend Dave, who was also in the country. We were drinking wine outside Fabrika, an old Soviet fabric factory now converted into a multi-use center with bars, restaurants, co-working spaces, shops, artist studios, and a hostel.

“Hmm…” I replied. “That’s a good question. On some level, I’ve known about Georgia for a long time, because I know my geography. But as a place that was more than just a name on a map, I would have to say it’s only been in the last few years — when I started thinking of more unique and off-the-beaten-path places to visit — that I really thought ‘Hmm, Georgia? That could be interesting!’”

When I escaped London for a trip to Azerbaijan, I added nearby Georgia to the itinerary too. Friends had spoken highly of the country, and I wanted to see its mountain towns, beaches, and historic cities, and to taste the food and wine I had heard so much about. I wanted to learn its history, peek behind the veil, and see what this place was really about.

My original plan was to spend about a little over a week there, hitting some of the highlights and whetting my appetite for another trip (to me, a week in a country is just never enough time).

But, after a change in plans that required me to head home earlier than expected, I only had enough time to see the capital of Tbilisi.

From the moment I got off the bus from Azerbaijan, I was in love. Yes, that’s a cliché. But sometimes a destination just hits you in the face the right way, and everything just clicks. The energy — the essence — of where you are just flows through your body, and you feel like you’ve come home to a place you didn’t even realize was your home.

As if a part of you had always been there, and you were simply returning to make yourself whole again.

Over the next few days, that feeling only increased as I actually began exploring the city.

Before arriving, I had pictured a grimy old city with crumbling, ugly Soviet-era buildings and graffiti. In my mind, it was still frozen in the immediate fall of the Soviet empire.

Instead, I found a beautifully preserved Old Town with cobblestone streets and stunning buildings with ornate balconies; lots of spacious parks, wide streets, eclectic artist spaces, and funky cafés; and modern and sometimes futuristic architecture. It was a lot more like Europe than I had anticipated.

I spent my first day wandering the old town. I gazed at the Metekhi Church with its giant equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgasali overlooking the Mtkvari River. This is where the king built his palace when he made Tbilisi his capital in the fifth century. (Legend has it that he founded Tbilisi while hunting and discovered the sulfur baths, but a city existed here long before he came along! He just revived it.) The simple, domed-shaped brick building is popular with locals, as legend says the fifth-century martyr St. Shushanik was buried here.

From there I walked across the bridge, toward the famous sulfur baths, a collection of brick-domed buildings containing subterranean bathhouses. These baths helped make Tbilisi famous, as the waters are claimed to help soothe symptoms in chronically ill patients, like arthritic pain or poor blood circulation. There used to be 63 of these baths in Tbilisi, but there are only a handful left now. They are still wildly popular, though I don’t see the charm in smelling like rotten eggs. But hey, I’m a weirdo, so what do I know?

These bathhouses straddle a small river that feeds them and then meanders through a canyon that you can follow to the amazing Dzveli Tbilisi sulfur waterfall. There, the sound of the city melts away, and you feel more like you’re in a national park than a national capital.

I wandered some more and located the entrance to Tbilisi’s gigantic National Botanical Garden, where I found a zip line, tons more waterfalls and rivers to swim in (which, given the high heat during my visit, were being well utilized by locals), hiking paths, and flowers and shrubbery. Amidst this peace, I often had to remind myself that I was in a chaotic major city and not some little quiet mountain town.

From there it was up to the Narikala Fortress, which dominates the skyline. Dating back to the fourth century, it was once a Persian citadel. Most of the walls were built in the eighth century, but in 1827 an explosion of Russian ammunition stored there wrecked the whole thing. The cliffs the ruins are on offer the best views of the entire city. You can see for miles, which is probably why the site was chosen for the citadel. A cable car connects it with Rike Park on the other side of the Mtkvari River.

The next day, I explored the city’s history museums (which, to my surprise, had a good amount of English translations). I highly recommend the Georgian National Museum, which has a detailed exhibit on the country’s history. There’s also the Nikoloz Baratashvili Memorial House-Museum, which houses materials related to the life and work of the romantic poet, period furniture, folk musical instruments, paintings, and lots of history about 19th-century Georgia. Then, in a former synagogue, there’s the David Baazov Museum of the History of the Jews, which spotlights the history of Jews in Georgia (which has a very close relationship with Israel).

However, after having just hiked a lot in Azerbaijan, walking in the stifling summer heat of Tbilisi wasn’t exciting me that much. I was tired. So, after a day and half of sightseeing, I found myself indoors drinking tea, writing, consuming a (un)healthy amount of wine, gorging on food at Fabrika, talking to other travelers, getting to the know the staff at a local coffee shop, and hanging out with Dave.

I can’t say I really know Tbilisi. Sure, I can get around the subway now. I have an idea of what things cost. I learned about the city and country. I met some cool people.

But do I know it? No, not in the way I know New York or Paris or Bangkok or a thousand other places.

But I feel like I know it.

Tbilisi is a city bursting with activity. A city of art and history. Of enjoyment. Of an energy that seemed to say, “Come enjoy the good life over wine. Don’t fret over things — just be.”

That’s an energy that I love and felt when I got off the bus.

And though it’s terrible to end a travel article with the cliché “I can’t wait to go back,” I honestly can’t wait to go back.

I felt at home there.

And everyone loves the feeling of returning home.

Book Your Trip to Tbilisi: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Tbilisi by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel in Tbilisi with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guides for even more planning tips!

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September 10, 2018 at 08:14AM

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World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: What’s Included & What’s Not

Updated: 9/11/18 | September 11th, 2018

For as long as I’ve been traveling the world, I’ve used World Nomads as my travel insurance provider. Though I’ve written about travel insurance in the past, I’ve never properly reviewed World Nomads as a company.

So without further ado here is a review of World Nomad’s Travel Insurance.

Who are World Nomads?
World Nomads is a travel insurance company based in Australia. It was founded in 2002 by Simon Monk, a traveler who wanted to address the three key concerns: freedom, safety, and connection. Insurance was a market fraught with fraud. As a bunch of passionate travelers ourselves, he figured they had a fair idea of what travelers needed and wanted. They people from over 150 countries, with medical and evacuation cover, 24-hour emergency assistance and cover for a large range of adventure activities.

I originally found World Nomads via Lonely Planet but they are also recommended by National Geographic and Rough Guides. I trust those companies so I bought the insurance and have never looked back!

World Nomads is the perfect insurance company for backpackers and travelers. It’s meant for people who are always on the move, and it covers all the essentials you want in travel insurance. I love the management of the company, its competitive prices, its social giving program, and its company ethos of being insurance for travelers by travelers. It is a company a world apart!

What’s included in World Nomads Insurance Policies?

(The prices in the left column are for the Standard Plan, while the prices in the right column are for the Explorer Plan, which offers higher coverage limits.)

MEDICAL COVERAGE

World Nomads provides up to $100,000 USD in coverage, though its more expensive policies will cover you for higher amounts. High coverage limits can be important if you’re doing really crazy activities that might cause serious injury. Or if you get really, really, really sick. (That said, I find $100,000 in coverage is more than enough for what I need).

Its policies also provide coverage for medical expenses and those related to medical evacuation or repatriation if you’re accidentally injured. If you are hiking in the woods and you break your leg, your policy should cover your evacuation to the hospital — and World Nomads does, if the emergency evacuation is ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants it.

Emergency dental treatment
World Nomads also covers emergency dental treatment for accidental injuries that occur during the trip.

NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION

World Nomads also offers coverage for transportation expenses in case there is civil or political unrest in the country you’re visiting. This also applies to natural disasters, or if you’re expelled from a country. NOTE: If you’re a US citizen, certain states are not covered under this. You’ll have to check your certificate.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE

In case the worst happens, your World Nomads plan pays a lump sum to your beneficiary, such as a family member. These policies also pay out if you lose your eyesight or a hand, foot, or limb, etc. on your trip. Moreover, they cover the cost of repatriating your body (i.e., sending your body home).

LOST OR STOLEN GOODS

This coverage reimburses you for baggage and personal belongings that are lost, stolen, or damaged during the trip. Some plans also reimburse you for extra expenses if your baggage is delayed for more than a certain period, such as 12 hours.

TRIP CANCELLATION, INTERRUPTION, OR DELAY

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid expenses if the tour operator goes out of business, you have to cancel the trip because you or a family member gets sick or injured, or there is a death in the family, bad weather, or a natural disaster.

Trip interruption insurance covers you if you have to interrupt a vacation because you get sick or injured, or have to get back home due to a death in the family.

Trip delay coverage covers your expenses if you’re delayed during a trip, such as when a flight gets canceled because of bad weather. Coverage is for additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for six or more hours due to a defined hazard (as explained in the certificate or policy).

World Nomads covers all three!

ONE CALL: 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE SERVICES

World Nomads also uses a 24-hour service called One Call to provide help, advice, and referrals for medical emergencies. The service will help you locate local physicians, dentists, or medical facilities. They can also arrange and pay for appropriate transportation, including an escort, if required, to a suitable hospital, treatment facility, or home.

What’s Not Covered

If you’re reckless, you probably won’t be covered. Here’s a list:

• Accidents sustained while participating in extreme adventure activities such as hang gliding, paragliding, or bungee jumping unless you pay extra.
• Alcohol- or drug-related incidents.
• Carelessness in handling your possessions and baggage.
• You won’t get reimbursed if the problem happened because you were reckless (how “reckless” is defined is a matter up to each company).
• Pre-existing conditions or general check-ups. For example, if you have diabetes and need to buy more insulin, you won’t be covered. If you want to go see a doctor for a general check-up, you aren’t covered either.
• Cash
• Your theft coverage won’t cover you if you left something in plain sight or unattended.
• If civil unrest makes your destination unsafe but your government hasn’t called for an evacuation, you’re probably out of luck too.

Pros and Cons of World Nomads

Pros:
Affordable prices
Great coverage
You can extend your policy online
You can make a claim online while on the road
24/7 service
Fast service
Book on the road

Cons:
It doesn’t cover people over 70
Its online system can be a little confusing to figure out
The Explorer plan covers up to $3000 total and a per article limit of $1500 on electronics and personal items.

My Experience Using World Nomads

In addition to buying a policy online (even if you’re already traveling), you can also indefinitely extend your insurance policy online. Moreover, as someone who is always on the road and bouncing from country to country, the ability to just take photos of all my documents and receipts and upload them is hugely beneficial! Plus, the whole claims process can be done online.

I’ve had to use World Nomads’ services twice. The first time was when South African Airlines lost my luggage on the way back from Africa. Knowing I had coverage, I called World Nomads to ask what I could do. They told me that I would have to wait to see if the airline would reimburse me first. If the airline would not reimburse me within 90 days, they would. (Travel insurance is about making you whole, not making sure you make a profit.)

The process was relatively easy. I filled out an online form listing what I had in my bag and its estimated value. I submitted the documents that showed I had requested a reimbursement from the airline. Then I waited.

Luckily, the airline paid me and I didn’t need World Nomads, but I learned through this process that if you have all your documents and proof, World Nomads makes submitting a claim very easy.

Another time, in Argentina, I was suffering from anxiety and worried that it was something more. It felt like someone was stomping on my chest. I logged into the portal, got the call center number, and called the hotline. They took my information and symptoms and gave me a list of emergency doctors that they recommended. The One Call system was helpful, quick, and got me a doctor right away. I was very happy with the service and know that if something really does go wrong, they act quickly!

While I have never had to make a claim that required reimbursement, a number of readers have. Here is their feedback on the process:

How to make an insurance claim
All insurance companies have terrible online reviews. This is usually because the traveler didn’t read the wording of the policy and assumed something was covered when it wasn’t. It is very, very important that you read the requirements for making a claim. Generally speaking, if it’s something a sane, sober person wouldn’t do, you’re probably not going to get reimbursed!

For that matter, you should read your whole policy. Seriously. It’s terrible, but reading it is the only way you will know what is and is not covered! If you have questions, call World Nomads. They are very helpful in explaining their policies! Local numbers are on their website!

Also, keep these two points in mind:

1. Document all your stuff. Travel insurance companies follow a simple rule: no proof, no reimbursement. If you want to make a claim, you’ll need to prove (a) that you bought something (keep all your purchase receipts if you have them), (b) that it was there with you, and (c) that it was stolen. To that end before I go on any trip, I take a photo of my bag and its contents before I leave so I have time-stamped photo with me and my stuff. If anything is stolen, be sure you file a police report too as companies will ask for that!
2. Document your illness. If you get sick, keep all your paperwork and receipts. The more information and documents you have, the easier it will be to get reimbursed!

*** World Nomads is one of the best insurance companies out there — especially if you are looking for long-term or backpacking travel insurance. It is a company for and by travelers, recommended by tons of other travel companies and writers, and far more affordable than other insurance companies! I highly recommend them. I’ve always had a good experience with them — and as you can see from the people above, so have many of the readers of this site!

Travel insurance only costs a few dollars a day (your policy price will vary by length and where you are from) and, for that price, it’s a no brainer. While there are many travel insurance companies out there that are cheaper, the devil is always in the fine print and they don’t have low coverage limits, don’t let you renew on the road, and have terrible reimbursement rates. Insurance is something you get what you pay for. Pay an extra few cents a day to be covered. A lot of people don’t buy travel insurance when they travel because they think “What can happen to me?” And that’s the point of insurance. No one is Superman and you’re healthy until your not. Insurance covers trip delays and problems, accidents, health care, theft, and a bunch of other things. I’ve been on the road ten years and I can tell you that accidents will happen. And it’s good to always have a company that has your back. I’ve never once regretted my decision to get insurance with World Nomads.

You can use the widget below to look up the travel insurance policy that is right for you (or just click here to go to their website directly:

 

The post World Nomads Travel Insurance Review: What’s Included & What’s Not appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

September 11, 2018 at 01:10PM

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How to Survive Oktoberfest

Updated: 9/10/2018 | September 10th, 2018

“How many days are you at the Wiesn (Oktoberfest) for?” the German girl wearing her Bavarian dirndl across the table asked me.

“We’re here for five days,” I replied, putting down my umpteenth stein of beer.

Her face became a mix of shock, disbelief, and horror.

“Five days! That is crazy! You’re a bit insane, huh?” she said. “You only need one day for the Weisen. I hope you survive.”

And she was right. My friends and I were a bit insane to think five days wasn’t that long at Oktoberfest. We quickly learned that most Germans come for a day because that really is “enough time at the Wiesn.”

It’s the tourists who stay longer.

Five days at Oktoberfest was something I wouldn’t do again. It was pure overkill. Even the group I was with, filled with able-bodied, hardened drinkers, was exhausted by day 3 and uninterested by day 5.

By the end, I never wanted to see a beer again.

But I survived the experience – and in the process had a great time, made a lot of new friends, hardened my liver, met some other cool travel bloggers, and learned just how to plan the perfect Oktoberfest trip.

Planning your Oktoberfest visit

1. What is Oktoberfest?
2. What to Expect at Oktoberfest
3. How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?
4. A List of Oktoberfest Tents
5. How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest
6. Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest
7. How to Get Your Oktoberfest Outfit
8. General Oktoberfest Survival Tips
9. How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2018

What is Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest was one of the best festivals I’ve ever attended. It’s a 16–18-day beer festival held annually in Munich, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It all began when Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on October 12, 1810. The citizens of Munich were invited to attend the festivities held on the fields in front of the city, which the locals call “Wies’n” (which means grass, and why Oktoberfest is nicknamed Wiesn in Germany). Ever since then, it has become a major event, especially in the last few decades as more and more international travelers have been attracted to the festival thanks to tours, cheap flights, and better accommodation options. It’s such a big thing that you’ll find Oktoberfest activities in cities around the world (though nothing beats the original).

What to Expect at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is a wild, wild time. An estimated 7 million people visit every year, with the majority of those Germans (they represent 85% of attendees)! You’ll see just about everyone dressed up in traditional Bavarian clothes (lederhosen for guys, dirndls for girls), having a good time, and drinking lots and lots of beer. These pictures and video will help paint the scene for you:

You get a lot of people chugging beer….

….and a lot of people who fail at it….

….but no matter what, there’s a lot of singing.

Outside the beer tents, you’ll find a carnival atmosphere. Literally. The grounds contain a carnival with games, rides, and even haunted houses. It is like a theme park in Anywhere, USA. If it wasn’t for people dressed up, you wouldn’t have known you were in Germany. (This is also where you’ll find everyone passed out from too much beer!)

Inside the tents is where you find the traditional Oktoberfest you’ve come for: lots of hearty food, traditional music, large decorated tents, friendly people, large steins of beer, and communal happy atmosphere that breeds friendship and joy! Everyone is here for a good time and in high spirits!

How Much Does Oktoberfest Cost?

All the tents are free to enter. Beer is typically around 11 EUR and most full meals are 12–15 EUR. You can get snacks and small meals for around 5 EUR. You can also buy alcohol outside the tents (but not beer), and the drinks cost around 8 EUR. You’ll also have to put a 2 EUR deposit down on the glass they give you. You’ll find tons of stands everywhere with sausage and wurst for 4 EUR too. Reserving a table is technically free, however, a reservation requires you to order food and drinks. Usually, this is the equivalent to 2 beers and half a chicken (which is around 30 EUR per person). So a table for 10 will be around 300 EUR, depending on the tent.

It’s virtually impossible to do this event on a tight budget. You can buy beer or food outside the event grounds, which will lower your costs (get drunk and full before) but if you’re purchasing anything in the tents, expect to pay!

How to Make Table Reservations at Oktoberfest

All the tents are free throughout the day and all have free tables as well as reserved tables for people eating meals (these are also prime seats in the center of the tent). If you want to eat or guarantee that a table (and not fight for all the free tables), you’ll need to make a reservation. We had a table reservation every day because my friends and I wanted to make sure we had a place to sit. To make a reservation you’ll need to contact the tent directly via email, phone, or fax (yes, they still accept faxes!). This is typically done at the start of the year between January and April. Tables at the best tents fill up quickly.

If you do book at one of the tents, be aware that most tables seat 6-10 people and cost about 300 EUR (about 30 EUR per person). You’re required to book a whole table, so even if it’s just one of you going, you reserve the table as though you are going fill it. While you’re supposed to have a full table when you sit down, we showed up minus a few people and they didn’t seem to care. This reservation includes some beer and food.

Personally, I’m not so sure I’d reserve tables again. It’s nice to know you have a place to sit down, but other than on weekends or at night, it seemed like you could always find an open seat, even if you had to stand for a while. If I booked a table again, I would only do it for the nighttime hours, when tables are harder to get, you’ll want a place to eat, and you might not want to stand around waiting.

Keep in mind weekends, when the Germans aren’t working, are incredibly busy and it’s much harder to get a reservation as well as find free tables. If you don’t have a reservation, get there early!

A List of the Best Oktoberfest Tents

There are 14 main beer tents at Oktoberfest and each one has its own personality. Some tend to be heavy on Americans, other Australians, others older Germans, other rich celebrities, while others are just everyone under the sun. Here are the fourteen major tents and some information about them:

• Marstall – This tent holds over 3,000 people and is the newest addition to the event. It’s a bit more modern and inventive (you can actually get vegetarian food here) and caters to a younger, hipper crowd. Reservations: marstall-oktoberfest.com/reservation.htm.
• Armbrustschützen-Festhalle – This comfortable tent has also been home to a crossbow competition since 1895! It’s one of the most popular. Reservations: +49 892-370-3705 (by fax).
• Hofbräu Festzelt – This is the most popular tent for international visitors, especially Americans, and is one of the biggest and most famous tents in the faregrounds. It gets busy but I loved it! Reservations: hb-festzelt.de/en/reservations.html.
• Hacker-Festhalle – This tent is known for it’s painted blue sky and white clouds on the ceiling that can, if the weather is nice, open up to actually show the blue sky above. It’s also one of the more popular tents. Reservations: +49 8170-7303.
• Schottenhamel – This is the oldest tent at Oktoberfest and hasthe capacity for over 10,000 people. It’s where the party gets started and is very popular with Germans. Reservations: festhalle-schottenhamel.de.
• Winzerer Fähndl – This massive tent is the largest at Oktoberfest with room for 11,000 partygoers. You’ll be able to recognize it by the giant rotating beer glass. Reservations: +49 896-217-1910.
• Schützen-Festzelt – This tent is located off the main drag which means you can sometimes beat the crowds by heading here. Reservations: +49 892-318-1224.
• Käfer’s Wies’n-Schänke – This tent is known to be a favorite of both local and international celebrities as well as their late night ending time! Lots of people finish their night here. Reservations: feinkost-kaefer.de/wiesn/reservation.
• Fischer Vroni – If you’re tired of all the pork (the main dish in most tents) then head here for something else: fish! Reservations: reservierung.fischer-vroni.de/ors_start.html.
• Ochsenbraterei – This tent has been around since 1881 and is known for its numerous ox dishes and its big brass band. Reservations: +49 895-108-5760.
• Augustiner-Festhalle – This tent is considered to be the most family-friendly option. It’s also the hardest tent to get a table at as many locals have reserved seats here. Reservations: festhalle-augustiner.com/html/reservierungsanfrage_en.html.
• Pschorr-Bräurosl – The Heide family has been running this tent since 1901 and has their own yodeler. Reservations: heidevolm.de/braeurosl/reservierungen.
• Löwenbräu-Festhalle – This tent, which has a giant 15-foot lion at the entrance, has a bit more of an older crowd to it. It’s the favorite of local football players. Reservations: loewenbraeuzelt.de/reservierungen.
• Weinzelt – This tent is another more family-friendly choice, with less traditional offerings like seafood, Thai food, and even wine (something you don’t really see often here). Reservations: weinzelt.com/de/reservierung.

Booking Accommodation at Oktoberfest

Simply put: Book your Oktoberfest room early. Accommodation fills up incredibly quickly — and some hotels and hostels book out up to a year in advance. The closer you get to the festival grounds, the more expensive beds are and the quicker everything fills up. I booked a room in April and most places were already sold out. That room cost me 120 EUR per night, but it was close to the festival grounds. Hostel dorms often go for 60–80 EUR.

There’s not a lot of budget accommodation around but there are a few options if you don’t want to stay in the city center (or want to save money):

• Stay at The Tent, a hostel (well, really, a massive tent) outside the city for 40 EUR per night.
• Couchsurf (which is hard, because locals get a lot of requests from people looking for a free place to stay) or have friends you can stay with.
• Using Airbnb is another good option as long as you book in advance.

How to Get Your Traditional Oktoberfest Outfit

You can’t go to Oktoberfest without the traditional Bavarian outfit (it just wouldn’t be right or as fun), and those are not cheap. A good lederhosen outfit begins at around 140 EUR. Dirndls, the traditional outfit for girls, begin around 100 EUR. (You can, of course, find cheaper outfits, though, if you aren’t looking for something of quality.) You can order them online before you go or find them in stores throughout the city. Stores just selling outfits spring up just for the festival. We found lederhosen the day we arrived.  You can rent costumes for around 40 EUR per day but that’s only a good option if you are going for a day or two. If you’re going for longer, it’s cheaper to buy an outfit.

General Oktoberfest Survival Tips

It’s a marathon, not a sprint — you’ll be drinking all day, so there’s no need to rush it. Too many people pass out on the lawns by dinnertime. Pace yourself. Those liters of beer are strong.

• Hydrate: Drink a lot of water while you’re there. I had Powerade and water bottles lined up in my room for when I got home and when I woke up.
• Get to the Käfer tent early: Most of the tents close at 10:30pm. Käfer is the only one open until 1am, so everyone rushes there after the others shut down. Get there a bit before 10:30pm so you have a spot. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get in or get served.
• Get a table early: No reservation? Just winging it? If you aren’t there by midday, your chances of finding a table shrink greatly. Try to avoid the times when they switch reservations. All the people that got kicked out are now looking for a free table, and competition is fierce.
• Eat outside the event area: While all the tents have amazing rotisserie chicken, the food inside is simply expensive. Just walk outside, buy a cheap sausage for a few Euros, and save your money for the overpriced liters of beer.
• Set a meet-up point: The grounds are huge. If you’re there with friends, set a meeting point in case you get separated (which is inevitable).
• The tents don’t really matter: While everyone tent will offer a unique experience, the differences won’t be that drastic. Every tent will offer up a great time, so there’s no need to be picky. Find a tent you like and just stay there!
• Bring cash: Keep your life (and the life of your server) simple and just stick to cash.
• Keep your stuff safe: Pickpockets aren’t too much of a problem but you might get drunk and lose stuff. Only bring the essentials of what you need and be sure to keep them safe in a zipped poach so they don’t get wet and ruined!

How to Visit Oktoberfest in 2018

Oktoberfest begins on Saturday, September 22nd with the opening ceremony at the Schottenhamel tent. At noon, Munich’s Mayor will tap the first keg and kick off the celebration. The festival will go until October 7th.

Oktoberfest Hours
Opening day: 12:00 – 10:30pm
Weekdays: 10:00am – 10:30pm
Weekends and Holidays: 9:00am – 10:30pm
Tents Open late: Käfers and Weinzelt open until 1:00am

Getting to Munich is easy as it’s accessible my rail from all major points in Europe and has its own major, international airports.

Oktoberfest takes place on Theresienwiese. It walkable from the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and the closest U-Bahn is, aptly called, Theresienwiese. Just follow the mass of crowds to the grounds. You can’t miss it!

***
Oktoberfest only happens once a year, and though it sort of busted my European budget, I don’t regret any of the money I spent. I’m really glad after years of false starts that I finally got to visit and celebrate Oktoberfest. My friends and I are already considering returning next year (though maybe not for five days again).

Book Your Trip to Munich: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight to Munich by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines. Start with Momondo.

Book Your Accommodation
For a cheap place to stay, check out The Tent. To book another hostel in Munich, use Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I never ever go on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. You should too.

Need Some Gear?
Check out our resource page for the best companies to use!

Want More Information on Munich?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Munich for even more planning tips!

The post How to Survive Oktoberfest appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

September 10, 2018 at 03:00PM

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