The Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfest In A Motorhome

Oktoberfest is a bucket list experience for many travellers to Deutschland, and if you’re planning a motorhome adventure through Germany, it’s definitely something you shouldn’t miss. Here’s everything you need to know about experiencing this incredible festival with an RV.

What is Oktoberfest and why attend?

Image: Usien (own work), (CC BY 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Oktoberfest is the world’s largest celebration of beer and Bavarian culture. Held in the German city of Munich every September-October, this festival is attended by millions and has become so popular that smaller-scale versions are now held all over the world.

If you’re planning to be in Munich with your motorhome around this time of year, you can’t miss this special event, which is a unique cultural experience. You’ll join visitors of all ages from all over the world in beer tents accompanied by traditional Bavarian music and food. A popular tradition is to dress in traditional Bavarian attire - a dirndl for women and lederhosen for men.

The festival takes place at the Theresienwiese fairground in the centre of Munich, which is taken over by large and small beer tents, food stalls, entertainers and amusement rides. Obviously, the beer takes centre-stage at Oktoberfest, but even if you’re not much of a hops fan, it’s worth attending for the showground attractions and delicious food you’ll find at one of the many stalls located outside the beer tents.

Attending Oktoberfest in a motorhome: What you need to know

The great advantage of experiencing Oktoberfest with a motorhome is you won’t be faced with the exorbitant prices of a hotel room. However, don’t expect to be able to set up camp right next to the festival fairground.

Where to park your motorhome

You’ll need to plan ahead if you want to park close by the festival, as all accommodation - including camping grounds - gets booked out well in advance. Special sites are set up for motorhome travellers, and you can also find campsites outside of the city and commute in by public transport.

There are several options if you’re organised enough to get in early:

● Oktoberfest Camping Riem: This campsite opens only for Oktoberfest each year, and has 150,000 square metres of space available for motorhomes and caravans. There’s also a restaurant, souvenir shop and sanitary facilities on-site.

● Campingplatz Munchen Thalkirchen: A campsite located in beautiful surroundings just four kilometres south of Munich.

● Campingplatz Munchen Obermenzing: This basic campground is about a half-hour commute by public transport into Munich.

Things you should know

Here are a few things to bear in mind before you set out on a motorhome trip in Germany:

● You must drive on the right-hand side of the road.

● The speed limit for motorhomes in built-up areas is 50 km/h.

● Outside built-up areas, the maximum speed you’re permitted to drive in your motorhome is 80 km/h.

● Speed limits on the autobahn, however, do not apply. Drive with extra care.

● Always carry your driver’s licence and motorhome insurance details with you.

● Ensure your licence plates are clearly visible at all times.

What else to see and do around Munich

There’s plenty to see and do with your RV in and around Munich while you’re in town for the big festival. Allow yourself a few days to explore some of these other top attractions, or stop off on your way to your next destination:

● Watch locals river surfing in the Englischer Garten park.

● Indulge your love of automobiles at the BMW museum.

● Explore the historical Neuschwanstein Castle.

● Pay your respects at the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site.

Plan your Germany motorhome trip well in advance, and you’re sure to have an amazing time experiencing one of the world’s greatest festivals, along with everything else Munich and the Bavarian region have to offer. Prost!