EF Ultimate Break Oktoberfest in Germany: Packing + Free Time Guide
Before I get into it, I wanna add a quick hello!
My name is Alex! I've been traveling with EF Ultimate Break for several years now and have done a ton of their trips. I've heard nearly every question in the book about traveling with EF, and if I don't know the answer, I'll gladly find it for you!
I've been to over half of the US states and 20+ countries and counting. I love planning my own trips when I'm not traveling with EF, so I have lots of other resources here that you're more than welcome to pick through.
I'm a backpack die hard, coffee and craft beer lover, adventure seeker, and just here to see as much of this big beautiful world that I can!
Packing for Oktoberfest:
For EFUB's shortest trip (tied with Iceland o/c), I can't stress this enough to try for carry-on only this time!
• Why carry-on? At only 6 days long, if your luggage gets lost, it's possible you may not get it returned to you until day 4-5. If you decide to check a bag, my advice is to be sure to have 2-3 outfits and all essentials (medication, electronics, toiletries) in a carry on just in case. But seriously, unless you're extending, just do a carry on.
• Adapter? You will need a Type C or F, however, my recommendation always is to use a universal adapter! This way, you can use and reuse in many places across many different countries without worry.
• Outerwear? one light waterproof jacket, emphasis on waterproof (not water resistant - I learned from experience that this is not the same jacket rating). If you're acclimated to warmer temperatures in your daily life, I would recommend bringing a bit thicker of a jacket just in case - still waterproof. Columbia is a really good brand for waterproof jackets, and I have my favorites listed in my Amazon storefront below.
• General packing? For a 6 day trip, you're most likely going to want six base outfits, though you could always pack more. As a general carry on tip, I like to pack clothes that are often interchangeable as tops/bottoms. This way, you're able to mix it up if you need to re-wear anything. Another option and way of packing I like and find helpful is to pack specific for each day and plan ahead. You know you want to wear your dirndl on day x, so that outfit is already planned for you. You know you want to be comfy on the plane perhaps, so that day is done. Etc, etc, day by day.
To list it all out, I would recommend bringing (minimum) 4-5 outfits (pants/tops combo or dresses/rompers), 5+ underwear and socks, toiletries, prescriptions, chargers and adapter, 1 jacket, and a trusty reusable water bottle. Of those outfits, most travelers like to wear something nicer for the Welcome Mixer and the Farewell Dinner. "Nice" in this case is totally up to you! Truly, whatever you're comfortable in will be just fine. If this means a full gown, so be it. If this means jeans and a nice top, that's absolutely okay too!
Wait, what's a DIRNDL? Lederhosen?
The first question I see from every traveler is, "Do people really dress up for the festival?" YES. 1000x YES.
Follow up is usually "will I look like a tourist?" or "will I get made fun of?" No. I think the only thing that would single you out is by wearing a Bavarian costume from a Halloween costume store or a very cheap Amazon costume. The most authentic thing you can do is buy from a local shop when you arrive or from a local seller beforehand.
How do you plan for that? A couple options! If you want to buy ahead, I've included a few options to purchase them online via links below. Etsy is another great option to find authentic outfits. These in general... are not cheap. They're extremely well made, and a lot of pride goes into making them. Another option is to buy on your arrival in Germany! This can vary from expensive to actually maybe saving you a little bit of money. Our Tour Director took us to a local thrift shop, and we were all able to find something there! It wasn't extremely cheap, but it was cheaper than buying one brand new. I highly highly recommend this option! If not a thrift store, there are other big box stores that will sell them there as well.
I recently returned to Oktoberfest in 2023, and this time around I did plan to purchase ahead. As a now plus size person, I was worried it may be a bit more difficult to find sizing upon arrival, and I was correct in assuming this. I tried on so many options at a Pack n Weight store, and literally nothing fit unfortunately. I went with lederhosen this year, as I'm simply more comfortable in shorts. I bought ahead, and they did the trick! My TD this year, a woman, also wore lederhosen - it's not as uncommon as you may think!
"Wait, what am I looking for exactly?"
If you choose to wear traditional outfits (yes, it's totally encouraged by everyone!), you're going to look for either a dirndl or lederhosen. A dirndl is a feminine dress, and lederhosen are short or knee-length leather breeches that are worn as traditional garments. Traditionally, dirndls are worn by women and lederhosen by men. Wear what you're comfortable in! I wore a dirndl my first time on this trip, but as I mentioned, I wore lederhosen this last time instead!
For more info on Oktoberfest, check out my festival guide:
Free Time Suggestions
For a six day trip, there's actually quite a bit of free time. You'll have roughly two days of free time overall (out of four days in the city - not bad!). As always, we're all adults here. If there's a planned activity you'd like to skip, that's totally fine -- please just be sure to let your TD know so that the group isn't waiting up for you!
• Add on excursion available: Neuschwanstein Castle. Highly recommend! Note that there is quite an uphill walk to the castle itself. It's not... that bad, but if you're hungover since it's post day one of Oktoberfest, it's not that great of a walk either. This castle was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle, and boy is it GORGEOUS!!! This will take up most of your second free day however. You would typically leave in the morning likely returning in the afternoon. At time of writing, this is currently on the same day as the farewell dinner. So, this most likely wouldn't allow for much free time left between these two activities.
• Visit Dachau. This is not offered by EFUB on the Oktoberfest itineraries, however, they do offer it on other Germany itineraries. Your TD would most likely be able to help you set up a tour (or direct you towards one anyway) for your own free time, but know that it will take a good half day or more. Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp during WWII. I have not been here yet, but it's always recommended by travelers as a very solemn, eye-opening historical lesson.
• BMW Museum: While I'm not typically a car person nor a museum girly, I still really enjoyed this museum! It was very interesting and unique, and only 10 EUR to enter.
• Visit Marienplatz: You will go here on your city tour! However, I definitely think it's worth going back to explore on your own as well!
• Climb up St. Peter's Church: On a clear day, this will give you some of the best views of Munich from the center of Marienplatz. After paying 5 EUR to enter, you'll climb 300 steps to arrive at the high lookout tower with 360º views. (The church itself is free to enter, but the lookout tower costs the 5 EUR)
• Visit the Hofbräuhaus: an absolute must! Our TD did take us here, however, I'm not positive if every TD does this. If not, definitely make some time for a visit! It is always busy - so be prepared for that, and perhaps break off in smaller groups to go here.
• Englischer Garten: or, the English Garden, is an expansive urban park where you can do many activities from a leisurely bike ride to drinking more steins at a biergarten.
Save $100 below:
DISCOUNT LINK FOR ALL TRIPS | EF ULTIMATE BREAK:
DISCOUNT LINK FOR OKTOBERFEST IN GERMANY:
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You can reach me via Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok by searching my handle: @alexdeanmedia
Amazon: Travel Essentials
Here you can find all of my packing and travel essentials! I personally use almost all of these, and those that I don't use myself have been recommended to me by a variety of seasoned travelers.
Map Points List:
Oktoberfest Wear:
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Interested in another EF Ultimate Break trip guide?
Visit the other trips I've done here:
To compare Oktoberfest options, check out this longer tour that also visits the festival!
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