The U.S. Department of State offers the following advice for visitors to Oktoberfest.
Keep passports in a safe place. Make a good, clear copy to bring to the festival. This makes it less likely that the actual passport will be lost or stolen.
While at Oktoberfest, keep passport copy, cell phone, money and hotel address on your person, and preferably in a secure pouch or pocket.
Taking beer mugs from the Oktoberfest tents is considered a criminal offense. Purchase official mugs, that are approved to leave the grounds, from vendors. Police can tell the difference.
Don't forget that Bavarian beer is stronger than American beer. Drinking a "Maß" (one liter of beer) has the same alcohol content as a six-pack of American beer. Note: Bavarian authorities have a zero tolerance policy on illegal drugs.
What to do if ...
You lose your passport:
Apply for a replacement at the Consulate. Bring at least $135 (or Euro equivalent), a passport photo, and whatever picture ID you have.
You lose your money:
Contact family/friends and ask them to send money via Western Union. Transfers can be made 24/7 online at www.westernunion.com.
Pick up money either at a Reisebank (located at major train stations or airports) or at the German post office.
You lose your credit card:
Call your credit card company to report it lost or stolen. The numbers are below.
Visa: 0800-811-8440
Mastercard: 0800-819-1040
AMEX: +1-336-393-1111 (USA)
Oktoberfest emergencies
Police and Red Cross are both located at the Servicezentrum (behind the Schottenhamel tent).
Lost & Found is located at the Service Center basement; the entrance is in the Festleitung. It is open daily from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3, 1-11 p.m. They cannot be contacted by telephone, only in person or by e-mail at Fundbuero.kvr@muenchen.de. Anything lost in beer tents (wallets, passports, keys, cellphones, purses) will be turned in to that office, but expect a delay between loss and items showing up for claim.
Security Point
Anyone who feels threatened or harassed or needs information, help or advice should visit the Sichere Wiesn security point located below the Bavaria statue in the Service Center. It is open daily from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., and every Saturday from 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Call at 89-502-22366. Email www.sicherewiesn.de.
Tips for a fun visit
Wearing Tracht (traditional Bavarian dress) at Oktoberfest is encouraged, and fun, but not required. Note: Many Dirndls have a hidden pocket, a great place to keep money, identification and emergency contact information.
Munich may be one of the safest cities in the world, but where there are crowds, there are pickpockets, and Oktoberfest brings out the pros. Keep a close eye on personal belongings, especially on mass transit.
Do not bring luggage, packs or large purses to Oktoberfest. They won't be allowed inside the grounds due to security precautions. The rules are similar to U.S. professional sports stadium security rules. Expect to be searched at the outer perimeter.
Know how to get back to your lodging. Public transportation runs all night, but it won't be useful if you don't know which U-Bahn or S-Bahn stop to use, or the name or address of your hotel. Keep that information on your person.
There are emergency phones located on the light poles of the Oktoberfest grounds. Pick one up; there will be a police officer on the other end.
In beer tents, guests are allowed to stand on benches and sing. Join in the singing! However, dancing on the tables is not allowed.
Do not smoke inside tents. Each tent has an outside smoking area for smokers.
Avoid disputes with other Oktoberfest attendees. Guests who get into fights will be arrested. Hitting someone with a beer mug is an "assault with a deadly weapon," and usually results in prison time.
Do not sleep in the park outside the Oktoberfest grounds. Thieves and pickpockets are always on the lookout for vulnerable Bierleichen (beer corpses).
Police may ask for ID at any time. Some police are not dressed in uniform, but in plain clothes. Make sure to always have a copy of passport. Patrons may also ask to see police IDs, which are laminated cards, not badges.
When talking to the police, patrons are always allowed to request an English-speaking police officer. However,expect to be escorted to where that English-speaking police officer is located, usually the police station.
Social Sharing