Heathrow rail engineering works: 16 & 17 November

Due to planned engineering works, there will be no Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line services to or from Heathrow on Saturday 16 November and Sunday 17 November.

Piccadilly line services will be running as normal on both days.


Passengers should plan their journeys before travelling, and allow for additional time where necessary as trains that are running will be much busier than normal.

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Say oh yeah to Oktoberfest!

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Maria Asaad
Airlines and routes, Travel tips,

 

Oktoberfest is an annual festival held in Munich over two weeks of fun-filled festivities and traditions. It starts at the end of September, with the celebrations ending on the first Sunday of October. It attracts around seven million people yearly, consuming endless amounts of beer and chicken while partying hard. So, if you want to add this unique experience to your bucket, read on to learn more about the exciting celebrations. 

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Dates for Oktoberfest

This year, Oktoberfest 2023 will start at 12pm on Saturday 16th September, and finish on Tuesday 3rd October. Typically, Oktoberfest ends on a Sunday (as mentioned above); however, this year, an additional few days of celebration will be an extra treat for those attending the festivities.

If you cannot attend for the entire two weeks, do not worry, as there are specific days and times during the fortnight of festivities that are great to attend. The opening and closing ceremonies are two key times to attend, whether you can attend both or either one, it is a great way to get a true taste of Oktoberfest.

The Lord Mayor Munich commences Oktoberfest by tapping the first keg and shouting “O’Zapft Is” during the opening ceremony when the festivities officially begin. The closing ceremony is another spectacular event, with over 10,000 party-goes gathering in the Hacker-Pschorr tent for a massive sing-along to round off the two weeks. The atmosphere is electric with dimmed lights and sparklers to say goodbye to Oktoberfest in style.

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Budget for Oktoberfest

One of the best things about Oktoberfest is that it is completely free to enter the beer tents; however, if you want to join in the fun, you may need a drink or two in hand at any given time.

A litre of beer will typically cost you around 14 euros (excluding tips), depending on which tent you are in. A litre of water and non-alcoholic drinks are actually the same prices as beer, so that is something to consider when choosing your beverage during the festival.

Other than drinks, it is advised to bring money for food and souvenirs. It is also heavily advised to bring cash rather than cards as it is much easier to deal with when buying food and drink around the event. 

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Attire for Oktoberfest

When it comes to dressing for the occasion, Oktoberfest knows how it’s done, with traditional Bavarian clothing being the main choice for most attendees. The distinct look gets party-goers in the mood for celebrations and is comfortable to wear, even when having a dance.

Ladies tend to dress in a Bavarian dirndl, a knee-length dress with a white blouse, an apron and comfortable shoes that can withstand all the merriment and drinking.

Men will opt for lederhosen, a plaid or white button-up shirt with knee socks and some comfortable loafers. If you really want to go all out and embrace the Bavarian style, then an Alpine hat will complete the look perfectly. 

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Transport for Oktoberfest

Even though Oktoberfest is held in a modern city like Munich, driving is a big no-no, as there is literally no parking around the event, plus the added caveat of drinking all day makes it hard to drive yourself or others home.

The grounds on which Oktoberfest takes place (Theresienwiese) are a short walk away from Munich’s central train station, Hauptbahnhof. It only takes 10 minutes to walk from the station to reach the heart of the festivities.

Flying from London to Munich is simple, with regular, direct flights from Heathrow. So, if you would like to join in all the Oktoberfest fun and be part of the unmissable celebrations, then book a flight via Heathrow for a hassle-free journey.  

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