Oktoberfest EXODUS: Tourists turn backs on Munich’s beer bash in favour of Berlin’s budget brews
Millions of tourists descend on the streets of Munich every year for the annual Oktoberfest celebrations in what’s one of the biggest events in Europe’s calendar.
But it seems travellers are switching the crowds, chaos and high costs of Munich in favour of Berlin.
The travel agency Thomas Cook has revealed departures to Germany between September and October have increased by 116% year-on-year.
And while Munich has long been the home of Oktoberfest, people are now choosing to flock to Berlin instead, where steins, oompah bands and Bavarian flavour are on offer in abundance, but without the Munich price tag.
Every year, around six million tourists decked out in traditional lederhosen and dirndl dresses head to Munich's festival grounds to drink in traditional tents - with many imbibing 1-litre (2 pint) mugs of beer costing around €15 (£13) a pop.
The city's mayor gets the beer celebration underway with the traditional cry of 'O'zapft is' - 'It's tapped' - after inserting a tap in the first keg at noon on the first Saturday.
This year, the festival runs from Saturday 20th Sept to Sunday 5th Oct.
Nicholas Smith, the holidays digital director at Thomas Cook, said: ‘Thomas Cook customers are showing a strong appetite for authentic cultural experiences, and Oktoberfest is a perfect example of a trip that blends tradition with travel.’
Millions of tourists descend on the streets of Munich every year for the annual Oktoberfest celebrations
While Munich has long been the home of Oktoberfest, people are now choosing to flock to another German city instead
Berlin has steins, oompah bands and Bavarian flavour on offer in abundance – but without the Munich price tag
But he added: ‘What's interesting this year is that while Munich is the birthplace of the festival, more of our customers are choosing to celebrate in Berlin - enjoying the same Bavarian traditions but in a more accessible and affordable setting.’
Holidaymakers are opting for luxury, according to Smith, who say, 69% of customers booking 4* and 5* hotels.
Thomas Cook's most popular hotel during the Oktoberfest period is the 4* Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz.
It comes just days after Italy announced it was launching a special 'beer train' service for Oktoberfest.
The new night train will run from Rome to Munich on a Friday evening, departing Termini station and then returning back to the Eternal City on Monday - with many hungover passengers likely on board.
Dubbed The Munich Express, the train can be booked via RailBook on two consecutive weekends: 26th September and 3rd October.
Tickets booked before 7th September start from €99 (£85.81) and the service leaves at 8pm sharp - but can also be booked from other Italian stops including Verona, Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Vipiteno, Colle Isarco and Brennero.
The Italian tourism initiative running the service, FS Treni Turistici Italiani, says the journey will be 'comfortable and effortless', with plenty of the refreshing amber stuff available to drink on board.
This year, Oktoberfest runs from Saturday 20th Sept to Sunday 5th Oct
The news comes just days after Italy announced it was launching a special 'beer train' service for Oktoberfest
Passengers can book up seats, or pay a little more for a couchette or sleeper car should they fancy saving the partying for Germany and getting some shut-eye.
The adverts for The Munich Express read: 'Forget the stress of driving and unnecessary stops: with us, the fun begins as soon as you step on board.'
They also outline what's in store as you cross countries, explaining: 'On board our train, you'll find Bavarian-themed entertainment ready to get you into the Oktoberfest spirit.
