Maximizing Munich: A Traveler's Guide to a 9-Hour Layover

So, picture this – flying back from Cairo to the States, and United Airlines throws in an offer for a 9-hour layover in Munich right smack in the middle of Oktoberfest. No brainer, right? I mean, who's in a rush to get home when you can hit Oktoberfest on the way?

So we landed in Munich at 6:20 am after an early-as-hell flight from Cairo (3:25 am, yikes!), leaving us a solid 8 hours to kill. First things first, dumped our carryons and stashed our backpacks at the airport – the most convenient thing ever.

Anyway, straight to the Marienplatz we go, soaking in the beautiful city of Munich. The Viktualien Markt saved my life with a cup of tea and a warm Bavarian pretzel that I didn't realize I desperately needed until then.

We wandered around and made sure to pop into St. Peter's Church. There is quite some history about its destruction in World War II – and it’s eventual renovation.

Come early afternoon, we beelined it to Oktoberfest! Cold sausages, Fischsemmel, Schnitzel rolls – the whole shebang.

Even though it was practically sunrise in party time, we still met some awesome folks before reluctantly heading back to Munich International Airport.

Layover turned Oktoberfest extravaganza – who would've thought?