Munich in October: What to Expect

Munich in October means the final days of Oktoberfest and a city easing into autumn. Here's what to know before visiting Munich in October.

Munich in October has a split personality. The first weekend of October sees Oktoberfest close with a final flourish, and then the city exhales, hotel prices drop, and Munich becomes the excellent, cultured, well-organised Bavarian capital it is for the other eleven months of the year. Which version you want determines how early in October you should book.

Weather

Properly autumnal. Expect 11-15°C in early October, dropping to 7-10°C by late October. The Bavarian Alps backdrop takes on autumn colour that's visible on clear days. Rain is regular and the city's beer garden season is winding down, with many closing in mid-October. Pack layers and a waterproof. Munich's excellent indoor offer, its world-class museums, the Marienplatz, and its warm beer halls, comes into its own.

Crowds and Prices

Two very different halves. The first weekend of October (Oktoberfest closing weekend) is the most expensive and crowded point in the entire Munich calendar. Hotels within walking distance of the Theresienwiese are booked out months ahead at eye-watering rates. After Oktoberfest closes, prices fall off a cliff and the city quietens considerably. If you're there for Oktoberfest, you already know the deal. If you want Munich without Oktoberfest, arrive from the second week of October onwards.

What's On

Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October, so the final few days of the festival fall in early October. The closing weekend is traditionally one of the busiest. After that, Munich's cultural calendar takes over: the Deutsches Museum (one of the world's great science museums), the Alte Pinakothek, and the BMW Museum all run strong autumn programmes. The Munich Film Festival is a summer event, but the city's cinema culture runs year-round.

One Thing to Watch

If you're visiting for Oktoberfest's final days, book accommodation six months ahead minimum. The festival attracts over six million visitors across its run and the closing period is peak demand. Tents book out, transport gets packed, and the city around the Theresienwiese operates at maximum capacity. If that's your goal, plan accordingly. If you just want a good Munich city break, wait until the second week of October when everything becomes straightforward.