Do you want to know what to wear in Germany in Fall? Then you have come to the right place. So whether you are going to the cities like Berlin, Munich or Hamburg or heading to the countryside such as the Mosel Valley, we will tell you exactly what you should pack for Germany in September, October and November.
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Weather in Germany in Fall (September, October and November)
Fall in Germany is classified as September, October and November. However there is quite a lot of difference in the weather between each of the months.
September is the warmest of all the months in Fall, and has quite similar temperatures to Germany in Summer.
The average temperature in Fall hovers around 19C although the South of Germany i.e.
- Baden-Württemberg,
- Hessen, Rheinland-Pfalz, and
- Saarland
and famous cities such as :
- Heidelberg and
- Freiburg.
can get a couple of degrees warmer on hot days. And the average low is around 14°C but can feel chillier at night so you will want some layers with you too.
For this reason your September Germany packing list should very much resemble your Germany Summer packing list with a couple of additional layers.
However the weather in Germany does turn cooler from October. It definitely feels more Wintery by November. For instancem in Germany in October the average temperature is around 14°C but with cooler days at the end of the month. And the average low for the month is around 9°C.
Also if you are traveling to Germany in October you may be surprised to find out it is one of the drier months to visit.
November on the other hand has started to feel more wintery, especially in higher ground places and places near the Switzerland and Austrian borders. For instance the average temperature across the whole of the country for November tends to be just below 10°C. But in the higher ground locations if can hover around 5°C. Therefore it is important to start to move towards your Germany in Winter packing list.
Note: For more specific guidance on what to wear in Germany in Fall check out our regional guides:
- What to wear in Berlin in Fall.
- What to wear in Hamburg in Fall
- and what to Wear in Munich in Fall
And if you are traveling during another season check out our other seasonal posts:
- What to wear to Germany in Spring
- What to wear to Germany in Summer
- What to wear to Germany in Winter
How do local people dress in Germany in Fall?
Locals in Germany that Fall is a time of transition and as such layers are key to any outfit at this time of year.
Generally speaking Germany, outside of the office is a generally casual places with jeans and skirts of any length being appropriate.
The only time you will find that there is a Germany dress code however is in September when locals will dress up in traditional attire for Oktoberfest. For more information on how to dress for Oktoberfest check out this post.
What to Wear to Germany in Fall
When looking at what to pack for Germany in Fall you will notice there is a lot of overlap with the summer packing list for September and an an overlap with our Winter Packing List for November. Having said that there are a few items that I always recommend on your packing list for Fall which are:
Note: For information on methods for packing light for Germany in Fall be sure to check out our explanations of the 54321 packing method and the sudoku packing method here.
Trousers
Depending on where you are traveling to in Germany and what activities you are doing once you get there will depend on what type of trousers you require. For instance if you plan on going in hiking in places such as the Mosel Valley we recommend taking either walking trousers or some leggings or ath-leisure. However for hiking in November you will want thicker trousers.
For cities we recommend a combination of lightweight trousers or some jeans for September, and jeans and thicker weight trousers such as cords and wool trousers for October and November.
Note: During a very warm September linen trousers are great as they are breathable and lightweight. However for cooler days and evening smart jeans are another great choice for Germany. If you do decide on packing linen be sure to check out our post on how to pack linen so it does not wrinkle.
Skirts and Dresses
Germany is a relatively liberal and multicultural place, especially in the major cities, therefore you can choose the style and length of skirt or dress you feel most comfortable in. There really isn’t a strict Germany dress code you need to adhere to.
Note: please be aware that if you plan to visit any of the concentration camps you are required to dress in a way that respects the solemnity of the site. Please bear this in mind when packing.
Outside of here you can wear maxi, midi or mini dress as you feel most comfortable in.
If you are visiting Germany in October or November then I would also recommend packing tights or leggings to go with your dress.
Blouse
A loose blouse works for the cooler evenings or days. If you are visiting Germany in October or November then you will want a smart top layer such as a cardigan for going out to dinner.
T Shirts
T Shirts are a great base for Germany at anytime of year but particularly in the Fall as they can be used as a top layer in September or as a base layer for October and November.
T Shirts that are plain or are lightly patterned are easier to make work as part of a Fall capsule wardrobe. However graphic or slogan t shirts won’t be out of place on the streets of the major cities in Germany.
Generally speaking in the Fall you will need a mix of short sleeve and long t shirts, however for November I would stick with long sleeve T shirts.
Jacket/Coat and top layers
In Fall top layers are your best friend in Germany. For September something like a denim jacket that can pair with trousers or even a dress is a great choice for museums, restaurants, theatre and shops.
However for October and November you will definitely want a coat with you.
Underneath you also will want a variety of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies. The further in Fall you visit the thicker the layers will need to be.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling to in Europe a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer.
PJs
For September a lighter weight pair of PJs is recommended.
Goes without saying. Sneaker socks are a good way of reducing sweat and odour in your shoe.
What to wear in Germany in September
If you are traveling and wondering what to wear in Germany in September we recommend lots of light layers which means you can deal with heatwaves and cold snaps as well as the above list,
Instead of a coat lighter weight jackets should suffice and lighter weight trousers instead of jeans are a good pick.
Also if you are traveling to Germany in September, chances are you are planning on attending Oktoberfest, which despite the name actually occurs in September. For instance this year, in 2023 Oktoberfest runs from Saturday September 16th, to Tuesday October 3rd.
Although you can wear normal casual clothes to Oktoberfest you will find that many people will wear traditional attire. For women the traditional Oktoberfest outfit is a dirndl and the traditional Oktoberfest outfit for men is the lederhosen.
These can be purchased online in advance, however it is important you don’t buy a Halloween costume version as this would be inappropriate. However if you have time in your schedule it is best to buy this on arrival. For more information on what to wear to Oktoberfest and where to buy traditional Oktoberfest outfits check out this post.
What to wear in Germany in October
The only modification to the above packing list to make it perfect for what to wear in Germany in October is to add some more layers and thicker trousers i.e. jeans instead of linen trousers.
Also you may want to add tights for any dresses that you want to take as evenings in particular can be chilly.
You may also want to switch out the denim jacket for a thicker jacket or even a coat.
It is also worth noting that Halloween is not a big celebration as it is in the USA. Therefore you don’t need to worry about Halloween costumes on your packing lost.
What to wear in Germany in November
November is the month where you will need to modify the above packing list to make it appropriate for what to wear in Germany in November.
Coats, and thick ones at that, are needed instead of jackets and lots of thicker layers such as wool jumpers, hoodies and wool trousers need to be added to the list.
You may also want to add a hat, scarf and gloves onto the packing list particularly if you are traveling later in the month and plan on visiting some German Christmas Markets.
Shoe wise too, you will probably want comfortable waterproof ankle boots instead of sneakers as the weather turns colder and wetter.
Best Shoes for Germany in Fall
Sneakers
Sneakers are my go to shoe for Germany in the Fall whether I am in the city, countryside or on the coast.
There are great for days when you are doing lots of walking, and Germany is a place in my opinion that is best explored on foot.
They can also cope with the warmer weather while also being good for your feet on cobbled and uneven streets.
I would personally pick more of a fashion pair as opposed to sports ones to fit in more with the locals but any pair is better than no pair. But go with whatever you feel most comfortable in. Hoka are one of my favorite brands of the moment.
However if you are traveling to Germany in November you may want to look at getting a waterproof pair to cope with the colder and wetter weather.
Just remember to wear any new sneakers in BEFORE your trip if you decide to buy new ones.
Hiking Boots
For if you are planning on going on mountain hikes in Germany then you may want hiking boots. However hiking sandals are a good alternative for September. Click here to shop hiking boots.
But if you are sticking to the cities then hiking boots are not necessary.
Ankle Boots
For September you may find it too warm for boots, however for October and November short, thick heeled ankle boots are my go to shoe.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Sandals (Optional – September only)
Sandals are only really appropriate to wear in Germany in September. October and November are too cold for sandals.
Just be sure you buy comfortable sandals to walk in them especially over cobbles and uneven surfaces. One of my favorite sandal brands for Germany is Teva.
What to pack for Germany in Fall (Non Clothing)
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Germany is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Travel adaptor
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Sun screen – particularly for September.
- Sunglasses –
- Camera
How to dress in Germany in Fall for Special Events
The main special event in Germany in Fall is Oktoberfest which is in September not October. Although you can wear normal casual clothes most people will wear traditional dress.
Other than this there are no special events in Germany in Fall that requires special packing requirements.
FAQS About Germany in Fall
Do I need swimwear for Germany in Fall?
Unless you are staying in a hotel with a heated pool, you really won’t need swimwear in Germany in Fall.
Can you wear shorts in Germany in Fall?
It may be warm enough to wear shorts in Germany in September but not in October or NOvember.
Can you wear jeans in Germany in Fall?
You can absolutely wear jeans in Germany in Fall. In fact they are an essential on any Fall packing list in my opinion.
Have you been to Germany in Fall? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!