Things to Do in Bengaluru in October

October Weather in Bengaluru

28°C (82°F) High Temp

19°C (66°F) Low Temp

65mm (2.6 inches) Rainfall

65% Humidity

Is October Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect weather window - October marks the end of monsoons with clear skies, comfortable 19-28°C (66-82°F) temperatures, and minimal rainfall (only 6 rainy days vs 15 in September)
Dasara festival season creates incredible cultural experiences with traditional processions, extended shopping hours in Commercial Street and Brigade Road, and special temple celebrations throughout the city
Peak outdoor activity season - gardens like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are lush from recent rains, weekend treks to Nandi Hills (60km/37 miles away) have clear mountain views, and evening walks are comfortable without summer heat
Best air quality of the year - post-monsoon atmosphere is clearest, making it ideal for exploring rooftop bars, outdoor markets, and the 240-hectare (593-acre) Cubbon Park without pollution concerns

Considerations

Hotel prices increase 40-60% during Dasara festival weeks (typically mid-October) as domestic tourists flood the city, making last-minute bookings expensive and difficult
Weekend crowds at popular spots like UB City Mall and Indiranagar become overwhelming as locals take advantage of the pleasant weather, especially Saturday evenings
Occasional evening drizzles (usually 15-20 minutes) can disrupt outdoor dining plans, though they're brief and predictable between 4-6 PM

Best Activities in October

Lalbagh and Cubbon Park Garden Walks

October's post-monsoon conditions make Bengaluru's famous gardens absolutely stunning. Lalbagh's 240 acres are at their greenest, with comfortable morning temperatures of 19-22°C (66-72°F) perfect for the 2km (1.2-mile) heritage walk. The glass house hosts special flower shows during Dasara season. Cubbon Park's 300 acres offer the best jogging and photography conditions of the year.

Booking Tip: Free entry to both parks. Visit 6-9 AM for best weather and fewer crowds. During Dasara (mid-October), Lalbagh extends hours until 8 PM with special lighting. No advance booking needed, but paid guided heritage walks cost ₹200-500 ($2.50-6) per person.

Nandi Hills Sunrise Trek and Drive

October offers the clearest visibility of the year at this 1,478m (4,849ft) hill station. The 60km (37-mile) drive from Bengaluru takes 1.5 hours through comfortable 24°C (75°F) temperatures. Post-monsoon air quality provides stunning sunrise views over the Karnataka plains. Weekend trekking conditions are ideal with no summer heat or monsoon mud.

Booking Tip: Day trips typically cost ₹1,500-3,000 ($18-36) including transport. Book 5-7 days ahead for October weekends as domestic tourism peaks. Self-driving requires ₹500 ($6) hill station entry fee. Sunrise trips depart Bengaluru at 4:30 AM, return by 11 AM.

Traditional Market Food Tours

October's comfortable weather makes exploring KR Market, Russell Market, and Commercial Street food scenes perfect. Morning temperatures of 19-22°C (66-72°F) allow 3-4 hour walking tours through spice markets and local eateries. Dasara season brings special sweets and festival foods not available other times of year.

Booking Tip: Group food tours cost ₹800-2,000 ($10-24) per person for 3-4 hour experiences. Book through local culinary schools or check current options in the booking section below. Peak festival weeks require 10-14 day advance booking. Self-guided market visits are free.

Brewery and Rooftop Bar Crawls

October's clear skies and 65% humidity create perfect conditions for Bengaluru's famous pub scene. Evening temperatures of 22-25°C (72-77°F) make rooftop venues in Koramangala and Indiranagar comfortable. Post-monsoon air quality means unobstructed city views from high-rise bars. Local craft breweries offer October seasonal beers.

Booking Tip: Guided brewery tours cost ₹1,200-2,500 ($15-30) including tastings and transport between 3-4 venues. Book 3-5 days ahead for weekend tours. Individual brewery visits cost ₹500-1,000 ($6-12) per person. Many rooftops require advance dinner reservations during festival season.

Mysore Palace Day Trips

October's excellent weather makes the 150km (93-mile) round trip to Mysore Palace ideal. Comfortable travel temperatures and clear post-monsoon skies enhance the 3-hour each way journey. If your October visit coincides with Dasara (typically mid-month), witness the spectacular palace illumination with 100,000 light bulbs and traditional processions.

Booking Tip: Day trip packages cost ₹2,000-4,000 ($24-48) including transport, guide, and palace entry. During Dasara festival, book 2-3 weeks ahead as demand peaks. Palace entry alone costs ₹70 ($0.85) for Indians, ₹200 ($2.40) for foreigners. Festival season extends palace hours until 9 PM.

Weekend Hill Station Retreats

October's post-monsoon clarity makes Coorg (260km/161 miles) and Chikmagalur (240km/149 miles) absolutely spectacular. Coffee plantation tours benefit from harvest season activities, while hill station temperatures of 15-25°C (59-77°F) provide relief from city warmth. Waterfalls from recent monsoons are at full flow but accessible again.

Booking Tip: Weekend packages to hill stations cost ₹3,500-8,000 ($42-96) per person for 2-day/1-night trips. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for October weekends. Transportation, accommodation, and plantation tours included. Self-driving requires mountain driving experience on winding 20km (12-mile) ghat sections.

October Events & Festivals

Mid October

Mysore Dasara Festival

Karnataka's premier cultural festival featuring the famous Mysore Palace illumination with 100,000 bulbs, traditional processions with decorated elephants, and cultural performances. While centered in Mysore (150km/93 miles away), Bengaluru celebrates with special temple festivities, extended shopping hours, and cultural programs in venues like Chowdiah Memorial Hall.

Throughout October

Karaga Festival Preparation Season

October marks the beginning of preparations for Bengaluru's ancient Karaga festival. While the main event happens in April, temple communities in areas like Tigalare Pete begin traditional activities, offering visitors glimpses of authentic local culture away from tourist circuits.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Light cotton layers for 9°C (16°F) temperature swings - mornings start at 19°C (66°F), afternoons reach 28°C (82°F)

Compact umbrella or light rain jacket - brief evening showers occur 6 days in October, usually lasting 15-20 minutes

SPF 30+ sunscreen - UV index of 7 during clear post-monsoon days, especially important for garden walks and rooftop venues

Comfortable walking shoes with grip - some sidewalks may be damp from overnight moisture, marble temple floors can be slippery

Breathable fabrics over synthetic materials - 65% humidity feels comfortable but synthetic clothes trap moisture during market walks

Light scarf or shawl - air-conditioned malls, restaurants, and transport can be 10°C (18°F) cooler than outside temperatures

Portable phone charger - extended outdoor time in perfect weather means more photos and GPS usage than expected

Cash in small denominations - street food, auto-rickshaws, and temple donations require ₹10-50 notes, ATMs often dispense ₹500 notes

Hand sanitizer and tissues - increased outdoor dining and market exploration during comfortable weather requires basic hygiene supplies

Insider Knowledge

Book accommodations before September 15th - Dasara festival period (mid-October) sees hotel prices jump 40-60% and availability disappear, even in business hotels

Visit popular restaurants before 7 PM or after 9:30 PM - October's perfect weather brings out locals in droves, creating 45-60 minute waits at trendy spots between 7-9 PM

Take advantage of extended shopping hours during Dasara - Commercial Street, Brigade Road, and Chickpet market stay open until 10 PM instead of usual 8 PM

Use app-based taxis during evening hours - October's pleasant weather means everyone's out, making auto-rickshaws scarce and expensive between 6-9 PM

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming all of October has the same pricing - Dasara festival weeks (typically second and third week) cost significantly more than early or late October for hotels and tours

Underestimating weekend crowds at Nandi Hills and popular parks - October's perfect weather draws massive local crowds on Saturdays and Sundays, visit weekday mornings instead

Not carrying cash for street food and local transport - October's comfortable weather encourages more local market exploration, but many vendors don't accept cards or digital payments