Just wondering how quiet Berlin and the rest of Germany is during Oktoberfest? Thinking about going to Berlin in late September, but don't wanna go if it's going to be really quiet or if things aren't open...

Why should Berlin be quiet or close down because of a festival that happens 600 kms away? It is daily life and business as usual everywhere outside Munich.

It's just as quiet as London is during the Edinburgh festival...

Oktoberfest is a huge drunken party in Munich for foreign tourists. The rest of Germany is business as usual.

The rest of Germany could care less about the Octoberfest. This is a Munich fest and does not affect anyplace else.

No one else in Germany goes to this, at least I have never met a German in my 24 years here who has gone to Octoberfest or even expressed a desire to go. Why should they? Too touristy, beer is too expensive and all the stuff on offer there, such as the food, beer, music, etc. is offered at fests all across Germany on a practically weekly basis through most of the year except for winter.

Always something happening in Berlin, so make sure you give yourself enough time there to explore. 4 full days would be a good start depending on where else in Germany you plan to go.

And as for "no one else in Germany goes" to O'fest - err, yes they do. Maybe only once, but Germans (not just Bavarians) do go, they just don't flock to the "tourist" halls of Hofbräu or Loewenbräu. Lots of Germans (and seats) to be found in the Armbrustschützer/Paulaner or the Augustina halls.

Münchner go to the Dachau Volksfest. Oktoberfest is for tourists an wannabe Bavarians only!

Dachauer Volksfest ia from August 13-22 and a liter of beer is 4.90€. Half of what it costs at Oktoberfest. If you want to meet Bavarians there's where you meet them.