Last week, Expedia dropped its Fall Travel Outlook, outlining everything travelers need to know to score the best prices on fall travel during shoulder season. The report, which outlines the best times to fly, best times to stay, and top fall destinations, showcases why fall is the perfect “sweet spot” time to travel for savvy travelers.
Not only do airfares drop during the shoulder season, but vacation rentals and hotels also drop, making fall the perfect time to explore destinations on your bucket list. These key takeaways from Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook will help you plan your fall trip smarter.
Best times to fly
For domestic flights, Expedia’s report revealed that the lowest fares can be found on September 29 and October 27. Meanwhile, international travelers will find the best deals on October 26 and November 24. Overall, airfare in general appears to be lower throughout the fall compared to the summer, as travel demand dips. The report outlines several best times to travel both domestically and internationally throughout the fall, including:
- The Least Busy Days to Fly Domestically: November 17 – 18
- The Least Busy Days to Fly Internationally: November 16-17
- Most Inexpensive Days to Fly Domestically: September 29 and October 27
- Most Inexpensive Days to Fly Internationally: October 26 and November 24
Best dates for hotel and vacation rental stays
In addition to the best times to fly this fall, Expedia’s report unveils the best (and worst) days to stay at hotels and accommodations based on average daily rate changes on Expedia.com:
- Least Busy Days to Stay Domestically: November 17 and 18
- Least Busy Days to Stay Internationally: November 18 and 30
- Busiest Days to Stay Domestically: September 12 and 19
- Busiest Days to Stay Internationally: September 4 and 11
- Most Inexpensive Days to Stay Domestically: September 1 and November 16
- Most Inexpensive Days to Stay Internationally: October 29 and 30
- Most Expensive Days to Stay Domestically: October 10 and 17
- Most Expensive Days to Stay Internationally: November 22 and 26
Fall destinations and travel trends
Based on data collected from lodging searches, Expedia also revealed where travelers are headed this fall. Top domestic travel locations include many major cities, including Las Vegas, New York, Miami, Orlando, and Boston. Internationally, fall travelers have set their sights on Tokyo, Cancun, Paris, Rome, and London as top fall destinations.
Beyond these classic destinations, trends reveal a rising interest in domestic fall destinations such as Oklahoma City, Lancaster County, Norfolk, and Montauk, and international destinations like Koh Samui, Thailand, and Okiwana, Japan.
Travel experts at Expedia believe various trends are driving travel demand this fall, such as an interest in popular fall foliage destinations. Canadian escapes at destinations like Banff, Whistler, and Nova Scotia also offer a great alternative to crowded destinations to see stunning autumn scenery. Rising interest in Oklahoma City as a fall destination may be a result of the kick-off of the upcoming NBA season, as fans flock to the area to see the Oklahoma City Thunder in action. Trends also reveal that international travelers are seeking visits to destinations with rich heritage, such as Cairo, Egypt.
