Budget-conscious travelers know that fall is a great time to get a deal on flights and accommodations. That’s because September, October and early November are slow months for the travel industry. It’s the lull between the peak summer vacation season and the winter holidays.
In addition to lower prices, you’ll also face fewer crowds at many U.S. and overseas destinations in the fall. So if you’re planning a getaway, here are ten places to consider. Fares on flights and hotel rates in these locales will be much lower this fall than during peak travel seasons, according to data from CheapAir.com and Hotwire.com.
U.S. destinations on sale
Colorado. The fall foliage can be beautiful in the Rocky Mountains, which aren’t as crowded as the New England states that are packed in the fall with people watching the leaves change color. You’ll find deals at ski resorts, which lower their rates in the fall to lure visitors during shoulder season. And flights to the state’s largest airport in Denver are cheaper in fall than during the winter ski season. According to CheapAir.com, flying in August or September into Denver from Los Angeles or Chicago averages just $150 roundtrip. That will save you about 20% and 50% off high-season fares, respectively. At $207, on average, roundtrip fares on flights from New York are 50% less.
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New Orleans. Visitors to The Big Easy in the low season are rewarded with lower airfare, more attentive service and hotel discounts or extras with your booking, according to CheapAir.com. You can stay for as little as $50 per night at some properties. And airfare from major U.S. gateways to New Orleans is about 20% lower than in high season.
Phoenix. You can prolong summer by visiting Phoenix, where the average high temperature in September is 100 degrees. But you can keep cool in the pools of upscale resorts such as the Arizona Biltmore and the Royal Palms for 65% to 70% less than what you’d pay in the winter when travelers from cold regions flock to the city for its warm weather, according to CheapAir.com.
Portland. As the temperatures drop in Oregon’s largest city, so do hotel rates -- by 17%, on average. You can find comfortable accommodations downtown for less than $100 a night, according to Hotwire.com. Then you’ll have more money to sample local microbrew beers, wines from nearby vineyards or coffee at the city’s many cafes.
Reno. You can visit the casinos in this Nevada city or head to nearby Lake Tahoe for less in the fall. According to Hotwire.com, rooms in upscale hotels in downtown Reno are about 50% less in October than during the high season. You can get nice accommodations for $51 a night, on average.
San Diego. Hotel rates are 13% lower in this Southern California city in the fall, according to Hotwire.com. You can find a room at an upscale hotel in the seaside neighborhood of La Jolla for $110 a night, on average, in October.
Overseas destinations on sale
Belize. You’ll save money by traveling to this Central American country during its rainy season in the fall. Don’t worry: You won’t have to spend your trip sitting in a hotel room because the rain showers typically are short, according to CheapAir.com experts. And you’ll pay about 30% less for a flight to Belize City in the fall. For example, you can book a roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Belize City for about $550; $650 for a roundtrip flight from New York.
Goa, India. Known for its nightlife, this seaside destination is more sedate during the off-season. And airfare to this Indian state is more affordable, with average roundtrip fares starting at $1,000 from New York and Chicago, according to CheapAir.com.
Vancouver. You’ll save more than 20% on accommodations if you visit this Canadian port city in the fall. According to Hotwire.com, you can stay in a high-end hotel in downtown Vancouver for about $100 a night. And roundtrip flights in October from Los Angeles are less than $300, on average.
Vietnam. Fares for flights to this exotic Southeast Asian country drop by 30% to 40% in the fall, according to CheapAir.com. A roundtrip flight from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City is averaging $840 in September, and roundtrip flights from Chicago and New York to Ho Chi Minh City are $1,000, on average, according to CheapAir.com.
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