CNN
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We may not feel it yet, but things are about to calm down. That goes for both travel prices and soaring temperatures.
“This time of year is truly the best time to travel just about anywhere,” says Hayley Berg, chief economist at travel platform Hopper.
Crowds thin out, prices in some destinations drop from peak season rates, and airfares drop significantly as fall sets in.
“Airfares drop so much from the summer through September and October that you can take one of these big, longer, more expensive vacations for about 30 percent less, no matter where you’re going,” Berg said. She says this is a great time to hit your bucket list destinations.
Pushing back a late-summer trip by just a few weeks can certainly pay off, agrees travel advisor Dave Hershberger, president of Prestige Travel in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“There are many destinations where, if you get a little bit away from that peak period, you'll get good value for money and a better experience,” he said.
Here are some ideas for the coming months:
“There are a lot less people in the national parks in the fall, so it’s always a good option,” said Hershberger, who is a frequent visitor to national parks.
Some of America's most beautiful national parks have become so popular in recent years that reservations are now necessary during certain peak times, especially during the summer months. But the hustle and bustle slows down in the fall.
At Yosemite National Park in California, where reservations were required every day during peak summer season, reservations are now only mandatory on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. summer booking Requirements for popular areas of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, first instituted this year, end Sept. 2. Airfare to Seattle, where the airport is about a 90-minute drive from Mount Rainier, sees a substantial drop of more than $100 from summer to fall, Berg said.
But not all parks are geared toward the quiet of fall. Places like Acadia National Park in Maine, where fall foliage is a big draw, are going to be busy, Hershberger said.
Hershberger also mentioned Santa Fe as a good option for the fall “because it’s kind of in between seasons for them.”
Santa Fe hotels are often booked solid on summer weekends, and parking can be a challenge. But crowds begin to thin out in the fall before things heat up for the holidays.
There are still many events In September and October, the city's Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and International Folk Art Museum are just two of its many attractions for art lovers. Scenic Walks in Autumn and outdoor recreation is also easily accessible.
Japan attracted record numbers of visitors this summer, thanks to a weak yen and strong demand for Asian destinations after lengthy pandemic restrictions. With demand for Japan still high and the yen rebounding from a 38-year low against the dollar in July, pushing back a pricey Asian trip until the fall can mean big savings.
According to data from Hopper, the average price of a round-trip plane ticket to Japan this fall is $942, down 33% from prices in summer 2024. And prices this fall are down 21% from the same period last year.
“You know, $500 a ticket, if you're going as a couple or a family, it's a substantial savings and it's less crowded because most Americans and Europeans are back in school and working,” Berg said.
Hopper notes that Japan is emerging as a family destination, with cities that are easy to navigate by public transportation and inexpensive options for entertainment and dining.
Cruise lines move their ships from one region to another as the seasons change.
This means good deals for travelers who are willing to take an “open sail crossing” (not as scary as it sounds, it's a voyage that leaves from one port and arrives at another).
“Rather than moving empty ships, they sell these sailings to the public, often at a fairly low price. In addition to the savings, travelers can also take advantage of itineraries that aren't typically for sale,” said Aaron Saunders, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic.
For example, a 13-night transatlantic cruise on Norwegian Epic in October includes stops in Rome, Cannes, Ibiza, Cartagena (Spain) and Ponta Delgada in the Azores in Portugal before arriving in Port Canaveral in Florida. The cruise starts at $688 per person (or $53 per night).
Disney parks will be less crowded now that most children are back in school, Hershberger said.
Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets for midweek dates in September are about as cheap as they come — starting at $109 for a single-park, single-day ticket to Animal Kingdom.
Flights to Orlando and other popular Florida destinations are also cheaper. Fall prices drop by about $80 per ticket to Orlando and Miami, Berg said.
The hopper fall travel preview Prices in Europe are still quite high, however, so it may be wise to choose a destination that is attracting more and more visitors thanks to its excellent value for money.
Beachgoers flock to Albania for its Adriatic Sea beaches, but the cursed mountains and wild Vjosa River also get rave reviews with fewer visitors than the Albanian Riviera.
And if you want to visit one of the most popular European destinations, fall will always be cheaper than summer.
“The price is lower, but there are also more deals,” Berg said. “So right now, for example, you can go from Boston to Madrid for $360 round-trip. It’s not a deal you’ll find in the summer, and it may not be the most convenient day of the week, but there are a lot more deals under $500 round-trip to Europe right now than you typically see.”
Letting someone else guide is a great idea when it comes to visiting destinations that draw crowds in the fall with their spectacular foliage.
“What may come as a surprise, given that this is such a popular fall destination, is that Canada and New England cruises are also offering great deals heading into their peak fall season,” said Cruise Critic's Saunders.
“We offer rates as low as $55 per person per night. These cruises can be very special for those looking to experience the region in the fall, with itineraries that include ports like Portland, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax and Quebec City.”
These voyages are also open-scheduled, so passengers will return home from a different city than their port of departure.
Here's how to gently take advantage of fall savings.
