As fall quickly approaches and the leaves begin to change color, Airbnb reveals travel trends for this upcoming shoulder season, including data showing that fall1 The holiday season is the most affordable time to travel on Airbnb. Plus, we’re highlighting the best cities for off-season deals, trending destinations, and top fall getaways that embody the season.
Affordable Off-Season Destinations
From smaller crowds to warmer temperatures, there are perks to traveling in the off-season. One of the best-kept secrets is how affordable fall travel is compared to the summer and winter months. When comparing nightly prices over the past few years, year-round prices tend to be lowest between September and November.2 making it a great opportunity for customers to travel at an affordable price.
When surveying customers about what's important to them when deciding between booking an Airbnb or other accommodation, over 85% selected price as a contributing factor.3 With that in mind, fall might be the perfect time to take advantage of these great savings.
The cities that saw the biggest savings on fall travel are spread across the U.S., from the waterfront to the great outdoors. Below are a few of those cities4 who had the most savings during the fall:5
- Somers Point, New Jersey
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Panama City, Florida
- West Des Moines, IA
- Bangor, Maine
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Spokane Valley, Washington
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- Omaha, Nebraska
Discover the top fall destinations
Nothing says fall like apple picking, pumpkin patches, leaf peeping, and spooky vibes. It’s no surprise that travelers want to embrace the season by heading to these niche destinations that embody the true essence of fall. The three U.S. states that saw the highest percentage of fall vacations were North Dakota, Maine, and Massachusetts.6 From stunning foliage to crisp fall air, here are some of the most beautiful cities in the United States7 which will make you “leaf through” the spirit of autumn:
- Salem, Massachusetts
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Walla Walla, Washington
- Moab, Utah
- Hartford, Vermont
- Columbia Falls, Montana
- Mills River, North Carolina
- Fruita, Colorado
- Superior, Wisconsin
- Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The most trendy destinations this fall
“Event vacations” are here to stay. Passionate travel has been a key travel theme over the past year and shows no signs of slowing down. When you look at the destinations American travelers are increasingly looking to this fall, it’s clear that they want to sing along with their favorite artists. The highly anticipated return of American pop music icon European leg of his tour played an influential role on the trending list8 The most popular destinations are Miami Gardens, Florida, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Americans are also looking across the Atlantic Ocean to Munich, Germany, for Oktoberfest, and Brussels, Belgium, for the various food and wine festivals that take place in the fall. Below are four of the most popular destinations:
- Miami Gardens, Florida
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Munich, Germany
- Brussels, Belgium
However, there is one country that has remained the most trendy9 international destination for Americans – Japan. Year after year, travelers continue to seek out its unique blend of tradition and modernity. Fall is a great time to visit Japan, as the country transforms into a picturesque landscape of red, orange and gold leaves. The temperature is also ideal for outdoor activities. trendy japanese cities10 research Americans' favorite destinations this fall are Tokyo and Osaka.
