Autumn is just around the corner and with it the off-season for travel. If you are flexible with your time, you can take full advantage of the cheaper flight fares and hotel offers.
The period from September after Labor Day weekend, which is expected to be one of the busiest travel periods, through mid-November before Thanksgiving is typically low travel demand, meaning travel is less expensive during this time of year.
“Regardless of your destination, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway,” Melanie Fish, Expedia Group Brands’ director of public relations, said in a statement to USA Today.
Fish added that “the week after Labor Day is the best time for cheap domestic flights, while October 20th is the best time for international travel – and for the start of the leaf-color season.”
During the week of October 20, ticket prices for international travel are on average nearly $260 lower than during the summer. The cheapest domestic travel dates are the week of September 1, according to Expedia's Fall Travel Outlook, when ticket prices are on average nearly $100 lower than during the peak summer season.
The Thursday and Friday after Labor Day are the busiest days of the season for domestic and international travel.
According to Expedia, airfares are about 10% lower in the fall than in the summer.
In the coming months, ticket prices will be lower – and those who fly on Mondays or Saturdays can save up to 15% more.
An analysis by Hopper found that the price of domestic flights averaged $240 in September, down 8% from September 2023.
According to Expedia data, some specific destinations even have lower average ticket prices during the off-season than during the peak summer travel season.
Domestically, ticket prices are cheaper to Seattle (down almost 20%), Honolulu (down 15%), Houston (down 10%), Denver (down 10%) and Los Angeles (down 10%). Internationally, flights to Toronto (down more than 25%), Santo Domingo (down 25%), London (down almost 15%), Oranjestad (down almost 15%) and Calgary (down 15%) are cheaper.
Additionally, Hopper found that hotel prices have increased slightly since 2019, but are still not too expensive at an average of $161 per night.
Expedia has put together some additional travel tips to help you get the most for your money:
- Set up price alerts for your favorite flights
- Choose a morning flight as it is cheaper and there is less chance of delay or cancellation
- Book hotels with the “Free Cancellation” or “Reserve Now, Pay Later” option and choose the refundable room
- Save by bundling hotels and flights
