Fall Travel Trends for 2025

Traditionally thought of a shoulder season, fall typically brings with it cooler temperatures and fewer crowds — arguably a preferable state of affairs for journey.

Braving swarms of vacationers throughout a sweltering August in Europe or Asia is for the birds. If shoppers aren’t beholden to typical college calendars and may escape throughout late September, October and November, there are offers available and extra serene experiences to take pleasure in. Here’s what the numbers say, from the place vacationers are all in favour of heading this fall to how (and when) potential vacationers may save on airfare and lodge bookings.

Trends From Kayak
Trend 1: Airline Prices Are Measurably Lower, Especially to Select European Destinations

According to on-line journey search engine Kayak, home airfare costs are 21% decrease this fall than throughout peak summer time. International airfare has dropped 33% this season, in comparison with summer time.

Price drops on flights to Europe are particularly vital. Kayak stories that airfare to Spain has sunk by practically 47% since summer time. Other measurable seasonal airfare worth drops embrace these to Bologna, Italy (down 48%), and Helsinki, Finland (down 45%).

In the U.S., the largest seasonal fare drops are on flights to Seattle (down 31%); Oakland, California (down 31%); Jackson, Wyoming (down 30%); and Hilo, Hawaii (down 29%).

Trend 2: There’s Money to Be Saved on Hotels and Rental Cars, Too

Kayak knowledge reveals that worldwide lodge costs are down 10% since summer time, and automotive leases are 19% cheaper.

Trends From Airbnb
Trend 1: “Fall is the New Summer” for Gen Z Travelers

Airbnb searches by Gen Z customers — generally referred to as “Zoomers” — are up 26% this season. The oldest Gen Z vacationers have been born in 1997, so, at age 28, they seemingly have extra flexibility by way of once they take break day work. They are additionally taking longer worldwide journeys than their millennial counterparts.

Trend 2: Getting Off the Beaten (Beach) Path

Airbnb searches present that Naha, Japan; Ipojuca, Brazil; and Ericeira, Portugal, are rising seashore locations this fall. Naha, which some name “Japan’s Hawaii,” is a metropolitan vacation spot with seashore entry, not not like Waikiki. Day journeys to the close by Kerama Islands enable for top-notch diving and snorkeling.

Trends From EF World Journeys
Trend 1: Cooler Temps Appeal to Many Travelers 

Being sticky and sweaty on trip isn’t a lot enjoyable — in accordance with a survey by guided tour operator EF Go Ahead Tours (an EF World Journeys model that caters to adults 35 and older), 60% of vacationers say that excessive warmth limits how lively they need to be outside. Cooler and less-crowded fall journey makes the season extra engaging to 57% of vacationers, in accordance with EF Go Ahead knowledge. “Coolcations” — or journeys to locations with cooler climates — a development even in the summertime, when international locations akin to Norway and Sweden boast extra snug climate whereas a few of their neighbors swelter.

Trends From Dollar Flight Club
Trend 1: Supply and Demand This Fall Are Bringing Flight Prices Down

According to flight alert subscription service Dollar Flight Club, airfare costs are coming down this season as a result of there may be loads of airlift however fewer vacationers, particularly in comparison with summer time. By shifting journey dates ahead just some weeks, vacationers can save greater than $200 on roundtrip air tickets. Dollar Flight Club knowledge reveals that flight prices to Bangkok are down 30% post-summer. Fares to Miami have dropped 60%.

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Trend 2: Top Domestic Destinations for Fall

Dollar Flight Club has shared the highest 10 U.S. locations with double-digit value drops since summer time. For shoppers trying to save on last-minute getaways nearer to residence, prime picks embrace Asheville, North Carolina (common roundtrip flight value is $170); Miami ($178); Austin, Texas ($210); New Orleans ($220); and San Diego, California ($228). The service anticipates these decrease prices to carry by October.

Trend 3: Leaf Peeping Is Popping

Searches for fall foliage-related journeys have been up earlier this yr, in accordance with Dollar Flight Club. If shoppers are hoping to go leaf peeping on a price range this fall, have them think about Asheville, North Carolina (common flight value to Asheville is $170, down 10% over final yr); Boston ($260 common flight value, down 8%); Burlington, Vermont ($278 for flights, down 9%); New York ($290 flight value, down 9%); or Stowe, Vermont ($298 flights, down 8%). These 5 cities supply one of the best mixture of autumn surroundings and low-cost entry, with most flights below $300.

Data reveals one of the best time to journey to those leafy locations for a very good deal is between Sept. 17 and Oct. 10.

Trends From HomeToGo
Trend 1: Fall Travelers Are Looking for Natural Beauty

Vacation rental market HomeToGo has seen a 27% enhance in searches, yr over yr, for fall getaways; locations within the U.S. account for two-thirds of these searches, and plenty of supply nice fall foliage or different kinds of pure magnificence. 

Searches for Arizona’s Oro Valley, which is understood for its mountainous desertscape, are up 779% in comparison with final yr. Searches for the lake city of Evergreen, Colorado, are up 710% — and it’s one other excellent spot for leaf peeping. Also up an enormous 423% are searches for Kanab, Utah; the vacation spot affords easy accessibility to pink rock slot canyon adventures, sand caves and Zion National Park.

Trend 2: Island Retreats in Europe

American vacationers heading overseas are researching island retreats greater than final yr. Searches for the Thai island of Ko Chang are up 446% yr over yr; searches for the Greek island of Crete are up probably the most at 560%; searches for the town of Funchal, on the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, are up 528%; and searches for Alghero, Italy — a metropolis on the island of Sardinia — are up 402%.

Trends From Google Flights
Trend 1: Mid-Size Cities for Thanksgiving

Based on Google Flights knowledge, mid-size American cities are trending for Thanksgiving journey. The prime 5 are Columbia, South Carolina; Bozeman, Montana; Spokane, Washington; Detroit, Michigan; and Omaha, Nebraska.

Trend 2: When to Buy Thanksgiving Flights for a Good Deal

Based on evaluation of 4 years of Google Flights knowledge, it seems that common costs for Thanksgiving journeys are usually lowest 35 days earlier than departure. In 2024, that quantity was 45 days.

Trends From HotelPlanner
Trend 1: Quick Fall Escapes Are Trending Longer

According to numbers from lodge reserving service HotelPlanner, single-night fall escapes have been the factor in 2024. This fall, vacationers are staying of their chosen vacation spot for 2 or extra nights. That elevated demand is bringing costs up a bit; HotelPlanner stories that the common nightly price for lodges within the 10 most-booked cities is up 42% yr over yr. On common, a lodge room prices $282 per night time.

Trend 2: Hot Domestic Cities for Fall

For fall of 2025, HotelPlanner stories that the most-booked cities embrace Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Miami, Nashville and New Orleans.