5 really stupid travel mistakes you have to avoid this fall

Traveling somewhere this fall? Better check your assumptions along with your baggage.

Unrealistic expectations are the single biggest error travelers can make. Like “the weather will be great” (don’t count on anything, considering the wacky conditions we’ve had this year). Or “the place will be empty” (no, not in 2024). Or “It’ll be inexpensive” (unlikely!).

“Autumn is a rather unpredictable season when it comes to travel,” says Jay Ternavan, founder of Jayway Travel. “I’ve witnessed some of the most bizarre decisions travelers make during this time of year.”

Oh, and before you ask, “Who you callin’ stupid?,” let me point out my own folly. 

There was the early fall trip to Scotland when I foolishly packed one long-sleeved shirt and no jacket. What was I thinking? It was so cold it could have snowed. And there was a road trip to Connecticut to see the autumn leaves — on a weekend when everyone else had the same idea. 

And when it comes to prices, I’m in an almost constant state of sticker shock these days.

But that doesn’t have to be you. Here are the five biggest fall travel mistakes people are making this year. 

Fall travel mistake #1: Not preparing for the crowds

Remember, this is the busiest year for travel in the history of modern travel. So if you think there’s going to be an “off” season for anything, think again. The crowds will be worse than ever. 

“The stupidest thing I have done on a fall trip is to drive the scenic Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire on Sunday of the October holiday weekend,” remembers Victoria Yore, a photographer from Tampa. “This is by far the busiest day. I should have known better.”

Yore says it took two hours to drive only a few miles on a Sunday. While the foliage is spectacular, it seems everyone knows it. Experts say they expect that this fall, the madness will spread beyond the weekends, and in some places, there may not even be a significant shoulder season.

Where are the crowds? Check out one of the fall foliage maps, like this one from Explore Fall. You can use the slider to determine where the leaves will be turning — and when all the people are likely to turn up.

Fall travel mistake #2: Poor budgeting — or none at all

You’ve probably heard that travel prices have fallen, especially airfares. (It’s true, ticket prices haven’t been this affordable in years.) But one of the biggest fall travel mistakes you can make is assuming things will stay that way. Because they almost certainly won’t. 

As we head into the busy holiday travel season, airlines, car rental companies and hotels will raise their rates as demand goes up. Experts say you have to either book your travel now to take advantage of the lower prices or budget a little extra for the Thanksgiving or Christmas trip.

Budgeting is one of the most boring aspects of travel, I’ll be the first to admit it. But a budgeting app like Pocketguard or Trabee can help set a realistic budget and maybe keep you from overspending. 

Fall travel mistake #3: Assuming the weather will be fine

Kevin Shahnazari, a frequent traveler and financial advisor from Vancouver, Canada, says he double-checks to make sure he’s dressed for the weather after an embarrassing trip to Chicago last fall.

“I came to the Windy City, carrying nothing but light business suits, very appropriate for the mild autumn I had just left behind,” he recalls. “As soon as I stepped out into the streets from O’Hare, a biting wind and near-freezing temperatures greeted me. My thin suit did nothing to protect me against the famously unpredictable Chicago fall.”

Shahnazari says he thinks the situation will get worse, as climate change makes weather even more unpredictable. (Indeed, we’re wrapping up what’s expected to be one of the most active hurricane seasons in years.) 

“So flexibility in your wardrobe — and your mindset — is more paramount than ever,” he says.

By the way, you can hedge yourself against bad weather with protection from companies like WeatherPromise or Sensible Weather.

Fall travel mistake #4: Spectacularly bad planning!

I don’t know what it is about fall trips that bring out the doofus in us, but I’m definitely part of this group. For some reason, I forget all the savvy advice I used to plan my summer trips — and I get into deep trouble.

And I’m not the only one who does that. Kevin Mercier did, too. Last fall, he decided to tour the French countryside and take photos for his travel site. 

“I had a grand plan to visit several charming villages in a single day, but I didn’t think about how much driving that would require,” he remembers. “I got so caught up in taking photos and admiring the picturesque scenery that I lost track of time.”

You can probably guess what happened next. His rental car was running on empty and coincidentally, he also lost his phone signal, and just like that, Mercier was stranded in the dark. 

“Luckily, a friendly local farmer came to my rescue,” he says. “He towed my car to the nearest village where I could get help.”

A competent travel advisor can help you plan a trip right. You can find a professional at the American Society of Travel Advisors site, or you can use Google Maps to ensure you have enough time to get between your stops. (This works any time of the year, of course.)

Fall travel mistake #5: Throwing caution to the wind

I probably don’t have to tell you that we’re heading into a contentious presidential election. No one knows what will happen, but there are some places that might get dicey. I’m not just talking about possible unrest on November 6 in the United States, but also some anti-American sentiment being directed at Americans who are overseas during that time. And then there’s Inauguration Day, but that’s really beyond the scope of this story. (Don’t even get me started on politics. This is a travel column!)

Security experts say it’s more important than ever to review the government advisories around this time. There are State Department travel advisories for foreign travel. I also like to check out the government advisors for the United States issued by Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. If there’s trouble brewing here, you’ll probably find it there.

Ignoring the warnings would be pure folly, especially at a time like this. And I have to admit, I’m headed to the Mideast this fall, so I’m not going to make that mistake. Otherwise, you might not have a travel columnist to make fun of, and what fun would that be?

So before you pack your bags and head out into the great autumn unknown, remember: A little planning goes a long way this fall. Skip the crowds, budget wisely, and for heaven’s sake, pack a jacket and plan your gas breaks. Otherwise, you might find yourself shivering in Scotland or stranded in the French countryside, wondering where it all went wrong.