Why Fall Continues To Be a Gem of a Travel Season

Labor Day weekend has arrived and that’s a sad development for those of us who love summer fun.

But the end of summer also marks what travel industry insiders have long known is the start of something even better: the fall travel season.

There’s something better than summer, you ask?

Yes, it’s true. Come fall, the crowds have dissipated at many of the most popular destinations around the world and prices in many those same places follow suit.

And in year’s past, the temperatures have also become more bearable for explorations, (though climate change is increasingly impacting this particular part of the fall travel equation.)

Still, the experts at HotelPlanner maintain that fall travel continues to be the best kept secret in the industry. And on average, October travel

“It’s beautiful, good for the soul, and cheaper than you think,” HotelPlanner’s Chief Communications Officer, Tim Gunnstone, says of fall travel.

In fact, according to HotePlanner data, hotel costs in October are a significant 34 percent cheaper than they are in September.

It’s possible to save even more come fall if you opt to visit what Gunnstone calls ‘second tier’ cities.

“We did a bit of analysis to see if the second-tier cities will save you money, as well as offer you friendlier welcome,” continues Gunnstone.

“We started with Gdansk,” Gunnstone continues. “It is beautiful and as charming and lively as Amsterdam. Gdansk’ hotels are also a whopping 40 percent cheaper than Amsterdam. Boston is a great place to visit and its hotels, though pricey, are 27 percent cheaper than those in New York City.”

With Gunnstone’s comments in mind, TravelPulse reached out to other industry experts to explore why fall continues to be a gem of a travel season and whether that’s still the case amid the rising number of digital nomads, remote workers, and even increasing global temperatures — which make fall weather in some places, not quite the relief it once was.

Autumn nature hiker walking in national park in Quebec (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

Fewer crowds and better access

Let’s start by taking a bit of a deeper dive into the most obvious benefit of fall travel, which Gunnstone, from HotelPlanner, touched upon: Diminished crowds.

In popular destinations like Paris or Rome, the summer tourist frenzy can be overwhelming (understatement), making it difficult to fully enjoy your vacation. The challenges of overtourism in many of the planet’s global hot spots have been well documented by this point and more recently, have even caused protests by local residents and confrontations in Barcelona.

However, by fall, the tourist rush in many of these places has significantly diminished.

“This means shorter lines at major attractions, easier access to reservations at top restaurants, and a generally more relaxed atmosphere,” says Duncan Greenfield-Turk, chief travel designer for custom travel planning company Global Travel Moments. “For travelers who want to immerse themselves in local culture without the hustle and bustle, fall is the perfect time.”

Steve Guilday, director of travel at AARP Services, underscores this point.

“With kids back in school and a majority of others using their vacation days on summer travel, traveling in the fall means avoiding peak crowds,” says Guilday.

“Less people means less competition, so even if you forget about making that dinner reservation you were looking forward to now for weeks, you’re more likely to be able to walk in to the local hot spot or your favorite restaurant in a particular destination and be able to get a table,” Guilday adds.

And who out there hasn’t forgotten to make a dinner reservation now and then, only to be turned away by the restaurant amid the summer crush because of your oversight.

You’re also less likely to have to wait in lines or elbow your way through hordes of other tourists to snap a pic of a popular attraction, says Guilday.

Saving money for travel (Photo Credit: Kittiphan/Adobe Stock)

Cost savings

Next up on HotelPlanner’s list of reasons why fall is a great time to travel is the sheer budget-friendly aspect of the season. Other travel industry insides concur on this point as well – including other hotel industry experts.

Tom Counts, director of sales at Boston’s Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston, says fall is a great time to score bargain prices and better rooms to boot.

“As a hotel person, I know that when the people thin out, the room rates get lower. The time to look for a deal is when everyone else and their brother is not looking for a deal,” says Counts.

With all of the market intelligence that hotels now have at their fingertips to determine pricing, explains Counts, hotels get very aggressive on room rates when there is no-one around to buy those rooms, including fall room rates.

Now here’s you’re insider bonus tip: If you can’t find a hotel room price that accommodates your budget in fall, try calling the hotel directly to negotiate. In fall, that tactic is more likely to payoff, says Counts.

“If you do not see the deal you want on their website, pick up the phone, ask the front office manager if he can help with your budget,” explains Counts. “If they know the room will go empty, they might make a good decision in your favor. I cannot say that everyone gets it, but most with a little experience will be all over helping you out.”


One more important point when it comes to saving money on fall travel: It’s not just hotels that are less expensive in fall.

“As the data shows, hotel prices in October are significantly lower than in September, offering travelers great value for money, but this price drop is not limited to accommodations — flights, car rentals, and even some tourist attractions also offer lower prices during the fall,” says Greenfield-Turk. “For budget-conscious travelers who still want a high-quality experience, fall provides an opportunity to stretch their travel dollars further.”

Genuine interactions and meaningful connections

Saving money and skipping the crowds are indeed some valuable benefits when it comes to travel and the overall level of enjoyment associated with your getaway.

There’s also another benefit associated with fall travel that may be less obvious. Fewer crowds often means more opportunity to travel deeper and have richer travel experiences.

“In general, with fewer tourists around, the fall allows for more genuine interactions with locals as they are often more relaxed and welcoming to visitors when the crowds have dissipated,” says Jeremy Clubb, travel expert and found of specialist cruise provider Rainforest Cruises and Antarctica Cruises.

“This can lead to deeper and more meaningful connections with the people and culture of the destination you’re visiting,” continues Clubb. “Conversely, but along a similar vein with regards rich cultural experiences, the many festivals that take place around the world at this time of year provide a unique opportunity to witness and take part in enthralling, fascinating, and often awe-inspiring traditional celebrations, albeit with crowds.”

Rome, Italy in fall (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

Is the ‘hidden gem’ aspect of fall travel changing?

Most of us are familiar with the old saying “All good things come to an end.” But does this popular expression apply to many benefits associated with fall travel?

Sadly, it seems some in the travel industry anticipate at least a few changes on the horizon when it comes to fall travel benefits.

“There’s definitely a shift happening…More travelers are catching on to the benefits of this season,” says Greenfiled-Turk. “The rise of remote work is a significant factor here—people now have more flexibility to travel outside of the traditional summer vacation period. This shift is likely to continue, especially as travelers become more savvy about finding value and avoiding crowds.”

Guilday, of AARP Services says that shift is already taking place and has begun to impact the bargain prices that have historically been available during October.

“It used to be that someone looking for a bargain could count on traveling in the shoulder season – but these off–peak seasons are starting to get busier as well,” Guilday explained. “Thanks to some companies keeping remote work policies even after the pandemic ended, people are much more willing and able to book their vacations at any time of the year.”

That being said, deals still exist, but finding one may be more difficult or require you to be more creative and flexible about your destination and travel dates, Guilday added, noting that “Even as more people find out about the ‘hidden gem’ that fall travel can be, it’s still possible to score some wallet-saving deals.”

In fact, Richard Krieger, director of tour operator Sky Vacations, says there’s still plenty of time for travelers to experience a dream trip before autumn becomes the new summer.

Krieger says his team of tour designers are often asked to identify a hidden gem destination for a client’s fall getaway. And the Sky Vacations team still has plenty of options available for such requests, Krieger says, offering up one example:

“The region of Umbria in Italy is incredible in autumn. Less crowded and less expensive than its tuscan neighbor, Umbria has it all,” says Krieger. “Stunning vistas, awesome food, museums, churches, galleries and shops – all with a charming and authentic vibe. Our clients that have visited Umbria in the fall have commented it was their best trip to Italy – ever.”

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