If you missed out on a trip this summer, your wallet might thank you. Fall is famously a more affordable time to travel, and this off-season means plenty of deals. To get inspired for cheap autumn breaks in September, October, and November, here are eight affordable destinations for everything from seasonal weekend getaways to cheap fall family vacations.
Editor’s Note: Airfare and nightly rate estimates are accurate as of time of publication.
San José, Costa Rica
The rainy season in Costa Rica lasts from May to December with peak months in September and October. Traveling during this time can be a gamble, but the rewards are worth the risk. The extra precipitation allows for lush jungle scenery you’ll miss in the dry season, and these months are a prime time to see wildlife.
Getting There: You can find rates to San José for as low as $228 in the fall. Flights to Liberia are slightly more expensive, with most rates around $300 round-trip.
Where to Stay: Put a pop of color in your vacation at Hotel Fleur De Lys, a colorful and warmly welcoming hotel in the cultural district of San José. The property brings the natural beauty of Costa Rica into its design, with each room named after a local flower and several atriums for guests to explore. Standard rooms are available for less than $60/night.
Things to Do: There are plenty of activities in Costa Rica that are actually improved by the rainy season. Book a white water rafting tour or explore local waterfalls while the water is flowing. If you’re an animal lover, plan your trip further west of San José to visit the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge and see the arribadas, or large-scale arrivals, of nesting sea turtles in September and October.
Porto, Portugal
Travelers willing to contend with higher chances of rain during the fall months in Porto will be rewarded with mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and city parks and gardens bathed in unforgettable autumn colors.
Getting There: Flights to Porto can be found for around $400-$450 round-trip depending on your departure airport.
Where to Stay: Moov Hotel Porto Centro, a centrally located art deco hotel, has rooms for as low as $126 per night.
Things to Do: There’s no shortage of things to do in Porto in any season, from catching a can’t-miss fado show to visiting the Jardins do Palacio de Cristal for incredible scenery to sampling a delicious francesinha, a savory sandwich invented in the city.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Not all fall travelers are chasing pumpkin spice and cooler weather. To extend the summer vibes, book a trip to Las Vegas in September and October, where daytime temperatures hover in the low to mid-80s and cool off significantly at night.
Getting There: West Coast travelers will find unbelievably cheap fall fares to Las Vegas, with round-trip tickets under $50. East Coasters will have to fly for longer, but they can still find flights on budget airlines like Frontier and Spirit for under $100.
Where to Stay: The Rio Hotel & Casino is just one block off the Strip and has nightly rates for under $200 in the fall.
Things to Do: All the traditional Las Vegas activities are available in the autumn, from catching a show to taking in the atmosphere at one of the city’s many casinos. For a seasonal event, check out the upcoming harvest show at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, a free-to-enter display of floral sculptures and dazzling gardens. For families, there are several trunk-or-treat events throughout October with either free entry or a small registration fee.
Cancún, Mexico
If you’re a risk-taker (that is, you don’t mind the possibility of rain or even hurricanes), Cancún in the rainy season of August to October could lead to some good deals on this classic, white sand Mexican beach destination on the Yucatán Peninsula.
Getting There: You can find roundtrip fares to Cancún this fall in the $200-$300 range.
Where to Stay: Where you stay in Cancún depends on how you want to spend your days, from all-inclusive resorts to simple haciendas. To bring a spring break vibe to your autumn getaway, check out Krystal Cancun, where October rates start in the $200 range.
Things to Do: Swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and scuba diving all top the list of activities in Cancún. Beyond the sea, book a package to visit historic sites like the Chichén Itzá Ruins or take a street food tour to try tacos and mezcal.
New Orleans
New Orleans is bustling with activity this upcoming fall season, from the delicious Beignet Fest to the citywide NOLAxNOLA concert series. Explore the city at the tail end of its off-season with nice (less humid) fall weather, including temperate days and cooler evenings.
Getting There: This coming fall, roundtrip airfare to New Orleans from several major hubs will be under $100, with Google Flights showing most fares hovering in the $100-$250 range.
Where to Stay: The Aloft New Orleans Downtown places you in the heart of the city, within walking distance of iconic areas like the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Fall rates start at around $200 per night.
Things to Do: Listening to jazz and live music is a must while in the Big Easy, as is feasting at Cajun and Creole restaurants like Commander’s Palace. To experience a bit of nature beyond New Orleans’ beautiful architecture, take a bayou boat tour and try to spot gators.
Rome, Italy
The off-season in Rome officially begins in mid-November, but tourist traffic starts lightening up in October. This makes the later fall months a great time to visit the city before tourism picks back up for the holidays. Hotels are cheaper this time of year, and temperatures range in the low-60s to mid-70s.
Getting There: Travelers can find flights from major US cities in the $400 to $600 range, significantly more affordable than the summer months when similar flight itineraries can cost up to and above $1,000 roundtrip. If you’re willing to have a layover on your way to Italy, you can find fares for under $400.
Where to Stay: Hotel Trastevere is located in the heart of the neighborhood of Trastevere, a historical region of the city full of cafes, wine bars, pizzerias, open-air markets, and historic architecture. The hotel itself is just a 20-minute tram ride to attractions like the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Trevi Fountain. Fall prices average around $250 per night.
Things to Do: Many of the city’s ancient sites are free to explore, with an admission fee only required if you want to enter certain areas or take a guided tour. Dozens of stunning parks and piazzas are also free to wander, including the stunning Piazzale Garibaldi, where you can get 360 degree views of the city.
Washington DC
While many travelers aim to see the stunning display of cherry blossoms in the spring, Washington, D.C., in autumn shouldn’t be overlooked. With dozens of free attractions around the city, savvy travelers can create a jam-packed itinerary while still saving money.
Getting There: Even from Los Angeles, round-trip flights to Washington, D.C. can cost as low as $100 in the fall. The city is also easily accessible by train and bus from a number of East Coast cities.
Where to Stay: The Generator Hotel offers nice accommodations at a surprisingly affordable price of around $180 per night.
Things to Do: Explore the museums of the National Mall, all free to the public, along with the city’s many monuments and memorials. Catch the fall colors, at their peak in the region in mid-October, at the U.S. National Arboretum or see a discounted show at this year’s Theatre Week (September 26 through October 13).
Chicago, Illinois
Visiting Chicago in the fall will allow you to see the Windy City in a whole new light. Admire the famous Cloud Gate amid the gorgeous foliage in Millennium Park, or take an architecture cruise to see famous buildings surrounded by autumn colors.
Getting There: Budget airlines Spirit and Frontier offer nonstop flights from a number of major cities to Chicago, with round-trip prices under $100.
Where to Stay: Find a room at the Silversmith Hotel in Chicago’s popular Magnificant Mile neighborhood for around $250 per night.
Things to Do: Plan your trip for the last weekend in September to attend Chicago’s Oktoberfest and get a little taste of adventuring abroad in your domestic travels. Closer to Halloween, check out Arts in the Dark, an evening of visual and performing arts in Washington Park with a spooky seasonal twist.
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