Why Fall is a GREAT Time to Travel

Who doesn’t love taking a trip in autumn? Fall is a GREAT time to travel!

Enjoy fewer crowds, cheaper accommodations and, of course, beautiful fall colors. It’s the perfect time to relax a little between the busy start of school and the hectic holidays!

There are so many reasons to travel in the fall. Here’s some inspiration to book your trip ASAP.

Enjoy more trips with the tips in How to Save Money So You Can Travel More.

Less Crowds

The main reason that fall is a fantastic time to travel is sights and hotels won’t be crowded. Standing in long lines, or elbowing your way through throngs of people is certain to put a damper on your trip.

Heading to Disney? You may not be able to go on as many rides as you’d like if you travel during busy summer months with enormous lines for every attraction.

Going overseas? Expect to battle it out with thousands of tourists at the Louvre in Paris or the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Never mind the hassle of long waits at restaurants, train stations, and airports.

A critical factor in enjoying travel is to try to get away from the crowds as much as possible. Booking a trip in October or November, when most people are at work and school, can TOTALLY make your trip!

Don’t make these 5 Mistakes Visitors Make at the Grand Canyon, if you’re headed out west.

It’s Cheaper

Raise your hand if you like to pay MORE for your trip? Yeah, I didn’t think so!

Go in autumn when flights, hotels and (sometimes) admission prices are much less. It’s easier to find deals on key travel expenses due to smaller demand. You can typically get better airline tickets and hotel rates than busy summer months or big holidays like Spring Break or Christmas.

If you don’t see the price you like, call the hotel directly to ask if they can offer you a lower rate. Hotels know it’s better to have a full house at a discount, rather a few bookings paying top dollar.

Take advantage of excellent fall airfare to go abroad! Read all about Three Perfect Days in Rome, and start planning your Italian getaway.

The Weather is Perfect

There’s something about the fall that makes you want to get outside! In the northern hemisphere, the heat of the summer has passed, and with a light jacket or cozy sweater, you can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about melting on the sidewalk.

Even in colder areas, summer humidity and concerns about sunscreen can interfere with your sightseeing. Who wants to sweat all day while you’re exploring a city?

If your trip is overseas, be aware that most countries don’t have air conditioning as abundantly or efficiently as the U.S. There is nothing like a sweaty, smelly metro car in Rome to make you long for October temps.

For those who enjoy camping, sleeping outdoors in summer can be pleasant in the mountains. But in the south or southwest, you may be sweating it out in your tent. And summertime always means mosquitos, although it’s not a big issue in fall.

In short, unless you’re heading for the beach, that summer sun is not as enjoyable as those gorgeous 70-degree days in October. (Although we’ve swum in Florida in October, the Gulf of Mexico isn’t that cold.)

I looove Oregon in the fall! The ULTIMATE 48 Hrs. in Portland, Oregon, is an excellent plan for a weekend with beautiful fall colors all around.

Enjoy Gorgeous Fall Colors

And another perk for fall travel? Beautiful outdoor scenery! When the leaves change to orange, gold and ruby, THAT’S when I want to go hiking or snap some lovely city pics.

Many areas are known for their pretty flowers in spring, but those flowers are usually growing so well because of frequent rains. And a snowy landscape is lovely to gaze at from inside a warm hotel, but not so great when you’re sloshing through yucky melted snow all day.

Fall is the perfect time to go exploring with the bonus of a spectacular background. Some autumn travelers specifically go for the leaf-peeping, renting cabins in the mountains or taking long drives surrounded by all those lovely colors.

If you’re headed to Disney, get the dirt on what it’s really like to work for the Mouse! Confessions of a Disney Princess.

Cuddle Up Together

Enjoy the crisp fall weather in your cozy sweaters, scarves and boots. As someone who lives in the desert, I relish those fall outfits that feel so comfy! Packing for fall travel is as simple as jeans/leggings, sweaters and a light jacket.

If you’re flying, be sure to wear your boots on the plane to save space in your luggage. And dress in layers to avoid overheating on sunny afternoon walks, while still being comfortable outside after dark.

Autumn trips are especially made for couples. Picture you and your honey relaxing in front of a roaring fire each evening, or enjoying a hot chocolate at a little café in London. Campers can use that fire to cook up some chili or hot soup to warm up on a cool night. Snuggling together also helps.

Pack for perfection with 5 Surprisingly Easy Tips for What to Wear in Paris. 

Relax Before the Holidays

Another reason to travel in the fall? It’s a great time to relax before the frenzy of the holiday season. Once Thanksgiving rolls around, you know every weekend (and some weeknights) will be filled with parties, concerts, holiday events, and special religious services.

Add in your own to-do list, with decorating, shopping, wrapping and cooking, and you need a vacation just thinking about it all!

That’s why October and November are the best months to sneak off for a few days to recharge your batteries for the month ahead.

Plus, families with school children will also appreciate a little chill time after the start of school and busy fall sports schedules. Take the kids out for a weekend or sneak off without them!

If the kids are out of school, consider one of these 7 Best Family Vacation Spots in the U.S.

But How Can I Travel in Fall?

Which brings us to the last point…how can you travel in the fall? It’s not exactly a typical time to take vacation hours. And if you have kids they may be tied up with school and activities.

Firstly, if you don’t have children, it should be no problem to arrange your vacation in the autumn months. In fact, your coworkers who are parents will probably thank you for freeing up those coveted summer months.

And some schools give their students a fall break, which makes for a stellar time to travel! Almost every time we flew over fall break, we ran into other students we knew at their airport who were taking advantage as well.

If your kids don’t get a break, then consider taking them out for a long weekend. The Columbus Day holiday, which is always the second Monday in October, is a great time to take Friday off and head out for the open road.

Of course, parents can always use the time for an adult getaway, if you’re lucky enough to have grandparents around who can take over for a few days.

Fall is a FABULOUS time to take a break from the every day and get out there. Whether you enjoy a city break with world-class museums and high-rises, a cozy cabin in the mountains for some spectacular leaf-peeping, or even a jaunt abroad for a breezy tour of some fascinating old-world sights, you’ll have a cool time for sure!

If you have a favorite fall getaway tip, please tell us in the comments below! I’d love to hear it!