Searches for International Trips are Up Year-Over-Year, with Tulum, Mallorca and Tokyo Among the Season’s Top Trending Destinations 

Flight Searches Surge for Indianapolis (+120%) and New Orleans (+40%) as Taylor Swift’s Tour Returns Stateside in October 

Travelers Get Ready to Enjoy the Off-peak Perks of Fewer Crowds and Lower Ticket Prices  

As summer winds down, travel deals are heating up, and savvy U.S. travelers are embracing the chance to plan big getaways. According to the Expedia® Fall Travel Outlook released today, international trips are top of mind for travelers, with flight searches up 15% year-over-year¹ and destinations like Tulum, Mallorca and Tokyo trending.² Meanwhile, the fastest-growing U.S. destination for fall, Indianapolis, is up 120%, with interest driven in part by the “Eras Tour” coming to the city in November.²

For budget-minded travelers, fall is primetime for deals, as airfare historically drops 10% compared to the summer months.³ For many destinations, it’s “shoulder season,” the sweet spot between tourist high season and seasonal low season when the weather is nice, the crowds have dispersed, and hotel rates are more wallet friendly. Tips and trends from Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook include:  

• Top fall destinations for U.S. travelers include Las Vegas, Cancun and Paris, while Indianapolis (+120%), Cape May (+60%), Tulum (+70%) and Mallorca (+70%) are among the season’s top trending hotspots.² 

• For the best deals, domestic travelers should target the week of Sept. 3, when average ticket prices (ATPs) are nearly $100 cheaper than during the peak of summer. Meanwhile, international ATPs are nearly $260 lower the week of Oct. 20 versus summer. ³ 

• Honolulu, Seattle, London and Dublin are some of the destinations seeing a 15% or more drop in average ticket prices for fall compared to summer, offering travelers significant shoulder season savings.³ 

• Japan and New York City are top destinations this fall. See the best the season has to offer by exploring leaf-peeping paradises like Yamaguchi, Japan, a hidden gem just a few hours from Tokyo, and Hudson Valley, New York, a quiet escape outside bustling NYC. 

“During the spring, the top destination was driven by the solar eclipse, and this fall it’s another force of nature — the bucket list ‘Era’s Tour,’” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Group Brands public relations. “Regardless of the destination, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway. The week following Labor Day is the best time for domestic airfare deals, while Oct. 20 is the best for international trips — and for the start of leaf-peeping season.” 

Expedia Fall Travel Outlook 

Destination Insights² 

• Expedia’s search data highlights Las Vegas and Cancun as the most popular destinations overall for fall. European cities like Paris, London and Rome are also a big draw, as the off-peak season promises lighter crowds frequenting the tourist attractions and lower airfare and hotel prices. 

• The destination seeing the biggest year-over-year spike in flight interest is Indianapolis (+120%), a fall hotspot due to the “Eras Tour” coming to the city in early November. The Tour Tourism effect is also boosting interest in New Orleans (+40%). 

• East Coast leaf-peeping locales, nature and international beach destinations round out the list of hotspots attracting U.S. travelers this fall. 

Best and Busiest Times to Travel This Fall⁴ 

For both domestic and international travel, the Thursday and Friday following Labor Day are the busiest days of the season. Many travelers are returning from an extended holiday weekend, while others are seizing the opportunity for a quick getaway and enjoying shoulder season savings before the holiday rush begins. 

• Cheapest Travel Dates (Domestic): Week of Sept. 1, when average ticket prices (ATPs) are nearly $100 cheaper than during the summer peak 
• Cheapest Travel Dates (International): Week of Oct. 20 when international ATPs are nearly $260 lower than summer 
• Busiest Travel Dates: Week of Sept. 8 is the busiest week; Sept. 5 and 6 (Thursday and Friday after Labor Day); Thursdays   

• Lightest Travel Dates: Week of Nov. 10 (approximately two weeks before the week of Thanksgiving; Tuesday, Nov. 12); Mondays 

Cheapest Day of the Week to Fly⁴ 

To maximize savings, depart on a Monday instead of a Thursday for domestic flights to save around 15%, and on Saturday instead of Tuesday. 

Shoulder Season Steals³ 

These are just a few of the destinations where ATPs are currently down 10% or more compared to summer:  

• Domestic: Seattle (down nearly 20%), Honolulu (down 15%), Houston (down 10%), Denver (down 10%), Los Angeles (down 10%) 

• International: Toronto (down more than 25%), Santo Domingo (down 25%), London (down nearly 15%), Oranjestad (down nearly 15%) and Calgary (down 15%) 

Best of Fall Curated Destinations 

Japan and New York City have massive appeal for U.S. travelers year-round, but fall is a particularly special time to visit these top destinations. The weather is mild and there’s nowhere better to experience brilliant fall foliage. Yamaguchi, Japan, a hidden gem just a few hours from Tokyo, and Hudson Valley, New York, a quiet escape outside bustling NYC, are perfect for leaf-peeping enthusiasts this fall. 

• Yamaguchi, Japan: Yamaguchi Prefecture is the perfect hidden gem to add to the itinerary. Easily accessible by a 1.5-hour flight from Tokyo or a 4.5-hour Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train) ride, it’s ideal for a three-to-four-night stay to explore its national parks, visit museums and drink in the stunning fall foliage.  

• Spend a day (or more) in Nagato, to see the dramatic Motonosumi Shrine and trek the Chomonkyo Gorge, one of the best spots in the prefecture for autumn leaf-peeping. Recharge from an active day by soaking in the hot springs at the Hoshino Resort KAI Nagato, a ryokan-style resort that blends traditional Japanese hospitality with modern comforts. 

• Explore nearby Hagi, home to Hagi Castle Town, and learn the history of the samurai and take home a souvenir goldfish lantern. 

• In Shimonoseki City, visit the Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge and try fugu (pufferfish), a delicacy local to the prefecture, at the Karato Fish Market.  

• Four-night airfare and hotel packages, including a stay at Matsudaya Hotel and roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles in November 2024 (when fall foliage colors peak), start around $1,743 with sightseeing tours available for around $45 per person. 
   

• Hudson Valley, New York: Travelers visiting New York City, one of the season’s top destinations, should spend a few days in Hudson Valley, just two hours from Manhattan by car. From wine tasting to art galleries to stunning fall foliage, it’s a perfect add-on to a NYC itinerary. Leaf-peepers take note: Autumn colors peak in mid-to-late October. 

• Rent a car and head to Beacon, a hub for contemporary art, the Dia Museum, and local eateries like The Roundhouse. Hike the Walkway Over the Hudson or Franny Reese State Park for stunning views. 

• Visit the historic towns of Rhinebeck and Hudson, known for their charming boutiques and vibrant arts scenes. Stop by the Vanderbilt Mansion and tour the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Don’t miss the Roosevelt Home National Historic Site or dining at the Culinary Institute of America. Enjoy farm-to-table dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. 

• Inviting and chic accommodations in Hudson Valley include Hotel Kinsley, with rates starting at $417 per night, and Inn at Bellefield, from $269 per night during the week of Oct. 23. Make the most of the trip with the Peekskill Culture and Food tours or a Hudson River sightseeing cruise. Consider travel insurance for weather events. 

Fall Travel Tips 

Allow Expedia’s suite of traveler tools to simplify the journey by taking the guesswork out of booking, saving on airfare and streamlining the planning process. 

• Save with flight alerts: Use Price Tracking on the Expedia app to pinpoint the optimal booking window and receive instant notifications when flight prices drop.** 

• Opt for morning flights: According to Expedia’s 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report, morning departures are 50% less prone to cancellations than flights after 3 p.m., highlighting the benefits of seizing the day. 

• Secure a flexible hotel reservation: Use Expedia’s search filters to discover accommodations offering “free cancellation” or “reserve now, pay later” options, and select the refundable room. 

• Bundle and save: Travelers can save by bundling their flight or hotel booking on Expedia, taking advantage of discounted rates. 

• Book once, earn twice: Unlock the benefits of One Key™ membership by earning OneKeyCash™ on eligible Expedia bookings. Input the airline mileage plan details at checkout to earn twice, turning each trip into a more rewarding experience. 

Data Sources 

¹Based on Expedia.com flight demand from Sept. 3 – Nov. 15, 2024, as of July 17, 2024, compared to the same time period in 2023.  

²Most popular and trending destinations based on Expedia.com flight searches for travel during the weeks of Sept. 3 – Nov. 15, 2024, as of July 17, 2024. Trending destinations are based on comparisons to the same time period last year. 

³Based on average ticket price changes for travel during Sept. 3 – Nov. 15, 2024, compared to May 24 – Sept. 3, 2024, as of July 2024. 

⁴Based on Expedia flight demand for travel during September, October, November 2023 compared to the same time frame in 2022. 

** Price predictions are not a guarantee and are available on select routes.