Fall travel means cheaper flights to certain destinations. As summer ends and tourist crowds thin out, airlines often lower their prices, making it an affordable time to explore new destinations or revisit old ones. Hopper, a travel booking platform, has published its Fall Shoulder Season Report, offering valuable information about destinations with cost-effective flight options.
According to their report, the average airfare for domestic trips in September and October stands at $211 per ticket, reflecting a 29% decrease from the peak summer months of June, July, and August. Compared to the previous year, fall fares have dropped by 9%, and they are 10% lower than the prices seen in 2019. Additionally, international flight fares to popular destinations also show a significant reduction during the autumn season, with European ticket prices down by 31% from the summer peak, resulting in savings of nearly $330 per ticket.
Why do ticket prices fall in "fall?"
They found that most Americans tend to schedule their vacations during the peak summer months of June, July, or August. This decision often corresponds with the school summer break and the increased flexibility in work schedules. "Along with the cooler weather in September comes 'back to school' season and an annual slowdown in demand for travel, what the industry calls the 'shoulder season,'" they stated. Airlines will lower prices in early fall to encourage people to take one more trip before the busy holiday season starts.
Top cities for cheap fall getaways.
Regarding domestic travel options, flights to New York City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando all have average fares below $200. According to their report, each city offers prices at least 24 percent cheaper than the same tickets during the summer.
When it comes to international destinations, Paris is currently offering fall airfares averaging $684, a 41 percent discount from the summer rates. London has average airfares of $677, representing a 35 percent reduction from summer prices. Additionally, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai are feasible options this fall, featuring airfares as much as 37 percent lower than those seen during the summer says the report.
Furthermore, in addition to airfare savings, Hopper's report highlights that both hotel and rental car prices have decreased. For road trip enthusiasts, rental car prices are averaging $40.
Check out the complete study here.
