Back to school? Or rather, back in the saddle.
September marks the end of summer, but seasoned travelers know that the coming month also marks the start of the shoulder season—that quiet, magical moment when travel becomes more affordable, destinations are less crowded, and the skies are a little friendlier.
However, according to Expedia, there are times in the coming season when the deals are really best – for example, in the week of September 1, as experts from the third-party booking site revealed in a new fall travel report.
During this entire week, airfares are on average $100 lower than they were in mid-summer, as many of the travelers who crowded airports around the world just a few weeks ago are suddenly grounded due to work and school schedules.
Those lucky enough to have free movement can cash in on the deals. And if you’re interested in international travel, average overseas fares will drop a whopping $260 per trip during the week of Oct. 20 compared to the lowest price of the summer, the pros explained.
Looking for absolute peace and quiet? During the week of November 10th – during the always predictable lull before Thanksgiving – many travel destinations are likely to be dead quiet.
That will be pretty much every Monday during the season, the number crunchers warned, suggesting that the best time to travel is on the first working day to save big. That could save you about 15% on a domestic flight. Saturdays were the next best for cabin space – and savings.
And where should you go? According to the website, destinations such as Tulum, Mexico, Mallorca, Spain and Tokyo are trending – the latter currently has a surprisingly favorable exchange rate.
And last on the hotlist is Indianapolis, where interest has increased by a whopping 120%. But there is a reason for this: Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” will stop there in November.
If getting value for money is more important to you than landing your cheap flight, there are three destinations U.S. travelers should keep an eye on, the website says. Consider Las Vegas, Cancun and Paris, which are likely to be taking it easy after a hectic summer in the spotlight.
Expedia also recommends keeping an eye on Honolulu, Seattle, London and Dublin, where average airfares are expected to drop by 15% or more in the coming weeks.
“No matter where you’re heading, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway,” said Melanie Fish, Expedia Group Brands’ director of public relations, in a press release.
“The week after Labor Day is the best time for cheap domestic flights, while October 20 is the best time for international travel – and for the start of the fall foliage season.”
