Why is fall the best time to travel? For some, the appeal is in fewer crowds, lower humidity, reservations that are less expensive and easier to get, and unique activities that aren’t available other times of year.
As summer comes to a close and the leaves begin to change, so do our travel priorities. These fall travel trends are sure to heat up your off-season travel in 2024.
Destination Dupes
Destination dupes have been getting extra attention in 2024, and that’s one travel trend for the fall we expect to continue. Instead of visiting over-touristed, expensive locations, savvy travelers will head to alternative sites.
When you choose a destination dupe, you’re skipping the same spots as everyone else. This helps sites like Venice, Italy, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia that are suffering from overtourism, which can have negative environmental effects as well as put strain on local resources.
By not contributing to overtourism, we’re doing a part to travel more sustainably. You’re also helping the local economy by bringing tourist dollars to the community when they need it most.
Destination dupes are also easier on your budget. Because they don’t have the obvious draw of an Eiffel Tower or Parthenon, there’s less demand than at the original location. Less demand typically means less expensive. There’s a good chance you’ll save money on everything from flights and hotels to food and excursions.
Last, but certainly not least, exploring an alternative location sometimes means that you get a more authentic experience. Some high-demand locations are suffering from “Disneylandification.” In other words, tourism is stripping them of their local flavor.
By going off the beaten path, it’s easier to interact with the community more naturally and see sites unspoiled by crowds.
Best places to visit in the fall for a destination dupe
Instead of Hawaii, you might go to Puerto Rico. Rather than London, maybe choose Liverpool. These dupes will never be a one-for-one trade. There’s only one real Big Ben, after all. But you can still enjoy similar vacation vibes with a twist.
Many of Italy’s most popular cities struggle with overtourism. If you’re looking for a comparable dupe, consider parts of Portugal. Both have similar Mediterranean feels.
Similarly, if you love the idea of a wine tour and eating your way through Tuscany, Italy, but you want to stay in the U.S., book a trip to Napa Valley, California, instead. Both boast romantic wineries and hillside villas ripe with culinary adventure.
Alternatively, if Napa feels a little too been-there-done-that, head for Western Cape, South Africa. The wines might be different, but different is what you’re looking for, right?
We know it sounds crazy, but if you’re looking for the Northern Lights, swap Iceland for Tasmania. You’ll find the Southern Lights instead, and because the natural phenomenon is often overlooked in favor of its Scandinavian sister, you’ll encounter fewer crowds.
Just remember that because they’re in the southern hemisphere, South Africa and Tasmania enjoy fall from June through August.
Intentional Travel
When we hear “meaningful travel,” we often think of voluntourism. That’s not wrong, but it’s also only part of the story.
More people will define purposeful travel as a way to make the most of their time. Instead of picking a place and then finding things to do there, they’ll set a goal — togetherness with family or friends, wellness, going off the grid — and then intentionally choose destinations that meet that goal.
Every moment of the trip might not be planned, but the choices travelers make when following this trend will be focused and intentional.
Best places to visit in the fall for intentional travel
Why you travel will ultimately dictate where you travel. If you’re looking for a wellness retreat, try New Mexico. This southwestern oasis has a long list of retreats that cater to mindfulness practice, exploring creativity, connecting with nature, and more.
If you want to get off the grid and disconnect from technology, head for the woods. The W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park, Ice Age Trail in Wisconsin, or the Pacific Coast Trail in California can get you away from everyday life for a few days.
If it’s all about spending quality time with friends and family, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park might be what you’re looking for. Book a vacation rental in nearby Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge so there’s enough room for everyone. Spend time hiking the trails in what’s one of our favorite family-friendly national parks, then grab a delicious dinner in town together.
Customizable Packages
Travel packages are great. Someone else — an agent or cruise line, for example — creates the basic outline of your trip with all the best a destination has to offer. It’s super convenient for you because you aren’t stuck with all the research and planning.
But as easy as travel packages are, sometimes they can feel a bit stale. You don’t necessarily want to do the same thing that every other traveler out there is doing. That’s where the customizable trend really shines.
More travel providers are making it possible to start with a base package and then personalize your itinerary based on your individual interests. Travel (and travel insurance) isn’t one-size-fits-all. Now's your chance to have convenience that doesn’t ignore your unique desires.
Best places to visit in the fall with travel packages
Disney vacation packages make the top of the list for a lot of people. They make it easy to experience all the magic with limited planning on your part. If you visit the parks in the fall when school is in session, you’ll find fewer crowds, too.
If you’re looking for something a little different, try Adventures by Disney, which are tour packages to destinations around the world, not just the U.S. resorts and theme parks.
SeaWorld San Diego offers a variety of vacation packages that can help you save money on food, accommodations, and even souvenirs. This SoCal city enjoys milder weather in the fall, too, making your visit that much more comfortable.
Spontaneous Travel
For every traveler who can’t leave home without a complete itinerary, there’s another who doesn’t want to plan anything. And as budgets become a bigger concern, more people will turn to spontaneous travel, booking a trip at the last minute based on affordability.
Skyscanner’s Everywhere search tool and the Kayak app’s Explore feature make it easy to find the destinations with the cheapest flights. When all you need is a quick getaway and where you end up isn’t all that important, let spontaneity rule, and go with the flow.
Best places to visit in the fall when you’re feeling spontaneous
If we told you where to travel for your spontaneous trip, it wouldn’t be very spontaneous now, would it? When you’re focused on finding the most affordable destinations, though, you’re likely going to find yourself wherever is slightly out of season.
Traveling during the shoulder season, when crowds are smaller and hotels have more vacancies, is usually cheaper than going at the peak of summer. We wouldn’t be surprised if you ended up booking a flight to New Orleans — just watch out for hurricanes — Chicago, or San Francisco this fall.
Find more destinations for shoulder season.
Emphasis on the Journey
We’ve all heard that the journey is just as important as the destination, and fall travelers know it’s true. Instead of adopting a “get there fast” mentality, more of us will be taking the train and road tripping, knowing that what we see along the way is just as grand as what we see at the destination.
Whether you’re looking to just slow the pace of your travel or explore more sustainably by not flying, alternative modes of transportation could be the answer. So sit back and enjoy the journey.
Best places to visit in the fall to it’s all about the journey
Board the Rocky Mountaineer train for its Rockies to the Red Rocks route. You’ll travel from Moab, Utah, to Denver, Colorado, on either a two- for five-day adventure. They’re the perfect length to enjoy the journey — with a glass-top carriage to take in all the views, no less — and still have time to check out Moab or Denver when you arrive.
The Rockies to the Red Rocks train runs from April to October, so you have just enough time to book your travel in the fall.
If you’re looking for a road trip in the U.S., try driving US 20. It’s the longest highway in the country, running between Massachusetts and Oregon. With more than 3,000 miles to cover, you’ll see a little bit of everything. Now that sounds like a journey.
Those looking for a road trip abroad might like the North Coast 500. This 500-mile loop along the northern coast of Scotland serves up dramatic views of world-famous lochs and mountains, with a healthy dose of castles along the way. Brush up with our tips for driving on the left before you go.
Travel Insurance for the Best Fall Vacations
No matter where and when you travel, protect your trip with travel insurance. Get a quick quote online or talk to a licensed agent to make sure you have the best coverage for your fall vacation.
