Overview
This fall is shaping up to be the best time in years to score a deal.
We’re already seeing steep drops in airfare from summer highs. Travelers who can be flexible are jumping on the opportunity to explore more for less. From Europe to Hawaii to New England’s foliage routes, Fall 2025 offers the kind of value that’s hard to beat.
This report breaks down where prices are dropping the fastest, and which destinations offer the best deals between September and early November. We analyzed over 500,000 airfare data points, paired with insights from 3 million Dollar Flight Club members.
- Airfare on major international routes is down 15 to 60 percent since June
- Domestic fares to cities like Miami, Honolulu, and Asheville are some of the lowest we’ve seen all year
- Post-summer Europe, Southeast Asia, and mountain towns are seeing the biggest savings
- Less demand and better weather make this the smartest time to travel
Table of Contents
- Industry Trends
- Airfare Snapshot
- Top 10 International Destinations
- Top 10 U.S. Destinations
- Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations
- Smart Travel Tips
- Methodology
1. Industry Trends: Why Fall Travel Is Taking Off
With summer crowds fading but airline capacity still high, more seats are going unsold and prices are falling fast.
Compared to Fall 2024, fares are trending lower across nearly every major domestic route. International demand is easing too, especially on destinations that surged in early summer. Cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and flexible work schedules are steering travelers toward fall getaways.
Key takeaways:
More supply than demand is driving price drops
Shoulder season weather offers ideal conditions in many destinations
Flexible travelers are able to grab the deepest discounts
2. Airfare Snapshot: Summer vs Fall Price Drops
Overview:
This season’s most significant trend is the size of the price drop between peak summer and early fall. In many cases, we’re seeing $200+ roundtrip savings just by shifting dates by a few weeks.
Bangkok is down nearly 30 percent. Miami is down 60 percent. Honolulu, London, and Paris are all seeing fall pricing well below their June and July highs. Travelers who held off during the summer surge are now being rewarded with better prices and more options.
3. Top 10 International Destinations for Fall 2025
Overview:
International airfare is finally cooling off after a summer of high demand and tight capacity. In particular, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and several European cities are seeing sizable fall price corrections. We ranked these destinations by affordability based on the lowest average roundtrip fares.
This is a strong opportunity window for anyone sitting on plans. Bangkok, London, Paris, and Cartagena are all seeing hundreds in savings compared to what we tracked just 6 to 8 weeks ago.
4. Top 10 U.S. Domestic Destinations for Fall 2025
Overview:
Domestic prices are leading the way on affordability this fall. Every destination in the top 10 is showing double-digit drops since summer, and half of them are under $250 roundtrip. Most of these deals are holding through October, especially for midweek departures.
Travelers who are looking for short weekend trips or quick leaf-peeping getaways should move quickly as these are some of the lowest fall fares we’ve recorded in the last five years.
5. Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations
Overview:
Fall foliage destinations are trending earlier this year thanks to strong search interest and flexible travel schedules. People are planning weekend escapes or remote work weeks around peak color and the airfare is lining up. These five cities offer the best mix of autumn scenery and low-cost access, with most flights under $300.
If you’re looking to catch peak color and save money, the best weeks to book are between September 17 and October 10.
6. Smart Travel Tips for Fall
Fall is one of the best times of the year to travel smart. Prices are low, but they won’t stay that way. As demand picks up for long weekends, foliage escapes, and early holiday planning, flexibility and timing become even more important. These strategies will help you stay ahead of the curve and make the most of the shoulder season.
Tips:
- Use Google Flights Explore Tool:
Enter your departure city and leave the destination open. You’ll get a map of the cheapest destinations during fall dates. For example, flying into Manchester, New Hampshire instead of Burlington, Vermont can cut your New England foliage trip costs in half. - Try the Split Ticket Strategy:
Book a cheap flight into a major hub like Chicago, Dallas, or Atlanta and then use a budget airline, train, or rental car to reach a smaller city. This works especially well for fall destinations like Asheville, upstate New York, or even Quebec. - Set Up Fare Alerts:
Use Dollar Flight Club to track drops from your home airport. Fall deals change quickly. Alerts help you catch the best prices before they bounce back or disappear altogether. - Book by Late August:
For travel in September and early October, prices typically spike 10 to 14 days before departure. Booking by late August gives you the best mix of availability and savings. - Travel Midweek:
Flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday and returning Saturday or the following Tuesday is usually 15–25% cheaper than peak weekend itineraries. Midweek departures also give you better odds at open award seats and cheaper hotels. - Use Points and Miles While Space is Available:
Fall is a great time to redeem points. Cash fares are low, and international routes that were booked solid in summer are starting to open up. Business class and premium economy awards are easier to find than they’ve been in months.
7. Methodology
We pulled over 500,000 airfare data points between June 15 and August 1, 2025. Routes include roundtrip economy fares from 10 major U.S. airports to domestic and international destinations across North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Fares reflect the lowest observed prices for departures between September 5 and November 10. Data was sourced from Dollar Flight Club’s internal tools and partner aggregators like Skyscanner, Kiwi, and key OTAs.
