Travel can be expensive. That’s a fact. But that doesn’t mean that all destinations are expensive at all times of year. Some destinations offer great value, especially when you’re planning a trip this fall.
The fall is the shoulder season, when costs are typically less than during the heights of summer and the winter holidays. That being said, it has increasingly become one of the most popular times of year to travel. In particular, European countries like Italy and France are especially busy in the fall. Many parts of Europe see summer-like conditions well into late September and early October, meaning that for all intents and purposes, early fall is an extended summer for travel. This means that despite its status as the shoulder season, travel in the early fall is getting more expensive.
Luckily, there are some places where your dollar goes a long way. These value destinations have incredible travel infrastructure, but also boast great deals on everything from flights to hotels to cost of food and touring. With airfare costs nearing an all-time high right now, these destinations are particularly good value for money. Airfares are affordable and there is availability with regards to hotel rooms and tours. You can even enjoy seat sales on many of these nations for travel in October and November. It’s been a while since airlines have had seat sales worth mentioning, but the tide has turned this upcoming fall, so it’s time to take advantage of it for your fall travels.
What are good value destinations for travel in the fall?
1. Costa Rica
In November, Costa Rica transitions out of the so-called green season, when every day brings long, heavy rains at sundown. This means that the country is bursting with greenery, but you no longer have to deal with long rains each day. But because fall is a transitional period, the country is more affordable and there is greater availability for flights and hotel rooms. If you want to travel to Costa Rica a bit earlier in the fall, consider visiting the Pacific coast, including Tortuguero National Park, home to the breeding grounds for rare leatherback turtles. Unlike the rest of the country, the Pacific states are actually relatively dry in October.
2. Peru
October and November are transitional months in Peru, which means that you can save big on tours of Machu Picchu and trips through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The transition into Peruvian spring does bring some rain, but the rain also brings growth and a flourishing of the vegetation across the Sacred Valley. The golden hills turn green at this time of year. As well, there’s better availability for hiking the Inca Trail and seeing the Lost Citadel of Machu Picchu.
3. Thailand
Thailand is one of the most affordable travel destinations at all times of year, but it’s particularly appealing in the fall when it’s less humid and the cities are less crowded. There are some great seat sales to Thailand this fall, so you can save on international round trips. Furthermore, Thailand is extremely affordable for food, accommodations, and touring, so you can use the money you save on flights to upgrade your room or book some pampering wellness treatments at southern resorts.
4. Australia
Flights to Australia are some of the longest in the world, but luckily, you can get some great savings on roundtrip flights this fall with airlines such as Qantas. Australia also has a favourable exchange rate at the moment, which means that costs on everything from food to drink to tours to hotel rooms are attractive for North American travellers. That means you can stay longer and see more of the highlights, from the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland to mighty Uluru in the Red Centre to the biodiverse wonders of Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
5. New Zealand
The same seat sales that apply to Australia often apply to New Zealand. The flights are almost as long and they are serviced by many of the same airlines, which means you can easily take advantage of similar savings on flights to Auckland. Once you’re in New Zealand, your American or Canadian dollar goes a long way when booking a tour of Milford Sound or wine tastings at celebrated cellar doors.
6. South Africa
While many countries around the world have gotten more expensive, South Africa has stayed relatively affordable over the past few years, making it hugely appealing in a world where inflation and corporate graft are running rampant. There are savings on international flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as good deals on safaris through Greater Kruger National Park.
7. Portugal
While Europe is typically getting more expensive in the fall months, there are some countries that are the exception to this trend. For instance, Portugal is still an affordable fall travel destination with warm temperatures and the availability and infrastructure to accommodate long stays over the winter in the southern region of the Algarve. Flights are affordable from North America. You can even take advantage of good deals and new direct connections to Portuguese destinations such as Madeira, located off the coast of North Africa in the Atlantic Ocean.
You might say that Aren was destined to become a globetrotter after his family took him to Germany two times before he was four. If that wasn’t enough, a term spent in Sweden as a young teenager and a trek across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand confirmed that destiny. An independent writer, director, and film critic, Aren has travelled across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. His favourite travel experience was visiting the major cities of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, but his love for food, drink, and film will take him anywhere that boasts great art and culture.
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