Back to school? Or rather back in the saddle.
September means the end of summer, but savvy travelers know that the coming month also marks the beginning of shoulder season—that quietly magical time when travel becomes more affordable, destinations may be less crowded, the skies a little warmer again.
But, according to Expedia, there are times in the upcoming season when deals are truly at their best — the week of September 1, for example, the third-party booking site’s experts revealed in a new fall travel report.
Throughout this week, airfares are averaging $100 lower than at their summer peak, as many travelers who were thronging airports around the world just weeks ago are suddenly grounded by work and school schedules.
Those lucky enough to have the freedom to move around can score some great deals. And if you’re interested in international travel, the week of Oct. 20 will see average overseas fares drop $260 from the summer’s worst, industry insiders said.
Looking for absolute quiet? The week of November 10, during the expected pre-Thanksgiving quiet period, is expected to be deathly quiet in many destinations.
So analysts suggested that to save big, it would be best to travel on the first day of the week before all others. That could save you about 15% on a domestic flight. Saturday was the second best day for cabin space and savings.
And where to go? Destinations like Tulum, Mexico, Mallorca, Spain and Tokyo — the latter currently enjoying a surprisingly favorable exchange rate — are all hot, according to the site.
And finally, on the list of most popular cities, there is Indianapolis, where interest increased by 120%, but there would be a reason for that: Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” will stop in November.
If getting the best value is more important than where your affordable flight lands, there are three destinations American travelers should keep an eye on, according to the site: Think Las Vegas, Cancun and Paris, likely to take it easy after a hectic summer in the spotlight.
Also keep an eye on Honolulu, Seattle, London and Dublin, Expedia advises: all of these cities are seeing average airfares drop 15% or more in the coming weeks.
“No matter the destination, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway,” Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group Brands, said in a statement.
“The week after Labor Day is the best time to take advantage of the best domestic airfare deals, while October 20 is the best time for international travel – and for the start of leaf-peeping season.”
