Travel tips: What to do if you lose your cell phone or passport?
These four travel tips will help you if you find yourself traveling without a phone, ID, passport or credit card.
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- Autumn is a great time to travel because of cheaper flights and hotel prices.
- The week after Labor Day is the best time for cheap domestic flights, while October 20 is the best time for international travel.
- Best practices for getting great fall travel deals include setting up price alerts, choosing morning flights, and booking refundable hotels.
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Friday is National Cheap Flights Day (who knew?). Summer is winding down, but the upside is that as we head into fall, it’s the off-season for travel, so there are plenty of deals to be had if you have the scheduling flexibility to take advantage of them.
Traditionally, the period from September (after the Labor Day crowds die down) to mid-November (before the Thanksgiving travel rush begins) is a time of low demand for vacationers. The long cycle of remote work since the COVID-19 pandemic has upended that pattern somewhat, but the next few months are still generally a more favorable time to travel.
Here you can find information about price trends if you want to book a short break outside of peak season.
Autumn airfares
According to data from Expedia, fall airfares are typically 10% lower than summer ticket prices. The online travel booking site said airfares will generally be lower in the coming months and travelers can save up to 15% if they schedule their flight on Mondays or Saturdays.
“Regardless of your destination, fall is a fantastic time to travel and there’s still time to plan a getaway. The week after Labor Day is the best time for domestic flights, while October 20 is the best time for international travel – and for the start of leaf-turning season,” said Melanie Fish, Expedia Group Brands’ director of public relations, in a statement.
An analysis by Hopper shows that the price of domestic flights in September is on average $240, 8% less than in September 2023. International prices to many regions also remain cheap.
According to Gemma Jameison, travel expert at Skyscanner, this can also be a good time to book flights for next summer.
Cruising altitude: Does anyone really “rawdog” flights? This summer’s viral travel meme.
Hotel prices in autumn
Hotel prices have increased slightly since 2019, but according to Hopper, the average is still reasonable at $161 per night.
According to Expedia, some popular destinations both domestically and internationally are offering great deals this fall. Seattle, Honolulu and Denver are among the best U.S. destinations for budget travelers, and Toronto, Santo Domingo and London are ideal for those looking to travel abroad.
Car rental prices in autumn
Hopper pointed out that gasoline prices are down nearly 10% as of August 2023 and rental car prices are flat or declining slightly, meaning road trips will be more affordable this fall.
Tips for the best travel deals in autumn
According to Expedia, there are a few things travelers can do to make the most of their budget. Some of the best practices include:
- Set price alerts for your favorite flights
- Choose morning flights, which are often cheaper and less likely to be delayed or cancelled.
- Book hotels with refundable rates. It costs a little more, but the added flexibility is worth it if your plans change.
- Save money by combining flights and hotels
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. Reach him at [email protected].
