Autumn is a great time for traveling as the cost is lower compared to summer, the weather at destinations is more pleasant, and there are usually fewer tourists. So, where are Americans going to play this fall? Expedia has released the top ten most popular travel destinations cities, with three cities each from Japan and Mexico making the list.
As summer comes to an end, travel deals are heating up, and Americans are seizing the opportunity to plan vacations. According to Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook released on August 22, international travel is the preferred choice for travelers, with a 15% year-on-year increase in flight searches.
For budget-conscious travelers, autumn is the best time to find discounts as airfare prices typically drop by 10% compared to summer. For many travel destinations, this is the “shoulder season,” the optimal time between peak and off-peak seasons when the weather is pleasant, crowds thin out, and hotel prices are more affordable.
Expedia’s analysis is based on data from flights and accommodations searched on Expedia US between September 3 and November 15, 2024. Overall, there has been an increase in international travel search volume this fall.
Melanie Fish, head of public relations at Expedia Group Brands, stated in a press release that regardless of the destination, autumn is a great time to travel, and there is still time to plan a vacation. October 20 is considered the best time for international travel and the beginning of the maple leaf season.
According to Americans searching for overseas accommodations on Expedia, Tulum in Mexico has taken the top spot as the most popular city for the fall of 2024, with a 70% increase in searches compared to 2023. Mexico City ranks eighth with a 40% search volume increase, and Cancun ranks tenth with a 35% increase in searches.
Like Mexico, Japan has three destinations on the list: Tokyo and Kyoto with a 50% increase in searches, Osaka with a 45% increase, ranking fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. Additionally, Yamaguchi City in Japan is an excellent spot for viewing autumn foliage.
The search volume for Mallorca in Spain has also increased by 70%, ranking second, while Curacao ranks third with a 55% increase in searches.
Nice, France, ranks seventh, and Copenhagen, Denmark, ranks ninth.
Expedia highlights that the cheapest week for international travel is the one starting on October 20, with average airfare prices nearly $260 lower than in summer.