Expedia’s Fall Travel Outlook Reveals Shoulder Season Pricing is Harder to Find This Year, But Travelers Can Still Save on Select Getaways

Fall lodging prices are 20% higher and flight prices are 2% higher on average in the top 10 U.S. destinations compared to summer

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Expedia's Fall Travel Outlook finds that travelers may need to be more strategic to score a seasonal deal this year. Summer demand has spilled into fall, with prices in the top 10 U.S. destinations averaging 20% higher for lodging and 2% higher for flights when comparing fall to summer. ^{[1] [2]}

As a result, traditional shoulder-season savings are harder to find in many popular destinations. Despite the trend in pricing, Expedia® identified six destinations where travelers can still save, whether they’re looking for a cozy mountain getaway or a sun-and-sand escape.

For travelers who are not ready to fully embrace fall just yet, there is still value to be found in warm-weather escapes. Honolulu, Fort Walton Beach and San Diego deliver summer-style beach energy with average combined savings for lodging and flights of about 15% in fall compared to summer.

For travelers ready to lean into crisp air and mountain scenery, Anchorage, Aspen and Bozeman offer even stronger value, with average combined savings for lodging and flights of about 30% in fall compared to summer.

“Shoulder season is not a given this year, but value is still out there if travelers know where to look,” said Melanie Fish, head of public relations for Expedia Group Brands. “Expedia’s latest data shows that the biggest fall savings are showing up in a small set of destinations where travelers can choose between beachy, summer-like escapes and mountain getaways with a more classic autumn feel.”

Where can travelers still find fall savings? ^[3]

If you are still hanging on to summer: Beach Vibes

• Fort Walton Beach, Florida: warm Gulf weather, quieter shores, and relaxed sunsets with 30% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer
• San Diego, California: golden beaches, warm evenings, and lighter crowds with about 15% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer
• Honolulu, Hawaii: endless-summer energy, trade winds, and easy beach days with about 10% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer

If you are ready to jump into fall: Mountain Vibes

• Aspen, Colorado: peak mountain drama, cool weather, and a polished alpine feel with about 45% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer
• Anchorage, Alaska: golden foliage, crisp air, and dramatic northern landscapes with about 40% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer
• Bozeman, Montana: rugged scenery, laid-back downtown energy, and early fall color with about 5% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared to summer

Key Facts:

• In the top 10 U.S. destinations, fall lodging prices are averaging 20% higher than summer and fall flight prices are averaging 2% higher than summer.
• Among the six standout value destinations, average combined savings for lodging and flights are about 25% in fall compared with summer.
• For beach travelers, average combined savings for lodging and flights are about 15% in fall compared with summer across Fort Walton Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.
• For mountain travelers, average combined savings for lodging and flights are about 30% in fall compared with summer across Aspen, Anchorage, and Bozeman.
• The strongest individual savings story in the set is Aspen at about 45% combined savings for lodging and flights in fall compared with summer.

How to find the best fall travel deals on Expedia:

• Search for Flight Deals: Use Expedia’s Flight Deals, which will show fares that are at least 20% lower than typical predicted prices. The new map discovery experience, available on iOS, also makes it easier for travelers to discover the best deals. ^[4]
• Bundle & Save: Travelers can save hundreds, on average, when reserving their hotel and flight at the same time.
• Save with Price Alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop on select routes by using tools such as Price Tracking on the app.
• Price Drop Protection: Add Expedia’s Price Drop Protection, which provides a refund of the difference if your flight price drops on Expedia after booking. ^[5]

Frequently asked questions

Is fall cheaper than summer for U.S. travel this year?
Not across the board. In the top 10 U.S. destinations, fall lodging prices are averaging 20% higher than summer and fall flight prices are averaging 2% higher than summer.

Where can travelers still save money on fall trips?
The clearest combined savings stories in the data are Aspen, Anchorage, Bozeman, Fort Walton Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.

Which destinations are best for travelers who still want summer energy?
Fort Walton Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu offer the strongest warm-weather, beach-forward fall options in the savings set.

Which destinations are best for travelers ready for a full fall trip?
Aspen, Anchorage, and Bozeman stand out for mountain scenery, cooler weather, and stronger average savings.

How much can travelers save in the featured destinations?
Across the six featured destinations, the average combined savings for lodging and flights in fall versus summer is about 25%.

Notes to Editor ^1 Based on average daily rates and average ticket prices on Expedia.com for travel between September 7, 2026 - November 26, 2026 compared to travel between May 25, 2026 - September 7, 2026 for New York, Las Vegas, Orlando, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, and Honolulu.

^2 Top 10 destinations based on lodging searches on Expedia from January 5, 2026 - July 26, 2026 for travel between September 7, 2026 - November 26, 2026.

^3Combined savings based on average daily rates and average ticket prices on Expedia.com for travel between September 7, 2026 - November 26, 2026 compared to travel between May 25, 2026 - September 7, 2026 for Aspen, Anchorage, Bozeman, Fort Walton Beach, San Diego, and Honolulu.

^4 Expedia predicts Flight Deals based on historical data collected from searches made on or by Expedia for this route. See site for details.

^5 Price Drop Protection is available on select flights for a fee. Terms apply (https://www.expedia.com/lp/b/price-drop-protection/terms-original). See site for details.

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