As summer crowds disperse and temperatures cool, savvy travelers are set to take advantage of fall savings. However, don’t expect deserted destinations; nearly 90% of Americans have plans to travel this fall and early winter, indicating sustained interest in exploring various locales.
Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate and editor of the travel newsletter Elliott Confidential, noted that increased travel interest means popular destinations may still see significant crowds. According to AAA booking data, demand for both domestic and international flights has surged compared to last fall. Notably, domestic cruise bookings have risen by 19%, while international bookings have increased by 6%.
Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel, emphasized that while many fall destinations might be busier than in previous years, prices and crowds remain lower than during peak season.
Fall road trippers are particularly benefiting from decreased gas prices, which have been declining since late July. This week, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in the U.S. was $3.22, down from $3.83 a year ago.
Kayla Inserra DeLoache, a consumer travel trends expert at KAYAK, reported some relief in airfare as well. “After the post-pandemic surge in travel that led to higher airline fares, we’re seeing prices drop this fall,” she explained, noting a 26% decrease in airfares compared to summer and a 6% decline year over year.
Travel booking app Hopper corroborated these findings, with lead economist Hayley Berg stating, “We’re seeing significant savings compared to summer prices. Currently, fares are at or below pre-pandemic levels, and by simply adjusting travel dates, travelers can save approximately 30% on their tickets compared to summer trips.”
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