Autumn is no longer simply the gap between the summer holiday season and Christmas travel. In 2026, September through November is becoming a travel season in its own right, with travellers looking for cooler weather, fewer crowds, seasonal food and experiences that feel more connected to a destination.
Recent travel data also shows that the idea of an affordable autumn break needs some qualification. Some destinations become cheaper after summer, while others see strong demand and higher hotel prices. For travellers in the US and UK, the biggest change is not simply when people travel, but what they want to do when they arrive.
Shoulder-Season Travel Is Driving New Destination Choices
One of the strongest autumn 2026 travel trends is the growing interest in shoulder-season trips. Backroads reports that reservations for its September to November trips have increased by more than 30% since 2023, with travellers attracted to more comfortable temperatures and the chance to explore popular destinations outside the busiest summer period. The company’s data covers its own bookings rather than the wider travel market, but it points to continued demand for autumn trips.
For US travellers, Europe remains an important part of that picture. IMG’s 2026 autumn travel data, based on more than 40,000 member itineraries, lists Mexico, Italy, Canada, the Bahamas and the UK as its five most popular international destinations for trips between September and November. IMG also reports that purchases of travel insurance for autumn 2026 increased 15% compared with the previous year.
For British travellers, the attraction of travelling outside the traditional summer period is also clear. Expedia’s 2026 Autumn Travel Outlook found that international hotel rates in its dataset were around 7% lower in autumn than summer, although prices vary considerably between destinations. The report also found that some UK destinations were more expensive during autumn, showing why travellers should compare individual destinations rather than assume September or October will always be cheaper.
Where US Travellers Are Heading This Autumn
US travellers have plenty of choice in autumn 2026, from European cities to destinations closer to home. Expedia’s current US travel data highlights Tokyo, Cancún, Paris, Rome, London, Punta Cana, Playa del Carmen, Aruba, Barcelona and Cabo San Lucas among popular international destinations.
London is particularly relevant for the US market. VisitBritain forecasts 44.2 million inbound visits to Britain in 2026, which would represent a 2% increase from 2025. Autumn offers American visitors a chance to combine London with destinations outside the capital, including historic cities, countryside and coastal areas.
Within the US, autumn demand is also creating interest in less conventional destinations. Expedia’s 2026 data identifies Oklahoma City, Bloomington in Indiana, Norfolk in Virginia, Montauk in New York, Frankenmuth in Michigan, Lancaster County in Pennsylvania, Mystic in Connecticut, Cape May County in New Jersey, St. Simons Island in Georgia and Fredericksburg in Texas among its trending domestic destinations.
These places benefit from the qualities that make autumn appealing in the first place. Visitors can experience changing landscapes, food and cultural events without building a trip entirely around the peak summer season.
UK Travellers Are Looking Beyond the Usual Autumn Breaks
British travellers are also showing interest in destinations that offer something different from the standard European city break. Expedia reports particularly strong growth in searches for Haute-Corse in Corsica, Hong Kong, Florence, Ottawa, Ocho Rios, Da Nang, Lithuania, Perth, Siena and the Red Sea.
Closer to home, Stirling has seen a 90% increase in interest in Expedia’s UK data. The Scottish city fits naturally into the autumn travel season, with historic attractions, nearby countryside and access to some of Scotland’s most recognisable landscapes.
Other emerging European destinations include Sarandë in Albania, Budva in Montenegro and Ljubljana in Slovenia. Expedia reports that interest in these destinations has increased substantially, suggesting that travellers are becoming more willing to consider alternatives to Europe’s most established tourist centres.
This shift also reflects a wider interest in experiences rather than simply visiting famous landmarks. Skyscanner’s 2026 research found that 43% of UK travellers planned to visit local supermarkets or grocery stores while abroad, while 27% planned to choose accommodation that forms part of the destination experience. Hiking was another popular activity, with 18% of respondents planning a hiking adventure.
Food, Walking and Local Experiences Are Shaping Autumn Trips
Autumn lends itself particularly well to experience-led travel. Cooler temperatures make walking and cycling more comfortable in many destinations, while seasonal food, harvest events and local markets give travellers a reason to visit at a particular time of year.
British Airways’ 2026 travel trends research found that 47% of UK travellers associate vintage and retro experiences with an authentic connection to a destination. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, that figure rises to 63%.
That interest can translate into very different types of autumn holidays. A visitor to Italy might combine Florence with smaller Tuscan towns such as Siena. A traveller visiting Scotland could use Stirling as a base for exploring the surrounding countryside. In the US, New England remains an obvious autumn choice for travellers interested in foliage, small towns and outdoor activities, while destinations such as Vermont, Maine and upstate New York offer alternatives to large city breaks.
The appeal is less about following a single travel trend and more about choosing a destination where the season changes the experience.
The Autumn Travel Season Is Getting More Distinctive
The main goal for autumn 2026 is the growing range of reasons to travel during the season.
US travellers are combining established international destinations such as Italy and the UK with beach destinations and less familiar domestic locations. British travellers are looking beyond traditional city breaks and showing interest in smaller European destinations, outdoor activities and experiences that feel more local.
For anyone planning an autumn 2026 holiday, the most useful approach is to start with the experience rather than the destination. Whether that means autumn colours, walking, food, history, sunshine or quieter city breaks, the season offers plenty of ways to build a trip around what makes September, October and November different.
The result is a travel season that is becoming more flexible, more experience-focused and less dependent on the traditional summer calendar.