BOISE – Autumn is fast approaching, and according to new AAA research, the cooler weather presents some exciting travel opportunities.
“For empty nesters or those with flexible work schedules, now is the perfect time to see the sights without the crowds,” says AAA Idaho public affairs director Matthew Conde. “There’s definitely a lull between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, and travelers can take advantage.”
Fall travel trends
Based on AAA national data, domestic travel bookings for September and October are down 7% compared to last year, despite the cost of travel dropping by about 3% from a year ago.
“We had such strong numbers for Memorial Day and the 4th of July that some travelers may be pressing ‘pause’ this fall,” Conde said. “But if you do plan a spontaneous getaway, several factors may work in your favor.”
Here’s a look at AAA’s travel trends by category:
- Domestic and international travel are both 3% cheaper than last year.
- Domestic airfare costs about the same as a year ago – an average of $660 per roundtrip ticket – with bookings up 1%. International flight bookings are about 3% higher, with the average price of $1,315 per roundtrip ticket the same as a year ago.
- Domestic hotel bookings are down 13%. International bookings are up 6%.
- Domestic rental car bookings are down 6%, and the cost to rent is down 5%.
- Domestic and international cruises are up 19% and 6% from a year ago, respectively, with average costs similar to last year.
- Domestic and international tour bookings are down 14-15%, while costs are up 1-2%.
Destinations to ‘fall’ for – AAA Oregon/Idaho booking data
| U.S. | INTERNATIONAL |
| LAS VEGAS | PARIS |
| ANAHEIM | ROME |
| HONOLULU | LONDON |
| SAN DIEGO | DUBLIN |
| SAN FRANCISCO | CANCUN |
| SALT LAKE CITY | ATHENS |
| NEW YORK CITY | BARCELONA |
| NASHVILLE | AMSTERDAM |
| FT. LAUDERDALE | PUERTO VALLARTA |
| BOSTON | VENICE |
“Regionally, some travelers will also seek out a quick adventure to the Oregon Coast, Denver, Billings and Butte, MT, or to the nearby National Parks,” Conde said. “With average gas prices 50 or 60 cents per gallon cheaper than a year ago, taking a trip will certainly be very tempting as long as the weather holds out.”
AAA fall travel tips
- Plan for sudden changes in the weather. Bring a warm coat and a blanket in your car, even if temperatures are nice when you begin your trip.
- Replace windshield wipers if they are skipping or streaking.
- Research the best places to see fall foliage. Use a search engine and social media to find the latest crowd-sourced information.
- If you head into the back country, watch for wildlife. Remember, many animals travel in groups of at least two or three – if you see one, more are likely nearby.
- Research fall festivals and fairs that are happening in the area.
- Book the first flight in the morning if possible. The airplane is usually already on the ground, which will help you avoid delays that may occur later in the day.
More information can be found at https://tourbook.aaa.com/ and in the AAA mobile app.