Domestic travel expected to increase in fall

By Edited by Megan Smalley

AAA reports that both domestic flights and cruise bookings are up for this fall compared with last year.

Fall can be an ideal time for tourists to hit the open road or jet off to a bucket list destination. In many parts of the U.S., temperatures are dipping and leaves are changing, creating the perfect conditions for a picturesque fall getaway. Autumn is also an ideal time to travel internationally, especially to Europe, when it’s less busy compared with summer.

“This time of year is known as shoulder season in travel, which means mild weather, fewer crowds and better prices,” says Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “AAA booking numbers show more people are flying this season both domestically and internationally, and many travelers are taking fall cruises to enjoy the foliage in Alaska and New England.”

AAA lists the following as top domestic travel destinations for fall of 2024:

  • Orlando, Florida
  • Boston
  • Seattle
  • Denver
  • Las Vegas
  • New York City
  • Los Angeles
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Honolulu
  • Atlanta

According to AAA booking data, the two travel categories seeing increased demand compared with 2023 are flights and cruises. Domestic flight bookings are up 1% and international flight bookings are up 3%. Travelers are paying about the same as they did in the fall of 2023. The average domestic roundtrip ticket is $660, and the average international roundtrip ticket is $1,315.

Domestic cruise bookings are up 19% over the fall of 2023, and international cruise bookings are up 6%. The average cost to cruise from domestic cities is similar to last fall at $2,355, while the average cost of an international cruise is up 1% to $3,560.

Travelers headed on fall road trips are also finding cheaper pump prices compared with prices last fall, according to AAA data. Gas prices have been going down since late July, thanks in part to a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season. This is also the time of year when stations switch to winter-blend gasoline, which is cheaper to produce.

Drivers renting cars for fall adventures are also finding better rates. AAA says the cost to rent a vehicle domestically is down 5% this fall and down 15% for international car rentals. Hertz, AAA’s car rental partner, says cities that saw the most increased demand this summer and would make for ideal fall trips include Boston; Denver; Portland, Maine; Portland, Oregon; Montreal; and Vancouver.