Fall Travel Trends Are Taking Us Beyond the Summer Vacation

Summer may have some competition. More of us are packing our bags for the fall this year, and we're not planning the traditional weeklong vacation.

Instead, we're taking shorter trips, heading toward smaller towns, chasing fall colors, and finding plenty of reasons to get outside after the summer rush.

More Fallcations

Summer doesn't get exclusive rights to vacation anymore. Virtuoso's fall bookings are up 59%, compared to last year, with September and October looking especially busy. The luxury travel network has even identified the rise of the "fallcation" as one of the trends shaping travel this year.

There's evidence beyond luxury travel, too. According to Airbnb's fall travel report, 60% of U.S. travelers are planning a short trip this fall. Using a couple of vacation days in October doesn't seem like such a bad idea, right?

Shorter Getaways

Shorter trips may be part of the reason why fall is getting so much attention. Rather than saving everything for one big vacation, more people are showing interest in quick escapes that can fit into a long weekend.

KAYAK's travel research found that nearly 63% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers planned to take several shorter trips this year. Searches for hotel stays for one to three nights were also up 13%.

Three nights away means fewer clothes to pack, fewer vacation days to sacrifice, and less time wondering if we left the coffee maker on.

Smaller Destinations

Big cities aren't disappearing from our travel plans, but smaller towns are having a moment of their own. Airbnb also said younger people are showing interest in lesser-known places, while KAYAK said 84% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers would rather visit a rural area or smaller city than a major hub.

And fall always feels well-suited to that kind of trip. A little town surrounded by changing leaves, somewhere with breakfast, and absolutely nothing to accomplish before dinner? Sounds delightful.

Trips Built Around the Fall

We're not simply traveling during the fall, either. We want the trip to look like fall. Airbnb has seen more and more interest in:

• Fall getaways

• Fall foliage

• Leaf peeping

• Apple picking

• Fall road trips

That last one is particularly appealing. We don't necessarily need to fly somewhere to take a fall vacation. A couple of nights away, a pretty stretch of road, and enough room in the trunk for whatever we inevitably buy at the farm stand can do the trick.

More Time Outdoors

Mountain destinations aren't just for ski season anymore. KAYAK's research also found that natural wonders are playing a role in where Gen Z and Millennial travelers want to go this year. That gives us plenty of reason to head toward the mountains before the first chairlift starts running.

Fall means changing leaves, hiking weather, and scenic drives without requiring us to strap a board to our feet. For some of us, that's a selling point.

Fall Trips Don't Have to Be Complicated

Maybe that's the nicest thing about these fall travel trends. We don't need a week off or a plane ticket to make a trip out of the season.

A long weekend, a small town, or a pretty stretch of road can be enough to get us out of the house and into the fall scenery. And, if there's an apple cider doughnut somewhere along the way, so much the better.

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