Cheap Autumn Holidays 2026: 12 Amazing Places to Visit for Less

Summer may be ending, but your travel season does not have to end with it.

In fact, September, October and November can be some of the most enjoyable months to travel.

The biggest summer crowds begin to disappear.

Temperatures become more comfortable in many destinations.

Beaches become quieter.

And selected flights and hotels can become significantly cheaper.

This period is commonly called the shoulder season.

If you are searching for cheap autumn holidays in 2026, here are 12 destinations worth considering — plus practical ways to spend less while travelling.

1. Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao is one of the standout value destinations for UK travellers this autumn.

According to KAYAK's 2026 UK shoulder-season search data, average flight prices to Bilbao were more than a third lower than summer prices and around a fifth lower than the same period last year.

That makes the northern Spanish city particularly interesting for budget-conscious travellers.

Bilbao offers:

Beautiful architecture.

Excellent food.

Museums.

Walkable streets.

Nearby beaches.

Easy access to the Basque countryside.

The famous Guggenheim Museum is the obvious attraction, but Bilbao is also an excellent destination simply for wandering, eating pintxos and enjoying the city.

Money-saving tip: Stay slightly outside the most tourist-heavy central streets and use public transport.

2. Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve does not suddenly become cold when August ends.

September can still provide warm weather and plenty of sunshine.

But the enormous summer crowds begin to thin.

Expedia's Autumn Travel Outlook found that accommodation prices in places such as Albufeira and Faro can fall significantly after summer, with selected destinations showing reductions of up to 30%.

That makes autumn particularly attractive for travellers who want:

Beaches.

Seafood.

Sunshine.

Walking.

Relaxation.

Without peak-season crowds.

Money-saving tip: Compare package holidays with booking flights and accommodation separately. The cheapest option can vary dramatically.

3. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is beautiful.

It is also famously busy during peak summer.

Autumn changes the experience.

KAYAK's UK data found flight prices to Dubrovnik around 20% lower than the same shoulder-season period in 2025.

September and early October can therefore provide a more relaxed way to explore the historic city.

Walk the old city walls.

Explore the Old Town.

Take a boat trip.

Visit nearby islands.

Enjoy the Adriatic coast.

Money-saving tip: Avoid eating directly beside the most famous tourist attractions. Walk a few streets away and compare menus.

4. Porto, Portugal

Lisbon receives enormous attention.

But Porto deserves a place on your autumn travel list.

The city combines:

Historic architecture.

River views.

Affordable food options.

Walkable neighbourhoods.

Excellent day trips.

Autumn can also make exploring the steep streets much more comfortable than during intense summer heat.

KAYAK includes Porto among destinations showing strong shoulder-season value for UK travellers in 2026.

Money-saving tip: Buy public-transport passes only after calculating how often you will actually use them. Central Porto is highly walkable.

5. Albania

Albania has become one of Europe's most talked-about value destinations.

For UK travellers, it offers an additional advantage.

It is outside the Schengen Area.

KAYAK's autumn 2026 analysis identified Albania as a strong-value destination for travellers seeking lower-cost options.

Popular locations include:

Tirana.

Sarandë.

Berat.

Gjirokastër.

The Albanian Riviera.

You can combine city exploration, mountains and beaches in one trip.

Money-saving tip: Local restaurants and guesthouses can provide better value than international chains.

6. Luxembourg

Luxembourg might not immediately sound like a budget destination.

But it is one of autumn 2026's most interesting travel trends.

Expedia reported that UK search interest for Luxembourg increased by an extraordinary 470% for the autumn season.

Why the interest?

It offers:

Historic streets.

Castles.

Forests.

Easy public transport.

Beautiful autumn scenery.

And a convenient short-break format.

One particularly useful feature is that public transport across Luxembourg is free in standard class.

That can significantly reduce sightseeing costs.

Money-saving tip: Use the country's free buses, trains and trams instead of taxis.

7. Greek Islands

Mykonos and other Greek islands can be extremely expensive during peak summer.

Autumn can tell a different story.

Expedia found that accommodation prices in destinations including Mykonos and Kos can be up to 30% lower than during summer.

September can still offer warm weather and beautiful sea conditions.

You also avoid some of the enormous July and August crowds.

Consider:

Kos.

Crete.

Rhodes.

Corfu.

Mykonos.

Money-saving tip: Travel after the school holiday peak and compare smaller locally owned accommodation.

8. Istria, Croatia

If Dubrovnik feels too obvious, consider Istria.

This beautiful Croatian peninsula combines:

Coastal towns.

Beaches.

Vineyards.

Hilltop villages.

Excellent food.

Historic architecture.

September is particularly attractive because the summer crowds begin to disappear while temperatures remain pleasant.

Which? recently highlighted Istria among its best-value September destinations and found return flights from London Stansted to Pula for as little as £31 when it checked.

Airfares change constantly, so treat that figure as an example rather than a guaranteed fare.

Money-saving tip: Use flexible flight-date searches rather than choosing your exact dates first.

9. Lake District, England

You do not have to leave Britain to find autumn beauty.

The Lake District is almost designed for this season.

Think:

Golden leaves.

Mountain walks.

Cosy pubs.

Lakes.

Small villages.

Cool mornings.

Expedia's 2026 autumn data found Lake District accommodation rates around 10% lower than summer.

That makes it a useful option for travellers who want to avoid airport costs entirely.

Money-saving tip: Stay outside the most famous villages and travel in for sightseeing.

10. Scarborough, England

The British seaside does not disappear after August.

In fact, autumn can make coastal destinations more affordable.

KAYAK identified Scarborough as the UK destination with some of the strongest hotel savings for shoulder-season travellers.

You may not be planning a day of tropical sunbathing.

But you can enjoy:

Coastal walks.

Fish and chips.

Historic attractions.

Sea views.

Cafés.

A relaxed weekend away.

Money-saving tip: Compare Sunday-to-Thursday stays with Friday and Saturday nights.

11. Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul works particularly well as an autumn city break.

Summer can be hot and crowded.

Autumn temperatures can make exploring more comfortable.

The city provides an extraordinary combination of:

History.

Food.

Shopping.

Architecture.

Mosques.

Markets.

Bosporus views.

Expedia includes Istanbul among destinations offering good autumn value for British travellers.

Money-saving tip: Use Istanbul's public transport network rather than relying entirely on taxis.

12. Japan

Japan is not necessarily a cheap destination in absolute terms.

But travelling at the right time can improve value considerably.

Which? identifies September as a potentially useful shoulder-season period for travellers trying to avoid the country's busiest tourism periods.

Kyoto, Tokyo and Osaka can be combined using Japan's excellent transport network.

For a long-haul holiday, autumn also offers an entirely different experience from European beach destinations.

Money-saving tip: Calculate individual train tickets before automatically purchasing a rail pass. A pass is not always the cheapest option.

What Is Shoulder Season?

Shoulder season is the period between a destination's busiest and quietest tourism seasons.

In much of Europe, this often includes:

September

October

and parts of November.

Travelling during shoulder season can provide:

Lower prices.

Fewer crowds.

Milder temperatures.

Better restaurant availability.

Shorter queues.

More relaxed sightseeing.

However, there is an important change happening in 2026.

Shoulder season is becoming increasingly popular.

That means autumn is not automatically cheaper everywhere.

Autumn Travel Isn't Always Cheaper Anymore

This is one of the most important travel lessons of 2026.

Do not assume:

September = cheap.

Expedia found that average UK hotel prices this autumn are actually slightly higher than during summer.

Some cities show particularly large increases.

But selected international destinations and UK coastal locations remain considerably better value.

The lesson is simple:

Compare destinations, not just seasons.

When Is the Cheapest Time to Travel This Autumn?

Timing matters.

KAYAK's UK data suggests some of the strongest flight value appears in:

Early September

and

Late October.

Accommodation abroad can offer particularly good value in early October.

Expedia's analysis points towards November as another important value period.

It identified several potentially cheaper travel dates, including:

9 and 29 November — domestic flights

27 November — international flights

and selected November dates for accommodation.

These are data-based trends rather than guaranteed prices.

Always check live fares before booking.

10 Ways to Find Cheaper Autumn Flights

1. Search Flexible Dates

Moving your trip by one or two days can sometimes make a significant difference.

2. Compare Nearby Airports

London travellers, for example, may have access to:

Heathrow.

Gatwick.

Stansted.

Luton.

London City.

Southend.

The cheapest airport may not be the closest one.

3. Compare the Total Cost

A £30 flight is not necessarily cheaper than a £60 flight.

Add:

Baggage.

Seat selection.

Airport transport.

Food.

Parking.

Then compare.

4. Travel Midweek

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday departures can sometimes offer better value than peak weekend periods.

5. Set Price Alerts

Instead of checking the same flight every morning, use price alerts where available.

6. Consider Different Destinations

Search:

“Anywhere”

or explore destination maps on flight comparison platforms.

Sometimes the cheapest holiday is somewhere you had not considered.

7. Travel Light

Baggage can transform a cheap flight into an expensive one.

For a short break, consider whether you genuinely need checked luggage.

8. Avoid Airport Currency Exchange

Airport exchange desks can offer poor value.

Research card fees and exchange rates before travelling.

9. Check Package Holidays

For beach destinations, flight-and-hotel packages can sometimes cost less than booking separately.

10. Don't Chase the Absolute Cheapest Fare Forever

Prices move constantly.

Set a realistic budget.

When you find a trip you genuinely want at a price you are comfortable paying, booking can be better than endlessly waiting for a hypothetical lower fare.

How to Save Money on Hotels

Flights receive most of the attention.

But accommodation can easily become the largest part of your holiday budget.

Try:

Travelling Sunday to Thursday.

Staying outside the tourist centre.

Comparing hotels and apartments.

Checking breakfast costs.

Using free cancellation when appropriate.

Comparing the final price including taxes and fees.

Checking public transport before choosing a cheaper distant hotel.

Sometimes paying slightly more for a central hotel saves money on transport.

UK Travellers: Don't Forget EES

British travellers heading into participating European countries should also prepare for the EU's Entry/Exit System.

EES introduces electronic border registration and biometric checks for many non-EU short-stay travellers.

Allow additional time at border controls, particularly while the system is still relatively new.

Saving £20 on a flight is not particularly useful if you arrive too late and miss it.

USA Travellers: Autumn Can Be Excellent for Europe

For American travellers, September and October can be excellent months for a European trip.

The huge summer tourism surge begins to ease.

Temperatures can become more comfortable.

And destinations such as:

Portugal.

Spain.

Croatia.

Italy.

France.

Greece.

Can feel considerably more relaxed.

If your schedule is flexible, compare several European arrival airports rather than searching only for one city.

For example, you could fly into Madrid and leave from Barcelona.

Or arrive in Lisbon and depart from Porto.

This is called an open-jaw itinerary and can sometimes save both money and travel time.

Cheap Holiday vs Good-Value Holiday

These are not the same thing.

The cheapest hotel might be:

Far from attractions.

Poorly reviewed.

Difficult to reach.

Missing breakfast.

Surrounded by expensive transport options.

Good value means receiving a better overall experience for your budget.

Consider:

Location.

Cleanliness.

Transport.

Safety.

Reviews.

Facilities.

Cancellation policy.

Then look at price.

Don't Forget Travel Insurance

A cheap holiday can become extremely expensive if something goes wrong.

Consider appropriate travel insurance as soon as you book.

Check coverage carefully for:

Medical emergencies.

Cancellation.

Baggage.

Travel disruption.

Pre-existing medical conditions.

Activities.

Do not assume every policy covers every situation.

A Simple £500 Autumn Holiday Budget

Here is an illustrative budget for a short European trip from the UK:

Return flight: £80

Three hotel nights: £210

Local transport: £40

Food: £100

Activities: £40

Travel insurance: £20

Emergency buffer: £10

Total: £500

Actual prices will vary dramatically depending on your dates and destination.

The purpose is to create your total budget before booking.

The Biggest Autumn Travel Mistake

The biggest mistake is choosing a destination first and then trying to force it into your budget.

Try reversing the process.

Start with:

Budget: £500

Then ask:

Where can I go for £500?

This gives you far more flexibility.

Bilbao may be cheaper than Barcelona.

Albania may be cheaper than Greece.

Scarborough may be cheaper than Edinburgh.

Being flexible is one of the most powerful travel-saving tools available.

Final Thoughts

Finding cheap autumn holidays in 2026 is still possible.

But the old assumption that everything becomes cheaper immediately after August is no longer reliable.

Shoulder-season travel is becoming popular.

Smart travellers therefore need to compare:

Destinations.

Dates.

Airports.

Hotels.

Packages.

And total trip costs.

For UK travellers, places such as Bilbao, Dubrovnik, Porto, Albania, the Algarve and selected Greek islands currently stand out for value.

For those staying closer to home, coastal destinations and the Lake District can offer appealing autumn alternatives.

The objective should not simply be finding the cheapest holiday.

It should be finding the best experience your budget can comfortably afford.

Travel a little later.

Stay a little longer.

Spend a little smarter.

And autumn might become your favourite time of year to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is cheap to travel in autumn 2026?

Current UK travel data highlights destinations including Bilbao, Dubrovnik, Porto, Albania and selected Portuguese, Greek and UK coastal destinations as potentially strong-value choices.

Is it cheaper to travel in September?

Sometimes, but not always. Shoulder season is becoming increasingly popular. KAYAK data suggests early September and late October can offer good flight value for UK travellers, while Expedia says average UK hotel prices this autumn are slightly higher than summer.

Where is warm and cheap in September?

The Algarve, parts of Spain, Croatia, Türkiye and Greek islands can offer warm weather after the peak summer season.

Is October a good month for a European holiday?

Yes. October can provide fewer crowds, comfortable sightseeing temperatures and good-value accommodation in selected destinations.

Should I book flights or hotels first?

Compare both before committing. A cheap flight can become an expensive holiday if accommodation is unusually costly on the same dates.

How can I find cheap autumn holidays?

Use flexible dates, compare multiple destinations and airports, set price alerts, check package prices and calculate the total cost including baggage, transport and accommodation.