• While UK Hotel Prices Are Higher This Autumn Than in Summer, International Destinations Including the Algarve and Greek Islands Are Seeing Accommodation Rates Fall by up to 30% 
   

• Luxembourg Tops Expedia’s List of Trending Autumn Destinations, With Interest Surging 470% as Brits Seek Discovery Over Familiarity When Choosing Where to Go 
   

• Expedia Has Crowned November as the Best Month to Travel This Season, With Some of the Cheapest Days to Holiday Falling Throughout the Month, Including 9 and 29 November for Domestic Flights, 27 November for International Flights, and 4, 8, 18 and 22 November for Accommodation Savings at Home and Abroad 
   

Autumn’s reputation as the cheaper season to travel may be over. Expedia’s latest Autumn Travel Outlook reveals that hotel stays across UK destinations are now, on average, more expensive than in summer.¹ However, the travel marketplace has identified popular international places where accommodation prices fall significantly after the peak season, including Albufeira and Faro in the Algarve, and Mykonos and Kos in the Greek Islands, where rates are up to 30% lower.²   

Across the UK, Expedia® data shows hotel prices are slightly higher in autumn than summer with the biggest increases in cities including Birmingham (+30%), Liverpool (+20%), Cambridge (+15%) and Manchester (+10%).  

Not all domestic hotspots are following the trend, though. Despite remaining among the UK’s most sought-after autumn escapes, both Edinburgh and the Lake District are around 10% cheaper. Additionally, seaside destinations that command a summer premium see the steepest post-holiday discounts, led by Newquay, St Ives, Brighton and the Isle of Wight (-20%).  

Unlike UK breaks, international getaways deliver autumn savings for those chasing value, with hotel rates falling by around 7%. Besides the Algarve and the Greek islands, among the most affordable destinations are Benidorm, Alicante and Istanbul. 

Yet, lesser-known escapes are capturing travellers’ attention this season.³ Surprisingly, Luxembourg has emerged as Expedia’s fastest-growing autumn destination, with interest surging by 470% as Britons seek sophisticated city breaks away from the crowds. The list also includes other off-the-beaten path places such as Sarandë in Albania (+110%), Budva in Montenegro (+85%) and Ljubljana in Slovenia (+80%), suggesting that many travellers are prioritising discovery over familiarity when choosing where to go.  

Meanwhile in the UK, Stirling has emerged as the top trending destination, with appetite rising by 90%. Harrogate, Durham, Norwich and the Cotswolds are also attracting those seeking slower-paced, culture-rich getaways closer to home. 

“For British travellers chasing the best value this autumn, the biggest savings are waiting overseas. Classic favourites such as the Algarve and the Greek islands become far more affordable after summer, delivering all the appeal with a fraction of the price tag,” said Melanie Fish, Travel Expert and Spokesperson for Expedia. “At the same time, we’re seeing Britons broaden their horizons. The rise of Luxembourg and destinations across the Adriatic and Balkans suggests travellers are increasingly swapping the familiar for places that feel undiscovered, authentic and exciting. 

“And when you travel matters. International stays on Expedia are, on average, 10% cheaper in November than in summer, making it the sweet spot for savvy travellers looking to unlock the best deals.” 

When is the best time to travel in autumn? ⁴    

• The cheapest days to fly domestically: 9 November and 29 November  

• The cheapest days to fly internationally: 27 November and 18 September 

• The most expensive days to fly domestically: 31 October and 19 November 

• The most expensive days to fly internationally: 18 November and 11 November 

• The quietest days to fly domestically:  25 November and 18 November 

• The quietest days to fly internationally: 24 November and 18 November 

• The busiest days to fly domestically: 5 September and 6 September 

• The busiest days to fly internationally: 4 September and 11 September  

 

What are the best dates to stay at a hotel or a holiday home this autumn? ⁵ 

• The cheapest days to stay domestically: 22 November and 8 November 

• The cheapest days to stay internationally: 4 November and 18 November  

• The most expensive days to stay domestically: 1 October and 1 November 

• The most expensive days to stay internationally: 24 October and 17 October 

• The quietest days to stay domestically: 30 November and 10 November 

• The quietest days to stay internationally: 24 November and 18 November 

• The busiest days to stay domestically: 11 September and 4 September  

• The busiest days to stay internationally: 1 September and 5 September   

How to find the best autumn travel deals: 

• Follow the value: For UK breaks, consider destinations including Newquay, St Ives, Brighton, Isle of Wight, Edinburgh and the Lake District, where accommodation costs are lower than in summer. For overseas trips, the Algarve, the Greek Islands, Benidorm, Alicante and Istanbul offer some of the best value this autumn. 

• Plan your trip for November: Expedia data shows November offers some of the cheapest and quietest days to travel and stay, making it the best-value month for an autumn getaway. 

• Save with price alerts: Expedia members can receive notifications when airline prices drop on select routes by using tools such as Price Tracking on the Expedia app.  

• Buy more and save: Bundling flights and hotels together into a package⁶ can deliver significant savings per person and earn OneKeyCash™ for future trips. You then also have your full itinerary in one place, making it easier to keep track of the journey. 

• VIP Access: Become a One Key™ member on the Expedia app (it’s free) and enjoy various benefits by selecting a VIP Access property available worldwide.    

Notes to Editors 

Methodology 

  ¹ Based on Expedia.co.uk travel dates comparing domestic stays between June 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 to September 1, 2026-November 30, 2026. The price is correct as of August 9. 

²  Based on Expedia.co.uk travel dates comparing international stays between June 1, 2026-August 31, 2026 to September 1, 2026-November 30, 2026. The price is correct as of August 9. 

³ The trending and popular destinations are based on lodging searches made on Expedia.co.uk between April 13, 2026 to July 12, 2026 for travel between September 1, 2026 to November 30, 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. 

⁴Based on average daily ticket price and searches on Expedia.co.uk for travel between September 1, 2026 and November 30, 2026. 

⁵ Based on hotel and holiday home prices and searches on Expedia.co.uk for travel between September 1, 2026 and September November 30, 2026. 

⁶ Flight inclusive packages are ATOL protected. 

Q&A 

Is autumn still the cheapest season to travel? 
Not necessarily. Expedia’s latest Autumn Travel Outlook found that hotel stays across UK destinations are, on average, slightly more expensive in autumn than in summer. However, some international destinations are offering significant post-summer savings, with accommodation rates falling by up to 30%. 

Which UK destinations have become more expensive in autumn? 
The largest increases in UK hotel prices compared with summer were recorded in: 
Birmingham: +30% 
Liverpool: +22% 
Cambridge: +14% 
Manchester: +10% 

Where can travellers still save on UK breaks? 
Some UK destinations are cheaper in autumn than in summer. Edinburgh and the Lake District are around 10% cheaper, while seaside destinations have seen some of the steepest reductions after the summer season. The biggest accommodation savings include: 
Newquay: -21% 
St Ives: -20% 
Brighton: -19% 
Isle of Wight: -16% 

Are international holidays cheaper in autumn? 
According to Expedia data, international hotel rates fall by around 7% in autumn compared with summer. The Algarve and the Greek Islands offer some of the strongest savings, with accommodation rates in selected destinations falling by up to 30%. 

Other affordable international destinations include Benidorm, Alicante and Istanbul. 
 
Which international destinations offer the biggest accommodation savings? 
The destinations highlighted by Expedia include: Albufeira and Faro in the Algarve; Mykonos and Kos in the Greek Islands. Accommodation rates in these destinations can be up to 30% lower than during the peak summer period. 

 
Trending autumn destinations 

Which international destination is trending fastest this autumn? 
Luxembourg is Expedia’s fastest-growing autumn destination, with interest from British travellers rising by 470%. Expedia says the increase reflects growing interest in discovery. 

Which other international destinations are becoming more popular? 
Other fast-growing destinations include: 
Sarandë, Albania: +110% 
Budva, Montenegro: +85% 
Ljubljana, Slovenia: +80% 

Which destinations are the most popular overall? 
Paris, New York, and Mallorca remain the most popular overall destinations. However, Expedia’s data suggests that some travellers are also looking beyond familiar favourites for less conventional and more distinctive destinations. 

Which UK destination is trending? 
Stirling is the top trending UK destination, with traveller interest rising by 90%. 

Other UK destinations attracting interest include Harrogate, Durham, Norwich and The Cotswolds. These destinations are appealing to travellers seeking slower-paced and culture-rich breaks closer to home. 

 
Best times to travel and stay 

When is the best month to travel this autumn? 
Expedia identifies November as the best-value month for autumn travel at home and abroad, with some of the cheapest and quietest days to travel and stay. 

International stays available on Expedia can cost, on average, 10% less in November than summer rates this year. 

How to find autumn travel deals 

What is Expedia’s advice for finding the best autumn travel value? 
Expedia recommends following the value by considering destinations where accommodation prices are lower than in summer. For UK breaks, these include Newquay, St Ives, Brighton, the Isle of Wight, Edinburgh, and the Lake District. 

For overseas trips, the Algarve, the Greek Islands, Benidorm, Alicante, and Istanbul offer some of the strongest value highlighted in the report. 

How can travellers track flight price changes? 
Travellers can use tools such as Price Tracking on the Expedia app to receive notifications when airline prices drop. 

Can travellers save by booking flights and hotels together? 
According to Expedia, bundling flights and hotels into a package can deliver savings per person and allow travellers to earn OneKeyCash™ for future trips. Packages also keep the full itinerary in one place. 

What is VIP Access? 
VIP Access is a programme available through the Expedia app. Travellers can become a free One Key member and receive various benefits when selecting an eligible VIP Access property worldwide. 

What does Expedia recommend overall for autumn travel savings? 
Expedia travel expert and spokesperson Melanie Fish recommends that British travellers looking for value consider overseas destinations such as the Algarve and the Greek Islands, where accommodation rates fall sharply after the peak summer period. She also highlights the growing popularity of destinations across the Adriatic and the Balkans, as well as the potential savings available when travelling in November.