United States
New Hotels.com data reveals the cheapest weeks to stay, destinations offering the best value and hotel deals under $200 per night.
As travelers look to extend vacation season beyond summer, new Hotels.com® data reveals that fall’s shoulder season continues to offer good value. International hotel prices this fall are approximately 10%[1] lower than summer, giving travelers an opportunity to enjoy popular destinations with fewer crowds and lower prices.
According to Hotels.com’s Hotel Price Index™, January is the most affordable month of the year for travel overall; however, fall still presents a sweet spot for travelers seeking a balance of value, weather and availability before the holiday rush.
When is the cheapest time to travel this fall?
According to Hotels.com data, travelers can unlock the biggest savings by timing their trips strategically. Travelers can save up to 10% on domestic hotel stays and up to 20% on international stays when traveling at the right time, compared to the priciest windows.
- Cheapest weeks for domestic hotel stays: September 7-13 and November 9-15, 2026.
- Cheapest weeks for international hotel stays: October 26-November 1and November 2-8, 2026.
- Priciest weeks for domestic hotel stays: October 5-11[2] and October 12-18, 2026.
- Priciest weeks for international hotel stays: September 21-27and Thanksgiving travel week beginning November 23, 2026.
“This fall, when you travel may matter just as much as where you travel,” said Melanie Fish, spokesperson and travel expert for Hotels.com. “Our data shows early September and early November are the best for hotel deals, whether traveling in the U.S. or abroad. And with international prices averaging 10% lower, it’s a great time to experience Europe without the crowds — or heat waves.”
Where can travelers find the best value destinations this fall?
Travelers looking for affordable fall getaways can find strong hotel value across a mix of U.S. and international cities identified by Hotels.com.
Most Affordable Domestic Destinations with Great Hotel Stays
- Fort Myers, Florida (Average Daily Rate: $115[3]): Three-night stay at Lani Kai Beachfront Resort between November 9-12, starting at $156 per night.
- Billings, Montana (Average Daily Rate: $145): Three-night stay at Northern Hotel between November 9-12, starting at $189 per night.
- Idaho Falls, Idaho (Average Daily Rate: $150): Three-night stay at La Quinta Inn & Suites between October 5-8, starting at $108 per night.
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Average Daily Rate: $160): Three-night stay at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark between October 5-8, starting at $177 per night.
- Houston, Texas (Average Daily Rate: $185): Three-night stay at Palace Inn Blue Edgebrook between October 6-9, starting at $95 per night.
Most Affordable International Destinations with Great Hotel Stays
- Calgary, Canada (Average Daily Rate: $165): Three-night stay at The Inn on Officers Garden between November 2-5, starting at $91 per night.
- Manchester, United Kingdom (Average Daily Rate: $180): Four-night stay at Dakota Manchester between October 26-30, starting at $191 per night.
- Bucharest, Romania (Average Daily Rate: $190): Four-night stay at Epoque Hotel – Relais & Chateaux between October 25-29, starting at just $261 per night.
- Zagreb, Croatia (Average Daily Rate: $190): Four-night stay at Hotel Esplanade Zagreb between November 2-6, starting at just $127 per night.
- Ottawa, Canada (Average Daily Rate: $205): Three-night stay at Brookstreet between November 2-5, starting at just $158 per night.
Whether travelers are seeking a beach escape, mountain adventure or city break, these destinations offer opportunities to stretch budgets further without sacrificing experience.
How can travelers save more on fall hotel stays with Hotels.com?
Hotels.com recommends travelers follow these simple steps to maximize savings this fall:
- Add a Sunday night: Extending a weekend trip by one night can often unlock better availability and a more relaxed travel experience. Sunday is also the cheapest day of the week to stay.
- Mix city and beach stays: Fall’s milder temperatures make it easier to combine multiple destinations into one trip without peak-season crowds.
- Consider a midweek getaway: Travelers with flexible schedules can often find better options by swapping a traditional Friday-to-Sunday trip for a midweek stay.
- Book now, keep your options open: Choosing hotels with Free Cancellation can provide flexibility as plans evolve throughout the season.
- Turn short trips into future savings: Member Prices, rewards and Save Your Way options can help travelers get more value from quick fall escapes.
- Make your travel budget work harder: Members can save instantly with Member Prices, customize their trip with Save Your Way and earn rewards on eligible bookings to put toward future travel.
Book your fall getaway on Hotels.com and start earning rewards today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is fall shoulder season for travel?
A: Fall shoulder season generally refers to the period between the busy summer months and the end‑of‑year holidays, when demand eases, weather can still be pleasant and hotel prices often drop.
Q: What are the cheapest weeks to travel this fall according to Hotels.com data?
A: Hotels.com data points to the week of September 7, 2026, and the week of November 9, 2026, as the most affordable weeks for domestic hotel stays, and the weeks of October 26, 2026, and November 2, 2026, as the best value for international hotel stays.
Q: Which fall weeks are expected to be most expensive for hotel stays?
A: Domestically, the weeks of October 5, 2026, and October 12, 2026, are projected to be the most expensive for hotel stays, while internationally, the week of September 21, 2026, and Thanksgiving travel week beginning November 23, 2026, are expected to carry the highest hotel prices.
Q: How can travelers find budget‑friendly destinations for fall trips?
A: Travelers can look to value‑focused destinations such as Billings, Montana or Calgary, Canada and use flexible dates and member discounts to unlock lower prices.
[1] Based on lodging booking data on Hotels.com U.S. based on searches made between October 2025 – March 2026 compared to January 2026 – June 2026, for travel between June 1 – August 31, 2026, compared to September 1 – November 30, 2026.
[2] Based on average daily rate changes on Hotels.com U.S. for travel between June 1 – August 31, 2026.
[3] Based on average daily rate changes on Hotels.com U.S. for travel between September 1 – November 30, 2026
