10 Alternative Fall Break Destinations & Ideas That Are Affordable

Are you looking for a cheap fall vacation?

It’s understandable, considering the latest research from BankRate estimates the average cost of a one-week vacation to be around $3,982 in 2025. That’s a lot of money, especially if you’re trying to budget better, save for early retirement, or live a digital nomad lifestyle.

But there is some good news:

1. Fall travel is cheaper than summer travel by as much as 30%.
2. School is back in session, which means smaller crowds.
3. Extreme weather is less of a factor, allowing flexibility with choosing a destination.

So, you can have a memorable experience and save money on an autumn trip. Just take one of the cheap fall vacations or do one of the alternative trip ideas listed in this article.

5 Cheap Fall Vacations to Consider

When planning a cheap fall vacation, small cities and towns in the USA, as well as international destinations during non-peak season, are your best options.

• Living abroad? Try exploring small cities and towns near your location. You may encounter a new location you love!

Savannah, Georgia

Average price of a weeklong stay in Savannah: $2,828 for 2 people

Why Savannah is one of the best destinations for a cheap fall vacation

Savannah offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and entertainment — and it’s just a 20-minute drive from the wonderful beaches of Tybee Island. During your trip, you can wander through the Savannah Historic District, have a picnic at Forsyth Park, shop and dine on River Street, go on a ghost tour and more. Savannah provides something for everyone, from foodies and history buffs to golfers and beach-lovers.

Porto, Portugal

Average price of a weeklong stay in Porto: $2,500 to $3,500 for 2 people (depends on flights)

Why Porto is one of the best destinations for a cheap fall vacation

A coastal city in northwest Portugal, Porto amazes with medieval streetscapes, colorful art, and an abundance of great food. It’s also a wine hub, and Douro Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, is a short train ride away. During your time there, make sure to stroll across the iconic Dom Luís Bridge, enjoy a drink or two at the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, and tour the Porto Cathedral. Even when you’re not crossing off bucket-list items in Porto, you’ll find the charm and pace of the city soul-satisfying.

Telluride, Colorado

Average price of a weeklong stay in Telluride: $2,712 for 2 people

Why Telluride is one of the best destinations for a cheap fall vacation

Summer in Telluride is festival season. Winter is the skiing season. In fall, tourism to the city dips a little, making it more affordable and enjoyable. Temperatures range between the 40s and 60s, and the autumn foliage offers an amazingly gorgeous scene. There’s plenty to do in the fall too, such as hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, riding the epic Telluride Gondola, and kayaking in the Alta Lakes. Downtown Telluride is a National Historic Landmark District, offering a wealth of architecture, quaint shops, art galleries, cafes, and bars and restaurants.

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

Average price of a weeklong stay in the Poconos: $2,982 for 2 people

Why the Pocono Mountains is one of the best destinations for a cheap fall vacation

The Poconos is the perfect destination for the budget-conscious traveler, as attractions such as Lehigh Gorge State Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area cost virtually nothing to visit. Lake Wallenpaupack offers fishing, boating, camping, and hiking for zero to minimal fees. The Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival is also in October and features live music, arts, vendors, and more. If you’re looking for a fall getaway to enjoy great scenery, outdoor fun, and leisure activities in small towns, look no further than the Poconos.

Medellin, Colombia

Average price of a weeklong stay in Medellin: $1,500 to $2,000 (depends on flights)

Why Medellin is one of the best destinations for a cheap fall vacation

Fall is shoulder season in Colombia, which means lower prices for flights and lodging. You could just take a weeklong vacation to Colombia as well. Either way, Medellin is a good jumping off point, with great neighborhoods such as El Poblado and El Centro, historical sites such as the Memory House Museum, peaceful botanical gardens, and ample opportunities for outdoor adventure activities like hiking and paragliding. If you’re looking for an affordable international destination this fall, Medellin is definitely worth considering.

5 Alternative & Affordable Fall Break Ideas to Consider

The first part of the article listed destinations for cheap fall vacations. The next part will cover alternative fall vacation ideas that offer flexibility in what you do and where you go. What you choose will largely hinge on your interests, budget, and location. Try combining a few ideas to make the ultimate affordable fall trip!

Visit Local, State, or National Parks

Average price of visiting local, state, or national parks: Under $1,500 for 2 people (entry is typically FREE, but this number factors transportation, lodging, meals and other necessities)

Why visiting public parks is one of the best affordable fall vacation ideas

A breathtaking national park is within a manageable drive for most folks in the USA. If you’re in the Southwest, take a trip to Zion National Park. If you’re in the South, head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located in Los Angeles? Take a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. America is home to arguably the best parks system in the world, and it’s worth exploring these treasures. Not only will it make for a fun, cheap fall vacation, but you’ll avoid the large summer crowds.

Go on a Football Road Trip

Average price of a football road trip: $1,500+ for 2 people, including tickets, transportation, and hotel stays

Why a football road trip is one of the best affordable fall vacation ideas

While a baseball road trip is one of the best affordable summer vacation ideas, a football trip is a great fall vacation idea. Both the NFL and NCAA football seasons kick off in late August and early September, and going to watch your team play in another city nearby is a wonderful way to take a trip this autumn. For example, if you live in San Francisco and root for the 49ers, you could take a trip to watch your team play in Los Angeles or Seattle. If you’re an Oklahoma Sooners college football fan, you could watch your team play the University of Texas and explore the great city of Austin. Depending on who you root for and where you are, options abound for a fun, affordable fall vacation that combines sports and seeing a new town.

Take a Legendary Train Trip

Average price of a weeklong train trip: $500 to $1,500 for 2 people (depends on type of ticket and the route)

Why a train trip is one of the best affordable fall vacation ideas

Taking a fall train trip gives you the opportunity to see a good portion of the United States the good old-fashioned way. Get swept off your feet by the Pacific landscapes as you travel from Los Angeles to Seattle on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight. Listen to the song, “City of New Orleans”, as you travel from Chicago to New Orleans on the City of New Orleans (No. 59). Or, visit Philadelphia, Washington DC, New York City and Boston as you cruise on the Northeast Corridor.

Join a Fall Volunteer Trip

Average price of a volunteer trip: ~$1,000 for 2 people (cost of transportation and insurance)

Why a volunteer trip is one of the best affordable fall vacation ideas

Volunteering not only offers the chance to help out those in need, but it also delivers personal benefits. The Mayo Clinic reports that volunteering helps improve mental and physical wellbeing, as well as provide a sense of community and purpose. In terms of volunteering options, check locally if you can’t travel too far. There are certainly plenty of opportunities nearby, from homeless shelter service to park cleanups. You can also check with reputable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Hiking Society if you’d like to combine travel with volunteering.

Explore Neighborhoods in Your Hometown or a City Nearby

Average price of exploring neighborhoods: $100 – $500+ (depends on activities, shopping, dining, etc)

Why exploring neighborhoods is one of the best affordable fall vacation ideas

Travel is about new experiences, and the truth is you don’t have to go far to discover a new restaurant, museum, cafe, park, or store you love. For a uniquely affordable fall staycation, consider visiting nearby neighborhoods, towns, and sites of interest that you haven’t seen before. For instance, if you live in Brooklyn, you can spend the week visiting historic neighborhoods like Astoria (Queens) and Harlem, touring cultural sites you haven’t visited, and enjoying nearby natural areas such as Harriman State Park.

Your Affordable Fall Vacation Awaits

You can enjoy a cheap fall vacation that does NOT stress your bank account. The good news is, since fall isn’t the peak season in lots of destinations, flight and lodging prices will already be a bit cheaper. By avoiding typical tourist traps or opting for an alternative vacation, like a volunteer trip, you can save even more money and have the trip of a lifetime.

If you want more resources on vacation planning and budgeting, check out our other guides:

• Plan Affordable Vacations That Don’t Feel Cheap
• Travel Price Inflation Guide
• How to Make a Travel Budget
• Budget-Friendly Family Travel

Do you have any other alternative fall trip ideas or destinations? Visit our Facebook page and ignite the conversation!

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image by Diana Parkhouse on Unsplash