Autumn is an ideal time to travel thanks to cooler temps, fewer crowds and shoulder season savings.
Shoulder season is the sweet spot between peak season (when everyone travels to a destination) and low season (when the weather is less than ideal). This time of year, combined with the savings you may find when booking your flight and hotel together, could be the perfect recipe for an autumn holiday.
Flight + hotel packages not only offer the convenience of booking air and accommodation together but a bundled holiday also typically offers significant savings compared to buying each trip component separately.
Here are 10 destinations where you can find affordable autumn flight+hotel packages. So read on for our picks and then give our flight+hotel holiday search a try for yourself on KAYAK.ie.
Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a big draw for autumn travellers. Get a comprehensive, convenient, and inexpensive overview of the city on land and water via RiverRide, an amphibious bus that meanders over the 19th century Széchenyi Chain Bridge, a suspension bridge that spans the River Danube and zooms past popular places like Széchenyi István Square, the Hungarian State Opera House, and the Budapest Zoo before plunging in the water to float past Margaret Island, a bucolic island in the Danube River and the palatial Baroque Buda Castle, the former palace complex of Hungarian royalty.
Prague, Czech Republic
The winding cobblestone lanes in Prague’s Old Town are wonderful places to wander. Spend time in the palatial Staroměstské náměstí, the oldest square in the capital. The gathering spot is crammed with notable landmarks like the Old Town Hall, Church of Our Lady before Týn, Baroque Church of St. Nicholas, the Rococo Kinský Palace, and Gothic House at the Stone Bell.
Stop for selfies at the nearby Prague Castle where locals and visitors admire its iconic astrological clock. If your trip is over the weekend, stroll the Saturday farmers market in Naplavka, a long strip along the river between Vysehrad Castle and Dancing House, which is an unofficial centre of nightlife and a popular venue for picnics, concerts, exhibitions, and festivals.
Paris, France
While Paris can be pricey, the City of Lights offers a variety of places to explore for free, from taking in the exterior of the 324-meter tall Eiffel Tower to the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral (enter for a fee) to the Pont des Arts bridge, where lovers place padlocks in a kaleidoscope of colours. Take time to stroll the tree-lined Champs-Élysées to window-shop the luxury boutiques. Enjoy a picnic in the nearby Tuileries Gardens and stop to people watch at Place de la Concorde, an octagon public square situated along the Seine.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
See the city from the water by riding the free blue-and-white ferries along the city’s 165 canals, but be sure to save time for museum hopping with stops at the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, which features Dutch art and history from the Middle Ages to today, and the Anne Frank House. Create your own art by taking colorful portraits in front of Amsterdam’s boldly-colored gabled building façades.
Istanbul, Turkey
Whether soaking in traditional Turkish baths or visiting culturally significant sites like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Underground Cistern and Topkapi Palace, there’s plenty to explore inexpensively, adding to your holiday savings. Stock up on affordably priced souvenirs like apple tea, Turkish delights, miniature glass perfume bottles and rugs at the expansive Grand Bazaar.
Rome, Italy
You don’t have to walk far in Rome to find something extraordinary to do. From sipping espresso at a corner coffee shop to indulging in a tub of creamy gelato to toasting your trip with a refreshing Bellini at the Hassler Bar at the top of Rome’s Spanish Steps, there are countless ways to roam Rome. Don’t forget to maintain your good fortune by throwing a coin in the ornate Travertine stone Baroque Trevi Fountain to ensure a return to Rome.
7. Palma de Mallorca, Spain
A beach holiday is one of the best ways to usher in autumn and Mallorca is an easy choice. While it’s hard to retreat from the beach once settled in the sand, spend time exploring Palma’s old town, which is populated with medieval buildings like La Seu, a Gothic cathedral, L’Almudaina, a 13th century palace with meticulously manicured gardens, and the maze-like old Arab Quarter. The best part? It won’t cost a thing to explore our favourite spots on this incredible island capital. If you want to explore more of the island, we recommend Valldemossa, pictured above, which is an easy 30 minute drive from the city centre.
Barcelona, Spain
Admiring Pablo Picasso’s art at the Museu Picasso, strolling Las Ramblas, walking through Gaudi’s Parc Guell and sampling Spanish wines and savoury tapas are popular pastimes in the Catalan capital. Make sure to take in the free excitement of the intricate, tri-level Montjuic Magic Fountain, where colourful lights, whimsical music and wispy sprays of water make for great entertainment and photo ops.
9. London, UK
Looking to keep the savings going in London? Window shop at Harrods, watch the changing of the guard in front of Buckingham Palace (check the schedule here), enjoy a moment of reflection at Westminster Abbey, wander Piccadilly Circus, and climb the massive stone lions for a cheeky photo op in Trafalgar Square. There’s no better way to wrap up a walking tour of London than with a thirst-quenching pint and pub lunch.
Lisbon, Portugal
Hop on Tram 28 and cruise through the hilly Alfama neighborhood and then get lost on foot in Lisbon’s narrow, cobblestone streets flanked by ornate, colonial architecture, cafes and boutique shops. Laid-back Lisbon is built on seven hills that can be a challenge to climb, so when you’re feeling weary, take one of the city’s public elevators like the wrought iron Santa Justa Lift, which links downtown Lisbon with Largo do Carmo. The one-minute ride whisks riders to the peaceful square offering picture-perfect panoramas of the coastal city.
Ready to go? Search flight + hotel packages on KAYAK.
Note: These rates are based on the most recent data pulled from KAYAK.ie, the cheapest prices are always displayed first, regardless of specific dates mentioned. The prices are quoted in Euro. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy, are per night and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available.
