As the weather cools and leaves change, now’s the perfect time to plan a vacation. Use the autumn season to get in your last getaway before winter hits. We’ve looked into our data to find Canadian travellers the information they need. From the most popular destinations for under $500 to the best places to go leaf-peeping, this is your guide to confidently plan the perfect autumn holiday.
Popular Destinations Under $500 + Cheapest Fall Weekend to Travel There
These are some of our most-searched-for destinations that also happen to pack an affordable punch. Find out the best fall weekend to plan a trip — based on when you’re most likely to find a deal on airfare.
1. Las Vegas
Median airfare to Vegas is $461 this season. While flights are generally cheaper during the week, the best fall weekend to go is the weekend of September 28th (when airfare is around $468).
2. Vancouver
Median airfare to Vancouver is $323 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of October 19th (when airfare is around $174).
3. New York
Median airfare to NYC is $334 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of October 19th (when airfare is around $282).
4. Toronto
Median airfare to Toronto is $402 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of November 2nd (when airfare is around $220).
5. Los Angeles
Median airfare to LA is $378 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of September 28th (when airfare is around $285).
6. Calgary
Median airfare to Calgary is $315 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of October 5th (when airfare is around $176).
Median airfare to San Fran is $429 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of September 21st (when airfare is around $357).
8. Edmonton
Median airfare to Edmonton is $237 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of October 12th (when airfare is around $118).
9. Halifax
Median airfare to Halifax is $376 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of October 12th (when airfare is around $307).
10. Montreal
Median airfare to Montreal is $376 this season. The best fall weekend to go is the weekend of September 21st (when airfare is around $236).
Canada’s Top Trending Destinations For Fall Foliage
Go leaf-peeping in these beautiful domestic destinations that also happen to see an increase in traveller interest for fall when compared to last year.
1. Niagara Escarpment, Hamilton, Ontario
69% increase in interest
Niagara Escarpment is a rock ridge that stretches nearly 1,000 miles across the Great Lakes. You can head to Niagara to check out the vibrant oranges, reds and yellows with the Falls as your backdrop. On your drive out there, stop at Ridge Road Estate Winery or Leaning Posts to warm up with a wine tasting (and a bottle for home). Dial up that fall feeling by joining in a seasonal festival, like Hamilton’s Harvest Festival.
2. Signal Hill, Gander, Newfoundland
46% increase in interest
Signal Hill is so named as it was the spot where they used to post flag, signaling the names of ships arriving into St. John’s Harbour. It’s also where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal (and yet, you still can’t get a text back). Celebrate this site’s history by hiking the North Head Trail to enjoy fall’s changing colours over the harbour. Then, at night, you can take a Haunted Hike to experience the Ghosts of Signal Hill… if you dare.
3. Appalachian Mountain Region, Fredericton, New Brunswick
20% increase in interest
Located on the St. John River, Fredericton is a picturesque city edged by mountains and forest. Hike the Appalachian trails to spot some of the best fall foliage, then head downtown to the river’s edge and take in an exhibition at the Beaverbrook Gallery. Plan to be around for the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (September 11-15) or Indulge (October 10-14) to immerse yourself in the region’s food and culture.
4. Elk Island National Park, Edmonton, Alberta
18% increase in interest
September is one of the best times to see the Northern Lights, and Elk Island’s expansive sky is happy to oblige. This national park and bison conservatory attracts travelers to its beautiful trails every year. If you’re there the weekend of September 22nd, head into Edmonton for the Fall Gallery Walk, a weekend celebrating art in the city.
5. Vancouver Island, Vancouver, British Columbia
17% increase in interest
WIth a thriving arts community, shops and theater, Vancouver Island is a great place to spend a few days. You can get some of the best views of the changing trees at the Butchart Gardens or — for those a bit more daring — by taking a walk across the Kinsol Trestle. If you’re looking for an event to enjoy, this year Bite of Nanaimo is on October 19, which celebrate the island’s food and culture.
6. Prince Albert National Park, Regina, Saskatchewan
16% increase in interest
Miles of trails will let you weave between changing maples and elms at Prince Albert National Park. Good news for active travelers: there are plenty of fall events to enjoy at the park this season, from fun runs and bike rides to international film festivals.
7. Parc du Mont Royal, Montreal, Quebec
7% increase in interest
Rising over Montreal, Mont Royal provides a stunning display of autumn’s changing colours. Take a walk through the park then head downtown to experience the city. Not far from the trails, Brutopia serves up homemade micro brews and poutine in a cozy setting. Plus, throughout September and October, the city celebrates Gardens of Light, a city-wide event with gorgeous displays at 3 of Montreal’s botanical gardens.
8. Trois-Rivieres, Montreal, Quebec
7% increase in interest
Upriver from Montreal is Trois-Rivieres. This quaint old town on the Saint Lawrence River is a great spot to experience old-school Quebec against the backdrop of fall. Head out to one of the river’s islands to experience the fall foliage then spend your afternoon touring the old town. Stop at Cafe Frida for a pour of espresso to warm up.
9. Whiteshell Provincial Park, Winnipeg, Manitoba
7% increase in interest
Whiteshell’s beauty is only about 2 hours east of Winnipeg along the Trans-Canada Highway. Dotted throughout this expansive park are lakes and rivers, offering a picturesque backdrops to all your autumn fantasies. Take a self-guided tour along one of its many trails or head to the Falcon Lake Townsite for a rousing game of mini golf.
10. Confederation Trail, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
7% increase in interest
The island that inspired one of Canada’s greatest writers — LM Montgomery — truly shines in fall. Extending from one end of PEI to the other, the Confederation Trail is a bikeable path that weaves you in and out of historic towns, beautiful landscapes and shoreline stretches. Plus, throughout September, PEI celebrates the Fall Flavours Festival, with events like the PEI Beer Festival and Farm Day in the City, the island’s largest outdoor market.
Top European Deal Destinations
These are the top destinations across the pond that have seen the biggest price drop in airfare for fall travel since last year.
Flight prices have dropped 50% since last year. You can expect to pay around $308 round-trip this season.
2. Milan, Italy
Flight prices have dropped 35% since last year. You can expect to pay around $772 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 25% since last year. You can expect to pay around $876 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 18% since last year. You can expect to pay around $776 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 15% since last year. You can expect to pay around $745 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 13% since last year. You can expect to pay around $883 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 13% since last year. You can expect to pay around $1018 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 12% since last year. You can expect to pay around $834 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 12% since last year. You can expect to pay around $690 round-trip this season.
Flight prices have dropped 11% since last year. You can expect to pay around $754 round-trip this season.
Methodology
Popular Destinations Under $500
KAYAK pulled the most popular destinations (defined as destinations with the most clicks) with median airfare under $500 based on all economy, round trip flights from Canada with search dates of January 1, 2018 through August 21, 2018 and travel dates of September 7, 2018 through November 16, 2018. All searches were pulled from KAYAK’s internal database. For the top 10 domestic destinations and top 10 international destinations resulting from the popular destination data, KAYAK pulled the cheapest weekend (defined as Friday through Sunday) for each destination for the defined search and travel dates.
Top Trending Fall Foliage Destinations
KAYAK pulled the top trending fall foliage destinations in Canada from a curated list of fall foliage destinations with the greatest year over year increase in searches for search dates of January 1, 2018 through August 21, 2018 and travel dates of September 7, 2018 through November 16, 2018. All flights considered were round trip, economy from KAYAK CA.
Top European Deal Destinations
KAYAK pulled the top deal destinations in Europe with the greatest year over year decrease in median airfare for search dates of January 1, 2018 through August 21, 2018 and travel dates of September 7, 2018 through November 16, 2018. All flights considered were round trip, economy from KAYAK CA.
