12 Cheap Fall Getaways That Feel Way More Luxurious Than They Cost

Some of the links might be affiliate links and, at no extra cost to you, we earn a small commission. See our disclaimer for more info.

Despite temperatures across the globe starting to drop and summer well and truly leaving us behind, the fall is an excellent time to travel. Most places experience fewer crowds and offer more affordable vacations. There are also still many places that provide the last glimpses of sunshine. Better yet, with autumn comes those dreamy fall colors we all love.

With that in mind, we’ve decided to show you 12 of the most affordable destinations in the world for fall. Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, landscapes covered in fall foliage, or an exciting city break, we have you covered. We also selected these entries because they have an affordable daily travel cost.

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Save this!

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

Ninh Binh, a small yet spectacular city in the Red River Delta of Northern Vietnam, is first on our list because it perfectly sums up how much you can do with your money. According to Budget Your Trip, travelers can stay in budget-friendly Ninh Binh and enjoy its impressive scenery for less than $40 daily.

Ninh Binh is a mesmerizing location famed for its breathtaking verdant limestone cliffs, lush pagodas, and surreal peaks. In the fall, this captivating landscape, protected by UNESCO, displays vibrant green, yellow, and golden hues to die for. Visitors will spend most of their time here boating, hiking, and photographing. Make sure you visit Tam Cốc-Bích Động, Mua Caves, and Cuc Phuong National Park.

Rea also: Incredible Cities for Fall Foliage

Isle of Skye, Scotland

If you’ve always wanted to visit Iceland but can’t afford the high price tag, the Isle of Skye, a small island in Scotland, is the next best thing. Renowned worldwide for its rugged landscapes, quaint towns, and diverse wildlife, this stunning island has something to offer every kind of traveler, especially this time of year.

However, it’s best suited to outdoor enthusiasts, who quickly fall in love with the island’s natural beauty. Noteworthy points of interest include the Old Man of Storr, Portree, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Fairy Glen. In the fall, the Isle of Skye’s famous attractions are covered in fall’s orange, red, yellow, and green colors. Regarding travel costs, you can expect to spend approximately $150.

Penang, Malaysia

Penang, on Malaysia’s scenic northwest coast, is a fantastic place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere in Southeast Asia with comfortable temperatures that offers abundant history, culture, and beautiful scenery. Home to George Town, this region of Malaysia is well-known for its rich cultural history and impressive natural landscapes.

George Town has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city hosts many events in the fall, such as lantern festivals and parades. Must-visit attractions include George Town Street Art, Chulia Street, Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, and Chew Jetty. Away from George Town, explore Penang National Park, where you’ll find tropical beaches, monkeys, and lush hiking trails. The average daily travel cost in Penang is only $114.

Zadar, Croatia

Zadar, a lively city along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, might not seem like an obvious place to spend a fall vacation. However, its proximity to Plitvice Lakes National Park is a major draw, especially if you want to experience Europe’s impressive fall foliage. This national park, which is only a 1 hour and 40-minute drive from Zadar, is famed for its verdant cliffs, picturesque canyons, terraced lakes, and powerful waterfalls.

In the fall, the park’s landscape takes on orange, yellow, golden, and red colors that look spectacular in a photograph. Meanwhile, Zadar also has plenty of things for travelers to see, including Saint Donatus Church, the Roman Forum, and the Five Wells Square. The average daily travel cost in Zadar is $99.

Fresno, California, United States

Unfortunately, the United States is relatively expensive, so finding somewhere affordable for the fall is challenging. However, Fresno, a vibrant city in California’s San Joaquin Valley, is an excellent option. The average daily travel cost here is only $110. Better yet, Fresno is only a one-hour, twenty-minute drive from Sequoia National Park.

Sequoia National Park is a beautiful place to hike in autumn. The park experiences cooler temperatures ideal for hiking, fall foliage is on full display, and numerous autumnal events take place, such as the annual Dark Sky Festival. Back in Fresno, be sure to check out Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Forestiere Underground Gardens, and the Fresno County Blossom Trail.

Helen, Georgia, United States

Outdoor enthusiasts searching for small-town vibes, impressive fall foliage, and countless things to see and do should visit Helen, Georgia. This small, Bavarian-style town in the Peach State is a beautiful autumn destination. You can expect mild to warm temperatures, gorgeous natural attractions, and a laid-back atmosphere.

🏨 Explore all your hotel options here

As for travel costs, it’s possible to stay in Georgia for approximately $150. Popular things to do in Helen in autumn include hiking to Anna Ruby Falls, celebrating Oktoberfest, ziplining in Unicoi State Park, and exploring the quaint downtown area. Meanwhile, wine drinkers can sample local delights at Habersham Winery & Vineyard. We don’t know about you, but that sounds like the perfect fall getaway.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali Vacations 29 Must-Know Tips Before You Go — © asab974 / Adobe Stock

If you want something completely different this fall, consider heading to Bali, Indonesia’s most popular island. In the fall, Bali experiences temperatures as high as 84°F (29°C), perfect for soaking up the sun on one of the island’s many dream-like beaches. Furthermore, you’ll encounter fewer crowds at the main attractions during the shoulder season.

Admittedly, Bali might not offer the best fall foliage, but it makes up for that with the promise of lush rice terraces, volcanic mountains, and dense rainforest. Notable points of interest on the island include the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ceking Rice Terrace, Tegenungan Waterfall, and Bukit Cinta. Regarding travel costs, a single person can easily get by on $76 daily.

Athens, Greece

Athens, the Greek capital, is another affordable fall destination. Again, Athens may seem like an odd choice for a fall vacation, but it has much to offer. For starters, temperatures in the city can reach a toasty 84°F (29°C), and the daily travel cost is only $140, with the fall hotel rate significantly lower than in the summer. The weather remains warm and sunny usually until late October and only starts getting worse in November, says Georgia Konidari from World Wild Schooling, who was born and raised in Athens. Secondly, you’ll encounter fewer tourists at the Acropolis of Athens in the off-season.

Finally, while it may not be best known for it, in September, Athens does feature breathtaking fall foliage. If you hike or take the cable car to the top of Mount Lycabettus, you’ll witness exceptional views of the city and its golden, red, and green leaves in the fall season. Not to mention, the view of the Acropolis is magnificent, too.

Galway, Republic of Ireland

Galway is a charming harbor city on Ireland’s west coast known best for its lively nightlife, live street performers, and rich traditions. However, the city is also one of the most significant stops along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. For those who don’t know, the Wild Atlantic Way is a 1,553-mile (2,500-kilometer) road trip route along Ireland’s scenic west, north, and south coasts.

As a result, Galway is an excellent place to experience Ireland’s breathtaking coastline in the fall. You can expect glorious beaches, lush forests, picturesque mountain passes, and more. Must-visit points of interest near Galway include Moycullen Bogs, Coral Strand Beach, Spiddal Pier, and Clifden. Travelers visiting Galway usually spend approximately $144 daily.

York, England

York is one of the best places for fall travel if you’re looking for a little bit of everything. This historic city in Northern England is famous for being one of the most haunted cities in the world. Therefore, it’s an exhilarating place to spend Halloween.

On top of that, York is a picturesque city with vibrant parks and easy access to the Yorkshire countryside, so you won’t find it too challenging to find fall foliage. In the fall, you should spend your time in York exploring the medieval Old Town on a ghost tour, getting lost in York Dungeons, and attending Halloween-themed events. The average daily travel cost in York is $139.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a popular destination for affordable fall holidays. This historic capital city looks incredible in the fall. A thick mist descends on the city, and the trees that line the River Danube glow with a golden hue. As you can probably imagine, this creates a fantastic atmosphere.

Better still, the city is jam-packed with impressive architecture and historical landmarks. You don’t want to miss the Hungarian Parliament Building, Castle Hill, Buda Old Town, or Chain Bridge. You can also participate in one of the city’s many ghost tours in autumn. Topping things off nicely, Budapest’s average daily travel cost is only $93.

Bled, Slovenia

The final destination on our list is Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, known worldwide for its famous photography spot. If you’ve not seen the computer, smartphone, or TV screensaver of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the middle of Lake Bled, you must’ve been living under a rock.

Bled’s breathtaking lake, mountain backdrop, and picturesque forests in the fall offer mind-blowingly beautiful colors. You can expect emerald waters, snow-capped mountains, misty mornings, and red, orange, and yellow leaves. Meanwhile, notable attractions in Bled include Bled Castle, Straža Bled, and Soteska Vintgar. You can enjoy all of this for less than $120 daily.