15 Best Cheap Places to Travel in October With Friends

October travel is great for your wallet and your wanderlust. As peak season winds down across much of the globe, mid-autumn is an affordable time to visit some of the world’s top destinations that would otherwise be out of reach during their busiest, priciest stretches. Not every place is cheap in October, but plenty are worth a look. Here are the cheapest travel destinations in October:

• 15 Best Cheap Places to Travel in October
  • 1. Kinosaki Onsen, Japan
  • 2. Cairo, Egypt
  • 3. Antalya, Turkey
  • 4. Lisbon, Portugal
  • 5. Split, Croatia
  • 6. Athens, Greece
  • 7. New Orleans, Louisiana
  • 8. Cape Cod, Massachusetts
  • 9. Amman, Jordan
  • 10. Orlando, Florida
  • 11. Bali, Indonesia
  • 12. Montreal, Canada
  • 13. Tenerife, Spain
  • 14. Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • 15. Vancouver, Canada
• Conclusion

15 Best Cheap Places to Travel in October

1. Kinosaki Onsen, Japan

Looking for an affordable, genuinely relaxing place to visit in October? Head to Kinosaki, a picturesque Japanese hot spring town tucked into a valley, just a 2.5-hour train ride from Kyoto. For more than 1,300 years, locals and visitors alike have soaked in the healing waters of the town’s hot springs.

Book a stay at a local ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn) and you’ll get a pass to the seven public bathhouses around Kinosaki during your visit. Throw on the robe and wooden sandals your ryokan provides and wander the town, hopping between baths. Ichinoyu, one of Kinosaki’s oldest hot springs, is a quiet outdoor sanctuary. At Mandarayu, you can soak in a cypress barrel filled with mineral-rich water, and at Satonoyu, there’s a soothing waterfall bath.

Kinosaki is also a great place to see Japan’s famous autumn leaves for a fraction of what you’d pay in a big city. Ride the Kinosaki Ropeway for views over Mount Daishi, which starts turning color around this time of year. On the way up, stop at Onsenji Temple, said to mark the spot where a Buddhist monk prayed for a thousand days and, according to legend, brought the hot spring waters to Kinosaki.

2. Cairo, Egypt

Summers in Egypt run brutally hot, but by October, temperatures start cooling to something far more manageable, with little rainfall to worry about. Since the busiest season doesn’t really kick in until December, October is still comparatively cheap and a great time to visit.

3. Antalya, Turkey

Affordable accommodation and pleasant weather make Antalya one of the cheapest destinations to visit in October. All-inclusive resorts along Turkey’s coast often run good deals this time of year, a real plus for travelers looking to relax on the white sand beaches of the Turquoise Coast.

The beaches are just the start of Antalya’s appeal, though. The city’s winding Old Town, Kaleiçi, is a major draw for visitors wanting a look at its restored Ottoman-era mansions, and the Antalya Museum houses archaeological treasures dating back to the Bronze Age.

It’s also worth visiting Hadrian’s Gate, a striking structure built to commemorate a visit from Emperor Hadrian in AD 130, with some remarkably well-preserved carvings still visible on its ceiling.

4. Lisbon, Portugal

October is already fairly cold in many European cities, but Lisbon tends to stay pleasantly mild. Despite its surge in popularity in recent years, Lisbon remains one of the more affordable cities to visit in Western Europe, and it’s a convenient jumping-off point for trips to Spain or France too. Combined with October being the low season across much of Europe, it’s a genuinely great value destination. Worth checking budget carriers and Portugal’s national airline, TAP, for cheap fares this time of year.

5. Split, Croatia

October is a bit chilly for a beach holiday in Croatia, but Split makes for a great culture-focused trip this time of year. With fewer tourists around, visitors can find much better deals at local hotels in this increasingly popular destination.

The top thing to do in Split is visit Diocletian’s Palace, an impressive Roman monument dating back roughly 1,700 years. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was even used as a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones. Inside, you can visit the Temple of Jupiter and the Cathedral of St. Domnius.

Round out your visit with a stop at the Ivan Meštrović Gallery, home to 86 statues and numerous paintings, and the Split Archaeological Museum.

6. Athens, Greece

October is an excellent time to visit Greece, arguably one of the best months of the year, with far fewer tourists than during summer. Go early in the month if you still want some beach time, and check flight search tools like Google Flights for deals; fares to Athens can drop significantly by the end of October compared to peak summer pricing.

7. New Orleans, Louisiana

Want to visit the Big Easy on a budget? Try New Orleans in October, once the crowds have thinned and prices have dropped. Autumn also brings welcome relief from the city’s brutal summer heat and humidity.

Even though Mardi Gras is long over, Bourbon Street keeps the party going year-round with live music and a thriving restaurant scene built around Cajun and Creole food. You can also grab a world-famous beignet at Café du Monde, learn about local history at the Louisiana State Museum’s Cabildo, and cruise the river on the historic steamboat Natchez.

The city has plenty of quirky corners too. Check out the Audubon Zoo, home to giraffes, orangutans, elephants, and a genuinely rare white alligator, among other animals.

8. Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Cape Cod is a classic beach destination, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a fall visit. You may not be swimming or sunbathing, but there’s still plenty to do, from strolling its lovely towns to waterside walks without the summer crowds. Late in the month brings New England’s famous fall foliage too. Prices drop noticeably in autumn, just plan to head home before the snow arrives.

9. Amman, Jordan

October isn’t just one of the best times of year to visit Jordan, it’s also one of the best values anywhere. The capital enjoys some of its most comfortable sightseeing weather this time of year and is packed with archaeological sites that genuinely impress. Pack a light jacket and plan to spend a few hours at the Amman Citadel and the Roman Theater.

Amman also makes a convenient base for exploring the rest of Jordan. Petra sees far fewer visitors than in spring, and the scenery is just as spectacular; you might even get a shot of the iconic Treasury without waiting for the crowds to clear.

For more adventure, head out to the Wadi Rum desert, where even budget travelers can afford a memorable evening of food and drinks among the dunes.

10. Orlando, Florida

Planning a trip to Disney World or Universal Studios? Consider October. It’s a quieter time since most families aren’t traveling right after the school year starts, and the weather is far more pleasant than summer’s heat and humidity. Since it’s not yet peak holiday season, prices tend to run lower too. Shorter lines at Disney World are a nice bonus.

11. Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of the biggest draws among cheap October destinations. This stunning island is a perennial favorite for its scenery, postcard-worthy beaches, and rich culture, and the lower price tag this time of year makes it an even easier sell.

While it’s not peak season, October still brings plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, ideal for spending a few days at beaches like Amed, Jimbaran Bay, and Sanur. Visitors can also dive into the island’s culture at the sacred Tanah Lot temple and the artsy hillside town of Ubud.

For something a little different, consider an overnight on Nusa Lembongan, a small island off Bali’s south coast known for its slow pace of life and dramatic cliffs.

12. Montreal, Canada

Most visitors head to Montreal in one of two seasons: summer, for warm, lovely weather, or winter, for the skiing and winter sports. Autumn tends to get overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. It’s neither too warm nor too cold, making it a great time to walk around, take in the views, and shop, with noticeably smaller crowds than peak season.

13. Tenerife, Spain

There’s no better, or more affordable, beach vacation than a trip to Tenerife in October. The largest of the Canary Islands isn’t yet overcrowded by mid-autumn, despite still having excellent beach weather. Worth watching for deals on flights and four- or five-star hotels this time of year.

Plan to spend plenty of time on Tenerife’s striking beaches, including La Tejita, El Duque, and Los Gigantes, a black sand beach framed by towering cliffs. Set aside at least a day, though, for Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to the third-highest volcano in the world and unforgettable views from the summit cable car.

14. Buenos Aires, Argentina

October is springtime in Argentina, with temperatures typically in the 70s°F, a genuinely pleasant, comfortable season and one of the reasons it’s such a good time to visit. Since most travelers flock to Argentina during its warmer December and January peak, October is a relatively quiet and cheaper time to go, and just as beautiful.

15. Vancouver, Canada

Bargain hunters take note: Vancouver hotel prices drop noticeably in October, and the mild weather and colorful foliage make it a genuinely great fall getaway. Stroll the trails in Stanley Park, or challenge yourself with a hike like the Grouse Grind to take in the bright orange and red leaves. The Van Dusen Botanical Garden is another great spot, especially for its striking Japanese maples.

Vancouver also has some fun seasonal events in October. Pack a costume for the Halloween Parade and Fair mid-month, ride the Stanley Park Halloween Ghost Train, and if you’re up for a scare, check out the Pacific National Exhibition’s annual Fright Nights festival.

Conclusion

There are so many wonderful places to visit in October, and October’s shoulder-season pricing makes plenty of them more affordable than you’d expect. It’s better to go see these places for yourself than to just scroll past them on your phone.