Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean you can’t still take a fall trip or vacation. October can be a great time to travel, as the month is right between the high travel periods of summer and Thanksgiving. You can also take advantage of the shoulder season to pick up cheap flights and accommodations internationally.
If you’re thinking about planning a trip, read on for ways to save money this October, for trips now or later.

Book it to… the Big Easy

While New Orleans is tourist heavy around Mardi Gras, the best time to go is October according to Booking.com. There are still plenty of festivals to celebrate. How does Halloween in NoLa sound?

Out of Africa

Or if you want to go overseas, Cape Town, South Africa is the place to go this month. With hotels averaging under $100 per night and spring weather, be sure to use these Travelocity coupons, offers and deals to find the best priced flight.

Fall foliage

Fall is undoubtedly synonymous with the leaves changing colors. Instead of paying high prices for a trip to New England, check out the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as an economical alternative. There are over 300 waterfalls, more than 100 miles of trails and views of sandstone cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

With flights sometimes dropping as low as $55 and hotel rates staying reasonable through the season, October is a prime time to explore South America. Be sure to use these Lonely Planet coupons, offers and deals to save money on books and guides to plan your trip.

City by the Bay

If you want to extend your summer, head out west to San Francisco. While the actual summer months are foggy and gloomy, fall tends to be warm and sunny. However hotel rates can be higher so be sure to check out these coupons and offers from Hotels.com to get the best deal.

Now that you know where to go this October, here’s what else you can do to save money for traveling either now or in the future.

Eat at home

Instead of thinking you’ll eat cheap while traveling, save money now by eating at home more often. Grocery delivery services provide the ingredients, saving you time and lending a hand if you’re not a master chef. These Peapod coupons and deals will save you money and get you started on delicious home cooked meals.

Friends of friends

Reach out to your social networks and see who knows who. Friends of friends are sometimes willing to open their doors for you, at the mere cost of a meal or a nice bottle of wine.

Be flexible

If you want to travel to a certain place, be flexible about timing. If you want to travel at a certain time, be flexible about location. Being flexible and able to go with the flow is a great skill to have when traveling.

Winter is coming…

If you’re planning on hitting the slopes this ski season, buy ski passes early. They tend to become more expensive and sometimes even sell out later in the season.

Home for the holidays

Book holiday airfare and hotel rooms in October. You can track and get notifications for flights home to see which option is cheapest. Some airlines like Southwest will give you a refund if your ticket price falls after you book.

Do you have any travel plans this October? Let us know where you’re heading or any tips you have to save money!