In many ways, fall travel is a lot easier than summer—fewer crowds, crisp air and lower prices. But it comes with its own set of unique pitfalls that even the most seasoned traveler can find themselves navigating if they aren’t careful. We’ve rounded up the most common autumn travel mistakes—and how to avoid them for your coziest, stress-free trip yet.
1. Not Booking Foliage Travel Early Enough
The Mistake: Leaf-peeping hot spots like Vermont, The Catskills and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway book up months in advance. And that quaint, group-size AirBnB? Try a year.
The Fix: Look for low-cost, modern chain hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Best Western Plus that still have availability, or try shoulder season and use foliage trackers like Almanac’s Foliage Map to time your trip. You may not get prime golds and reds, but you’ll still see changing colors—and won’t have to deal with so many crowds.
2. Packing Like It’s Still Summer
The Problem: Weather can dip fast this time of year. At lunch, it’s 75 degrees and sunny—by dinner, it’s 45 and freezing. Travelers often rely on light layers and forget cold-weather accessories to stave off blustery chills.
The Fix: Revel in fall, but plan for winter. Pack a base layer, a weather-proof jacket and gloves, scarves and hats that can pack up small and fit in your day bag.
3. Forgetting It Rains—A Lot
The Problem: Fall is rainy in many top destinations, including New England, the Pacific Northwest and parts of Europe.
The Fix: Pack a mini umbrella and water-resistant boots, such as Blundstones—you’ll stay stylish and dry. Bonus points for a waterproof trenchcoat too—they’re a European staple for a reason.