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Seasonal Guide

Best Places to Travel in October

The golden shoulder-season month for great-value travel

By Daniel HartReviewed
6 min read

October is one of the best travel months of the year — a sweet spot of pleasant weather, thinning crowds, and lower prices, with autumn colour in the north and warm seas lingering in the south. Here are the best places to travel in October.

Italy — Harvest & Golden Light

October brings the wine and olive harvest, mild weather, golden light, and far fewer crowds than summer — arguably the best month to visit Italy.

Japan — Autumn Begins

October sees Japan's summer humidity clear to crisp, sunny skies, with autumn foliage starting in the north and mountains — a beautiful, comfortable time to visit.

Greece — Warm Seas, No Crowds

The Greek islands keep summer's warmth and swimmable seas into October while the crowds disperse and prices fall — ideal for a relaxed island escape.

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US National Parks — Fall Colour

October brings spectacular fall foliage to New England and the national parks, with comfortable hiking temperatures and golden landscapes.

Morocco — Mild & Magical

The fierce summer heat eases by October, making it a perfect time to explore Marrakech, the desert, and the Atlas Mountains in comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

October is one of the best travel months globally. It offers pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and lower prices, with autumn colour in the north (Italy, Japan, US national parks) and warm seas lingering in the south (Greece, Mediterranean). A superb shoulder-season choice.

Written by

Daniel Hart

Founder & Editor

Daniel Hart is the founder and editor of Travel and Time. An aeronautical engineer who spent two decades in aviation, he built the site’s flight-distance, route, and airport tools and oversees its research and accuracy. He has travelled widely across India over twenty years of work postings.

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