Expedia Reveals The Cheapest Times To Travel This Fall
It will officially be fall in just a few weeks and thanks to smaller crowds and lower airfares and hotel prices, it’s a great time to travel. Expedia has just…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 15: A Spirit Airlines plane lands at Harry Reid International Airport on October 15, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holiday airfare prices are expected to be the most expensive in the last 5 years with Thanksgiving ticket prices up 25 percent from last year with the average round trip ticket price of $281. Christmas travel costs are up 55 percent from last year with round trip ticket prices averaging $435. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Getty Images/Justin SullivanIt will officially be fall in just a few weeks and thanks to smaller crowds and lower airfares and hotel prices, it’s a great time to travel. Expedia has just come out with their Fall Travel Outlook, highlighting the cheapest times to make those reservations and when to travel to get the best deals.
According to the travel site:
- Fall is a great time to save on airfare, as it typically drops 10% compared to summer prices.
- You can save up to 15% on airfare by leaving on Mondays for domestic flights and Saturdays for international flights.
- For the cheapest travel dates within the U.S., the week of September 1st is when average ticket prices are close to $100 cheaper than during the summer peak
- The week of October 20th is the best time for international flights, that’s when the average ticket prices are nearly $260 lower than during the summer.
- Both domestically and internationally, the Thursday and Friday after Labor Day (September 5th and 6th) are the busiest days of the season.
- The lightest travel dates this fall are the week of November 10th (two weeks before Thanksgiving week).
So, where does everyone want to go this fall?
- Internationally, the top destinations include Cancun, Paris, London, Rome and Tokyo, along with Tulum, Mexico (with searches up 70%) and Mallorca, Spain (searches up 70%).
- Japan is also a top destination this fall, including Yamaguchi, a “leaf-peeping paradise” outside Tokyo.
- Here in the U.S., flight searches for cities on Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” this fall are surging, with searches for Indianapolis up 120% and New Orleans up 40%.
- Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, Los Angeles and Boston are also popular destinations for fall.
Charlotte North Carolina Named In The Top 5 Cities For Visiting NFL Fans
The worse the Panthers get, the more fans of the away team that can be seen at Bank of America Stadium on any given Sunday. I went to the Denver Broncos game last year, and to be fair the Broncos were about as bad as the Panthers last year. Even still the stadium was at least half orange. I don't know about you but I haven't met that many people from Denver in Charlotte. So it's safe to assume a portion of these fans traveled to Charlotte for this game. To support the team, that was far from the top of their game. No hate for the Broncos. I'm a Panthers fan but I was there specifically to see Russell Wilson who is one of my favorite players. I was surprised to see that many Broncos fans at the game, but now that I know Charlotte is one of the top cities for visiting NFL fans....it makes more sense.
The Study
This data was provided to us by our friends at BonusFinder.com. They compared each of the 30 NFL stadiums and their home cities in nine categories. These ranged from the city’s selection of game day activities to the price of beer and hot dogs at the stadium. All of this in an effort to determine which city is the best for visiting NFL fans to attend a game.
I've actually been to a handful of NFL Stadiums. Though coincidentally Bank of America Stadium is the only one on this list. I've also been for concerts and college football games, no other NFL games other than Panther home games. But I have to say there is one clear stand out of the stadiums I've visited. And I'm SHOCKED it was not included on this list. Because in most of these categories, I'd rank Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta high. The cost of food/drink- unbeatable. It's downtown location is walkable to hotels and restaruants/bars. Not to mention tourist attractions like the College Football Hall of Fame and Georgia Aquarium.
But I'm not here to hype up Atlanta, instead to tell you about what are the best places to attend an away game to support your team. And let you know why Charlotte was named in the top 5 cities for visiting NFL teams. Not mentioned in this study is the ease and affordability of getting tickets since the team is terrible right now. Have you visited any of these stadiums?
10. Indianapolis, IN
(Photo by Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 11.9/20
Franchise Prestige: 13.9/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 5.6/10
Distance From Major City Center: 9.1/10
Bars Walking Distance: 8.8/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 3.4/5
Cost of a Beer: 4.2/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.3/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 7.8/10
When traveling to an event at an NFL Stadium, a dome instantly gets extra points from me. The last think you want is to spend the money to travel and the game/event gets canceled. Lucas Oil Stadium and the Colts have some good history. While Indianapolis isn't at the top of my bucketlist, I wouldn't mind attending something here.
Overall Score: 72.99
9. Cincinatti, OH
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 9/20
Franchise Prestige: 12/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 8.1/10
Distance From Major City Center: 9.4/10
Bars Walking Distance: 9.1/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 3.65
Cost of a Beer: 4.8/5
Gambling Opportunities: 9.1/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.1/10
Overall Score: 73.19
I've fully jumped on the Bengals bandwagon. My teams have been terrible the last few years and I need some good to come from Sundays so I'm not ashamed of that. My alma mater has two players on the defense, and have you seen Joe Burrow? I'd love to attend a game here!
8. Denver, CO
Brian Bahr/ALLSPORTIconic Stadium: 11.9/20
Franchise Prestige: 14.8/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 9.4/10
Distance From Major City Center: 7.5/10
Bars Walking Distance: 5.3/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 3.1/5
Cost of a Beer: 4.2/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.3/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 9.1/10
Overall Score: 73.61
Denver is an overall wonderful city to visit, the Broncos have some incredible history as a franchise. No surprise Mile High Stadium is on this list.
7. Baltimore, MD
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 11.9/20
Franchise Prestige: 12.5/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 8.4/10
Distance From Major City Center: 8.1/10
Bars Walking Distance: 8.4/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 4.7/5
Cost of a Beer: 4.4/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.7/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.1/10
Overall Score: 75.30
I've been to the other Maryland Stadium (FedEx Field in Landover), but not Baltimore's. Solid, consistent scores across the board seems to be what landed this somewhat of a sleeper (IMO) on the list.
6. Las Vegas, NV
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 10.4/20
Franchise Prestige: 15.9/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 10/10
Distance From Major City Center: 5.3/10
Bars Walking Distance: 7.8/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 4.8/5
Cost of a Beer: 3.4/5
Gambling Opportunities: 9.8/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.1
Overall Score: 75.75
This is what the NFL wanted when putting a stadium in Vegas. You can't ask for a better location to visit for an away game. A stadium on the strip with every bar, restaurant, casino, and tourist attraction imaginable within eyesight seemingly.
5. Pittsburgh, PA
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 12.5/20
Franchise Prestige: 18.3/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 7.2/10
Distance From Major City Center: 7.8/10
Bars Walking Distance: 6.9/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 2.5/5
Cost of a Beer: 3.4/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.4/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.8/10
Overall Score: 75.80
When you think of stadiums and teams with history you have to think of the Steelers and Pittsburg. While I'm far from a fan of the team, a game here is a must-do for any NFL fan.
4. Charlotte, NC
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 13.5/20
Franchise Prestige: 11.7/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 8.8/10
Distance From Major City Center: 9.4/10
Bars Walking Distance: 9.7/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 3.3/5
Cost of a Beer: 3.6/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.3/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.8/10
Overall Score: 76.99
A prime stadium location (David Tepper please don't move it out of the city I'm begging you), gave Bank of America Stadium a boost in the rankings. I mean it's a solid stadium, but I am a little surprised it ranked quite this high.
3. New Orleans, LA
(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 12.5/20
Franchise Prestige: 13.1/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 8.1/10
Distance From Major City Center: 9.7/10
Bars Walking Distance: 9.4/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 3.1/5
Cost of a Beer: 3/5
Gambling Opportunities: 10/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.1/10
Overall Score: 77.05
Most likely the next on my NFL Stadium adventure is the Superdome in New Orleans. I mentioned before my love of indoor stadiums when traveling. A prime location in a fun city as well, makes me say yes please!
2. Chicago, IL
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 17.3/20
Franchise Prestige: 18/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 9.7/10
Distance From Major City Center: 7.2/10
Bars Walking Distance: 5.9/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 1.9/5
Cost of a Beer: 3.1/5
Gambling Opportunities: 9.5/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.8/10
Overall Score: 81.38
Another team, city, and stadium steeped in history. This one is on my short list as well!
1. Detroit, MI
(Photo by Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)Iconic Stadium: 14.4/20
Franchise Prestige: 15.5/20
Sports Bars Within 5-Mile Radius: 7.8/10
Distance From Major City Center: 9.4/10
Bars Walking Distance: 10/10
Cost of a Hot Dog: 2.8/5
Cost of a Beer: 5/5
Gambling Opportunities: 8.7/10
Sports Related Activities Nearby: 8.1/10
I know you Michiganders have a lot of pride, but Detroit is hardly the most desirable location for me to visit. But the stats in this case gave it the title.
Overall Score: 81.70
Methodology
To determine the best NFL cities in the US for visiting fans, we analyzed the 32 teams and their 30 stadiums and home cities in the following factors, which were given different weighting depending on their importance for visiting fans.
Iconic Stadiums - Score calculated based on the following three categories (Score out of 20)
Prestige of the Club - Score calculated based on the following categories (Score out of 20)
Read the rest of the methodology here. Thanks to our friends at BonusFinder for sharing this research with us.
