Autumn Travel Trends 2026: Why UK Hotel Prices Are Rising and Where to Find the Best Bargains Abroad
As hotel stays across the UK jump in price this season, savvy travellers are turning overseas. Discover the trending autumn getaways—from European hidden gems to Greek islands—and the exact dates to book for maximum savings.
If you’re planning an autumn getaway, heading abroad might save you a bundle. While hotel stays across the UK are now, on average, more expensive than during the peak summer months, international spots are seeing accommodation prices tumble.
Destinations like Albufeira and Faro in Portugal’s Algarve, alongside gay favourites like Mykonos and Kos in the Greek Islands, are offering hotel rates up to 30% lower than summer.
This shift comes direct from Expedia’s latest Autumn Travel Outlook, which reveals that domestic stays are taking a bite out of holiday budgets. Across the UK, average hotel prices have crept up, with major cities seeing the biggest surges:
- Birmingham: +30%
- Liverpool: +20%
- Cambridge: +15%
- Manchester: +10%
Not everywhere in the UK is feeling the price squeeze. Edinburgh and the Lake District remain top autumn choices while offering rates around 10% cheaper. Coastal hotspots are seeing the steepest post-summer drop (-20%), led by Newquay, St Ives, Brighton, and the Isle of Wight.
For those venturing overseas, international getaways deliver average hotel rate drops of around 7%. Alongside the Algarve and Greek islands, top value picks include Benidorm, Alicante, and Istanbul.
Trending regions
Travellers are also opting for fresh terrain this season. Luxembourg tops the list of trending autumn spots, with search interest surging by 470% as Brits seek discovery over familiarity. Other off-the-beaten-track locations gaining traction include:
- Sarandë, Albania: +110%
- Budva, Montenegro: +85%
- Ljubljana, Slovenia: +80%
Domestically, Stirling leads the trend with a 90% rise in interest, alongside Harrogate, Durham, Norwich, and the Cotswolds for slower-paced, culture-rich breaks.
Best Times to Book
November has been crowned as the single best month to travel for maximum savings. Key dates to keep in mind include:
- Domestic Flights: 9 November and 29 November
- International Flights: 27 November
- Accommodation Savings (Home & Abroad): 4, 8, 18, and 22 November
“For British travellers chasing the best value this autumn, the biggest savings are waiting overseas. Classic favourites such as the Algarve and the Greek islands become far more affordable after summer, delivering all the appeal with a fraction of the price tag,” notes Melanie Fish, Travel Expert at Expedia.