Why autumn is the ideal season for family trips to Europe

This summer's travel has been marked by busyness, turmoil, and high costs. Flight cancellations, soaring gas prices, lengthy airport queues, and lost luggage may have disrupted your vacation plans.

If you're looking to organize a family trip to Europe, autumn offers a chance for more reasonable travel demand and pricing, reminiscent of pre-pandemic days.

Fall not only provides a more relaxed travel experience but is also one of the prime seasons to explore various European spots, especially with children. Leave behind the summer travel frenzy and set off to Europe in September, October, or November. Here are some compelling reasons to make the journey.

Numerous European locations are less congested during this time

In 2019, one-third of all tourism nights booked by Europeans were in July or August, as reported by Eurostat. During these summer months, many Europeans flock to the beaches of Spain or the mountains of Italy, drawn by the lack of air conditioning and a relaxed work culture, often for weeks on end.

By autumn, most locals return to their school and work routines, resulting in sunny beach spots, picturesque villages, and popular tourist areas in European capitals being much less crowded (except for the occasional holiday weekend).

Traveling in Europe becomes more budget-friendly (both with points and cash)

While European inflation rates peaked this summer, autumn travel can still be cost-effective. With the dollar and euro nearly equal, hotel rates drop in the fall. For instance, the Park Hyatt Milan in October is about 800 euros ($807) per night, compared to over 1,000 euros ($1,009) in July.

The same is often true for points redemption rates. The AC Nice, a Marriott hotel on the French Riviera, charges approximately 500 euros ($505) or 54,000 points per night during the busy summer months of July and August. In contrast, in October, the rate drops to around 300 euros ($303) or 50,000 points, and in November, it's less than 200 euros ($202) or 44,000 points per night.

As reported by TPG journalist Sean Cudahy, flights to popular destinations like London, Greece, and Paris were significantly cheaper—sometimes by hundreds or even thousands of dollars—in the fall compared to the summer months, according to Google Flights.

If you're considering using points for family travel, many autumn dates align with off-peak periods for European airlines—Thanksgiving is even included in the off-peak discussion, which we will elaborate on later.

For instance, the entire month of November is classified as off-peak for British Airways, including Thanksgiving dates. The latter half of September, as well as many dates in October and November, are also deemed off-peak by Iberia; peak travel dates for this Spanish airline are from June 15 to August 31 (if you can secure award availability during that time).

Many destinations still enjoy pleasant weather

While not every day in southern Spain or the Greek Islands guarantees a beach experience, many Mediterranean spots still bask in sunshine and mild temperatures well into October and even November.

Summers in Europe can be uncomfortably hot, making family travel—particularly with infants and young children—challenging; it can also pose risks for older travelers, such as grandparents.

It's not just July and August that have become scorchers. This past June, Europe experienced extreme heat waves, with Norway hitting a record high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit—more than double the average June temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, according to BBC. Countries like Slovenia and Croatia also shattered temperature records, while Spain and Italy soared to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Even Germany and France reached the 100-degree mark.

Many countries, lacking adequate air conditioning and infrastructure, were (and still are) ill-equipped to handle such extreme heat. This makes Europe seem uncomfortable (and even hazardous) for family summer vacations, especially for those sensitive to heat. It can easily spoil a trip—who wants to explore the Colosseum under relentless sun or ascend the Eiffel Tower in oppressive heat? This is particularly true when traveling with children who may voice their discomfort.

This is why planning trips in September, October, and November can be excellent alternatives. Although you might encounter rain in some areas, autumn is often the best time to stroll through cities or visit attractions without the sweltering heat; you may even enjoy some beautiful fall foliage.

Savor the delightful autumn harvests, festivals, and colorful foliage

After years without the joy of festivals and large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries are reviving their cherished autumn celebrations. This includes famous events like Munich's Oktoberfest and lesser-known festivities like Paris's all-night art and culture event, Nuit Blanche, designed for teens.

Harvest and food festivals are among the highlights of autumn in Europe. Wine festivals, such as Logroño's week-long San Mateo Festival, feature grape-stomping, food fights, wine tastings, and parades; meanwhile, Svalbard in Norway hosts the world’s northernmost food and drink festival. In Alba, Italy, the annual White Truffle Fair celebrates the region’s prized truffles.

European festivals and events are more family-friendly than you might expect. Oktoberfest includes rides and games for children, and kids even receive special bracelets with their parents' contact information in case they wander off.

Many food and wine festivals across Italy, Spain, Greece, and France warmly welcome children, even into the late-night hours.

Finally, experiencing Europe's capital cities, picturesque hills, and enchanting forests as the leaves turn color reveals much of the continent's hidden beauty.

Consider skipping Thanksgiving at home and traveling abroad instead

Avoid the stress of large family gatherings and use those extra vacation days to visit Europe. We suggest taking additional time off from work or school, including the weekend before and after the holiday. This way, you can enjoy over a week in Europe and avoid busy travel days, like the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

As noted earlier, many European airlines provide budget-friendly flights around Thanksgiving since it's not a peak travel period for European residents. If you're using points, many European carriers classify Thanksgiving as off-peak. For instance, a business-class ticket on Iberia from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) would typically cost 50,000 Avios one way during the summer peak (June 15 to August 31), but around Thanksgiving, it drops to just 34,000 Avios one way.

If you can't imagine a Thanksgiving without turkey, there's no need to fret. Many major European cities and capitals have restaurants that serve turkey in celebration of the American holiday.

Local cultural experiences can be quite enlightening

One of the primary reasons families often choose to travel during the summer is simply the convenience of school vacations.

Deciding to take your children out of school for a trip is a personal choice. However, many European destinations can be educational and enhance what your child or teenager is learning. Why read about the Mona Lisa when you can take your kids to see it in Paris? Why study Greek history when you can visit the Acropolis in Athens?

While we don't advocate for pulling kids out of school for extended periods, missing a couple of days—potentially saving you hundreds or even thousands on travel—might not significantly impact their overall education.

This is yet another compelling reason to consider traveling around Thanksgiving. If you choose your dates wisely, your children may only need to miss one or two days of school.

Generally, it's easier to take younger children out of school, but regardless of their age or grade, there are important factors to consider before doing so.

Here are some things to evaluate if you're thinking about taking your child(ren) out of school for a vacation:

• State regulations: Taking your kids out of school for extended periods (which usually means more than a few days) could lead to truancy fines.
• School policies: Each institution has its own attendance rules.
• Timing: What will your child(ren) miss? Are there tests or presentations? Consider the trade-offs.
• The teacher: Is your child’s teacher understanding about the absence and willing to assist them in catching up?
• Your child(ren): Can they complete the missed work? Are they performing well enough in school that a few days won't set them back? Will they be able to do homework while traveling?

Key takeaway

Enjoy significant savings, avoid crowds, and escape the sweltering heat by planning a family vacation to Europe this autumn. While this may mean the kids miss a day or two of school and forgo the usual summer getaway, the potential savings of thousands of dollars (or points) and the chance to explore European cities in pleasant weather could make autumn getaways the new family travel trend.