The Top U.S. Fall Foliage Destination Is Now The Cheapest To Fly To

When those crunchy leaves start to change color, many people start to look for cozy and cute weekends away, surrounded by fall vibes. There are spectacular fall foliage hotspots all around the country to explore, but some are better than others. However, the fall foliage season is often a peak time in places like New England, so prices can spiral, making it unaffordable to visit some of these amazing destinations.

Luckily, budget flight finders, Dollar Flight Club, have conducted their annual Fall Travel Report, unveiling the cheapest fall foliage destinations to fly to. The team used more than 500,000 data points and combined autumnal scenery and affordability to figure out the top five fall foliage destinations. To make sure you can get your trip for less during the peak fall colors window, these are average flight prices that run between September 17 and October 10.

So, which fall hotspot has the top spot for budget-friendly flights during this beautiful season? Coming in at number one is Asheville, North Carolina. This southern spot has long been a fall favorite with stunning mountain and forest scenery enveloping the region, as well as a wonderfully walkable downtown area.

You Can Fly To Asheville, NC, For An Average Round-trip Airfare Of $170

Topping Dollar Flight Club’s Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations is the beautiful city of Asheville. This beautiful city has been welcoming tourists during the fall for decades. Its stunning location, surrounded by the Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains, means that the fall colors are truly spectacular and well worth dealing with the plethora of other tourists who visit during this season.

The reason why Asheville topped this ranking, however, also has to do with affordability. The average round-trip airfare cost within the U.S. to Asheville came out as low as $170. This is a 10% reduction based on the same time last year, showing that while the cost of living crisis is hitting a lot of the tourism industry, some destinations and routes are getting cheaper to encourage domestic travel.

Given that Asheville has many major domestic routes, it’s accessible from a wide range of airports across the country. This makes it the ideal spot for a leaf-peeping weekend, or just a couple of days in nature. For the most affordable rates, try to avoid weekends, when prices tend to rise slightly. If you have the flexibility of remote work, consider going in the week and exploring your working hours to get the most for your money.

Why Is Asheville So Great In The Fall?

So, why is North Carolina’s Asheville so great to visit in the fall? One of the key reasons is the foliage itself. You have the Pisgah National Forest, the North Carolina Arboretum, and the Blue Ridge Mountains on the city’s doorstep. These fall foliage hotspots are easily accessible, and some of the best viewpoints on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be reached in as little as 30 minutes from the city’s main hub.

Key sights around the city include the mighty Biltmore Estate. This exquisite late 19th-century mansion is built in a Chateau style and is full of amazing design details, including expansive parkland, which turns a vibrant gold during the fall. If you’re a fan of the Gilded Age, you’ll feel right at home at this major Asheville attraction.

Asheville is also home to several walkable neighborhoods. These include the downtown area, the South Slope area, which is popular with breweries, and the River Arts District, where you can get your fill of galleries, museums, and culture. As the days get a little cool, wandering around with a spiced coffee is a simple joy that allows you to soak up the vibe of a city. Asheville also has an incredible food scene, and when the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than hiding away in a great restaurant and filling up on delicious dishes!

What Other Fall Destinations Were Top Of The Affordability Survey?

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As the Dollar Flight Club survey named the Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations, there are four other great domestic locations that you can add to your seasonal bucket list. With a blend of affordable flights and spectacular scenery, all of these destinations are perfect for fall lovers. As a bonus, all the average flight prices for these destinations are actually lower than they were this time last year.

This is how the Top 5 Fall Foliage Destinations shaped up:

1. Asheville, NC – $170 (-10% YoY)
2. Boston, MA – $260 (-8% YoY)
3. Burlington, VT – $278 (-9% YoY)
4. Adirondack Mountains, NY – $290 (-9% YoY)
5. Stowe, VT – $298 (-8% YoY)

Of course, when you think of chasing the changing fall colors, most people instinctively think of New England. Given the numerous prominent airports in this area, it’s not surprising that four out of the five fall foliage spots on the list are located in this region. While some of these destinations may not be affordable in themselves — Boston can be very expensive for accommodations — the flights here can be reasonable.

What Other Rankings Made The Fall Travel Guide?

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Of course, Dollar Flight Club’s Fall Travel Report wasn’t just about domestic U.S. fall foliage destinations.

The rankings included:

• Top 10 U.S. Domestic Destinations for Fall 2025
• Top 10 International Destinations for Fall 2025
• Airfare Snapshot: Summer vs Fall Price Drops

There were also insights into why fall travel is getting so popular and great tips for finding these affordable fall flight deals. With more people opting for shoulder season travel to avoid costly peak prices and get decent, but not scorching, weather, the demand for fall travel is rising. However, this is predominantly from solo travelers or small groups traveling, rather than families, due to school commitments.

The top 5 US domestic destinations for Fall 2025 are:

1. Asheville, NC – $170
2. Miami, FL – $178
3. Austin, TX – $210
4. New Orleans, LA – $220
5. San Diego, CA – $228

For the international destinations, the top five are:

1. Bangkok, Thailand – $356
2. Puerta Vallarta, Mexico – $375
3. London, UK – $415
4. Paris, France – $415
5. Cartegena, Colombia – $460

So, if you’re looking for a cost-effective fall getaway, the best domestic option is Asheville, North Carolina. Surrounded by outstanding natural spaces that cascade with changing colors, and with a walkable downtown brimming with art and culture, it’s the perfect fall escape.