If you love summer travel but hate crowds and high prices, September might be calling your name. There are many world-class destinations that are much more affordable in the back-to-school month. Fewer crowds, better fares, and virtually the same weather mean a great opportunity for a budget vacation.
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Here are five end-of-summer vacations that also offer a break from the high prices.
Croatia
With its historic walled city on the sea, Dubrovnik, and the pristine beaches of Split, Croatia is high on travelers’ lists, especially in the summer months. As travel site World Nomads attests, during summer months, quaint villages become party towns and cruise ships invade port cities.
But during September, the water and weather is still pleasantly warm and the crowds are minimized. It’s also cheaper. For instance, according to Skyscanner, a roundtrip ticket in September from New York to Dubrovnik is the cheapest of any month at $472. In July and August, the same ticket runs $842 and $792, respectively.
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Egypt
The pyramids, the Sphinx, a chance to ride a camel in a desert — what’s not to like about Egypt? Well, in summer, the heat, for one. And while September can be hot, it does start to cool a little. The crowds are also a fraction of what they are in winter.
So are airfares and hotels. Skyscanner lists September as the cheapest month to fly to Egypt roundtrip from LAX, with tickets as low as $550. They list August as $1,905. That’s heat. Hotels are also a bargain in September, which is the cheapest month, according to Kayak.
Average September rates are $170 compared to February’s $430 average. And if you’re a diver hoping to check out the hammerheads and manta rays of the Red Sea, June through September offers the warmest water, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
Caribbean Cruise
September is the start of hurricane season in the Caribbean, but if you can time your cruise, you could score massive deals. According to CruiseCritic, you’ll find the best deals in September through November, when fares can drop to below $50 per passenger. The key is to stay flexible and book with travel insurance.
And it’s not just the Virgin Islands that are a deal. For instance, a seven-day Western Caribbean Carnival cruise out of Galvingston, Texas in late September runs $584 per person. You’ll visit Cozumel, Costa Maya and Mahogany Bay, Roatan.
Orlando Theme Parks
There’s nothing like massive crowds to turn the happiest place on earth into an expensive line-filled downer. But the good news is that if you’re okay with a few missed school days, September in Orlando can be an affordable line-free zone. According to Undercover Tourist, September has the least crowds at parks like Walt Disney World, Universal, LegoLand and SeaWorld.
In addition, Walt Disney World offers deep discounts. They advertise offers of up to 30% off for stays in some of their hotels and resorts. Don’t expect to get any breaks on hot dogs or mouse-eared hats though.
Hawaii
Between the summer vacations and the winter holiday rush sits September, when crowds subside — at least a little — and flight costs lower. In fact, according to Kayak, September is the cheapest month to fly to Hawaii, while July and December are the most expensive. In September, roundtrips from Los Angeles can be found as low as $333.
Hotel rates have a similar profile. For instance, while October is the cheapest month for Honolulu hotel stays, September is not far behind. In September, the average Honolulu hotel stay runs $410 per night, compared to December’s $719 and July’s average of $526, per Kayak.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Sept. 2, 2025. Prices and availability may vary by location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Cheap End-of-Summer Vacations That Always Cost Less in September
