Where to go this month.
Europe's shoulder-season sweet spot begins, Japan pre-autumn, and the best month for European city trips on a per-experience-per-dollar basis.
September is often cited by travel editors as the single best travel month for Europe — weather excellent (Mediterranean still warm, Northern Europe pleasant), crowds half of July-August, prices 20-30% below peak. Post-Labor-Day US domestic travel drops significantly. India's monsoon winds down, the trekking season in Nepal and northern India begins. Morocco and Jordan are genuinely pleasant again (post-summer-heat). Argentina and Chile enter spring. Caribbean hurricane season still active.
Peak this September
European cities at their best
Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon all at 22-26°C, crowds halved, pricing 20-30% below peak. The shoulder-season window editors repeatedly cite as the best time to visit Europe.
Santorini + Milos shoulder
Sea still 22°C, ferries fully operational, pricing ~65% of August. A week in either island in late September is the editors' repeat recommendation.
Our 10-day Greece itinerary →Japan pre-autumn
Typhoon season lingers early September but by mid-month the country shifts toward autumn. Pre-foliage crowds manageable.
Chile + Patagonia emerging
Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Patagonia reopens. Atacama Desert excellent. Chilean wine country (Colchagua) at its most pleasant.
Oktoberfest begins (late September)
Oktoberfest runs roughly September 20 - October 6. Munich hotels double in price; book 9+ months ahead.
Day-by-day plans that fit September
Plan ahead this September
- →Christmas markets (only 3 months out — last call for Strasbourg, Nuremberg)
- →Winter-sun Caribbean destinations
- →Northern Lights (apply for best dates)
Looking ahead · October
Autumn colour month globally, Middle East and Egypt at their peak, and the Caribbean hurricane season winding down.
See the full October outlook →The data behind these picks
Our editor picks above cross-reference four proprietary indices — when destinations are at their peak, where the dollar goes furthest, who can visit where, and where it's still quiet.