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This is the best week to book a flight. Are you traveling for the holidays? Do you have to fly? Have you been waiting for prices to go down to book your flight? Stop waiting, this is the week. This week is the “sweet spot” for booking flights according to The New York Post.

There is also a travel app called “Hopper”, they say this is the week to book a flight for the holidays as well. Here’s the reasoning behind it. Prices tend to spike in summer when the first wave of people plan their trips home.  And they usually bottom out in mid-October when there’s a lull in bookings. Over the next few weeks, expect airline ticket prices to start increasing $10 to $15 per week.

And as the holidays get closer, airline ticket prices could increase $10 to $15 a day. They also say don’t wait and try to score a last minute deal for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. Odds are it won’t happen, and will probably end up being more expensive. Flights could be $400-$500 more expensive than they are right now, so don’t wait too long if you’re traveling this year.

If you’re flying for the holidays, check the rates out of Augusta first, you can do that here.

Also if you’re a nervous flyer, this article could help you out.


7 Top Destinations Americans Plan To Travel To This Fall

After 2 years of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, it’s no surprise Americans have been itching to travel. In fact, summer has been a perfect example. Despite high gas prices and major airline delays, people were still hitting the roads and air to get out of town. And even with inflation continuing to raise prices, there’s still a huge travel demand. The website Travel Off Path put together the 7 top destinations Americans plan to travel to this fall.

While two out of three Americans consider cost the number one factor when planning travel, it seems they will do what they can to make it work. There are many ways to help the cost of travel- from budgeting, looking for travel deals, using AirBNBs, traveling as a group, and more.  Of course time of year and destination play a major role as well.  As a result of rising costs, it seems domestic travel is the option for most Americans who plan to travel this fall.

So, what are the most popular domestic destinations for fall travel?  According to Travel Off Path, here are the 7 Top Destinations Americans Plan To Travel To This Fall.

And be sure to snag some of these travel essentials, especially if you’ve got little ones!


 

  • 7. Nashville, Tennessee

    Music, great food, lots of entertainment around every turn in Nashville. It’s just over a 6 hour drive from Augusta!

    Average Hotel Cost: $158 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $138 per day

  • 6. Key West, Florida

    This destination, while still in the States, has a very Caribbean vibe. Gorgeous beaches, great entertainment, and water sports. This trip, if you drive from Augusta, is going to take you around 12 hours to get there!

    Average Hotel Cost: $211 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $441 per day

  • 5. Lahaina, Hawaii

    Adventures abound on the island of Maui.  Beautiful views and plenty of water activities to keep you busy! You’ll definitely need a flight to get to this destination!

    Average Hotel Cost: $240.50 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $172 per day

  • 4. Honolulu, Hawaii

    As the largest city in Hawaii, it boasts a large variety of activities and it’s easily accessible for the continental states. Plenty of great beaches to check out! Another one that’s going to require a flight to get to.

    Average Hotel Cost: $292 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $227 per day

  • 3. Orlando, Florida

    With great weather year-round, and those famous theme parks, it’s a busy city!

    Average Hotel Cost: $255 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $255 per day

  • 2. New York, New York

    There’s always something to do in this bustling city.  A huge variety of food options, Broadway, historical locations and more. It’s about the same distance as a trip to Key West from Augusta… it’ll take you about 12 hours to drive it!

    Average Hotel Cost: $274 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $238 per day

  • 1. Las Vegas, Nevada

    The weather in fall and winter tends to be a bit better here.  And of course, there’s no shortage of things to do, with casinos, shows, festivals and more. You’re definitely going to need to fly to this destination.  Driving from Augusta would take you over 30 hours!

    Average Hotel Cost: $253 per night

    Average Daily Expense Per Person: $246 per day

  • Looking for a little more budget friendly travel?

    5 Cheap Vacation Spots Within 6 Hours of Augusta

    It’s that time of year.  School will be out soon, and we’re all dreaming of a great summer vacation.  But, when it comes to finances, we also need somewhere affordable.  Between the rising cost of everything, gas included, summer vacations may need to be pared down this year.

    But, U.S. News & World Report has done some compiling and put together a list of the 20 Best Cheap Vacations in the United States. Their list includes a wide range of vacation spots with many activities, no matter what your interests are.  Whether you’re looking for a beach getaway, national park adventures or small town exploration, you’ll find some great options that are a little more budget-friendly!

    U.S. News & World Report’s methodology and rankings are based on expert analysis, along with user opinions.  Their travel destinations are ranked against each other in various categories (for example, this list is Best Cheap Vacation Spots). The scores are calculated and weighted, with 50% from users and 50% from the editors. For more on their methods, click here.

    While perusing the U.S. News’ list, we found 5 cheap vacation spots that are all within 6 hours drive time from Augusta!  The locations range from historical, small towns to beaches and mountains.

    We’ve listed those 5 Cheap Vacation Spots close to Augusta from the closest to farthest away.  We’ve also included the other locations that made the list below!

    When you’re done, don’t forget to check out which South Carolina town made the list of Best Weekend Getaways.

    • 5 Cheap Vacation Spots Within 6 Hours of Augusta

    • Athens, Georgia - 2 Hours

      Yes, Athens, Georgia made the list of Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S. Although for CSRA residents, this is around a 2 hour drive.  You could make this a day trip, or a quick weekend getaway.

      Overall, it came in at number 10 out of 20 locations. US News points out the many free attractions in the area, which includes historic homes and parks.  You can also visit the University of Georgia, the Georgia Museum of Art and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

      Athens, Georgia, USA City Hall

      Athens, Georgia, USA downtown cityscape. (Getty Images)

    • Beaufort, South Carolina - 2 1/2 Hours

      Beaufort ranked at number 20 out of 20 on the list.  It’s a laid-back place, full of Southern Charm.  There are lots of great shops and restaurants, plus Hunting Island State Park.

      Beaufort, South Carolina

      Sunset on the pier of a marina with sailboats and yachts. (Getty Images)

    • Gatlinburg, Tennessee - 5 Hours

      Gatlinburg ranked number 6 out of 20 on the list. Right outside of the Great Smoky Mountains, you’ll find a lot of great outdoor adventures- like fishing, hiking, biking and more. There are also a lot of great galleries and shops in the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community.

      Gatlinburg, Tennessee

      Visiting Gatlinburg, TN (Getty Images)

    • St. Augustine, Florida - 5 Hours

      St. Augustine came in at number 4 out of 20 on the list. This is the country’s oldest city and full of historical landmarks. You’re also close to the beaches as well.

      St. Augustine, Florida

      St. Augustine, Florida at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument at dusk. (Getty Images)

    • Knoxville, Tennessee - 6 Hours

      Knoxville is ranked 19 out of 20 on the list.  They have a great music scene and a lot of great outdoor space with parks and gardens.  You have plenty of nature trails to explore and several free museums.

      Knoxville, Tennessee

      Paddling on the Tennessee River

    • Other Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S. (According to U.S. News & World Report)

    • Grand Canyon - Arizona

      Ranked #1 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.

      Grand Canyon Arizona

      Grand Canyon, Arizona. (Getty Images)

       

    • Glacier National Park - Montana

      Ranked #2.

      Glacier National Park Montana

      Glacier National Park located in Montana. (Getty Images)

    • Olympic National Park - Washington State

      Olympic National Park

      Sunset reflected in a slow moving stream, with sea stacks and driftwood, at Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington.

      Ranked #3.

       

    • Sequoia National Park - California

      Sequoia National Park

      Sign at the entrance to Sequoia National Park, California, USA

      Ranked #5.

    • Colorado Springs, Colorado

      Colorado Springs Colorado

      Garden of the Gods after a dusting of snow at sunrise

      Ranked #7.

    • Nags Head, North Carolina

      Ranked #8.

      Nags Head North Carolina

      Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse in Manteo, North Carolina with clouds at sunrise reflecting in calm water.

    • Williamsburg, Virginia

      Ranked #9.

      Williamsburg Virginia

      River walk along the James River in Historic York town, Virginia. Yorktown is a major tourist destination for history and leisure purposes

    • Portland, Oregon

      Portland Oregon

      Boating on Columbia River with Mount Hood view during sunrise in Oregon

      Ranked #11.

       

    • San Antonio, Texas

      Ranked #12.

      San Antonio Texas

      San Antonio, Texas, USA Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama

    • Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

      Ranked #13.

      Gettyburg, Pennsylvania

      Colorful summer sunset from Little Roundtop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

    • Albuquerque, New Mexico

      Ranked #14.

      Albuquerque New Mexico

      Hot air balloons floating over the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

       

    • The Finger Lakes in Upstate New York

      Ranked #15.

      Finger Lakes New York

      Two chairs sitting on a jetty at dusk, form a tranquil and idyllic scene at Lake Seneca, a popular vacation destination and located in the famous Finger Lakes region in New YorkState.

    • Augusta, Maine

      Augusta, Maine

      Augusta, Maine, USA downtown skyline on the Kennebec River.

      Ranked #16.

    • Flagstaff, Arizona

      Flagstaff, Arizona

      Sunset at Wukoki pueblo ruin in Wupatki National Monument near Flagstaff Arizona.

      Ranked #17.

    • Salt Lake City, Utah

      Ranked #18.

      Photo of Salt Lake City, Utah

      Salt Lake City, Utah

      Salt Lake City, Utah, USA downtown city skyline at dusk.