8 best Fall travel deal destinations -

Panama City Beach, Florida

If you’ve got vacation days left this year, burn them. Now. fall travel deal prices are down—way down—on several popular destinations, now that the summer travel frenzy’s winding down. Lots of coastal destinations, for example, will cost nearly 50 percent less than they did during high season. Football fans traveling to see big games, on the other hand, may see hikes on and off the field, with increases in hotel rates.

“For travelers seeking last-minute escapes this fall, comparing locations and seasonality closely can practically cut costs in half,” said Jeanenne Tornatore, senior travel editor for Orbitz.com. “Our data shows that nearly double the travelers are taking long-weekend getaways this fall when compared to summer trips. While the trips may be shorter in the fall, travelers want one last getaway before the holiday season starts.”

Orbitz.com 2014 Fall Shoulder Season Index

The Orbitz.com Fall Shoulder Season Index tracks average daily hotel rates for popular destinations in the fall, compared with hotel pricing during peak travel months. The index shows that this fall, the best savings are on the East and West Coasts, with big decreases in average daily hotel rates across the board. Here are your eight best bets for a bargain autumn getaway:

Football Fans: Hikes on the Field and at Hotels

The fall travel season also coincides with the professional and college football seasons and some of the biggest increases in hotel rates come from relatively smaller markets where the influx of fans traveling for game day makes a strong impact on demand. Among these, South Bend, Ind.—home of the Fighting Irish—saw the biggest inflation of hotel rates, with an increase of nearly 125 percent during football season. The return of the Irish’s quarterback this season also sees the return of the traveling fan base to Notre Dame. Other football destinations seeing increases in costs include: Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tallahassee, Fla., State College, Pa., Green Bay, Wis., Gainesville, Fla., Columbia, Mo., Lincoln, Neb., College Station, Texas, and Lubbock, Texas. Travelers looking to enjoy a true college town experience without the large crowds and higher prices should check the home team’s schedule before venturing out. For example, travelers to Tuscaloosa can save 67 percent on their hotel just by visiting during a weekend with an away game.

To find more great deals for fall travel, visit www.orbitz.com/sales.

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