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Where to travel in October: destinations and events

Pick a country by weather, autumn color or a fixed event, then check dates before you book.

October trips usually come down to three things: weather, autumn color or a fixed event. Five countries fit this month: Japan, the USA, South Korea, Slovenia and Nepal. Japan suits travelers who want mild days for city visits and day trips. The USA, South Korea and Slovenia are known for autumn color. Nepal's Dashain festival falls around this time, so its dates are worth checking before you plan.

Events can set your dates. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta takes place in October in New Mexico, and crowds build around it, so book flights and rooms early if you plan around it. Event dates change from year to year, so confirm them on the official site before you commit to a booking. Compare the country pages to see which one matches your budget and how many days you have.

Best in October

Our writers rate these countries at their best this month

Japanese lantern over city bike at nighttimeAsiaJapanAutumn colorman walking along with camels in desertAfricaMoroccoWarmSydney Opera House, AustraliaAustralia & PacificAustraliaWarm, clearThe Treasury carved into sandstone cliffs in Petra, Jordan, with people belowMiddle EastJordanWarm, clearA desert landscape with rocks and clouds in the skyNorth AmericaUSAAutumn colorThe Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Giotto's Campanile in Florence, ItalyEuropeItalyMild, thinner crowdswoman sitting on top of cliff facing buildingsEuropeMontenegroMild, quietera landscape with hills and treesMiddle EastLebanonWarm, clear

Also at their best: Portugal, Kiribati, Egypt, South Africa, Mauritius, Albania, Taiwan, Spain, Vietnam, Cyprus, China, Monaco. Every country, month by month

Big events in October

Dates checked with the organisers

Events calendar
aerial view of city buildings during sunset
Sep 18 – Oct 3, 2027 · Theresienwiese, MunichOktoberfestHow the tents and table reservations work, which ones take walk-ins, and where to sleep a short U-Bahn ride away.Read the event guide

On tour in October

Concert tours with shows this month

crowd of people at concertOct 2 – 16, 2027Nickelback Everything Under the Sun Tour 2027Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and 4 more

Festivals in October

Smaller festivals that make the month worth picking. The link opens the city guide.

Europe

Asia

North America

Africa

DestinationsWhere to go, when to go and how to get around in 221 countries. Every practical fact shows the date we checked it and who checked it.Where to stayNeighborhoods walked end to end: who each area suits, how far it is from the airport train, and the hotels we would book ourselves.PlanVisas and entry rules, travel insurance, eSIMs and rail passes, explained in plain words and rechecked when the rules change.EventsFestivals, concerts and tours with confirmed dates, rooms near the venue and the fastest way on to the next city.StoriesField reports and data stories from the road. We time the queues, count the costs and say what changed since last year.

Asia

KansaiTokyoBangkokOsakaSiem ReapMt FujiOkinawaKōbeManilaKyotoAll Asia

Caribbean

Fort-de-FranceNassauPort of SpainNegrilSan JuanOcho RiosHavanaEleutheraEl Yunque National ForestSosúaAll Caribbean

Africa

MarrakechRabatToubkal National ParkMaasai MaraCape WinelandsDiani BeachMombasaNairobiAswanSharm El SheikhAll Africa

Events

Sapporo Snow FestivalCherry blossomGion MatsuriDía de MuertosOktoberfestKandy Esala PeraheraEvents calendar

More places

AustraliaKiribatiJordanLebanonMexicoUSAAustriaEnglandColombiaPeruCosta RicaNicaraguaAll Australia & PacificAll Middle EastAll North AmericaAll EuropeAll South AmericaAll Central AmericaAll destinations, A to Z