KAYAK study identifies top budget travel destinations for autumn 2026

A study by travel search engine KAYAK indicates that autumn 2026 offers significant savings for travelers looking to avoid high summer prices and border queues caused by the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES).

Bilbao, Spain, is identified as a top value destination, with flight prices approximately 20% lower than in 2025 and over one-third cheaper than summer peak rates. Dubrovnik, Croatia, also shows notable decreases, with tickets roughly 20% cheaper than the previous year and 9% below summer levels. For long-haul travelers, Atlanta, USA, is highlighted as a cost-effective option.

Destinations outside the Schengen Area, such as Albania, Tunisia, Turkey, and Montenegro, offer substantial savings, with some flights dropping by as much as 52% compared to the high season. To maximize savings, travelers are advised to plan returns before mid-September or look toward the end of October, when average flight prices tend to be significantly lower.