Where to Travel in October 2024
Where to go on holiday in October
October means autumn for much of the Northern Hemisphere, so it's a wonderful time to visit the Far East, which is often carpeted in beautiful autumnal colours of red, orange and gold. Countries like South Korea are at their most scenic at this time. Temperatures are cool but the skies are often clear and the Croatia sailing season will end mid-month. It's still the rainy season across Southeast Asia so expect showers if planning a visit to the region. For guaranteed dry weather and some sun, head to the Middle East where temperatures are pleasantly warm.
If you're looking for inspiration for where to travel to in October 2024, take a look at our top recommended destinations and experiences that this month offers around the world. We've also compiled our best October beach destinations for those looking for a bit of sun, sea and sand, as well as a guide to where best to head for wildlife adventures.
Our Top Travel Picks for October
Trekking in the Himalayas
With the end of the monsoon rains in October, the clouds clear across the Himalayas, making October and November two of the best months to trek the Himalayas in Nepal. Temperatures at this altitude will be cold but the days will be dry and clear. It's also a great time to explore neighbouring Tibet and Bhutan.
Recommended tour: Annapurna Panorama →
Exploring Jordan's attractions
With the intense heat of summer now subsiding, October is a fantastic month to visit Jordan. Daytime temperatures are manageable so you can explore the ancient city of Petra and ride the red sands of Wadi Rum without overheating. You can still expect blue, largely clear, skies and nighttime temperatures are still pleasantly warm for a desert camp. And it's just the right conditions for lazing in the Dead Sea.
Recommended tour: Totally Jordan →
Sightseeing in Peru
October marks the last month of the dry season in Peru. This means it's still a good time to tackle the popular Inca Trail to Machu Picchu before the summer rains arrive. It's also still drier in the Amazon, which means better wildlife spotting opportunities. And if your itinerary takes you to Lima you might be able to witness the colourful Lord of Miracles festival, one of South America's largest processions.
Recommended tour: Lima to La Paz →
Visiting the cities of Argentina
This time of year means spring for the Southern Hemisphere. In the north of Argentina you can expect warm temperatures and plenty of sun. It's just the right conditions for exploring the country's fascinating cities, from the capital of Buenos Aires where you can learn to tango, to culture and history-heavy Cordoba where you can participate in the annual Oktoberfest.
Recommended tour: Argentina, Atacama & Andes→
Best Festivals in October
Vegetarian Festival
Where? Phuket, Thailand
Devout carnivores will be surprised to learn that this is one of Thailand's most lively festivals. Held during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, it's a time for the local community to cleanse their bodies and souls with ten days of strict vegetarian diet. A host of extraordinary events take place during this time including firewalking, body piercing and razor blade ladder climbing as well as less gruesome parades.
Abu Simbel Sun Fest
Where? Abu Simbel, Egypt
Twice a year the sun aligns to illuminate the inner sanctum of the incredible Abu Simbel temple. Built by King Ramses II, the temple was specifically designed so that this alignment would occur on the date of the king's coronation (22nd February) and his birthday (22nd October). This extraordinary feat of ancient engineering has to be seen to be believed and it's the perfect time to visit the rest of Egypt with pleasant temperatures for sightseeing.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Where? Hoi An, Vietnam
Held on the night of a full moon within 15 days of the autumnal equinox, Hoi An's Lantern Festival is a celebration of the forthcoming harvest after the monsoon rains. It's also a time to gather together with friends and family and prayer for blessings. For travellers it's a wonderful time to visit with colourful lanterns decorating the streets and floating into the night sky, and plenty of tasty cakes and candies available to eat.
The Melbourne Festival
Where? Melbourne, Australia
First staged in 1986, The Melbourne Festival is now one of the leading international arts festivals in Australia. Over 17 days, the festival sees a diverse program of events covering everything from theatre and music to dance and visual arts. It has an outstanding reputation and is known for attracting top names. But you don’t need to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy it, there's a variety of venues where many of the events are free.
Best City Breaks in October
Ljubljana
The autumn month of October is perfect for visiting the Slovenian capital, as the leafy green city turns a fiery orange. The setting gets even more beautiful when you're sat at a rustic restaurant sampling some of the region's fine wine. Plus, with beautiful Lake Bled just 30 minutes away, you aren't going to run out of things to do!
Reykjavik
Summer is turning to winter in Iceland in October, which means the return of snow and a good chance of spotting the magical Northern Lights. You'll want to head out of Reykjavik for the best view, but the charming Icelandic capital is a lovely place to explore before the extreme cold sets in, and the country's natural wonders are as spectacular as ever.
Seoul
October sees mild weather in Seoul, a much better time to visit than the stifling summer months, and before the cold of winter sets in. The cost of travelling is also lower at this time of year as the crowds thin out, and the trees will be turning a gorgeous gold.
Amman
The Middle Eastern country of Jordan sees incredibly hot summer temperatures, making October a great time to visit the ancient sites and bustling markets of Amman. Further afield you've got the legendary city of Petra and the red desert of Wad Rum, which has claimed recent fame after starring in the blockbuster movie Dune, starring Timothée Chalamet.
Best Beach Destinations in October
It's the final month of the monsoon season in Southeast Asia so there'll still be high rainfall across the prime beach destinations, however, East Africa's coast is still a reliable option as is the Middle East with pleasant temperatures and lots of sunshine. Central America is best avoided at this time of year as hurricanes and typhoons are likely to be hitting the region.
Zanzibar
It's spring in the Southern Hemisphere and this means cool and dry weather perfectly suited for a Zanzibar holiday. The sandy shores are drenched in sun, the waters are warm and there will be little rain. October is also a great time for diving off the north coast of the island and if you're thinking of combining beach with a safari adventure, the Great Wildebeest Migration is in full swing in Tanzania so an ideal time.
Egypt
October brings with it much cooler temperatures across Egypt so it's a great time to head to the Red Sea for some sun, sea and sand. Expect sunny, dry days perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling with great diving opportunities year-round. With the bi-annual Sun Festival happening in Abu Simbel, it's an ideal time to combine beach with culture and the delights of the Red Sea with the ancient wonders of Egypt from Cairo to Luxor.
Morocco
With a sizeable slice of Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, Morocco has a great selection of beach resorts to choose from whether it's Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar or Essaouira with its beautiful walled medina only a few hours' drive from Marrakech. October is also a good time for surfing with Taghazoute the country's premier surfing destination providing large swells and plenty of surf points to try.
Best Wildlife Destinations in October
If you're wondering where to go in October for wildlife, then you've come to the right place. Peak safari season in Africa is coming to a close as October marks the final month of the dry season. Elsewhere, the Amazon is still relatively dry with great fishing and jungle trekking opportunities while the cool and dry season across the Galapagos is ideal for diving and there's always some activity in the wildlife world. In Costa Rica it's nesting season for Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles.
India
The monsoon rains have petered out come October and India's national parks reopen for business. The landscapes are lush with foliage and rivers full with water so it's a great time of year for landscape photography with the added bonus of the chance to spot a Bengal tiger in the wild along with plenty of other wildlife including sambar, chital, nilgai, wild boar, leopard, sloth bear and myriad birdlife.
Sri Lanka
October is the final month of Sri Lanka's wildlife spectacle - the annual 'gathering' of hundreds of elephants that flock to Minneriya National Park looking for a reliable water source as the rains stop across the North Central & Eastern provinces. The majestic creatures gather around the centrepiece reservoir and come November will disperse across the region as the approaching rains create more varied water sources.
Southern Africa
It's the last month of southern Africa's dry season so it's a good time to head to the region on safari before the rains begin. In Botswana you'll find large herds of elephants gathering in Chobe National Park while in Namibia the Namib-Naukluft is a good choice with the coastal winds keeping it cooler. By now many habitats have gone without rain for almost five months so vegetation will be at its thinnest, ideal for spotting wildlife.
East Africa
By and large this is the last month that herds of wildebeest, zebra and gazelle will attempt to cross the Mara River from the northern region of the Serengeti into the adjacent Masai Mara. This is one of the most impressive times to visit Kenya and Tanzania during the Great Migration as come November short rains will begin, encouraging the growth of vegetation that makes wildlife viewing more challenging.
Recommended Tours for October
If you need even more help to decide where to travel in October, then why not browse our selection of recommended tours for the month. From the mighty Himalayas to the wildlife-rich plains of southern Africa, there's sure to be the right trip for you!
See more of our Travel Calendar
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
