Where to go in November
Southeast Asia's weather returns and Europe drops into off-season pricing.
November shifts the balance. Southeast Asia comes out of its rains into its best weather, while Europe enters short days and the lowest prices outside January. Japan is in southern autumn colour — the two busiest weeks after blossom season.
8 places this month suits
Thailand
The dry season proper begins: clear skies and cooler air. It is the first month of the year's best window and has not yet reached December's prices.
Thailand plansVietnam
The north is dry and comfortably cool while the south enters its dry season — one of the best months for running the country north to south with least rain.
Vietnam plansJapan
Autumn colour reaches the southern cities, Kyoto included, in dry, comfortable walking weather — though the middle two weeks are very full, so pick weekdays.
Japan plansIndia
After the monsoon the air is dry and cool enough to travel all day, and the north and Rajasthan enter their best season.
India plansOman
Summer's heat has gone and the outdoors is workable again: the desert and the mountains are in their best stretch.
Oman plansSri Lanka
The west and south coasts enter their best season while the east is wet: on this island, matching the coast to the month matters more than the month.
Sri Lanka plansArgentina
Southern spring: Buenos Aires is at the right temperature and the far south opens its season, with days lengthening steadily.
Argentina plansUnited Arab Emirates
Comfortable again after summer, with the outdoors and the beaches fully usable, before end-of-year prices climb.
United Arab Emirates plansWhat this month does to a data plan
Dry-season destinations start filling up this month, so networks in tourist districts get busier in the evening — the hour everyone uploads at once. If you have to send work or join a call, do it outside the early-evening window in the busy areas.
What to skip this month
Thailand's Gulf coast and Malaysia's east-coast islands are in their rainy season. If you want the sea this month, take the Andaman side, which has come good again.
Where to go in November
Which coast for the sea this month?+
Thailand's Andaman side has come good while the Gulf is wet. The same rule applies in Sri Lanka and Malaysia, where the two coasts run opposite seasons.
How busy is Kyoto for autumn colour?+
As busy as blossom season for the middle two weeks. If you can, take a weekday, a smaller city, or go at first light before the coaches arrive.
Is Europe still worth it now?+
Yes for a city trip: prices are well down and queues are short. The trade is short daylight and more rain, so keep the outdoor parts for the middle of the day.