Where to go in October
East Asia's steadiest weather, and the month autumn colour starts working its way south.
October is the month people who know East Asia well call its best: typhoon season is over, the air is dry and steady, and autumn colour starts in the north. In Europe prices have come well down while there is still light enough to walk the cities. Southeast Asia is at the tail of its rains, with prices still low and the weather turning good again in places.
8 places this month suits
Japan
The driest, steadiest air of the year with little rain, and autumn colour beginning in the north. You can walk all day without flagging.
Japan plansSouth Korea
Clear skies and the right temperature, with autumn colour running north to south through the month — the best time of year both for cities and for hills.
South Korea plansNepal
The main autumn trekking season: the year's best visibility once the monsoon has gone, with dry trails and clear skies.
Nepal plansJordan
Autumn gives the right air for walking archaeological sites all day: summer's heat has gone and the nights are not yet cold.
Jordan plansGreece
Early in the month the islands are still open and the sea still warm, with far fewer people and prices clearly down on September.
Greece plansThailand
The end of the rains: showers ease while room rates are still at off-season levels, and the north begins to cool ahead of the dry season.
Thailand plansUzbekistan
Autumn is the right weather for the desert cities — neither summer's heat nor winter's cold — and the routes between them run easily.
Uzbekistan plansAustralia
Southern spring: the east coast is good and the north has not yet entered its wet season, making it the month that covers the most of the country.
Australia plansWhat this month does to a data plan
People photograph far more this month because of the colour, and uploading full-resolution images through the day is the single thing that most often blows past the estimate. On a photography trip, allow more data or leave the uploads until you are back at the room.
What to skip this month
Central Vietnam is still in its storm season and Thailand's Gulf coast starts its rains late in the month. If your plans depend on boats, match the coast to the month before booking.
Where to go in October
Where is autumn colour in October?+
It starts in northern Japan and South Korea and moves south through the month; the big southern cities usually peak in November.
Is Europe still walkable?+
Yes, especially in the south, which stays warm and dry. In the north daylight shortens fast, so put the outdoor parts between morning and mid-afternoon.
How much data for a photo trip?+
It depends on whether you upload during the day. If you send full-resolution images daily, take one size up from a normal trip, or run the numbers in the data estimator first.