The Best Fall Travel Deals for Retirees in 2025
Written by
Kerra Bolton
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Fall 2025 is bringing a wave of travel deals retirees can actually use. Cruise lines are slashing prices on repositioning sailings. Airlines are quietly dropping fares for autumn departures. Tour companies and rail lines are rolling out senior discounts and seasonal perks.
Whether you want to sail, fly or explore closer to home, here are the best fall travel deals for retirees in 2025.
Repositioning Cruises
Cruises offer great value for retirees and fall 2025 deals are especially strong.
For example, repositioning cruises, when ships move from Europe to the Caribbean ahead of winter, are pricing as low as $50 per night for interior cabins on select October and November itineraries, according to Cruises.com.
Major cruise lines are also offering retiree discounts. Celebrity Cruises has special rates for travelers 55 and older, while MSC’s Senior Club promo gives up to 10% off fares for guests 65 and older.
AARP members can also find additional cruise promotions through the AARP Travel Center, making fall a smart time to book longer voyages at a fraction of peak-season prices.
Fall Fares Drop
Airlines are rolling out seasonal sales for fall 2025 and retirees are especially well-positioned to take advantage.
Southwest Airlines has one-way fares starting at $39 to $69 for travel through December, while Dollar Flight Club data shows prices for some international destinations down as much as 30% this fall.
Retirees benefit by booking early and flying midweek, when prices are lowest. AARP members can also stack savings with exclusive British Airways discounts ($65 to $200 off) and $50 gift cards on flight-plus-hotel bookings through the AARP Travel Center, making fall a smart time to plan international and domestic trips.
Road Scholar Trips
Fall is one of the best times for retirees to book guided trips. Longer, slower-paced tours, especially popular with older travelers, often see steep price drops after summer crowds thin out.
Educational and small-group programs such as Road Scholar also offer reduced fall rates on select itineraries, making this a prime season for retirees to book extended cultural or nature-based tours at lower costs. According to Collette, some membership programs — including AARP — offer additional savings, but the biggest price cuts come from seasonal demand shifts that retirees can time perfectly.
Scenic Train Travel
Train travel is an underrated way for retirees to save this fall.
Amtrak offers a 10% senior discount for passengers 65 and older on most routes and its fall flash sales bring fares down even further, with some routes dropping to $18 to $130 each way.
Scenic lines like the Pacific Northwest and California routes are especially popular in autumn, when midweek departures are less crowded and prices are at their lowest.
Fall is a great time for retirees to visit national parks. After Labor Day, lodges and guided tours often lower prices as peak travel season ends.
National Park Deals
Destinations like Yosemite and Yellowstone see fewer crowds and more flexible availability in September through November, according to Evergreen Lodge. This makes it easier and often more affordable to plan last-minute getaways.
AARP members can access discounted November stays around Yosemite through the AARP Travel Center (powered by Expedia). The Yosemite page displays member-only rates and package savings for November travel dates. Members must sign in with their AARP account to view current prices and availability.
Editor’s note: Rates and promotions are subject to change.
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