Santiago is the cheapest autumn weekend getaway under $250, study finds
Santiago ranks as the cheapest autumn weekend getaway under $250, per a Duel.com study. See the top 10 budget cities, from Osaka to Kraków.
PLACES & SPACES
10/3/20263 min read
Santiago, Chile, is the cheapest city in the world for a short autumn trip, according to a new study by Duel.com. The research ranked destinations by how much of a $250 budget remains after one night's stay and two days of food. In Santiago, those two costs add up to just over $60, leaving nearly $190 to spend.
Osaka, Japan, is the study's best-value pick in Asia, and Kraków, Poland, is the top choice in Europe.
Duel.com built its September 2026 report on affordable weekend getaways from autumn destinations that real travelers recommended on Reddit. For each city, researchers recorded the price of one night's accommodation using Airbnb rates, plus the cost of two days of food using Numbeo data, covering sit-down meals, budget bites, and coffee. Cities were then ranked by the money left over, which points to the best budget escapes for travelers who live nearby.
Breathtaking view of Santiago, Chile's skyline framed by mountains at sunset
Here are the top 10 autumn weekend getaways for a $250 budget:
1. Santiago, Chile
A bed for the night in Santiago costs $25, and two full days of eating come to under $40. That leaves close to $190 of the budget for whatever comes next. The city has more than 270 landmarks and historical sites for the daytime, plus more than 100 bars and nightlife spots for the evening.
2. Osaka, Japan
Osaka is the best city in Asia for a short autumn trip on a tight budget. Airbnbs run about $50 a night, and two days of food cost less than $25. Cheap street food and neighborhood eateries do the heavy lifting here, freeing up more of the budget for attractions. Osaka has about 1,000 landmarks, all within walking distance, in a comfortable 23°C.
3. Kanazawa, Japan
Kanazawa is another low-cost pick in Japan. A night's stay also runs $50, and two days of meals come in just under $25, which leaves $175 from a $250 budget. The city scores 99 out of 100 for walkability, so travelers can skip paid transport, and autumn highs average a mild 22°C for sightseeing.
4. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town suits travelers who want warmer weather, with autumn temperatures averaging 24°C. Airbnbs go for $50 a night, and restaurant prices are low enough that two days of eating out cost just over $40. A walkability score of 98 out of 100 puts most of the city's 230-plus landmarks within reach on foot, and more than 150 bars cover the evenings.
5. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul rounds out the top five. Even as a sprawling metro, a night's stay and two days of food cost around $90 combined, leaving $160 for extras. The South Korean capital has hundreds of landmarks and more than 400 nightlife venues, so that remaining $160 stretches far. Autumn temperatures average 20°C, and an 88 out of 100 walkability score makes getting around easy, whether in the center or farther out.
Gyeongju, Kraków, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires complete the top 10. Kraków is the best option in Europe, with more than 200 bars for a Saturday night out and pleasant autumn weather for outdoor activities.
A Duel.com spokesperson commented on the findings:
"A weekend trip is getting more expensive every year. Flight prices are up nearly 26% year over year, and overall travel costs have climbed 18% since 2019. Autumn also makes short trips harder to plan, with schools back and most people returning to work routines. So the cities in this study can be great picks for anyone living nearby. The budgets will naturally be higher for those flying in from overseas, but as a short local getaway, they're hard to beat on price."
A traveler enjoys the sights and sounds of Kraków
Images: Alisha Lubben | martin-dm via Getty Images Signature