Where to Go in September? 9 European Road Trip Ideas
September holidays 2026
Where to go in September? Destinations where summer isn't over yet
The end of the school holidays doesn't mean the end of the season. September is one of the best months for a road trip across Europe: the Adriatic can still deliver genuinely summer weather, popular cities get noticeably calmer, and sightseeing without the peak heat is simply more enjoyable. Here's where it pays to go in September — and which road charges to sort out before you set off.
September has one more advantage: a holiday by car becomes far more comfortable. A good share of the summer traffic disappears from the main routes, accommodation is easier to find outside weekends, and the temperatures let you combine beach time with sightseeing. Before you leave, though, prepare more than the booking — sort out the e-vignettes for your route, the motorway tolls and your vehicle documents.
Why is September one of the best months for a holiday?
For years September was treated mainly as the month of going back to school and back to work. Today more and more people deliberately move their holiday to the period just after the summer peak. The reason is simple: in southern Europe, summer doesn't end on the last day of August.
Still weighing up the two most popular Adriatic options? See our detailed Croatia or Italy price comparison for 2026, or browse the most popular driving destinations of 2026.
Where to go in September? A quick comparison
| Destination | Best for | Conditions in September | Driving there | Road charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatia | Beach, sea, families | Very good, especially in the first half of the month | Easy via Austria and Slovenia | Toll gates in Croatia + transit vignettes |
| Italy | Beach, cities, food | Summery in the south, mild in the north | Excellent infrastructure | Motorways tolled by section |
| Slovenia | Mountains + sea + sightseeing | Mild and calm | A great destination to drive | E-vignette |
| Austria | Mountains, lakes, hiking | Excellent for an active break | Very good road network | Vignette + selected section tolls |
| Czechia | City break, castles, Moravia | Ideal for sightseeing | Short hop from neighbouring countries | E-vignette for motorways |
| Slovakia | Mountains, thermal spas, short trip | Good hiking conditions | Very close to Central Europe | E-vignette |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Balkans, nature, touring | Warm, but less scorching | Longer drive | Local tolls + transit countries |
| Switzerland | Alps, lakes, road trip | Superb for sightseeing and hiking | Outstanding roads | Annual vignette |
| Romania | Mountains, castles, road trip | Pleasant and usually quieter | Good for a longer trip | Rovinieta |
Treat the weather column as a rough guide only. September is a transitional month, so check the forecast for the specific town rather than the whole country shortly before you leave.
1 Croatia – the top pick if you're not ready to end summer
If the question is "where to go in September and still have a proper summer holiday?", Croatia is one of the first destinations worth considering. The first half of the month in particular can feel a lot like late August.
In Dalmatia, daytime temperatures often allow both beach days and comfortable sightseeing. The Adriatic stays warm after the whole summer, while Split, Zadar, Trogir and the Makarska Riviera are already noticeably calmer.
Current costs on the ground — accommodation, food, fuel and tolls — are broken down in our guide to prices in Croatia in 2026.
Before you set off, read the complete route to Croatia by car 2026 – vignettes and toll costs and the wider Croatia road trip 2026 guide.
2 Italy – from Venice to Tuscany and the south
Italy is unusually versatile in September. In the north you can plan Venice, Lake Garda or the Dolomites; in the centre, Tuscany, Florence and Umbria; and in the south you can still count on a properly summery holiday.
September works especially well if you want to mix sightseeing with rest. Walking through Venice, Verona or Florence without the extreme August heat is far more pleasant — and so are day trips by car between smaller towns.
How the toll gates work, how to pay by card and what Telepass actually is — all covered in our guide to paying for motorways in Italy in 2026. Full route planning is in route to Italy by car 2026.
Heading for Venice? Check in advance where to park in Venice. The historic centre is closed to normal car traffic, so the choice of car park matters a lot.
3 Slovenia – a small country made for a September road trip
Slovenia is often treated as nothing more than a transit country on the way to Croatia. That's a mistake. In a small area you'll find the Julian Alps, Lake Bled, caves, vineyards, Ljubljana and a short but very attractive stretch of Adriatic coast.
September is ideal for combining several kinds of break: a mountain hike in the morning, Ljubljana the next day, then time to unwind in Piran or Koper. Driving distances between the main highlights are refreshingly short.
For how strictly this is enforced, read fines in Slovenia and Austria 2026 – how DARS and ASFINAG cameras work.
4 Austria – September in the Alps without the winter crowds
Most people associate Austria primarily with winter, but if you like the mountains, September can be far more rewarding. The trails are open, the days are still long enough, and the valleys and lakes often serve up very pleasant temperatures.
Worth considering: the area around Salzburg, the Salzkammergut, Zell am See, Carinthia, Tyrol — and Vienna for a short city break. It works equally well as a three-day escape or a full week away.
On most Austrian motorways and expressways a car needs the appropriate charge paid. Details and options are on the Austria vignette 2026 page.
The vignette alone doesn't always cover the whole route, though. Some tunnels and Alpine sections are billed separately — which matters especially when Austria is only part of your way to Italy or Slovenia.
For planning inspiration, see the most beautiful lakes in Austria and accommodation in the Austrian Alps.
5 Czechia – Prague, Moravia and a short break close to home
Not every September holiday has to mean a thousand kilometres behind the wheel. Czechia is a strong choice for a long weekend or a few days away. Prague still buzzes after the peak season, but sightseeing is far more comfortable than in the worst of the heat.
Alternatives to the capital include South Moravia, Brno, Olomouc, Karlovy Vary, Český Krumlov and the rock towns. It's also a good option if you don't want to spend a whole week of leave just getting there and back.
For concrete route ideas, see our guides to exploring Prague by metro and the rock city of Adršpach and Teplice.
6 Slovakia – Tatras, thermal spas and no long drive
Slovakia is one of the most underrated September destinations. From much of Central Europe you can reach the main attractions in a few hours, so there's no need for a full day of driving or an overnight stop on the way.
The High Tatras, the Liptov region, the area around Chopok, caves and thermal baths let you build a programme that survives any forecast. Head into the mountains on a clear day; spend a rainy one in the thermal pools.
7 Bosnia and Herzegovina – for anyone who wants a different Balkans
If you already know Croatia well and you're after something less obvious, it's worth driving further south. Mostar, Sarajevo, Blagaj, Trebinje, Jajce and the Kravica waterfalls make up an excellent touring route.
September is a particularly good window: inland it's still warm, but temperatures are usually far more comfortable for sightseeing than at the height of summer. Bosnia also pairs well with a few days on the Croatian coast.
Check your documents before crossing the border, and plan the charges for every country on the way — our overview of road tolls and vignettes in Europe 2026 explains which system applies where.
Want to extend the loop? See what to see in Montenegro.
8 Switzerland – a September road trip through the Alps
Switzerland isn't the cheapest destination on this list, but for views and driving quality it has very little competition. September is superb for combining lakes, mountain passes, panoramic trains and shorter hikes.
Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Lucerne, the Lake Geneva area or routes through the Alpine valleys all fit neatly into a multi-day trip. Bear in mind that mountain weather changes fast, so leave some flexibility in the plan.
To confirm your vignette is registered correctly, follow our guide on how to check Swiss vignette validity. Travel documents are covered in do I need a passport for Switzerland in 2026?
9 Romania – Transylvania, the Carpathians and a superb touring route
Romania is ideal for a week-long or longer drive. September lets you visit the towns and castles without peak summer temperatures, while the mountain landscapes slowly start taking on autumn colours.
Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, the Transylvanian castles and the Carpathians add up to a genuinely interesting route. It's a destination for people who would rather cover tens or hundreds of kilometres a day and see something new than settle into one hotel.
Specific stops and stages are covered in holidays in Romania – what to see and the guide to the Transfăgărășan road (DN7C).
Driving in September? Check this before you leave
A September trip is calmer than travelling at the height of the holidays, but preparing the car should look exactly the same. On a route crossing several countries in particular, it pays to settle the essentials before you pull out of the driveway.
- Check that your driver and vehicle documents are valid.
- Fix the exact route and list the transit countries.
- Buy the required e-vignettes before entering a tolled road.
- Compare the vignette's expiry date with your return date.
- Double-check the registration number before paying.
- Keep the payment confirmations on your phone and in your inbox.
- Check the oil, fluids and tyre pressures.
- Pack a vest, warning triangle, first-aid kit and anything else required on your route.
Requirements are not identical from country to country, so before a longer drive read the current guide to mandatory car equipment in Czechia, Austria and Slovenia. If you're new to driving on the continent, 5 things expats need to know about driving in Europe is a useful primer.
Don't forget the fuel budget
On a trip of 1,000–1,500 km each way, the difference in fuel prices between countries can visibly affect the whole budget. Filling up at the first motorway station isn't always the smart move. See the current comparison in fuel prices in Europe 2026.
Where to go in September, depending on what you want
| You mainly want to… | Best destinations |
|---|---|
| lie on the beach and swim in the sea | Croatia, Italy |
| combine sea and mountains | Slovenia, Croatia |
| go hiking | Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland |
| take a city break | Czechia, Austria, Italy |
| stay close to Central Europe | Czechia, Slovakia |
| do a proper road trip | Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Switzerland |
| avoid the biggest crowds | Romania, Bosnia, Slovenia |
Where to go in September – frequently asked questions
Where is it still warm in September?
The south of the continent offers the best chance of genuinely summer temperatures. For anyone driving from Central Europe, Croatia and Italy are a very good compromise between distance and weather. The further south you go, the better the odds of summer conditions lasting into the second half of the month.
Is Croatia worth visiting in September?
Yes. The first half of September is especially attractive: the Adriatic stays warm after the summer, the weather still allows beach days, and tourist traffic is usually lighter than in August. Costs on the ground are broken down in our guide to prices in Croatia 2026.
Where should I drive in September?
For a shorter break, Czechia, Slovakia and Austria are especially convenient. With a full week, consider Slovenia, Croatia or northern Italy. With 10–14 days you can plan a longer road trip through Romania, Bosnia or Switzerland.
Is accommodation cheaper in September?
In many typical holiday resorts you'll find better deals once the main season ends, but it isn't a rule for every hotel and every date. Popular cities, events and sunny weekends can still generate very strong demand.
Do I need a vignette for Croatia or Italy?
Croatia and Italy don't use a single nationwide vignette system for cars. Charges are collected mainly on specific motorway sections. E-vignettes may still be mandatory in transit countries such as Czechia, Austria, Slovenia or Slovakia.
When is the best time to buy vignettes for a September trip?
The safest approach is to sort the charges out before the journey starts. That gives you time to check the registration number, country of registration, vehicle category and the start of the validity period. Don't assume that buying after you've already driven a tolled section will retroactively legalise that trip.
September is still a great time for a European road trip
The sea in Croatia, Italian cities, the Slovenian Alps, Austrian lakes, Czech castles or Romanian Transylvania — September lets you see Europe at a completely different pace than the peak of the summer holidays.
If you're driving, fix the exact route before departure and check which countries charge for road use. At Winiety24.eu you can arrange the e-vignettes you need before you even reach the border.
