Comparison

Where to travel in November — cities with good weather and places to think twice about

November mixes crisp autumn cities with the start of the dry season on some Southeast Asian coasts. Based on each city's usual best season, here's where fits November and where rain is heaviest.

The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto framed by red and golden autumn leaves. — Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, in autumn · Photo: Martin Falbisoner / CC BY-SA 4.0

Published 2026-09-30 · Updated 2026-10-01

How to choose a November trip

November offers a wide choice: North Asia is in crisp autumn, the dry season begins on parts of Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines, and the southern hemisphere is in spring.

But some Southeast Asian places have their heaviest rain in November. This article groups cities using the 'best time to go' information in each city guide. Weather varies from year to year, so read it as 'usually' and check the forecast before you go.

Crisp autumn cities — Japan

Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya are usually at their best for walking in October-November, with the rainy and typhoon seasons behind them.

Kyoto's autumn colors peak from mid-November to early December, but it's very crowded and room rates rise. Book early for the foliage, or head out early in the morning for quieter streets. Kanazawa, Takamatsu and Hiroshima are also pleasant in October-November, and Hiroshima's oyster season begins.

City walks and foliage → Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa
Food and day trips → Osaka, Fukuoka
Islands and art → Takamatsu

Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Hanoi — late autumn for walking

Taipei and Hong Kong are usually at their best in October-December, cooler and drier after the summer heat and typhoon season — good for night markets and walks.

Shanghai's autumn in October-November tends to be clear and mild. Hanoi in northern Vietnam is also pleasant in October-November, with completely different weather from the central beaches of Da Nang and Nha Trang.

The dry season begins — Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and southern Vietnam

Bangkok and Chiang Mai are usually coolest and driest from November to February. In Chiang Mai, rooms fill fast around the lantern festival at the November full moon, so book early.

On the Andaman side, Phuket, Krabi and Malaysia's Langkawi usually enjoy a dry season from November to April with calmer seas. Boracay in the Philippines is good from November to May, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam from November to April. As November is the start of the dry season, early in the month can still be rainy.

City and night markets → Bangkok
Cool mountains and festivals → Chiang Mai
Island-hopping seas → Phuket, Krabi, Langkawi
Sunsets and resorts → Boracay, Phu Quoc

Spring in the southern hemisphere, pleasant US West

November is spring in Australia. Sydney and Melbourne are usually mild in September-November, and the Gold Coast and Brisbane are warm and pleasant too. Pack lighter clothes, but bring a layer for Melbourne, where the weather changes often in a day.

In the US West, Las Vegas and Los Angeles are comfortable in September-November. Honolulu is warm all year, though big waves hit the north shore on many days from November.

Think twice in November — the rainy places

Central Vietnam's Da Nang and Nha Trang usually see frequent heavy rain and typhoons in October-November, and island trips and boats may be cancelled. Koh Samui on the Gulf of Thailand is usually wettest in October-December — a different rainy season from Phuket and Krabi.

Bali enters its rainy season in November. Cebu and Bohol in the Philippines, and Guam and Saipan, can still see showers and typhoons around November. Saipan is recovering from an April 2026 typhoon with reduced flights, so check official information first. If you go, keep boat and tour plans flexible and avoid boat trips on your last day.

At a glance — November weather by city

A quick summary of each city guide's 'best time to go' as it applies to November. Weather differs within a country, so look city by city.

November weather by city — In season / Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Nagoya; Dry season just starting / Phuket, Krabi, Langkawi, Boracay, Phu Quoc; Similar all year / Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Honolulu; Usually rainy / Da Nang, Nha Trang, Koh Samui, Bali; Grey and wet / San Francisco (rain November-March), Seattle (drizzle October-May) — Diagram: OneWorld (based on this article; times are approximate)

In season: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Takamatsu; Taipei, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hanoi; Bangkok, Chiang Mai; Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane; Las Vegas, Los Angeles
Dry season just starting: Phuket, Krabi, Langkawi, Boracay, Phu Quoc (early November may still be rainy)
Similar all year: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Honolulu (Singapore has frequent afternoon thunderstorms in the November inter-monsoon, and the wetter northeast monsoon in December-January)
Usually rainy: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Koh Samui, Bali; Cebu, Bohol, Guam, Saipan (typhoons possible)
Grey and wet: San Francisco (rain November-March), Seattle (drizzle October-May)

November trip tips

November is relatively quiet, but some cities and dates — Kyoto's foliage season, Chiang Mai's lantern festival — get crowded and pricier. If your dates are set, compare flights and stays early.

Temperatures vary widely between destinations; it may be cold where you start but midsummer in Southeast Asia, so pack a travel-day layer separately. Check entry procedures and public holiday dates with each country's official sources and calendars before you go.

FAQ

Where's good for warm seas in November?

Phuket, Krabi, Langkawi, Boracay and Phu Quoc, where the dry season usually starts in November. Early November can still be rainy, so check the forecast.

What about Da Nang in November?

Da Nang and Nha Trang usually see frequent heavy rain and typhoons in October-November. For a beach trip, consider February onward or compare other cities.

Where in Japan is best for autumn colors?

Kyoto peaks from mid-November to early December but is crowded and pricey. Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa and Hiroshima also have lovely autumn scenery in October-November.

Is Australia hot in November?

It's spring, so Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast are generally mild. Melbourne's weather changes often in a day, so bring a layer.

Where in the US is good in November?

Las Vegas and Los Angeles are usually comfortable in September-November. San Francisco sees more rainy days from November, and Seattle tends to be drizzly.