Comparison
Where to travel in September — clear autumn cities, dry-season islands and Europe at its best for walking
Eight September picks — Beijing, San Francisco, Bali, Honolulu, Lisbon, Barcelona, Prague and Munich — from climate normals, plus typhoons and holidays.
Published
How to choose a September trip
September is when the summer peak ends and many cities enter their 'best time to go'. But southern Japanese islands, Taiwan and Hong Kong nearby are still in typhoon season, Da Nang's rainy season begins, and Chuseok and China's National Day holiday (around October 1) need checking too. You can pick from clear autumn cities, dry-season islands and Europe at its best for walking.
This article uses the 'best time to go' in each city guide and the September normals (average high, average low and rainfall) stored in our guides. Normals are averages over many years, so they don't tell you this year's weather, and the source agency and period differ by city. Beijing, Bali and Bangkok use 1961–1990, an older period, Barcelona uses 1981–2010, and the source for Phuket does not state a period, so treat them as rough figures. Check the forecast before you go.
Temperatures are in °C and rainfall in mm. The sources are listed below. Rainy seasons by region are covered in our Southeast Asia rainy-season article, and summer heat and rain in Japanese and Southeast Asian cities in our summer-winter climate comparison.
- Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991–2020: Tokyo station, Okinawa (Naha station), Ishigaki (Ishigakijima station)
- Central Weather Administration (CWA), Taiwan, 1991–2020: Taipei station
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020: San Francisco (San Francisco International Airport station), Honolulu (Honolulu International Airport station), Guam (Guam International Airport station)
- IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere), 1991–2020: Lisbon (Lisboa / Instituto Geofísico station)
- AEMET (Spanish State Meteorological Agency), 1981–2010: Barcelona (Barcelona Aeropuerto station)
- Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI), 1991–2020: Prague (Praha, Klementinum station)
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), 1991–2020: Munich (München-Stadt station)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1991–2020: Da Nang (Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration), Hong Kong (Hong Kong Observatory)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1961–1990: Beijing (China Meteorological Administration), Bali (Denpasar; Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, BMKG), Bangkok (Thai Meteorological Department, TMD)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, period not stated by the source: Phuket (Thai Meteorological Department, TMD)
Clear autumn skies — Beijing and San Francisco
Beijing's September-October is clear and mild, the best time to go. The September normals are a high of 25.8°C, a low of 14.2°C and 49 mm of rain (WMO/China Meteorological Administration, 1961–1990). They come from an older period, so treat them as rough figures. Sights are extremely crowded during National Day week (around October 1), so check the official dates when you plan. Major sights such as the Forbidden City need advance real-name booking with your passport, and the Forbidden City often sells out.
San Francisco is sunniest and warmest in September-October. September has a high of 23.8°C, a low of 13.3°C and 1.8 mm of precipitation (NOAA NCEI, 1991–2020, San Francisco International Airport). June-August, by contrast, often brings fog and chilly days. Mornings and evenings are cool all year, so pack layers.
Dry-season islands — Bali and Honolulu
Bali's April-October dry season continues, with the most sunny days. The September normals are a high of 31.4°C, a low of 22.9°C and 47 mm of rain (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990, Denpasar). They come from an older period, so treat them as rough figures. In Ubud, the dry season usually runs April to September, good for rice-field walks.
Honolulu is warm all year, and April-May and September-October are quieter with pleasant weather. September has a high of 31.3°C, a low of 23.8°C and 22.4 mm of precipitation (NOAA NCEI, 1991–2020, Honolulu International Airport). Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and requires reservations, so check official information.
Europe for walking — Lisbon, Barcelona, Prague, Munich
Lisbon is most pleasant in March-May and September-October. The September normals are a high of 26.6°C, a low of 17.6°C and 38.6 mm of rain (IPMA, 1991–2020). Barcelona is warm and less crowded in May-June and September-October, the best time; September has a high of 26°C, a low of 17.4°C and 81 mm of rain (AEMET, 1981–2010, Barcelona Aeropuerto). These come from 1981–2010, so treat them as rough figures.
Prague is most pleasant for walking in spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October). September has a high of 20.4°C, a low of 12.5°C and 33.9 mm of precipitation (CHMI, 1991–2020, Klementinum). Opening hours of the Prague Castle buildings change by season, so check official information.
Munich is liveliest in May-September, when beer gardens are in full swing, and Oktoberfest runs from mid-September to early October. The dates change every year, so check the official dates, and book early, as hotels fill up months ahead. Entry is free, but on weekends tent seats fill by mid-morning. The September normals are a high of 19.6°C, a low of 10.4°C and 78.1 mm of precipitation (DWD, 1991–2020, München-Stadt).
Our guides also name September-October as a good time for walking in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Budapest, Vienna and Istanbul.
Think twice in September — typhoons and rainy seasons
Typhoon season is not over nearby. In Ishigaki, typhoons often approach from late June to October, peaking in September-October, and the September rainfall normal is 259.7 mm (JMA, 1991–2020). In Okinawa, typhoons often pass in July-September, with 275.2 mm in September (JMA, 1991–2020, Naha). Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Kyushu, including Fukuoka, are also in typhoon season in August-September, and Tokyo's September rainfall is 224.9 mm (JMA, 1991–2020). Taipei's July-September months are hot and typhoon-prone, with 315.2 mm in September (CWA, 1991–2020), and Hong Kong's typhoon season runs May-September, with 321.4 mm in September (WMO/Hong Kong Observatory, 1991–2020). Macau's typhoon season is also worst in July-September. Guam and Saipan may see typhoons from July to November, and Guam's September rainfall is 385.3 mm (NOAA NCEI, 1991–2020). In Cebu, typhoons in September-November can cancel boat trips.
Check Southeast Asian rainy seasons too. Da Nang's rainy season runs September-December, with 394 mm in September (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020), and heavy rain and typhoons are especially likely in October and November. Nha Trang's rainy season also runs roughly September to December. Bangkok gets short, heavy afternoon downpours in its June-October rainy season, with 344 mm in September (WMO/TMD, 1961–1990, an older period). Phuket's west coast has big waves in May-October, with 386.5 mm in September (WMO/TMD, period not stated by the source). In Puerto Princesa on Palawan, September is the wettest month.
The rainy season rarely means rain all day, but book boat tours early in your trip and avoid boats on the day before your flight home. Our Southeast Asia rainy-season and Da Nang rainy-season articles cover how to plan around the rain.
Chuseok, National Day and other checks
The dates of Chuseok and China's National Day holiday change every year, so check the official dates first. In Seoul, many shops close over Chuseok, and in Da Nang and Saipan, flights and hotels get much pricier during Korean holidays. Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Zhangjiajie are very crowded during National Day week (around October 1).
In Los Angeles, wildfires can occur from late summer into autumn, so check local conditions before you go. In Kuala Lumpur, smoke haze from fires in neighboring countries usually worsens air quality around late summer to autumn. Delhi's July to mid-September is the hot, humid monsoon, and Cancún's May-October rainy season overlaps the hurricane season, so check weather warnings before you go.
At a glance — September by city
A quick September summary. Figures are 'high/low temperature and rainfall'; sources and periods differ, so the comparison is rough.
- Clear autumn skies: Beijing 25.8/14.2°C, 49 mm (WMO/China Meteorological Administration, 1961–1990); San Francisco 23.8/13.3°C, 1.8 mm (NOAA NCEI, 1991–2020)
- Dry-season islands: Bali 31.4/22.9°C, 47 mm (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990); Honolulu 31.3/23.8°C, 22.4 mm (NOAA NCEI, 1991–2020)
- Europe for walking: Lisbon 26.6/17.6°C, 38.6 mm (IPMA, 1991–2020); Barcelona 26/17.4°C, 81 mm (AEMET, 1981–2010); Prague 20.4/12.5°C, 33.9 mm (CHMI, 1991–2020); Munich 19.6/10.4°C, 78.1 mm (DWD, 1991–2020; check the official Oktoberfest dates)
- Typhoon check: Ishigaki and Okinawa; Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Kyushu; Taipei, Hong Kong and Macau; Guam and Saipan; Cebu
- Rainy-season check: Da Nang, Nha Trang, Bangkok, Phuket, Palawan
- Holidays and other checks: Chuseok (Seoul), National Day (Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie), Los Angeles (wildfires), Kuala Lumpur (haze), Delhi (monsoon), Cancún (rainy and hurricane season)
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FAQ
Where in Europe is good in September?
According to our guides, Lisbon, Barcelona and Prague, as well as Paris, Rome, Madrid, Budapest, Vienna and Istanbul, are at their best for walking in September-October. September average highs are Lisbon 26.6°C (IPMA, 1991–2020), Barcelona 26°C (AEMET, 1981–2010) and Prague 20.4°C (CHMI, 1991–2020).
When is Oktoberfest?
According to our guide, it runs from mid-September to early October. The dates change every year, so check the official dates and book your hotel months ahead. Entry is free, but on weekends tent seats fill by mid-morning.
Is it OK to travel over Chuseok or National Day?
Both holidays change dates every year, so check the official dates first. According to our guides, many shops in Seoul close over Chuseok, flights and hotels in Da Nang and Saipan get much pricier during Korean holidays, and Beijing, Shanghai and others are very crowded during National Day week (around October 1).
Is September OK for a Southeast Asian beach?
It depends on the region. Bali is in its April-October dry season, but Da Nang's rainy season runs September-December, and Phuket and Phu Quoc are in their May-October rainy season. See the Da Nang rainy-season article, and the Southeast Asia rainy-season article for seasons by region.
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