Among the many travel tips that help you budget vacationBooking your trip during the off-season might just be the best option yet. Not to be confused with a body part, the off-season is the period of time between a destination’s peak season and its low season. And yes, booking during this time brings fewer crowds, better prices, and decent enough temperatures that will always remind you that you’re away from home.
Below, travel expert Katy Nastro shares more about what shoulder season is and why it's best to take advantage of it next time you travel. For even more travel tips, check out best day to buy plane tickets and the best seat to choose on a plane Also.
Experts mentioned in this article
Katy Nastro is a travel expert for On the waya service that finds cheap flight deals.
What is shoulder season?
Shoulder season refers to the period between when a destination is most popular and when it is in low season. However, because each holiday destination's shoulder season varies depending on the weather and holidays, there is no specific shoulder season worldwide. (More information on When (A destination's shoulder season is below.)
As a general rule, it’s best to book during your destination’s off-season for three main reasons. First, your vacation may be cheaper. Off-seasons often fall during the time of year when kids are in school or when there aren’t any major holidays or opportunities to take paid time off. Because of this, fewer people are likely to be traveling. “Because fewer people are looking to travel during these times, you’re typically finding better prices, not only on airfare, but also on accommodations and attractions most of the time,” Nastro says.
There are also fewer people, which means fewer lines. For foodies looking to check out a popular restaurant or adventurers looking to see a historic site, fewer people can mean the difference between a bad experience and an amazing one. “Traveling just outside of those peak times means fewer people overall, and you get a better sense of what day-to-day life is like in a place,” Nastro says.
Plus, the weather is still relatively pleasant. “The shoulder season offers a great climate for exploring the area,” Nastro says. It probably won’t be too hot, but it won’t be too cold either.
When is shoulder season?
Shoulder seasons depend heavily on your travel destination. In the United States, shoulder season runs roughly from early September to late October, and then from March to April. “Generally, these months fall into the shoulder season category, while summer and December are peak seasons, and winter is considered low season.”
In Europe, the shoulder season extends a little longer, from March to April and October to November. In the United States, the end of November is Thanksgiving, a peak travel time, but in Europe, where Thanksgiving is not celebrated, it's a great time to book.
If you're traveling outside of Europe or the United States, your destination's shoulder season will likely be spring or fall, Nastro says. For Australia, that would be mid-February to April and September to early December, and for a destination in South America, it would be March to May and September to November.
What to remember when booking during low season
Unfortunately, many people who are in school, have children in school, or need to take paid time off to go on vacation will have a hard time booking during a destination's off-season. But if you can plan ahead, the savings can be worth it.
Keep in mind that if you’re looking for a specific type of trip or activity, especially based on weather, booking during the off-season “may not work,” Nastro says. “If you’re planning a ski vacation, you need snow, which means a spring trip probably won’t cut it. And if you want to sunbathe on a sandy beach, fall temperatures probably won’t cut it,” she adds.
Bottom line: If you can be flexible on your vacation dates, times, and destinations, booking during the off-season can be an A+ travel tip that's well worth it.
Taylor Andrews is a PS Balance writer specializing in topics related to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health and more.
