Of the many travel tips available around the world, booking your vacation during shoulder season might just be the best one yet. Not to be confused with a body part, shoulder season is the period 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 are far from home.
Below, Katy Nastro, travel expert for On the way (formerly Scott's Cheap Flights), has more on what shoulder season is and why it's the decision 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.
What is shoulder season?
Shoulder season refers to the period between when a destination is most popular and when it is off-season. However, because the shoulder season of each vacation destination varies depending on the weather and vacations, there is no specific shoulder season in the world. (Safer When A destination's shoulder season is below.)
Generally speaking, booking during your destination's shoulder season is a smart decision for three main reasons. For one thing, your vacation might be cheaper. Shoulder seasons often fall during the time of year when children are in school or there are no major holidays or opportunities for people to take PTO. For this reason, fewer people will be likely to travel. “As fewer people are looking to travel during these times, you find better prices in general, not only on plane tickets, but also on lodging and attractions most of the time,” says Nastro.
There are also fewer people, which means fewer lines. For foodies looking to visit a popular restaurant or adventurers looking to visit a historic site, fewer crowds could mean the difference between a bad experience and an amazing one. “Traveling just outside of these peak times means fewer people in general and you get a better idea of what daily life is like in a place,” says Nastro.
In addition, the weather is still moderately pleasant. “The shoulder season provides a happy medium of optimal weather conditions for exploration,” says Nastro. It probably won't be too hot, but it won't be too cold either.
When is shoulder season?
Shoulder seasons are highly dependent on where you are traveling. For the United States, shoulder season runs approximately from early September to late October and again from March to April. “In general, these months fall into the shoulder category, while summer and December are high season, and winter is considered low season.”
In Europe, however, the shoulder season extends a little longer, from March to April and October to November. Late November in the United States means Thanksgiving, which is 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 fall in the spring or fall, says Nastro. For Australia this would be mid-February to April and September to early December, and for somewhere in South America it would be March to May and September to November.
What to remember when booking during shoulder season
Unfortunately, many people who are in school, have children in school, or need to take PTO from work for the holidays will have difficulty booking during a destination's shoulder season. But if you can plan ahead, the savings may be worth it.
Just keep in mind that if you're looking for a specific type of trip or activity, especially depending on the weather, booking during the shoulder season “may not apply,” Nastro says. “If you're planning a ski vacation, you need snow, which means a spring trip probably won't do the trick. And if you're looking to tan on a sandy beach, fall temperatures won't allow it. probably not.” She adds.
Bottom line: If you can be flexible with your vacation dates, times, and destinations, booking during shoulder season can be an A+ travel tip that is 100% worth it.
