The ideal time to travel depends on the destination. Time of year can affect the type of weather you experience and the type of activities you can do on your trip. Of course, spring, summer, and holidays tend to be massively popular times for vacationers to travel, but there’s a lot to be said for off-season or shoulder season travel. “Off-season” is the period of low tourism and the “shoulder season” is the period between low and high tourism.
Here’s why it’s sometimes nice to take a off-season or shoulder season trip:
Cost:
Traveling when it’s not a high tourism period will often save you money on flights and on hotels. Since the demand for accommodations and flights are lower, you can get great deals.
And for many destinations, you can still get the same great weather and experiences that you would have gotten during high season.
Less Crowding:
Are you tired of visiting places and feeling overwhelmed by the number of tourists around you? Imagine taking tours or strolling through historic areas without the crush of tourists.
You also have a better chance of getting certain reservations or doing certain activities without being on a waitlist.
More Authentic Interactions:
With less tourists around, you also have a better chance to have more authentic interactions with the locals in your chosen destination.
💡 Tip: Think about pairing off-season travel with a mid-week departure to save even more.
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