🧭 Ultimate Guide to Off-Season Travel: Save Money, Avoid Crowds, and Travel Smart Year-Round
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In this article…
Why Off-Season Travel is the Smartest Way to Explore the World
From solo escapades to group trips with friends and family, I’ve experienced travel to lots of different places in lots of different ways. My travels have led me to diverse destinations across North America, Europe and recently, Japan.
And through my experiences, I’ve learned that the absolute best time to travel is off-season. Yes, travel costs like transportation and lodging are often lower, helping your travel budget stretch further. But there’s also another reason to consider…
As travel enthusiasts, it’s important for all of us to be mindful of the impact our trips have on popular destinations. You don’t have to look very hard to find increasing reports of over-tourism and frustrations from locals. It’s time for us to embrace off-season travel. Not only does this allow us to experience destinations in a new light, but it also benefits both the local economy and environment.
What’s the Difference Between Off-Season, Shoulder Season, and Peak Season Travel?🤔
Peak season (aka high season, prime travel season etc.) refers to the period of time for a destination when the number of tourists visiting is highest. Along with higher numbers of tourists come higher prices for lodging and transportation. The peak season can vary by destination. So if you live in North America, you automatically think that peak season is always June-August. But that isn’t necessarily so. Our summer is Australia’s winter. And vice-versa. See my handy chart below. ⬇️
Shoulder season is that wedge of time right before or immediately after a destination’s peak season, but before tourist numbers swell or plummet accordingly. And with reduced numbers of tourists comes drops in travel costs and (often) temperatures. Caution: Shoulder season is becoming so popular that it is disappearing in heavily touristed destinations, leading to the same problems of over-tourism in peak months.
And then there’s 0ff-season travel (aka low-season, off-peak travel) where the number of tourists is at its lowest for a place. There’s plenty of room to roam, no fighting for a seat on the train, or scrambling for reservations at the hotel of your choice.
It’s here in the off-season, the sweet spot, where the best travel experiences can be found.
Why Travel Off Peak?
Off-season travel is not for everyone. Those with school age children (or those who work in the education field) are pretty much tied to traveling during school breaks. And there are those who simply love crowds and hot temperatures. I get it.
But I also know that there are those who have the freedom to travel wherever, and whenever, they want. Empty-nesters, remote workers, and retirees come to mind. No longer held captive by the school calendar, this group can take advantage of the best travel secret out there:
Travel when everyone else is home. Travel to a destination during it’s low-season.
Benefits of Off-Peak Travel
- Lower travel costs: Since airlines and hotels use dynamic pricing models, use it to your advantage. The lower the demand, the lower the price.
- Fewer Crowds: This is a huge one for me. I enjoy traveling at my own pace and spend ing as much time as I like at a destination. However, it’s very difficult to do that if you’re constantly fighting the crowd (or being carried away by it). Off-season gives you plenty of room to roam.
- Local Experience: Over-tourism is a huge problem. Several European countries now charge visitor fees (tourist taxes) during the peak summer months. . All those people descending upon a destination at once takes its toll. There’s wear and tear upon the infrastructure of a destination, and there’s wear and tear on its residents. Traveling off-season gives locals and break, and allows you to have an unrushed travel experience, and you’ll have more (positive) interactions with the locals!
- Better availability: Fewer visitors means more hotel rooms, more accessibility into high demand tourist attractions, and more space on public transportation, in the museum and restaurants… well, pretty much everywhere.
- Sustainable Travel: Are you someone who wants to minimize your impact while traveling? Do you worry about the environmental and economic consequences of tourism during peak seasons? Off-season travel may be the perfect solution for you. By choosing to travel during off-peak times, you not only avoid contributing to over-tourism, but also help conserve resources and support local economies year-round. You’ll experience genuine interactions with residents who have the time and energy to engage with you. Off-peak travel is a win-win for both the environment, locals, and you!
Click here to listen to my 10 minute podcast episode discussing the benefits of off-season travel. 🎧
How to Determine Off-Season for a Destination?
I’ve traveled to fourteen European countries, Japan, and Canada during the off-season or shoulder season– really taking the time to get to know an area. It’s travel adventure at it’s best. For Europe, I like to travel starting in the shoulder season of October anytime until April. After that, it’s a rat race I don’t want to enter.
My Jam is Off-Season Travel in Europe
A Few Recent Off Season European Travel Adventures:
I know… these places don’t come to mind when you think of travel in late autumn or early spring, but these destinations did not disappoint!
Beaulieu-sur-Mer Day Trip: Discover the Most Beautiful Town on the French Riviera
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Why Off-Season Travel Is Perfect for Midlife Travelers
Midlife travelers between 50-65 are what I like to call the “in betweeners.” I say this with love, as these are my people. We aren’t the twenty and thirtysomethings ready to go clubbing all night, but we certainly aren’t senior citizens either. We have most of our child-rearing and career-building behind us, and we still have most (if not all) of our original joints. Yes, there may be a few additional medications in our travel bag, but there’s still plenty of life in us!!
That said, we do love a little more comfort: perhaps premium economy for long flights, and our own bedrooms and bathrooms in our accommodations rather than dormitory style. We enjoy slow travel too- immersing ourselves in a destination and culture, rather than rushing through five countries in six days. A mile wide and an inch deep is no way to travel!
Planning Tips for Off-Season Travel
There are a few things to know about off-season travel. No dealbreakers, but keep the following in mind:
- Limited hours for sites or transportation: Things will be open, BUT maybe for a shorter period of time (later opening, earlier closing) etc. Just double check the hours of the sites that are on your “can’t miss” list. Tourist sites in the larger cities probably won’t have any reduced hours at all, but you’ll have the luxury of room to roam.
- Airfare is generally cheaper in the off-season but, like anything, the early bird gets the worm. Begin researching airfare as soon as you have a destination in mind to get the best airfare. I’m a huge believer in the credit card loyalty programs and prefer the cards that don’t limit you to a specific airline. I use the Chase Sapphire card and leverage points throughout the year on airfare or hotel stays. Mileage awards are lower off-peak.
- Accommodations: Again, the earlier the better. Not because hotels and the like are full, but because there may be some promotional rates available. I use Booking.com for most of my reservations but I also leverage credit card points where I can. But if you prefer to “wing it” and make your accommodation reservations on the fly (as I do), prices are still lower.
- Getting Around in the Off-Season: I’m always surprised by how many fellow travelers I meet that don’t use public transport. Unlike public buses and trains here in the US, most other developed countries have transportation links that are second to none. They are cleaner, safer, and more efficient that most anything in the US. (Honestly, I don’t know why US residents put up with it). Off-season and off-peak travel means having that seat on the bus or train. Less stressful for you than standing the whole time!
- Packing for the weather: Traveling in shoulder or off-season means cool temperatures, and at worst, unpredictable weather (although I’ve never let it stop me). To prepare for this (while also packing as efficiently as possible), think layers.
- Download my Packing Checklist for Off Season and Shoulder-Season Travel
Free Tools & Resources
How to Find Off-Season Deals
✈️Flights: Use tools like Google Flights, but don’t forget that airline loyalty programs can offer some great mileage award promotions during the off-season as well. If you do not already belong to a loyalty program, consider using a credit card like Chase Ultimate Rewards (my personal favorite) that offers rewards for almost any airline, and I transfer my UR points directly to the airline. Using my credit card responsibly (that includes paying if off in full every month) allows me to accrue miles more quickly. More miles for you=more travel for you.
Quick Travel tip: As a user of Chase Ultimate Rewards, I check periodically because Chase will occasionally offer bonus promotions for points transfer. You may be able to score a 25% bonus in loyalty points rather than a 1:1 transfer from UR points to a specific airline program.
Quick Travel Tip: Even though I use Google flights to research airfares, I prefer to book my flight directly with the airline through its website. In the event of a significant flight delay or cancellation, I find it much much easier to work directly with the airline to reschedule.
🛌🛌Hotels: Look for last-minute deals or off-season promo codes. If you have airmiles, but not enough for a free airplane ticket, use your miles to purchase hotel rooms.
Tours: Some travelers enjoy guided or semi-guided tours, and I use Viator to research and book tours and unique experiences.
✈️🏨Airline vacation packages: This is often an overlooked resource for combined airfare and hotel combined pricing. I use them if I am basing myself in just one area, but I’m usually hopping around every couple of days.
Online travel sites: There are many great sites, but I read these three daily newsletters faithfully.
Use My Free Travel Calculator to Determine Trip Costs
Travel Budget Calculator
Off-Season Travel FAQs
Will everything be closed if I travel off-season?
While many popular destinations remain open year-round, it’s important to note that reduced hours and closures may occur. This is especially true for off-the-beaten-path locations.
To avoid any disappointment, I highly recommend double checking the destination’s website for any updates. As an experienced traveler myself, I’ve encountered a few instances of reduced hours or towns closed for the season – but these are the exception, not the rule. Read on to learn more about my personal experiences with off-season travel in the Loire Valley.
Will the weather be bad?
Off-season travel weather can be unpredictable but if you are prepared, there is no problem. I pack with layers using different weights of clothing, and I’ve never had a problem. Download my Packing Checklist for Off Season and Shoulder-Season Travel 🧳🎒
The weather may pleasantly surprise you. No one thinks about traveling to the French Riviera or Monaco in March, but I did and had a blast! Super comfortable!
As I write this article, it is the summertime, and there are currently loads of flights being cancelled all over the world due to weather conditions. You’re always dealing with weather: hurricanes, wildfires, floods, droughts…The fact is, Mother Nature calls the shots year-round.
Why is it cheaper to travel off-season?
The travel industry uses a dynamic pricing model. Lower demand=lower prices. In general you can save about 30% (or more!).
What are the best apps for off-season travel planning?
Honestly, there are some phone apps that I just “never leave home without” no matter time of year I am traveling. I always make sure to have the following apps downloaded (or updated) on my phone: Google Maps, Rome2Rio, Global SOS, Booking.com, Viator, any good Currency Converter app, the app for the airline I am using, and Atlas Obscura.
Is off-season travel safe?
There’s no real difference in safety between peak and off-peak travel. You should take the same precautions traveling no matter what time of year. Tap here for more travel safety tips.
Bottom Line: Travel Smarter, Not Harder
Off-season travel is a gem for those who prefer a quieter, more authentic travel experience. Imagine strolling through a castle with no crowds, spontaneously changing your itinerary, or snagging a table at a popular restaurant without a reservation. These are just a few of the perks that off-season travel offers.
For those curious about the off-season travel, you are in for a treat. This is the insider’s guide to experiencing the world in a whole new way. Say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of peak travel season and hello to the peaceful charm of off-season travel.
Second Act Travels is your resource for off-season travel adventures designed for curious, flexible travelers. Subscribe for monthly ideas, inspiration, and trip planning tips!