It’s shoulder season — here’s what that means and why it’s the best time to travel

Paris
is gorgeous in the so-called offseason.

Ekaterina
Pokrovsky/Shutterstock

The INSIDER Summary:

• Shoulder season is the period between the high and low
  seasons of a vacation destination.
• The fall shoulder season is a great time to get cheaper
  deals on flights and hotels.
• During this time, you can save money on trips to
  destinations in Europe and the Caribbean.

It’s no surprise that summertime and the holiday season are among
the most popular times of the year for travel. While these
seasons are desirable times for vacations in many ways, there are
also many benefits to traveling in the offseason, which many
people in the travel industry refer to as “shoulder season.”

What is shoulder season?

Shoulder season traditionally refers to the period between the
high and low seasons of a given destination, according to
Tripsavvy. Depending on the destination, there
are shoulder seasons for both the spring and the fall. The fall,
however, often ends up being a great time for travel deals in the
US, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Both flights and hotels are often discounted during the fall
because fewer people are traveling during that time (kids are
back in school, and many take their vacation days during the
summer or holidays). So in addition to saving money, you’re also
most likely going to avoid crowds and long lines in typically
tourist-filled cities if you travel in the fall.

How you can save on travel during the offseason

Your best bet when it comes to finding deals is to keep an eye
out for airlines that release incredibly cheap flights
during off-peak travel times.

Wow Airlines, for example, is a budget airline
that occasionally offers flights from the US to Europe for under
$100 each way. On select dates from September to November this
year, you can fly from Boston to Berlin for as low as $69.

Granted, when flying budget airlines you’ll often have to account
for layovers and extra fees, though if you believe that a little
inconvenience is worth saving a ton of money, shoulder season
could be your new favorite time to travel.

When and where you should travel

Choosing dates within shoulder season is also important when it
comes to getting a good deal. Paris’ high season technically lasts until the
end of October, though select dates in November, December, and
January have more affordable flights under $400 round-trip. If
you’re willing to sacrifice great weather, some of Europe’s most
coveted vacation destinations can become much more accessible.

Some hotels also offer shoulder-season deals, especially in the
Caribbean. The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one
of the best times to take a Caribbean vacation because you’ll
avoid the cost and crowds associated with holiday travel and
you’ll miss the end of hurricane season.

Whether you’re looking to go on an adventure in Europe or take a
relaxing Caribbean vacation, shoulder season, particularly in the
fall, should be on your radar.

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