Taking a trip in the shoulder season, the period of travel between low and high seasons, offers some serious advantages to holidaymakers with an eye on their wallet but who still want to enjoy the best a destination has to offer.
Travelling in high season doesn't only mean you're paying the top bracket for your holiday. Beaches are fuller, queues are longer, tourist attractions are more crowded, and, though the sun seems very appealing from the not-so-sunny climes of the UK, travelling around to see the sights under a blazing tropical sun can lead to exhaustion rather than relaxation. But tickets are at their cheapest in the low season for good reason. Monsoons, hurricanes and just inappropriate weather (it's fairly obvious that there's no point going skiing in the Alps in the middle of summer, even if it is cheaper than February) can make the bargains available seem less than appealing. But choose your holiday time with care and you can enjoy good weather, un-crowded resorts and still pay considerably less. Enter the shoulder season.
What's it all about?
The shoulder season is a little known term for a fairly straightforward concept. If you avoid visiting a destination at the same time as the rest of the crowds, prices are cheaper and your holiday is bound to be more enjoyable. The shoulder season falls at the start and finish of the high season, and many hotels, flights and holidays are reduced in price to tempt people to travel at slightly different times. The weather should still be good, something you can't be sure of if travelling at low season, but you'll pay less for avoiding the most popular times.
How do I take advantage?
A general rule of thumb for picking a shoulder season is to avoid school holidays and the "obvious" times to travel, but to keep as close to high season as you can.
Ski resorts, for example, open in late November, but see little traffic until the Christmas week. Head out in early or mid-December and not only will your package or flights and hotel be cheaper, but you'll find the slopes less crowded, lift queues shorter and, usually, a substantial reduction on the cost of ski hire and lift passes. Alternatively, consider later March or April (be sure to check when Easter falls to avoid the school holidays) when the resort is starting to wind down. An added bonus of travelling at the end of the season, particularly if skiing, is the prevalent sales in shops as they try and get rid of their stock before the end of the season.
Or if you want a holiday in the Mediterranean, consider late September or even early October. The weather can still be significantly hotter than the UK and you've far more chance of having a beach all to yourself. It's worth considering booking such a holiday on a last minute basis if you want to make sure you are going to go somewhere that is still enjoying the sunshine. Check the weather forecasts as often as you can and pounce on a good deal when you find it. There's something hugely satisfying about returning to the office with a spanking tan, just as your colleagues are fishing out their winter clothes as well. And don't ever assume it's too late - as Britain was shivering in rain at the start of last December, the Italians were still swimming in the seas around Naples…
Do your research
For long-haul destinations, it's wise to find out about the ins and outs of low seasons. The Caribbean, for example, suffers from huge storms in June and July, making it a serious low season time to visit. But if you look for islands off the "Hurricane belt" you should be able to pick up a great deal and still enjoy good weather. It is more counter-intuitive travelling long-haul than to Europe, but check the seasonality of the place to which you want to travel, and then try and go out just before or just after the peak periods.
Also be aware of festivals and local holidays - no matter where you're thinking of going prices will rise over the Christmas week and New Year. Prague in November might simply seem cold, but over Christmas the snow and need to wear five jumpers is a definite pull. If you're travelling to America, prices will rise over Thanksgiving. And remember events like Carnival and Easter. If you're not going to join in the fun, then it's not worth paying the extra money.
How can you help?
The Cheapflights site can help you find the cheapest trip in any season with its date range tabs. The handy tabs organise offers into cheapest, early, peak and late summer and are changed regularly so that you will also be able to find flights for that pre-Christmas shopping trip to New York. Also, sign up to the weekly Cheapflights newsletter, which is packed with good deals all year round.
Sabrina Wolfe
© Cheapflights Ltd
Updated April 2009
