Over the years, I’ve had the chance to visit so many amazing places all over the world, and one thing has become clear – visiting places in the off-season (particularly the part they call shoulder season) is my favorite.
Many destinations are still incredible in off-season, and even if your schedule is limited, there are options for places to visit in off-season. Throughout this post, I’ll share why off-season travel is worth it and some of my favorite places to visit in off-season.
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What is Off-Season Travel?
Within the travel sphere, there are three main times (no matter the destination or hemisphere) for travel: peak, shoulder, and off-season. They vary by region but generally aligns with major events and seasons. You may be able to guess right away what off-season means, but a breakdown is below.
Peak season: This is when the majority of people choose to travel to a destination. It usually aligns with school holidays, good weather, and major events.
Shoulder season: The period just before and after peak season when crowds. Depending on the destination, this can take a few months or less.
Off-season: This refers to visiting a destination during its least popular time of year, often due to weather conditions, but it comes with huge perks.
Perks of Traveling in Off-Season
Visiting places during the least popular time of year can have some major perks. I honestly think that the perks heavily outweigh the negatives, and after reading this list, you’ll understand why!
While it’s impossible to make every trip happen in the off-season, it’s well worth it to travel to some destinations during the least popular time of year.
1. Huge savings on flights, hotels, and tours
This is quite possibly the biggest perk, so it earns the first spot on this list of reasons to travel in off-season. You will definitely save money on at least one of these three categories, but most likely on all three.
It’s possible to save money on these things without even trying very hard, but my favorite thing about saving on travel during this time is you can stay in nicer places for the same price as okay places in peak season. Here are a few examples:
- We visited the Amalfi Coast in late October/November and were able to stay at a spot with an incredible view for less than $150 a night, the same place in summer. $350 and would have been out of budget. (My flight was also just $300 for this trip).
- We went to Key West in September and booked the Casa Marina for 40k points a night; the same hotel in peak season is 100k a night.
- I went to Copenhagen in February, the flight was $260, the average flight in summer is $680.
- We went to South Africa in December, and our tour package was just $2100 (with upgrades) for the 10 day trip that included a safari, hotels, all transfers, and tours.
As you can see, these are not small savings. They are a significant discount on your major expenses for a trip! I love a good deal, and traveling in off-season makes it so easy to save. More savings means you can travel longer or even take more trips!
2. Fewer crowds
Another top perk is fewer crowds. Let’s be honest – who doesn’t want to spend less time on a trip with hoards of other people? Here are the reasons why fewer crowds are a major perk of off-season travel.
- Avoid long lines for things—it’s as simple as that! Fewer people means fewer lines and less waiting. This includes attractions, popular restaurants, and even photo spots!
- Popular attractions already require a timed entry ticket during peak season, but there will still be insanely long lines (think Eiffel Tower in Paris or Machu Picchu in Peru). Off-season? You can still get a timed entry ticket and essentially walk in.
- You can see incredible sites without an obstructed view. This is a big perk for me as someone who is short. I often end up with a corner view of something in a crowd. Fewer people, better views!
Picture this – you’re in Rome in the middle of summer, trying to get a view of the Trevi Fountain, but people are surrounding every side of it. Now imagine in off-season, you still have people there, but you can walk right up to the edge for a great view. I’m choosing off-season…
3. Easier bookings on popular attractions
I alluded to this above, but booking popular attractions during the off-season is easier. You don’t have to plan as far ahead and can fit in more on a trip. You can also be more flexible and make real time decisions about what you want to do.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan ahead. In most cases, you still want to plan or book for major attractions ahead of time, but the perk is that you don’t have to stress about getting a ticket!
For example, on my trip to Europe last winter, I wanted to visit Neuschwanstein Castle and had read that you need tickets in advance. Well, I was going in winter and watched tickets—they never got close to selling out, and I was able to make a last minute decision on which day I really wanted to visit.
4. More authentic experiences
When there are fewer people and crowds, you get a more authentic experience. When I consider this perk, I often think about my hometown, Washington, DC. I avoid visiting the National Mall and major attractions during peak travel (summer).
I love exploring DC in the off season. I can walk into the museums, get tickets easily for things like the Washington Monument, and make reservations at my favorite restaurants. Off-season is when the locals come out and enjoy their city. What better way to travel than to experience it with other locals?
You’ll also feel more genuinely connected to places, which gives it a more authentic feel. It’s a special experience to see a place more like a local would!
I loved being in Denmark in the off-season; people kept trying to speak to me in Dutch, and I walked right into popular cafes and restaurants where I had seen long lines on Instagram and TikTok. I walked all day through fun different neighborhoods just popping into places that seemed interesting – I felt like a local!
5. Less stressed, more relaxed
Combine all of these things together, and what do you get? A less stressful trip and getting to feel more relaxed! You’ll be dealing with fewer stressed out people, yourself included.
This is one thing I didn’t realize as a perk until our most recent trip to Anguilla during shoulder season. We had the most relaxed trip.
For example, we showed up over an hour early for a ferry and were told we could have a long line. We ended up on the ferry an hour earlier because it was so easy to get through things! Once there, we went to beach clubs with almost no people and had an amazing time. It was the most relaxing trip.
Downsides of Traveling in Off Season
I would be remiss not to mention the downsides of traveling in off season. While I really do believe the positives outweigh the negatives, here are some things to consider before booking an off season trip.
1. Some attractions may have reduced hours or be closed
Off-season is when many attractions complete renovations since they will get fewer visitors. There may also be scaffolding or obstructions on major attractions as they are being replaced.
Some places will shut down altogether during off-season, especially in places like the Greek Islands in winter or the Caribbean during hurricane season.
Before your trip, check whether the major attractions and activities you want to do will be open. You don’t want to be disappointed!
2. Weather may be less favorable (cold, rainy, or very hot)
Depending on the destination, you may experience weather conditions that are less favorable. I personally am pretty good at handling heat or cold, but rain always disappoints me!
Most destinations, though, won’t be rainy or have bad weather during an entire trip. Check the typical weather conditions for that time of year and think about what you could do if there were a rainy day or two. If there’s enough to do in those conditions, it’s still worth going.
3. Limited flight and hotel options to some destinations
The last negative I’ll share is that there can be limited flights or hotels in some destinations. You may find a reduced flight schedule or changes in ferry or train services during a visit. Always check ahead for schedules to make sure there’s still something that will work for your plans.
Where to Travel in Off-Season
I’ve now made most of my travels exclusively in the shoulder and off-season, which isn’t possible for everyone, but some destinations are incredible for these alternative times of the year.
There are off-season destinations year round, so you aren’t limited to off-season travel if you have a strict schedule (like kids in school or only 10 days of PTO for a year).
Best Off-Season Travel Periods by Region
- Europe: November–March (except for Christmas markets); great for budget travelers, but some attractions may have limited hours.
- USA: January–March (except for ski destinations); cities like NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco are less crowded.
- Caribbean & Mexico: September–November (hurricane season, but major deals if you take the risk).
- Asia: June–September (hot and humid in many places, but great deals in Thailand, Bali, and India).
- South America: June–August (winter in the southern hemisphere, but good for exploring cities like Buenos Aires or Santiago).
- Africa: March-May (rainy season for safaris, but lush landscapes and lower costs).
- Australia & New Zealand: June–August (winter, but great for budget travel & skiing).
My Personal Favorite Off-Season Travel Destinations
- New York in January: Chances of beautiful snow in the city, quiet days, amazing sunsets.
- Germany in February: Snowcapped mountains, charming small towns that are practically empty, easy to see major attractions.
- Greek Islands in March: Crowds are non-existent, the islands are beautiful (although they may experience a day or two of rain), and everything is open but chill.
- Peru in June: Great weather, beautiful scenery, and you can do everything you want – it’s just a little hotter.
- Colombia in August: Flowers are blooming, beaches are great, it is hot!
- Puerto Rico in October: Amazing deals on flights, beaches are stunning, and you can still do all the fun things (book everything as refundable in case of hurricanes).
- Italy in November: Southern Italy is still pretty warm, with fewer crowds at major sites.
- Great Barrier Reef in December: It’s hotter, but prices are great, there are fewer crowds, and the waterfalls are raging!
I hope this post has helped you consider all of the major reasons that off-season travel is worth it. I love traveling at less popular times of the year, and in my opinion, the perks outweigh the negatives. Leave your thoughts on this in the comments!
We really love shoulder season and off-season depending on the destination! So nice to have WAY less crowds and cheaper lodging!
It’s such a relief to get away from the crowds during the off-season! You might miss out on some popular spots that are closed at the time, but then you get to explore the more local dives instead. That’s a win to me!
We are huge fans of off season travel. Fewer crowds and more authentic experience far outweigh the downside of potential bad weather.
I am totally with you on this! We love travel in the shoulder season, mainly because I really hate crowds – the cost savings are good too – but mostly its nice to be out and about when fewer people are around. The only things we can’t do on shoulder season are the most epic hikes (as we have to wait for the snow to melt – those really need to be peak/summer!
I couldn’t agree with you more. As a solo traveller, I don’t have much of a choice other than to travel during the off-season or should-season. It’s double the cost for me to travel during peak season. Great tips in here for those considering cost and the amount of crowds (which can often be a downside to travel)