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Airline Peak and Off-Peak Award Charts: The Ultimate Guide [2024]

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Why Is Understanding Peak/Off-Peak Seasonality Important?

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Commercial aviation is one of the most seasonal industries in the world. Typically, the busiest time of the year for airlines is from May to October.

Of course, this varies depending on the exact destinations, countries, or even cities that you visit. That being said, customer demand plummets in the winter months from November to March, especially when visiting Europe.

Airline revenue ticket prices fluctuate wildly thanks to revenue management departments, crazy algorithms, and seats sold. The same is generally true for airline award tickets. As a result, many major airlines have chosen to adopt a binary award pricing scheme, whereby there is an off-peak set of dates priced cheaper than the remaining peak dates.

In this guide, we’ll be taking an in-depth look into every major airline’s seasonality charts and discussing the nuances of each program, with the ultimate goal of minimizing the number of points you’ll use for award flights.

Travelers with flexible plans ought to book flights during off-peak when possible in order to spend fewer miles.

You’ve already worked so hard to earn your points and miles, so why spend any more than absolutely necessary?

By planning trips around off-peak award dates, you’ll extract the maximum value from your points and miles. There’s a minimal amount of work in understanding what constitutes peak and off-peak dates for each airline you want to fly on, but it’s all worth it in the end!

This guide is not about variable award pricing, which itemizes mileage and award prices based on distinct levels. Instead, we’re going to be talking about the major airlines that have specific peak and off-peak travel dates.

Airlines That Have Peak/Off-Peak Award Charts

Before talking about each individual airline, keep in mind that some airlines adopt different seasonality policies depending on what route you fly on, while others have a simple binary system.

Let’s look into the airlines and dissect their peak and off-peak award charts.

Aer Lingus is Ireland’s flag carrier. Aer Lingus is owned by the same company that owns British Airways, IAG, and its frequent flyer currency is known as Avios.

Each calendar year, Aer Lingus publishes its off-peak and peak periods. The off-peak periods constitute two-thirds of the year, whereby you can book award flights for fewer Avios.

Additionally, Aer Lingus has a distance-based award chart along with peak/off-peak pricing. You can redeem Aer Lingus Avios for great value, especially if booking during off-peak dates.

Aer Lingus’s off-peak dates for 2024  are as follows:

• January 8, 2024, to March 21, 2024
• April 8, 2024, to June 6, 2024
• September 2, 2024, to December 12, 2024

Now that we’ve pieced together the seasonality, let’s talk briefly about how many Avios you’d save by booking off-peak. Here’s Aer Lingus’s award chart for one-way flights:

Suppose you wanted to fly from Miami (MIA) to Dublin (DUB) in Aer Lingus business class on September 18, 2024. Assuming you find availability on this date, you’ll be traveling on off-peak dates, meaning you’ll pay 62,500 Avios one-way as opposed to 75,000 Avios (the peak season price).

Let’s also suppose that the departing segment of your trip falls on peak dates while the returning flight falls on off-peak dates. In this case, you’d simply pay the peak price one-way and the off-peak price the other way.

Aer Lingus’ system is pretty straightforward, but you can save up to 12,500 Avios each way by planning your off-peak travel accordingly.

All Nippon Airways’ Mileage Club loyalty program is a fantastic overall program. Although its online user interface is somewhat dated, ANA has so many fantastic redemptions that you can’t miss out on.

ANA Mileage Club takes some time to learn about, but once that time is invested, you’ll find yourself digging up value redemption after value redemption.

Hot Tip: You can start racking up ANA miles pretty easily by following our guide on how to earn lots of ANA Mileage Club miles !

You can only book round-trip award bookings with ANA, so keep that in mind, too.

However, you can book one-way award bookings on ANA using Virgin Points via Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club .

Most airlines split up their peak/off-peak dates into a simple binary system, whereby a date is either a peak or off-peak date. ANA has 3 seasonality periods — low season, regular season, and high season.

ANA uses seasonality  only for ANA flights . Seasonality does not apply to partners like United Airlines. The following is a chart that depicts the most updated seasonality dates for flights between Japan and Europe/North America until early 2025:

Keep in mind that there are different seasonality periods depending on what regions you’re flying to/from , and even for domestic flights. For example, Hawaii has a slightly different set of dates to the above as it is in Zone 5, while the rest of North America is in Zone 6.

For flights between North America and Japan , here’s the round-trip award chart:

So, if you choose to fly on ANA business class round-trip from New York City (JFK) to Tokyo (NRT), departing on January 10, 2024, and returning on January 31, 2024, you’ll pay the low season price — an incredibly low 75,000 ANA miles.

On the other hand, flying during high season on the same route will cost a decent 90,000 miles. This represents a 20% hike in prices just for flying during different times.

Bottom Line: In order to figure out the price you’ll pay for a specific ANA flight during a specific date range, you’ll need to figure out the seasonality of the route first. Then, you can figure out the award price by matching the award chart pricing with the correct seasonality and route. Keep in mind that this only applies if you intend to use ANA miles on ANA flights. 

American Airlines  does offer off-peak awards, and these off-peak awards are often fantastic deals. However, American Airlines only does this for economy flights . Additionally, qualifying tickets include partner airlines and aren’t limited to flights operated by American Airlines.

That being said, American Airlines has off-peak economy tickets for just 2 regions — Contiguous 48 U.S. states and Canada and Europe — and these tickets are called Main Cabin Off-Peak .

The Main Cabin off-peak dates for 2024 are January 10 to March 14 and November 1 to December 14 . Tickets are 22,500 AAdvantage miles one-way.

Hot Tip: In order to minimize your out-of-pocket costs at the hands of fuel surcharges , try to plan your travel solely on American Airlines flights. 

Asiana Airlines has deservedly garnered a great reputation with its loyalty program Asiana Club . In addition, Asiana Airlines continues to be a top airline of choice to earn miles on, thanks to its attractive (and niche!) ways to redeem for maximum value .

Asiana Airlines has off-peak and peak pricing  only for its own flights . It also has different peak season dates departing on your exact route. Lastly, you can avoid peak season surcharges if you’re an Asiana Club Diamond Plus or Platinum member for both award bookings  and upgrades.

Asiana Airlines charges 50% additional miles for flights during high season, so you’ll absolutely want to avoid flying during popular times. Here is the peak season chart for 2024:

Off-peak dates are every other date not listed.

The award chart for Asiana Airlines flights is as follows for round-trip flights:

For example, let’s say you want to fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) via Seoul (ICN) on Asiana Airlines, using Asiana Club miles, departing on July 3, 2024, and returning on August 20, 2024. The first segment is during the peak season, while the returning segment is during the off-peak season.

Furthermore, these flights have Business Smartium Class installed, which is Asiana’s best long-haul business class seat. This means that you’ll pay 150,000 miles plus 100,000 miles for the returning flight during off-peak season. You’ll definitely want to be careful to avoid peak season if you can since a 50% price hike is huge.

Bottom Line: Asiana Airlines raises prices for peak season award tickets by 50% across the board. Therefore, if flying on Asiana Airlines while redeeming Asiana Airlines miles, you should book off-peak tickets when you can. 

British Airways has previously employed a distance-based award chart with multiple zone brackets. In addition, there’s off-peak and peak pricing. British Airways also has had multiple award charts, but British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus were the only airlines eligible for off-peak pricing.

While award rate charts for 2024 have not been made publicly available , according to Head for Points , British Airways’ peak and off-peak dates for 2024 are as follows:

Off-Peak Dates:

• January 8 – February 8, 2024
• February 13-14, 2024
• February 20 – March 14, 2024
• March 16-28, 2024
• April 2-3, 2024
• April 9, 2024
• April 15 – May 3, 2024
• May 7-24, 2024
• May 28, 2024
• June 3-7, 2024
• June 10-14, 2024
• June 17-21, 2024
• June 24-28, 2024
• July 1-5, 2024
• July 8-9, 2024
• July 16, 2024
• July 23. 2024
• July 30, 2024
• August 6, 2024
• August 13, 2024
• August 20, 2024
• August 27, 2024
• September 9-13, 2024
• September 16-20, 2024
• September 23-27, 2024
• September 30 – October 25, 2024
• October 29, 2024
• November 4 – December 6, 2024
• December 9-13, 2024
• December 26, 2024

If your travel dates fall outside of these dates, your award ticket will be priced as a peak flight.

British Airways’ peak and off-peak calendars have consisted of wide bands, but they also contained multiple single-date occurrences for off-peak dates. Once you’ve identified the seasonality of your travel dates, you’ll want to figure out how much your flight will cost, which has historically been distance-based. Great Circle Mapper is a valid resource to gauge your flight distance.

Hot Tip: See our guides on the top ways to earn lots of British Airways Avios , and then make sure you’re redeeming them for the best value possible !

Iberia is Spain’s flag carrier. The airline happens to be owned by the same company that owns British Airways and Aer Lingus (discussed in earlier sections of this guide), but interestingly, the peak and off-peak calendars haven’t matched those when using Avios from different frequent flyer programs.

Additionally, Iberia has used peak and off-peak dates for flights on Iberia, Iberia Express, and Iberia Regional/Air Nostrum. For all other airlines, a different award chart will apply and seasonality is not used.

Award rates and eligible peak/off-peak dates for 2024 have not been made publicly available yet.

Just like its main competitor airline Asiana Airlines, Korean Air uses peak and off-peak pricing. Korean Air SKYPASS is a fantastic program to redeem miles on , with plenty of options ranging from Korean Air first class to Etihad first class .

Although there aren’t very many ways to accrue Korean Air miles from transferable points, there are still great ways to earn lots of Korean Air SKYPASS miles .

Korean Air employs a region-based award chart. Also, one-way flight redemptions are only allowed on Korean Air. For all partners, you must book round-trip if you want to use miles.

Hot Tip: Korean Air is one of the few airlines that still operate the A380. Check out our review of Korean Air’s A380 first class .

To determine whether or not your flights fall into peak season, you’ll need to know the route and the travel dates. Peak dates for Korean Air are:

Korean Air’s round-trip award chart is as follows (one-way awards are half the price):

*Direct flights only

If flying from New York (JFK) to Seoul (ICN) on Korean Air first class on December 17, 2024, your flight will fall into peak season. For this, you’ll pay 120,000 Korean Air miles one-way compared to 80,000 Korean Air miles for off-peak travel.

Virgin Atlantic employs standard and peak seasons for Virgin Atlantic flights only, so they are not applicable to airlines like All Nippon Airways. Furthermore, Virgin Atlantic splits up seasonality calendars between Caribbean routes and all others.

For Caribbean routes, the standard (off-peak) season consists of the following date ranges:

• March 4-21, 2024
• April 16 – May 26, 2024
• June 3 – July 19, 2024
• September 3 – October 24, 2024
• November 6 – December 6, 2024

On the other hand, Caribbean peak dates are on all other dates.

The rest of Virgin Atlantic flights follow these standard dates:

• January 4 – March 21, 2024
• April 16 – June 15, 2024

All other dates are peak dates for non-Caribbean flights.

Flights on Virgin Atlantic can be significantly cheaper if planned during standard dates. Here’s the Virgin Atlantic award chart for round-trip, standard season bookings:

And here’s the Virgin Atlantic award chart for round-trip peak season bookings:

Let’s take an example flight from London (LHR) to Las Vegas (LAS), which is on the U.S. West Coast. If you book a flight during peak season in Upper Class , you’ll pay 77,500 miles, as opposed to the standard price of 67,500 miles.

Overall, there are a lot of airlines that have unique peak and off-peak season policies. For the most part, airlines tend to limit the price variation from seasonality to their own airlines. For example, Asiana Airlines levies peak surcharges only on flights operated by Asiana and not on any other carriers.

An exception to this would be American Airlines AAdvantage , which makes off-peak pricing in economy available on partner airlines such as British Airways.

Keeping track of peak dates and booking travel flexibly to avoid peak season is a recipe for conserving your hard-earned points and miles. As a result, you’ll want to confirm that you’re getting the best value redemption prior to committing to a flight.

Now, you have a one-stop shop for a guide on the airlines that carry peak and off-peak policies for award bookings. Happy booking!

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is off-peak for flights.

Off-peak travel times vary by airline, route, and dates. Each airline has defined separate date ranges for off-peak seasons where a flight will cost fewer miles.

What is off-peak travel?

Off-peak travel is defined as traveling at a time where there is less than maximum demand. Some off-peak travel ideas would be to fly to Europe during the winter months of January through March.

What is peak travel?

Peak travel is defined as the period of travel in which there is maximum demand. You’ll often see large crowds, expensive hotel prices, and more expensive airplane tickets.

Is off-peak cheaper than peak?

Off-peak is almost always cheaper than peak travel. Because airlines don’t expect to sell out their seats, they release “cheaper” seats that you can use miles for. Also, the mileage price is cheaper during off-peak compared to peak. The exact discount varies from airline to airline, so you’ll need to reference one of the airlines above to figure out how much cheaper it is to travel during peak dates with points.

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High, Low, & Shoulder Seasons: What to Expect & When to Travel

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Whether looking for the right time to tour Italy’s famous coastline or trek the renowned trails of Patagonia, the best time to see lions on the savannah or cherry blossoms in Japan, understanding what to expect during the different travel seasons can help you get exactly what you want most out of your vacation.

The time of year you travel can be essential to seeing and doing what you want, and there are good reasons to consider the benefits of travel across the different times of the year.

Learn more about what to expect during the high, low, and shoulder seasons with this helpful guide.

What is High Season?

What is shoulder season, what is low season, when should you travel, book your trip for your preferred travel season.

Positano, Italy

The high season, sometimes referred to as the peak season, is the busiest time of year for a travel destination. It often coincides with large crowds and higher rates, from hotels to transportation, and guides.

Because of the popularity of this time of year, high season is often associated with the “best time” to visit a destination. Often, it corresponds with the best weather, attracting travelers eager to enjoy a destination and activities associated with the right temperatures.

Seasonality can play a big role in your trip, depending on the type of vacation you want. For beach destinations, the high season can coincide with dry, warm weather, just like the winter can mean peak season for a ski destination known for snow, slopes, and cozy accommodations.

High season can also refer to the time when the largest number of travelers are able to visit a specific destination, rather than solely the best time to visit. For example, many families travel to Europe in summer, not necessarily because summer is the best time to visit Europe , but because it is the time when children are out of school and parents take a vacation.

Travel during the high season if the time is right for you or if there is a specific experience that takes place then. While much of Europe sees a huge influx of travelers during summer because of school breaks, Japan sees hordes of local and international tourists in spring, who arrive to view the cherry blossoms .

By focusing on your goals and interests, you can plan for the crowds or around them. This makes travel during the high season a much more pleasant experience.

Expert Tips for Discerning Travelers

Jardin de Tuileries in Paris, France

Shoulder season in travel is typically defined as the time between high and low season for a given destination. The timespan depends on the location and the popularity of travel during different seasons that can be affected by variables like the weather, festivities, and activities.

The shoulder season generally sees a lull in tourist crowds, while still edging the popular seasons to ensure open restaurants, shops, resorts, and activities. Outside of ski season, many businesses may close. Outside of beach season, islands and coastal businesses often shutter their doors. In many destinations, more travelers are visiting during the shoulder season to avoid the high-season crowds and enjoy traveling at a slower pace.

Overall, the shoulder season represents times between specific weather conditions and seasonal activities that draw travelers to specific destinations. For instance, France has a high season in summer, a shoulder season in fall, and then another high season in winter, with travelers arriving to ski in the Alps . Tanzania has a high season in the dry months from June to September, a shoulder season from October until February, and a low season during the high rains from March to May.

When traveling during shoulder season you can most often enjoy the best seasonal experiences without large crowds. Prices are often lower during shoulder season, popular destinations have more capacity, you won’t compete for a limited number of reservations, and the weather is typically pleasant.

Travelers visiting during shoulder season usually have more flexible schedules and choose to travel at a different time and pace, while looking for a more personalized experience.

Masai Mara, Kenya

The low season is also named “off-season” and is characterized by a smaller number of tourists visiting a destination. Lines are shorter, rates generally drop, and the weather may be less predictable.

The term low season is often connected to a destination’s weather, with fewer travelers visiting Kenya for safari during the rainy season or smaller international crowds traveling to Patagonia in the winter.

While the weather plays an important role, it is not the only factor in establishing the low season. Fewer flights or transportation to a destination, closed seasonal businesses, and fewer tours can also impact low-season travel.

When weather may be a deciding factor in your travel plans, such as visiting an island destination and wanting good weather for the beach, low season is often another name for the rainy season. However, “rainy season” is often inaccurate, creating a vision of endless rain that ruins a beach vacation. Destinations like Costa Rica and Tahiti are known for having rainy seasons, but even during the wet months, showers are often heavy but fast, allowing plenty of time for adventure, exploration, and relaxation.

Travel during the low season can feel like the opposite of a tour during the high season. Fewer crowds, attentive service, and more favorable pricing are compelling reasons to travel away from travel peaks. If the weather is not an important factor for your trip, the low season often offers a fantastic escape from the expected long lines, crowds, and higher prices of the high season.

The low season may also give you a more relaxing ambiance through which to discover your chosen destination. Locals are typically more welcoming to visitors during off-season travel and the smaller crowds make it easier to travel at your preferred pace, without rushing to beat large groups to a particular monument, museum, or restaurant.

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The best time of year to travel is all about you. While the shoulder season may sound like the best time to visit Australia or India, it won’t matter if you are unable to travel during those months of the year.

You may have a list of places you wish to visit each year or perhaps you travel based on the time of year you have available. Depending on your interests, goals, needs, and expectations, you can have an incredible experience on your vacation during the high, shoulder, or low seasons.

Working with a travel specialist can give you more in-depth and local information, as well as help you plan around any foreseen challenges to ensure your best trip, no matter the season.

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Whether looking for great weather or the least crowds, finding the best time to visit a destination can make the difference between a good and a great vacation. From cultural experiences to pristine beach getaways, wine and food tours to remarkable trekking excursions, what you want to experience could directly affect when you travel.

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In today’s world, air travel has become an essential part of our lives. Whether it’s for business or leisure, finding the best airfare can greatly impact our travel plans. One way to save money on flights is by understanding the concept of peaks and off-peak travel. By strategically planning your trips, you can take advantage of lower fares and maximize your savings. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of peak and off-peak travel, the factors influencing flight prices, strategies for identifying off-peak travel times, and how to overcome potential challenges. So let’s dive in and learn when to fly for savings!

Understanding Peak and Off-Peak Travel

Defining peak and off-peak travel times.

When we talk about peak and off-peak travel times, we are referring to the periods when airfares are typically high or low. Peak travel times are when airlines experience the highest demand, such as during holiday seasons or major events. On the other hand, off-peak travel times are periods when there is relatively less demand for air travel.

During peak travel times, airports are bustling with activity. The lines at check-in counters seem never-ending, and the waiting areas are packed with travelers eagerly awaiting their flights. The atmosphere is filled with excitement and anticipation as people embark on their journeys to reunite with loved ones or explore new destinations.

Off-peak travel times, on the other hand, offer a more relaxed and tranquil experience. Airports are less crowded, allowing for smoother check-ins and shorter security lines. Travelers can enjoy a more peaceful atmosphere as they make their way through the terminals. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a moment to appreciate the architecture and design of the airport or indulge in some duty-free shopping without the usual hustle and bustle.

Factors Influencing Peak Travel Periods

Several factors can influence peak travel periods. Major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s often see a surge in air travel. Families come together to celebrate, and friends plan vacations to enjoy the festive season in different parts of the world. The demand for flights during these times is high, resulting in increased airfares and limited availability.

In addition to holidays, various events can also contribute to peak travel periods. Music festivals, such as Coachella or Glastonbury, attract music enthusiasts from all over the globe. Sports events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup bring fans together, creating a surge in air travel to the host cities. Similarly, conferences and trade shows attract professionals from different industries, leading to increased demand for flights to the event locations.

Furthermore, school breaks and summer vacations play a significant role in determining peak travel periods. Families take advantage of these breaks to plan trips, whether it’s a beach getaway or a visit to a theme park. As schools close for holidays, airports become busier as families embark on their adventures. The combination of holiday travel and summer vacations creates a peak travel season, with airlines experiencing high demand for flights to popular tourist destinations.

Understanding these factors can help you plan your trips accordingly. By avoiding peak travel periods, you can potentially save money on airfare and have a more relaxed travel experience. Whether you choose to travel during peak or off-peak times, each has its own unique charm and advantages. So, whether you’re flying to spend time with loved ones during the holidays or exploring a new destination during a quieter period, embrace the journey and enjoy the wonders of air travel.

The Economics of Flight Pricing

How airlines determine flight prices.

The pricing of airline tickets is a complex process that involves various factors. Airlines use sophisticated algorithms and pricing models to determine ticket prices. These models take into account factors such as demand, availability, competition, fuel prices, and operational costs. By analyzing a range of data, airlines set their prices in a way that maximizes their revenue.

The Impact of Demand on Airfare

One of the key factors in flight pricing is demand. During peak travel times when demand is high, airlines can charge premium prices for tickets. Conversely, during off-peak travel times when demand is low, airlines offer discounted fares to fill their seats. By understanding this dynamic, you can take advantage of lower airfares during off-peak periods.

Strategies for Identifying Off-Peak Travel Times

Utilizing airline and travel websites.

When trying to identify off-peak travel times, one of the best places to start is by visiting airline and travel websites. These websites often provide insights into when fares are expected to be lower. They may offer fare calendars that show the cheapest days to fly, or they may offer special promotions or discounts for off-peak travel. By exploring these websites, you can gather valuable information to plan your trip.

Some of our top recommendations for travel sites are:

Skyscanner , Expedia, and using the airlines directly. Keep in mind, using the airline website directly is a more secure way of traveling. In the event something comes up unexpectedly, using a third party website may cause issues with receiving credit or refunds.

Recognizing Seasonal Travel Trends

Another strategy for identifying off-peak travel times is to recognize seasonal travel trends. Certain destinations have distinct peak and off-peak seasons. For example, beach resorts might have lower prices during non-summer months when fewer people are vacationing. By researching seasonal travel trends, you can find opportunities to visit popular destinations at a lower cost.

Maximizing Savings During Off-Peak Travel

Booking strategies for off-peak travel.

When booking your flights during off-peak travel times, there are a few strategies that can help you maximize your savings. Firstly, consider being flexible with your travel dates. Sometimes shifting your departure or return date by a few days can significantly reduce the cost of your ticket. Additionally, consider booking your flights well in advance or during off-peak booking periods when airlines may offer special deals or promotions.

Additional Benefits of Off-Peak Travel

Aside from cost savings, off-peak travel can offer additional benefits. During off-peak periods, airports are generally less crowded, making your travel experience smoother and more enjoyable. You may also find it easier to secure reservations at popular restaurants or hotels, as they are likely to have more availability. So not only can you save money, but you can also enjoy a more relaxed and convenient journey.

Overcoming Potential Challenges of Off-Peak Travel

Dealing with limited flight options.

One potential challenge of off-peak travel is that airlines may have fewer flight options available. To overcome this, it’s important to plan your trip well in advance. By booking early, you increase your chances of finding flights that align with your preferred travel dates and destinations. Additionally, consider alternative airports that may offer more flight options during off-peak periods.

Navigating Off-Peak Travel in Popular Destinations

Popular destinations can present unique challenges for off-peak travel. While these destinations may offer lower prices during off-peak periods, they may still experience moderate levels of demand due to their popularity. To navigate this, try to visit popular destinations during their offseason or shoulder seasons when prices are typically lower, and crowds are thinner. Exploring lesser-known attractions or neighboring cities can also enhance your travel experience.

planning for peaks and off-peak travel can lead to substantial savings on your airfare. By understanding the dynamics of peak and off-peak travel, utilizing airline and travel websites, and being flexible with your travel dates, you can take advantage of lower fares. Not only will you save money, but you will also enjoy a more relaxed and convenient travel experience. So start planning your next trip with these strategies in mind and fly for savings!

• Budget Friendly Travel

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The ultimate tips for peak season travel

Nov 22, 2012 • 4 min read

Making a last-minute getaway in peak holiday season is not for the faint of heart. Prices are steep, train seats are scarce, and airports are chaotic as hordes of travellers scurry around to a soundtrack of piped-in Christmas music. But when my longing for sunshine outweighed my craving for Thanksgiving turkey and pies, I booked a quick four-day escape to Miami .

On my tightly packed airplane winging its way to South Beach, I had some time to ponder the joys and pitfalls of spontaneous holiday travel. Here's a short primer on how to travel gracefully over the holidays - whether it’s a last-minute package deal to Mexico or the standard trip home via train, bus, or three connecting flights.

Think outside the box

There are last-minute deals to be had. But when it comes to peak travel seasons, you have to be flexible about your destination. You’re less likely to stumble across a bargain-priced Christmas trip to Switzerland , for example: snowboarding in the Alps is generally enjoyed by people who make advance plans (or have plenty of expendable income). But if you’re open to a getaway to Costa Rica , New Orleans or the Irish countryside, you’ll discover a variety of last-minute options using the resources below.

Make the system work for you

The internet is rife with travel planning tools, but they’re not worth much if you don’t know how to set them up and tailor them to your preferences. If you’re interested in a vacation, log onto Travelzoo ( www.travelzoo.com ), where last-minute packages are listed by departure city. Catering to European travellers, Lastminute.com ( www.lastminute.com ) offers similar packages, but more popular destinations book out early. If you have time to spare, sign up for e-mail bulletins advertising deeply discounted travel packages, including Travelzoo’s Top 20 ( www.travelzoo.com/top20 ). Then log on to Twitter and follow travel magazines and websites like Condé Nast Traveler ( @CNTraveler ) and Budget Travel ( @BudgetTravel ) - both offer frequently updated travel deals and promotions you won’t see elsewhere.

If you don’t have plane tickets yet but your holiday destination is set - if you’re expected for New Year’s Eve in Los Angeles or Christmas in London , for instance - enter Kayak ( www.kayak.com ) and set up a flight alert. This user-friendly tool automatically keeps you posted if the airfare on your desired route changes: if the fare suddenly drops $80, you can pounce on it. Of course, your chances of scoring a decently priced flight increase dramatically if you enter several different combinations of airports, dates and travel times. Another site to try is Hotwire ( www.hotwire.com/deals ), particularly the ‘Deals’ section, where a sidebar allows you to see the cheapest fares from your departure city for upcoming weekends.

Streamline your itinerary

It’s worth considering paying more for a non-stop flight over an itinerary with multiple connections. Why? Most airlines do not offer compensation or accommodation assistance if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to wintry weather. So if freezing rain is falling at your layover airport, you’re stuck - and you might end up spending your hard-earned cash on a dingy airport motel room. If you book a non-stop flight, the worst-case scenario is that you’re stuck at home or at your final destination. Another choice airport tip from Condé Nast’s travel expert Wendy Perrin: to avoid getting bumped from an overbooked holiday flight, make sure you get a seat assignment ahead of time (read more here ).

Airports: do your homework

There’s no way around it. Moving through LaGuardia or Heathrow during the holiday rush just isn’t pleasant - the best you can do is pack light, arrive early (at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and three for international), maintain a Zen-like expression at the security line and indulge in a well-deserved cocktail at the bar by your departure gate. But if you do have any flexibility in your flight plans, opt for smaller travel hubs over major airports like Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International, identified by Orbitz as the two busiest airports in the US over the current Thanksgiving holiday.

Consider ground transportation

If you’re travelling last-minute, you’ll have better luck with bus and train tickets than airfares - and your trip is less likely to be cancelled due to weather. What, an eight-hour journey sounds excessive? Just remember how long the lines are at the airport.

Anticipate problems

Expect the unexpected, and leave some space in your budget accordingly. Even if you don’t have much cash to spare, be kind to yourself - when it’s snowing and there are one hundred people waiting in line for the public bus, $20 is a small price to pay for a taxi ride. When you’re facing an unexpected seven-hour delay at the airport, splash out and buy yourself a day pass to an airport lounge stocked with food and drinks, comfortable couches and wi-fi. Just consider it a holiday present to yourself.

For last-minute travel tips, hotel hacks and expert advice, snap up Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips .

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High Peak Trail

A 17.5 mile walking, cycling and horse-riding route.

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The High Peak Trail runs for 17.5 miles from High Peak Junction, near Cromford, to Dowlow, 6 miles south of Buxton.

It's a traffic-free trail suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders passing through some of Derbyshire’s most beautiful countryside in an area known as the 'White Peak;.

The High Peak Trail follows the route of the former Cromford and High Peak Railway. This was one of the world's first long-distance railway lines, built between 1825 and 1830. Many important railway buildings and features can still be seen, including High Peak Junction Workshops, Middleton Top Engine House, Hopton Tunnel and Hopton Incline.

You can join the High Peak Trail at various points, including High Peak Junction at Cromford, Middleton Top (cycle hire), Hartington Station and Parsley Hay (cycle hire).

You could sample a short stretch of the trail by parking at Parsley Hay and heading 2.5 miles to Ruby Wood. Turn left along the trail in front of the Parsley Hay cycle hire centre, pass a bridge and bollards and keep right when the trail forks, then continue through cuttings and along embankments until reaching the signal box at Hartington Station, and then Ruby Wood. Start at Hartington Station for a shorter route to Ruby Wood (800m) or for reversing the route to Parsley Hay.

You can walk, cycle or ride a horse on the trails all year round. Along the trail, keep a look out for wild flowers including cowslips, orchids and wild herbs during summer. There are plenty of opportunities for refreshments and picnics along the way.

For those wishing to explore the trails further, the High Peak Trail joins the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay. The Tissington Trail runs for 13 miles to Ashbourne.

Trail directions

Nestled in the Derwent Valley, High Peak Junction was once a hub of transport activity and is now a true haven of heritage and wildlife. It sits at the junction of the Cromford Canal and the High Peak Trail.

For those wishing to explore the trails further, the High Peak Trail joins the Tissington Trail at Parsley Hay.

Middleton Top, as you might expect, is at the top of a hill and offers delightful views of the surrounding countryside.

This site has a visitor centre, gift shop and cycle hire centre, car park, toilets and picnic area. Whether on foot, horse or bike it is an ideal place to start your visit along the beautiful High Peak Trail.

The High Peak Trail ends at Dowlow near Buxton.

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Conquering The High Peak: Mount Tapulao, Zambales, Philippines

I recently completed a day-hike in one of the tallest mountains in the Philippines , Mt. Tapulao standing at 2,037 MASL, offering one of the steepest altitude gains in the country, and usually scaled for two days as a major climb.

The trek was a training climb for Mt. Halcon, a dream summit for most Filipino mountaineer. But after a 15 hour-trek, bruised muscles and one sprained ankle later, I realized that some dreams had to wait… until we’re truly ready to conquer it.

As I was limbering in pain on the makeshift sofa in the local barangay hall (where we had to spend the night ‘cause I was too injured to move), I was wondering where the hours flew. Racing with time creates lots of blur in one’s memory.

As a quick recall (and as guide to those wanting to do a similar Mt. Tapulao day-hike, which is totally recommended prelude for much tougher Philippine mountains like Mt. Halcon and Mt. Guiting-Guiting), here’s a few rundown of moments on the trail and everything that happened between breaks.

Table of Contents

Swiftly, Into the Night  

The last trip of Victory bus heading for Iba, Zambales left Cubao. Since the bus company is not accepting reservations, we had to beat the EDSA traffic (on a rush hour Friday) to get sure seats.

Five hours later, the bus arrived at the terminal station. After a quick breakfast at a nearby street stall, we hopped on a rented tricycle to Palauig, Zambales. The tricycle has no cover and could only accommodate three passengers. I almost drowned from the gallons of air that smacked my face.

The barangay hall, which also serves as an eco-center for campers, was open when we arrived. The place has food supplies stocked for visitors. Quickly, we registered, bought additional sustenance and hired a guide (who happened to be a young native Igorot).

We started walking in the dead of the night. Everything was cloaked in darkness. We had to control our steps. The initial ascent was exhausting.

Prancing on the Dawning Sky

The first crack of light came an hour later. We were on the open field. The sky blossomed in throes of red, with scattered clouds hovering above the horizon.  

More inclined slopes and few turns led to the first water station, which marked the first five kilometers of the ascent (100masl to 800masl). We had to refill our already drained water jugs. The area also serves as the first campsite.

Our climb continued on a more sluggish pace. Gravity is a bitch and we all know that. Our first taste of clearing happened at Km12 (1200masl), which signaled our entry to the montane forest. It wasn’t as magnificent as others. But being on the trail for more than three hours with nothing to see but boulders will make you appreciate any view that does not have rocks on it.

The Thing Called Pines!

The enchanting pine forest started appearing at 1700masl. “Tapulao” actually means pine trees in the local tongue. We spent precious minutes doing nothing but sit on the rocks. We didn’t mind though. The view and aroma of pine forest were surreal.

Reality check: we had to move. The continuous ascent was marked by more boulders. I was beginning to curse every rock I saw. We were looking for signs that we were near the bunkhouse. Reaching the bunkhouse means arriving at the last campsite. This implies our proximity to the summit.

With no signs of bunkhouse, we became more lethargic and grumpy. At some point, my buddy and I got separated. On retrospect, few solo moments could do wonders to the soul.

Finally, we’ve reached our pit stop, the last campsite. It was heaven. All we wanted was to roll our bodies on the pine-covered ground.

Breathless, Across Altering Terrain!

Thirsty, errr… Thirty minutes later, we were back on our feet. This time, we marched into the barren land. Few of the pines were consumed by periodic fires. The trail moves into a big gloomy charcoal-smelling woodland.

The gateway to the Mossy Forest appeared. It was like a creepy secret passage. And yes, there were blood-sucking lima tics inside the canopy of crawling vines and tangling branches.

At last, summit on a mid-afternoon sky!  I wanted to see the controversial Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea but thick fog got in my way. There’s not much to see because the summit is not a bald peak, which is good. It is covered with forest of bonsai trees, an indication of the mountain’s stable biodiversity.  A world tree, with interweaving branches, serves as the summit’s marker. On the way down, I fell and sprained my ankle. There goes my luck.

A Never Ending Sojourn

Rainclouds started brewing. When we came out of the mossy forest, the mist was everywhere. From the lofty barren trees and empty trail, it was like twilight zone all over again.

Soon, droplets of rain started falling. The light drizzle turned into heavy downpour. The sky darkened like an apocalyptic trance…. Silently, I embraced the cold like a long-time friend.

We had to rest on a temporary shed. Our feet were covered in mud. The short stopover reminded us how hungry we were. How cold it was. How long we had to go. And, that there was only a single biscuit to spare and share. Perfect!

Limbering from pain (my swollen ankle looked like it was pregnant), I didn’t know how I was able to pull-off the next 4 hours descending on a rocky path. At some point, I was shivering. Then, I was crying expletives… anything to distract myself from my swollen leg. When I thought I was near the finish line, I’d see a marker and realize I’ve only moved a fraction.

Helplessly, I watched the sun went down and darkness took over. There was only me and my buddy on that vast, empty, never-ending trail. We got separated from the group. It was creepy, like a scene from a horror flick.

At last, we saw flickers of light dancing from a distance. Three things came in mind: that we were near… that we were going to make it out of the jungle, alive… and that based on my performance, I really had to forego my dream of Mt. Halcon… at least for a while.

I continued walking towards the flickering light, tears blinding my eyes.

Life Lessons on the Road

I pushed my limits to prove that I could. And I was successful. Despite the injury, I was able to complete the climb.

However, I also realized other equally important things. That while I could always challenge myself to conquer more and do more, I also have to accept  that I have physical limits, no matter how invincible I think I am. After all, I am human.

Sometimes, we have to forego a dream no matter how difficult because deep inside us, we know that it’s the right thing to do. It doesn’t mean letting go. It only means that we have the nerve to assess ourselves, and greater courage to wait, push harder, work longer, and train better.

With right attitude and preparations, dreams become realities.

Trivia / Other attractions in the area:

• Before, Mt. Tapulao was a mining site for chromite. The trail now used for hiking was once allotted for 4×4 conveyor trucks.
• The mountain is a treasure trove not only for its mineralized deposits but also for its biodiversity. According to a study made by the University of the Philippines, the mountain hosts 78 animal and 41 plant species which are endemic to the country. Of these, two species of murid rodents can only be found in the slopes of Mt. Tapulao.
• Bag sit River Pool, another natural attraction, is only 4.17km from the eco-center. This is a perfect side trip for an overnight climb.
• Usual expenses for this hike are as follows (for a group of six):

Php 375 x 2     = Php 750       Fare Cubao, Quezon City to Iba, Zambales

Php 400/3 x 2  = Php 267       Tricycle rental to Brgy, Palauig, max three passengers

Php 30             = Php 30         Registration Fee

Php 700/6        = Php 117       Guide fee, maximum of six

Php 336           = Php 336       Food and other miscellaneous

Total /person = Php 1,500

Ms. Eliza Badar (President of Mt. Tapulao Regulation Officers Association, Inc.)

Mobile: 09097247413

Mr. Alfonso Dalit or Glen Dalit (Local Barangay Officers)

Mobile: 09127329668

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8 thoughts on “ Conquering The High Peak: Mount Tapulao, Zambales, Philippines ”

Nice adventure. Do you have a close-up photo of the pine trees that shows the needle (leaves) details? I know that Mt. Tapulao is named after the Merkus pine (aka Mindoro pine or tapulao) but I want to be sure that most of the pine trees are indeed of that species. If the needles comes in pair, it is the Merkus pine, if there are 3 needles, then it is the Kesiya pine or Benguet pine. I want to know if there is a mix of the two species. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.

Great Blog! The Baguio of Central Luzon!

Greaaaat. I want to experience, someday? Huhuhuhu

Very nice blog. Are you an author of some poetic book? Lemme know. I’ll read it (y)

Anyways, this blog is very helpful. Great job!

update ko lang po..the registration fee is now php50.00

We were there last Sunday. Day Hike. An epic long walk, yet worthy experience. More than 9 hrs climb due to photo ops and more than 2 hrs back to jumpoff (we ran/walk/jog back to the jumpoff). A Waray here. 😀

Planning to go there this June. Are the contact details & prices still the same?

And are you sure regarding the guides as Igorots and not Aetas?

Very nice! What an adventure! The scenery of Mt. Tapulao is stunning! Thank you very much for this very comprehensive guide; this mountain is on our bucket list this year or next year.

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5 Reasons Why ‘Shoulder Season’ Is the Best Time to Travel

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

In many ways, travel continues to be challenging. Demand for travel has skyrocketed despite insufficient hospitality staffing , airline cancellations and inflation , which has led to long waits at airports and hotel check-in desks — not to mention higher costs.

But here’s a good way to skirt most of these challenges: Travel during “shoulder season.”

The definition of shoulder season varies by destination, but it typically means the period of time between a region’s peak season and offseason. This timespan can last months or just weeks. For instance, if a place’s peak season is summer and its offseason is winter, then the shoulder season would be spring and fall. Alternatively, a place may experience peak travel during a holiday weekend, but demand will drop off the weekend before or after — these times can also be considered shoulder season.

Here are five reasons why shoulder season is the best time to travel.

1. Expect to pay lower prices than for peak season travel

Airfares averaged 23% cheaper when booked for shoulder season versus peak season travel. That’s according to a NerdWallet analysis conducted in December 2021 of more than 100 airfares taken from the most popular routes in the U.S. across eight major airlines.

The same routes were compared for flights booked for peak versus shoulder season days, where peak season flights were those booked for the Monday before or after a major holiday. In contrast, the shoulder season flights were those taken two weeks before or after that date.

The difference was starkest around Christmas: Flights averaged 50% cheaper when booked for Monday, Jan. 10, versus Monday, Dec. 27.

2. You won't compete as much for coveted reservations

Those higher flight prices typically stem from supply and demand — which means demand is higher during peak season.

Increased interest leads to more competition across the board, whether for a hotel room at the price point you want or the chance to nab tickets to that concert. And that’s only scratching the surface. Restaurants are more likely to get filled, airplanes to fly with fewer empty seats and wait times to get longer, and the likelihood of a complimentary upgrade diminishes.

Book during shoulder season and you’ll vie with fewer folks for your top experiences.

3. You won't see as many offseason closures

While demand is high during peak season, sometimes demand drops so low during offseason that the places you want to visit aren’t even open. Boat tour operators might board up for the winter, and charming ski town cafes could close for the summer.

For example, January in Utah’s Zion National Park averages about 16% of the number of visitors that come during peak season in July, and most tourists will have a rough go. Ice forces certain trails to close, some roads become inaccessible to drivers, and the museum and services like shuttle buses aren’t available.

Instead, consider a trip during the September shoulder season, when crowds are at only about 85% of the park’s peak but most amenities are available. Plus, you’ll benefit from mild weather.

Around the world, hotels often take the offseason to do renovations, so the pool might become off-limits. Airlines typically cut back routes, so you’ll have less flexibility on what day or time you can fly.

But the shoulder season is less likely to entail such challenges. Travel before summer crowds arrive and you might be pleasantly surprised with a newly renovated hotel room. Head to the mountains just after the winter holidays to take advantage of still-snowy slopes without as many skiers on them.

4. Weather is generally pretty good

The shoulder season likely won’t bring the sweltering heat or storms that come with a region’s offseason. And in some cases, the weather during shoulder season is actually better than peak season.

Summer at Florida’s theme parks is often humid and muggy — and that’s before you add in the crowds of out-of-school kids. During shoulder season, you might forgo sunny summer days on the beach, but you’ll typically get temperate weather, not to mention a less sweaty smile in that photo with your favorite character.

Shoulder season in the Rocky Mountains might not entail the romanticism of white powder snow surrounding a cozy cabin. But, you can pack light and leave the parka at home.

5. You could more likely experience unique, local events

Tourist hot spots typically want year-round crowds, so they often host events, concerts and other festivities that don’t occur at times when crowds would be large anyway.

Theme park food festivals are among the most common shoulder season delights. Southern California theme park Knott’s Berry Farm typically hosts its annual boysenberry festival from March to April. Hawaii comes alive in the fall with festivals spanning multiple islands, including the annual Waikiki Ho‘olaule‘a, which is a giant block party on Oahu, and the Kauai Mokihana Festival, a weeklong celebration of Hawaiian culture.

This article was written by NerdWallet and was originally published by The Associated Press.

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What Is The Peak Season For Airlines? – Details Guide!

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and travel becomes more accessible, the airline industry has experienced significant growth in recent years.

With the rise of low-cost carriers, the availability of online booking platforms, and the development of new technologies, it is now easier than ever to fly to any destination around the globe. However, with this ease of travel comes ticket prices and availability fluctuation.

This is where the concept of peak season for airlines comes into play. The peak season, also known as the high season, refers to the time of year when there is a significant increase in demand for air travel. It is a period when airlines experience a surge in ticket sales and see a higher number of passengers on their flights.

Here, we’ll discuss what is the peak season for airlines and what the benefits are. We’ll also outline how to avoid holiday traffic getting you down, and we’ll provide tips on enjoying your flights without any trouble during peak season.

Table of Contents

What Is The Peak Season For Airlines? – Explained

It is very important to know what is the peak season for airlines is for airlines. Typically, airlines’ busiest time is from May to October. Of course, this varies depending on the destinations, countries, or even cities you visit. The peak season for airlines typically runs from the summer holidays and fall months.

Airlines experience their busiest times, so it’s important to plan. Make sure to check airline schedules in advance to avoid disappointment. If you’re looking to save money on airfare, book early. And if you want to make the most of your air travel experience, check the information for more tips on making the best of your trip. Some tips that can make the experience a little bit smoother include:

• Checking flight status online in advance.
• Packing light.
• Packing essentials in case of last-minute changes.

And, of course, be sure to plan your trip by packing light and ensuring you have everything you need. Air travel can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t miss out by making it difficult for yourself.

1.Airasia X

AirAsia X is one of the budget airlines that experience high demand, and fares are usually higher than usual. Travelers should plan their trip well to avoid disappointment as the airline has made preparations for increased traffic. The best time to visit AirAsia X is during peak season, which runs from October to March.

2.Jet Airways

Jet Airways operates during the peak season, from October to March. This period is the high-traffic season, which can be quite hectic for travelers booking flights . During this time, flight availability tends to be limited, and they advise customers to book their tickets in advance. Flights also tend to sell out quickly, so it’s best not to travel on weekends or holidays when peak season is in effect.

3.Virgin Atlantic

With summer right around the corner, airlines always look for ways to optimize their operations and reduce costs. According to Virgin Atlantic, one of the best methods is increasing air traffic during the peak travel season- from May through August.

This increase can come for various reasons- including longer daylight hours and higher temperatures. Other airlines have also observed an uptick in demand during this period- something that should not come as a surprise given all the fun things people do outdoors (and on airplanes).

Airlines are always searching for new ways to save money, so travelers like you must stay ahead of the curve and explore all your options.

4.American Airlines

American Airlines, a leading name in the aviation industry, efficiently manages its operations throughout the year, including planning for peak seasons. The peak season varies based on popular times, travel destinations, holidays, and school breaks.

Traditionally, the summer months of June, July, and August are considered the peak season, with a surge in air travel due to vacations and summer breaks. During this time, American Airlines experiences a significant increase in flights and passengers seeking domestic and international travel destinations.

5.British Airways

British Airways, a leading global airline, operates year-round to serve millions of passengers. Like other airlines, it experiences peak seasons during holidays and vacations. Identifying these peak seasons is crucial for efficient planning and operations.

For popular destinations like London, Paris, and New York, the peak season usually spans from June to August, coinciding with school holidays and warmer weather. During this time, there is high flight demand as families and vacationers flock to these iconic cities. It’s worth noting that peak seasons can occur at other times, too.

How Does Peak Season Affect Airfare?

During peak season, airfare is significantly higher due to increased demand and limited availability of seats. Airlines adjust their pricing strategies to capitalize on this demand, reducing the chances of finding affordable tickets.

Operational costs also rise during this time, with additional staff, fuel, and maintenance expenses. Understanding the impact of peak season on airfare is crucial for travelers and industry professionals, as it allows for better planning and budgeting when booking flights.

What Are The Benefits Of Flying In Peak Season?

Summertime is the peak season for air travel, so it’s time to plan your trip. Airlines can charge more for tickets in peak season because of higher demand. You can save money by flying during this time of the year.

Cheaper fares are a great way to save money on airline tickets during the peak season. Flights may be crowded, so planning and ensuring you have the right travel accommodations is important. The cheapest flights can be found during the off-peak seasons of airlines.

• More flight options and availability
• Higher chances of direct flights
• Increased flight frequency
• More amenities and services offered
• Special promotions and deals available
• Vibrant atmosphere at airports and destinations
• Opportunity to meet other travelers
• Access to a wider range of activities and attractions

How To Avoid Holiday Traffic Getting You Down?

The holiday season is here, and the dreaded holiday traffic comes with it. But don’t worry. Some simple tips can help you avoid the mess. Airlines see significant spikes in holiday travel during the busiest months of the year, so it’s important to plan your travel now.

Flying before or after the holidays will help you avoid the worst traffic. Make sure to arrive early to your destination and be aware of possible road closures and detours. And lastly, pack light. You’ll have more space in your luggage for other essentials. Cheaper fares are a great way to save money when booking flights during the off-peak season.

How Airlines Ensure Smooth Travel During Peak Season

Airlines know that during peak season, it’s important to ensure travel is as smooth as possible. To do this, they use a variety of techniques, including increasing flight and staffing levels, as well as increasing ticket prices. Please speak with a customer service representative if you experience delays or problems during your trip.

Be sure to plan your trip and avoid traveling on the weekends or holidays – these are typically the busiest times for airlines. So, book your tickets in advance and avoid potential disruptions, whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure.

What Are The Cheapest Days To Fly In America?

Regarding finding the best airfare deals, being strategic with the days and times you fly is crucial. Booking flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays can lead to significant savings for domestic travel in the US.

These midweek days have lower demand, resulting in more affordable ticket prices than weekends. The same applies to international trips, with the best airfare flight deals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Additionally, considering the flight time can further contribute to cost savings. Early morning, midday, and late-night flights are often priced lower than peak hours. Travellers can reduce their expenses significantly by avoiding popular travel days and opting for off-peak hours.

Best Time To Book International Flights From The Usa

Typically, the best time to book international flights from the USA is around 6-12 weeks before your desired departure date. Airlines tend to release discounted fares during this window, allowing travelers to take advantage of lower prices.

It is important to note that this timeline may vary depending on the specific destination and time of year. Due to high demand, popular vacation spots or peak travel seasons may require longer lead times.

Major airlines experience a surge in passenger demand during peak travel seasons. Direct flights offer convenient and efficient travel options for passengers. An international trip can be an exciting adventure.

Best Time To Book Trips To Asia

One of the prime considerations when booking a trip to Asia is the weather. Asia is a vast continent with diverse climates, ranging from tropical to temperate. Therefore, it is essential to research the specific region you plan on visiting and determine the best time to avoid extreme weather conditions such as monsoons or typhoons.

Generally, the best time to book trips to Southeast Asia, for instance, is during the dry season, which typically falls between November and April. On the other hand, if you plan to visit countries like Japan or South Korea, the cherry blossom season in spring or the vibrant autumn foliage season would be the ideal time to witness the breathtaking natural beauty.

What Is The Most Affordable Day Of The Week To Travel?

After extensive research and analysis of airline pricing trends, it has been determined that Tuesday is generally the most affordable day of the week to travel. Today, airlines often offer discounted fares and promotions to fill up their planes.

This is because Tuesdays are less popular for travel, with fewer business trips and family vacations planned. As a result, airlines reduce their prices to attract more passengers and maximize their profits.

The cheapest month for airline tickets can vary depending on the destination and airline. The lowest prices are often associated with promotions and discounts offered by airlines during off-peak seasons.

When To Use Airline Miles For Travel

To maximize the value of your airline miles, it’s important to make informed decisions. Timing is crucial – using your miles during peak travel seasons and holidays can help offset high airfare costs. Planning and booking travel well in advance increase your chances of securing award seats on popular routes.

Remember that airlines allocate limited seats for mileage redemption, especially during peak periods. By considering these factors and making strategic choices, you can maximize your hard-earned rewards and save money on your travels. The winter months are known as the peak season for airlines.

How Far In Advance Should You Book A Flight To Get The Best Deal?

Typically, booking your flight 6-8 weeks before departure is recommended, taking advantage of early bird discounts and avoiding last-minute price surges. However, this may vary depending on the destination, time of year, and major events.

Booking even further in advance is advisable for popular tourist destinations or peak seasons. Flights to Europe in summer or tropical paradises during holidays fill up quickly, leading to higher prices. In such cases, booking 3-4 months ahead secures affordable fares.

On the other hand, flexibility with travel dates and destinations can allow for last-minute deals occasionally offered by airlines. Travel plans are essential when booking flights during the peak season for airlines.

How To Find The Best Airfare Deals

Flexibility with travel dates is crucial when looking for the best airfare deals. Airlines often offer discounted fares for off-peak times or weekdays. Being open to adjusting plans increases the chances of finding cheaper flight options.

Starting the search early and monitoring fares regularly helps secure the lowest prices as prices fluctuate. Signing up for price alerts and newsletters from airlines and travel websites informs you of special promotions or discounts. Travelers often flock to book flights during peak season for popular destinations.

• Start search early
• Be flexible with dates
• Compare prices on multiple websites
• Sign up for fare alerts
• Consider alternative airports
• Use incognito mode or clear cookies

The peak season for airlines can be a lot of fun, as you can save a lot of money on airfare by flying during the busiest times of the year. However, ensure you know the different airlines and their peak season schedules so you don’t get caught up in holiday traffic .

Understanding what is the peak season for airlines is crucial for travelers looking to secure the best deals and have a more comfortable flying experience. By being aware of the busy periods, travelers can plan accordingly, save money, and avoid overcrowded flights.

Additionally, airlines also benefit from peak seasons as it brings in more revenue and allows them to provide a higher level of service. Ultimately, knowing the peak season for airlines can greatly benefit travelers and airlines in their respective goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the peak time for flights.

The peak time for flights varies depending on the specific route and location, but generally, the busiest times for flights are early mornings and late afternoons to early evenings.

What Month Are Airlines Cheapest?

In general, travel experts suggest that January, February, and September offer lower airfares due to decreased demand and fewer travelers.

Which Class Is Most Expensive In Class=”Ent Completed”>Flight?

The most class=”ent completed”>expensive flight class in a class=”ent completed”>flight is typically first class or class=”ent completed”>business class. These classes offer more spacious and comfortable seating, better food and drink options, enhanced entertainment systems, and other luxurious amenities.

Which Class Of Air Ticket Is The Most Expensive One?

The most expensive class of air tickets is typically first class or class=”ent completed”>business class. These classes offer more luxurious amenities, larger seats, better food and drinks, and additional services such as priority check-in and access to airport lounges.

What Are Off-Peak Seasons?

Off-peak seasons refer to periods with lower demand for a particular product or service, resulting in reduced prices or special deals. Less crowded tourist destinations usually characterize these seasons

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The best time to visit Hawaii for good weather, smaller crowds, deals and more

So you want to visit Hawaii? Understandable — it's a great place.

However, unless you're booking a spontaneous flight deal (and those do happen), you'll probably want to plan to ensure you're traveling at the best time for your particular dream trip.

Whether you're looking for dry, idyllic weather, perfect whale watching season, or the cheapest time to book a Hawaiian hotel room, consider this your definitive guide to planning a perfect trip to Hawaii.

The best time to visit Hawaii for good weather

Generally, the best weather in Hawaii is in June, July and September. This is when travelers can expect the least amount of rain along with warmer water temperatures.

However, Hawaii isn't a true four seasons state and it has pretty great weather year-round. So if traveling during June, July or September isn't in the cards, you're still probably fine as there's really no bad time to go. I just got back from a trip in mid-November and the weather was great. It was warm enough to swim in the ocean without being too hot lying in the sun.

Hawaii has a tropical climate, with temperatures generally staying between 83 and 88 degrees all year long.

You should check local weather, though, as conditions in some parts of the Islands are wetter than others depending on if you are staying on the windward or leeward sides of each island.

Kauai, for instance, gets a lot of rain on the northern side of the island compared to the southern side (which does lead to some pretty great rainbows). Even if the forecast calls for rain, however, the rain tends to come in short bursts and doesn't last long.

Best time to visit Hawaii to avoid crowds

The peak tourism season in Hawaii typically starts in the middle of December and continues until the end of March or mid-April, depending on the timing of spring break for major parts of the U.S.

The less busy season stretches from the middle of April until mid-June, when most schools are out of the summer and then resumes from September until crowds tick up before the holidays. Shoulder season is a great time to visit. The huge crowds are gone, prices are lower and you can have more of the beach to yourself. Even in busy spots like Honolulu, you'll have more breathing room after Labor Day and before Thanksgiving.

July and August, while not considered Hawaii's busiest season, still tend to draw decent crowds — and are especially popular with vacationing families.

Cheapest months to visit Hawaii

Traveling to Hawaii is usually priciest during peak season, so if you want to save, wait until the off-peak or shoulder seasons.

The shoulder seasons in Hawaii run from late March through the beginning of May, and from September until Thanksgiving. However, spring break and the beginning of September can yield high traffic and higher prices, too, so look carefully before booking.

Historical data from the travel booking site Skyscanner shows airfare is at its most expensive during the winter, specifically in January. At this time of year, average long-haul flight prices can exceed $1,400.

However, prices can plummet during the shoulder seasons or times that cushion peak periods, such as late November and early March. This past September, we saw a fare war develop with prices as low as $62 one-way to Hawaii. This is especially true if you are coming from the western half of the U.S. Keep an eye on TPG deal alerts , where we regularly cover sales to Hawaii.

We looked at historical data, and generally, the most expensive month for a room in Honolulu is January, with the least expensive month being April. Analysts tell TPG it's best to book as early as possible for the best rates in the off-season. We're told that many tourists are booking as close in as a week before arrival, and the best deals will be had as far out as possible. It pays to plan ahead.

Of course, you may have more flexibility when you cash in your points and miles — though hotel award rates tend to shift with peak and off-peak seasons, too. Also, award flight availability is often directly tied to demand.

Best time to travel to Hawaii to surf

Only four of the islands in the Hawaiian archipelago are suitable for surfing year-round: Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. As for when and where you'd like to surf, well, that depends entirely on your skill level.

The waves follow a somewhat consistent schedule. In the winter, for example, surfers can find serious swells off an island's north coast, while the south coast experiences calmer seas. During the summer, the opposite is true.

So, for advanced surfers, the winter season, or ho'oilo, which runs from mid-November to early February, is when you should look out for big wave surfing competitions on the North Shore of Oahu, also known as the "Seven Mile Miracle."

On the Big Island, surf enthusiasts should check out La'aloa Bay and Honoli'i Beach Park.

For novice surfers, you'll want to spend more time on the island's southern coasts in the winter. In Maui, beaches in Kaanapali, Lahaina and Kihei deliver just-right waves for beginners to get their feet wet.

Best time for whale watching in Hawaii

The best time to go whale watching

Whales migrate to Hawaii in pods of roughly 1,000 between late December and early April, making Maui and the Kohala Coast of the Big Island two of the best places on Earth to spot the giants. Note that sometimes whales show up as early as November, so you could get lucky if you travel during shoulder season.

The best time to see turtles

If you're interested in spotting Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), they're plentiful year-round in Maui, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kaui and on Oahu. One of the most famous spots for turtle-spotting is on Ho'okipa Beach in Maui.

Visit in the summer, during nesting season, to increase your odds. You'll even find sea turtles on some hotel grounds. I was able to get up close and personal with turtles on a trip to the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. At that hotel, they hang out in the hotel's lagoon.

Many vendors sell turtle snorkeling adventures and I've had great luck with two separate snorkeling trips in Hawaii.

A warning, though: please don't get too close. People are asked to give the turtles at least ten feet of space and never touch them. Human touch can spread bacteria to turtles, which can lead to starvation for the creature. Remember that green sea turtles are listed as an endangered species.

Hawaii has five of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, but green sea turtles are the most common.

When to visit Hawaii for events

Summer events.

In the summer, on the third weekend of July, visitors can attend the Prince Lot Hula Festival, Hawaii's largest non-competitive hula event.

Fall events

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival is a major draw for foodies, featuring an extensive lineup of dinners, parties, cooking classes and more taking place in October and November of 2024 on three different islands – Hawaii, Maui and Oahu.

In September, travelers can attend the Aloha Festivals in Waikiki, which feature arts and crafts, food and performance stages. Don't forget the floral parade.

Winter events

This is prime season for surfing competitions, including the Vans Triple Crown of surfing on the North Shore of Oahu.

Spring events

Heading to Hawaii in the springtime? Consider the Honolulu Festival in March or the Lantern Floating Festival, held on Memorial Day yearly in Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu.

Worst time to visit Hawaii?

This is kind of a trick question, as there is really no bad time to visit Hawaii. You'll find warm weather and sunshine most of the year. Even when it does rain, it is often just for a few minutes.

That said, some locals say December is the worst time of the year because of the extra crowds, extra costs, and the increased rain shower odds. But even with all that, I'd trade Northeast winter weather for that any time of the year.

Related reading:

• Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a beginner or expert traveler
• The best travel credit cards
• Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
• 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

When is Peak Travel Season in Japan?

People often ask me about the ideal time to travel to Japan . While there are many things you should consider, one of them is certainly the peak travel seasons in Japan.

High travel season means that prices for flights and accommodation will skyrocket and everything is booked out far in advance. However, some of these seasons you just don’t want to miss, so after reading this article it’s up to you whether you want to avoid them or not.

1. Cherry Blossom Season / Spring Vacation (late March – early April)

Needless to say that cherry blossom season in spring is one of the most favorite travel seasons in Japan. Additionally, schools close for spring vacation, so it does get crowded, especially at the most popular tourist attraction (e.g. Kyoto, Miyajima, Tokyo).

Cherry blossoms usually only last for about a week . But there’s something called the “ cherry blossom front ” wandering from southwest to northeast. If you follow that and travel around, you can enjoy the sakura for much longer. It’s one of the most beautiful sights, so you shouldn’t avoid it . Definitely plan ahead of time. Especially in and around Kyoto it’s almost impossible to find rooms if you don’t book far in advance.

Consider less known cherry blossom spots instead. You can enjoy sakura everywhere in Japan. It’s impressive no matter where you go.

Here are just a few examples to avoid the massive crowds and yet enjoy cherry blossoms:

• Hyogo Prefecture: Izushi (castle town and soba noodles)
• Shiga Prefecture: Miidera Temple , Ishiyamadera
• Shizuoka Prefecture: Hamamatsu , Kakegawa , Atami (nice castles)
• Kyoto: Shoryuji Castle
• Chiba Prefecture: Tateyama Castle

2. Golden Week (late April – early May)

If you can, please try to avoid Golden Week at all costs.

It’s the most crowded time of the year in Japan. There are four different national holidays (April 29, May 3-5) and most companies let the people take off the days in between as well – resulting in one of the very few occasions to take a longer vacation in Japan.

Below you’ll find the exact dates for the upcoming years.

• Golden Week 2018 : April 28-30 + May 3-6
• Golden Week 2019 : April 27-29 + May 3-6

That being said, it’s a nice season to visit, because you can still catch cherry blossoms in Tohoku and Hokkaido or enjoy other flower such as azaleas, wisteria or “ shibazakura ”. Simply go a few days before or after Golden Week and you’ll be fine.

Especially the well-known spots will be insanely crowded. There are less crowded, hidden gems, but those might not be the first choice for first-time visitors. Also, prices tend to be much higher during high season in Japan, so simply just avoid it if you can.

As I used to live in Japan, I had no other choice but to travel during Golden Week. That’s when we all get our time off. If you’re interested, you can read about my Golden Week 2013 and Golden Week 2014 .

3. Obon and Summer Vacation (middle of August)

Summer is extremely hot and humid in Japan and comes with a lot of monster insects . It might not sound like it, but it’s still a good time to visit. Only then can you climb Mt. Fuji and a lot of great summer festivals take place – including fireworks !

There’s a short time span in August called “ obon ” where people usually travel back home. It can also become crowded, but in my experience it’s not as bad as during other seasons.

In 2018 the peak is to be expected during Aug 11 – 19 .

There are certain destinations that are extremely popular among Japanese people in summer such as Hokkaido or Okinawa . It will be crowded there and prices will also skyrocket during that time, so you might want to avoid these destinations from late July to mid August.

4. Silver Week (end of September)

“Silver Week” is a rather new term in Japan and is derived from the more popular “Golden Week”. The term became popular in 2009 when 3 national holidays followed a weekend, resulting in a really long vacation for many people.

Unless such a rare occurrence happens again, “Silver Week” is usually not a big deal at all.

In 2018, the only national holidays in September are both on a Monday, namely Sep 17 and 24 . So, some people will certainly travel during those extended weekends, but it’s nothing to worry about if you consider visiting Japan during that time.

The reason I mention “Silver Week” here is because the term has gained popularity and some people are worried if they should come to Japan during that time.

5. Autumn Foliage Season (esp. end of November)

Almost as popular as cherry blossom season is autumn when the leaves change colors. For the main tourist regions (Hiroshima, Kyoto or Tokyo ) that peak is usually from the end of November to the beginning of December . Other parts of Japan get autumn colors as early as September. Tohoku, for example, is thus quite popular in October.

You also don’t want to miss the peak of the foliage, so make sure to check the status, e.g. by following the japan-guide autumn color reports .

Certain spots can be crowded, hotels might be booked out way in advance and prices might be higher than usually.

Don’t avoid this season! It’s the most beautiful time of the year. But try to at least avoid visiting popular sights during the weekend. Don’t even think about going to Kyoto during that season on a weekend! Be aware that because of a public holiday in November , there’s sometimes an extended weekend at the end of November – which you should avoid at all costs! In 2018 that’s Nov 23 – 25 .

Again you can avoid the crowds by going to less known places.

6. Nenmatsu (= time around New Year’s Eve / Day)

Most Japanese get days off from Dec 29 to Jan 4 . That’s another travel peak time. The majority of people spend their time with their families, but some also use that time to travel within the country.

It’s usually not that crowded, but be aware of “ Hatsumode ” (the first visit of a shrine in the new year on the first few days of January). Shrines might be insanely crowded. It’s a nice experience, but not if you wanted to enjoy the shrine itself and take photos there.

If you decide to come to Japan during that time, it’s a good chance to experience Japanese New Year’s Eve . Just don’t expect loud parties and fireworks.

It’s also a great time for discount shopping ! In the first few days of January many department stores will sell “ lucky bags ” (fukubukuro). People will line up to grab these from early in the morning. So it does get very crowded in many department stores and shops.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of sightseeing spots , especially museums, will be closed during that time (~ Dec 29 – Jan 4), so plan your trip accordingly.

How to Survive Peak Travel Season in Japan?

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you have to book everything you need far in advance (accommodation, rental car, domestic flights etc.). This is especially true if you want to visit the most popular tourist regions (e.g. Kyoto, Hiroshima).

For Kyoto in particular travel experts suggest to book up to 6 months in advance for cherry blossom and autumn foliage season! Otherwise you’ll only find hotels far, far away. You’ll only lose money and time that way.

As for train reservations (Shinkansen), I wouldn’t worry too much. Usually you always get a seat. I’ve rarely experienced any issues – and I never reserved a seat.

Please consider that post offices and banks will be closed during public holidays, so you won’t be able to withdraw money at ATMs . Especially during Golden Week with so many consecutive public holidays, this could become a problem. So make sure to plan accordingly.

This is all I can think of based on my personal experience.

Don’t be shy and share your experience with travelling during high season in Japan!

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12 comments.

Thank you for this great article. However, even on peak season you can get money from ATMs at 7-Eleven stores. ;) Best Wishes from Tokyo Tessa

Yes, of course. :) It’s difficult during public holidays, especially if there are consecutive public holidays like during Golden Week.

In spring 2016, I travelled Japan from March to late May, so of course the Golden Week was included. As a fan of matsuri, I wouldn’t want to miss Golden Week, because it features a large number of spectacular events all over the country, and this allows the masses to spread out somewhat. However, due to travel plans, I spent the earlier park of Golden Week in a remote spot of Hokkaido (Shiretoko-Shari) and hardly noticed anything unusual up there. The night from 2nd to 3rd May, which is probably oine of the most busy nights,I didn’t spend in a regular hotel but in a 24h sauna/spa named “Aomori Kenkô Land” in Shin-Aomori which is – or was – a rather remote location (I write “or was” – in 2016, with the extension of the Shinkansen to Hakodate-Hokuto, Shin-Aomori became a through station instead of a terminal, and a lot of building activity was in progress so I guess that sparked development of this area). For Golden Week, the sauna doubled the overnight surcharge but it was still quite affordable at 2740 Yen total. On May 3rd, I went to the Uesugi Kenshin samurai battle re-enactment in Yonezawa, and it was a fabulous experience. Actually, on May 3rd I would have liked the ability to split myself and attend multiple events, this is the day when the highlight of many Golden Week festivals takes place all over Japan. In a future trip in spring, I would deliberately include Golden Week to witness some other matsuri. As a single traveller I consider it fairly easy to find some sort of accomodation, but I totally understand that a tour group will avoid that week like the plague.

That’s exactly my experience. I’ve been to more remote places during Golden Week and it wasn’t crowded at all. However, first-time visitors don’t know about Golden Week and usually head to Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima where it can get very crowded indeed.

The festivals during that time are nice indded. Good point. :)

Thanks for sharing your experience.

hokkaido is never crowded except for getting convenient hotel rooms for June “dancing in the street” and February snow festival. it is not hot in summer and offers beer festivals and so many other festivals. peak seasons there are normally not an issue

I remember Lake Kussharo was quite crowded. The tour to Rishiri and Rebun was crowded as well. When a typhoon hit Hokkaido and the streets where closed down and the trains weren’t running up to Wakkanai, I was forced to re-schedule and couldn’t find a hotel in Asahikawa. I had to call over 30 different accommodations. All of that was in August. Lake Toya also was kind of busy and Mt. Hakodate at night as well. :) (August and Golden Week)

It doesn’t get at crowded as other places, but that’s mainly because it’s luckily so spacious. :)

going to Furano during lavender season is busy as are other places during high season-crowded is Sapporo Ramen Festival, Sapporo Bier Festival in Odori Park but the term crowded means longer lines or wait for a yable to open up–i was recently in a typhoon in Hakodate. we got on the last bus leaving for Sapporo at 11:30 at night- the bus was full (does not mean it was crowded)—i’m sure the ski areas are “crowded” in peak season—-you don’t build extra hotels to take care of a few times a year the demand exceeds the supply

That’s true. The only thing I didn’t like about my vacation in Hokkaido during peak season were the expensive prices. The rental car and the domestic flights were really pricey.

there are many, many complaints on the cost of domestic flights within Japan. this has been going on for years. there are some discounts (10,000 yen) flights that are offered. the super railroad is not any cheaper. i am not familiar with rental companies. two considerations– the route corridor between Chitose and Tokyo is the busiest in the world and the cost of Hokkaido hotels is not expensive at all

I have a question. Everyone says that Kyoto is more expensive in peak season. I’m still thinking of going in early November. How much more expensive is accommodation then 30% more? Or higher? I need to do a budget for my friends. thanks.

Actually I don’t think early November will be too expensive, but why don’t you just have a look at hotel prices right now? A lot of hotels allow reservations up to 6 months in advance. I’d recommend to also look outside of Kyoto (e.g. Otsu) because it tends to be cheaper there and yet you’re at Kyoto Station in just a few minutes.

I also enjoyed spring season in japan lots of times and every time get great experience there.

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Passing Thru Travel

Mastering High Season Travel – 10 Tips for Smart Explorers

Posted: March 1, 2024 | Last updated: March 1, 2024

Traveling during peak season can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get to experience destinations in their full glory, with perfect weather and a vibrant atmosphere. On the other, you face the challenge of navigating through crowds and long lines. This guide offers strategic tips to help you enjoy the world’s most popular destinations during peak season while minimizing the hassle of dealing with large crowds.

1. Start Your Day Early

Beginning your day early is a strategic move to avoid crowds, especially at popular tourist sites. Attractions like the Eiffel Tower or the Vatican Museums are significantly less crowded in the early morning, allowing you a more peaceful and intimate experience.

This approach helps you avoid the midday rush and lets you witness these sites in the soft light of morning, which can be a magical experience. Additionally, starting early means cooler temperatures during the summer months, making your exploration more comfortable.

Insider’s Tip: Check if the attraction offers sunrise tours or early bird tickets for an even quieter experience.

2. Book Tickets and Tours in Advance

Booking your tickets and tours in advance is crucial in navigating peak-season travel. Many popular attractions offer online ticketing options that can save you from standing in long ticket lines. These pre-booked tickets often come with the added benefit of skip-the-line access, a valuable perk during busy times. This saves time and ensures your spot, as some attractions limit the number of visitors per day.

Insider’s Tip: Look for combo tickets that offer access to multiple attractions or tours, as they often come with discounts and priority access.

3. Explore Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

Exploring lesser-known attractions can lead to unique and memorable experiences while avoiding the crowds of more popular sites. Every destination has hidden gems – quaint neighborhoods, lesser-known museums, or quiet parks. These places offer a more authentic feel of the destination and are often more relaxing to explore. Doing some research or asking locals for recommendations can uncover some fantastic spots.

Insider’s Tip: Ask locals for recommendations on less-visited spots that offer a unique experience.

4. Take Advantage of Nighttime Visits

Many cities offer a different perspective and experience at night, and some attractions may have evening hours. Exploring places like museums, historical sites, or gardens after dark can offer a unique experience with fewer crowds. Nighttime visits often have a more relaxed atmosphere, and sometimes, special events or exhibitions are unavailable during the day.

Insider’s Tip: Look for special evening events or night tours, which often include exclusive access or activities not available during the day.

5. Opt for Alternative Accommodations

Staying in alternative accommodations outside of the main tourist areas can offer a more authentic and less crowded experience. Consider neighborhoods a bit off the beaten path or nearby towns and villages. These areas often provide a more local feel and better value for money. Plus, they can be quieter, allowing for a more relaxed stay.

Insider’s Tip: Use public transport or rental bikes to commute from your accommodation to the main attractions easily.

6. Dine at Non-Peak Hours

Eating at non-peak hours is a simple yet effective way to avoid restaurant crowds. Plan to have meals a bit earlier or later than the usual dining times. Not only will you likely get a table without a wait, but you’ll also enjoy a more relaxed dining atmosphere. This can also mean better service and a more enjoyable meal experience overall.

Insider’s Tip: Make reservations where possible, especially for popular restaurants.

7. Use Technology to Your Advantage

Leverage technology to stay ahead of the crowds. Many popular tourist destinations have apps or websites providing real-time crowd-level information. This can help you plan your visits to avoid the busiest times. Social media and travel forums can offer up-to-date advice and tips from fellow travelers.

Insider’s Tip: Follow social media pages or forums for up-to-date information and tips from fellow travelers.

8. Be Flexible with Your Itinerary

Flexibility is key when traveling during peak season. If you arrive at an attraction and find it too crowded, be prepared to switch to a backup plan. Having a list of alternative activities or less crowded attractions can save the day. This flexibility can lead to discovering less-known but equally fascinating sites.

Insider’s Tip: Have a list of alternative activities or attractions you can switch to if your primary choice is too crowded.

9. Consider Guided Tours

Opting for guided tours, especially small-group or private ones, can enhance your experience at crowded attractions. Tour guides often know the best times and routes to navigate through crowds. They can also provide deeper insights and stories that enrich your understanding of the site. In some cases, tours can access areas of attractions that individual visitors cannot.

Insider’s Tip: Look for unique tour experiences like a food tour or a photography walk, which are often less crowded and more immersive.

10. Practice Patience and Mindfulness

Traveling during peak season inevitably involves dealing with crowds. Practicing patience and mindfulness can greatly enhance your experience. Accept that some waiting and navigating through crowds is unavoidable and try to use this time to relax, observe, and soak in the atmosphere. Remember, the essence of travel is not just about the sights you see but the experiences and memories you create along the way.

Insider’s Tip: Use waiting time to relax, people-watch, or plan your next activity.

The Bottom Line

Traveling during peak season doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With some planning, flexibility, and creativity, you can navigate the crowds and make the most of your vacation.

Remember, the key is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. So go ahead, embrace the bustling energy of peak season, and discover the joys of exploring the world, even when it’s at its busiest.

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The post Mastering High Season Travel – 10 Tips for Smart Explorers republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Nomad_Soul.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Nursing adventure, placing traveling nurses throughout new england.

High Peak Healthcare provides healthcare communities with dependable and trusted medical professionals, while offering our staff personal and professional enrichment opportunities.

Why Choose High Peak Healthcare

Nurses have many options when choosing a travel nursing agency. We want you to choose High Peak Healthcare so we try to do a few things a little differently.

Maximized Salaries

High Peak Healthcare is operated remotely. This eliminates a lot of overhead, including the expense of maintaining an office. We strive to offer the best rates to our clients and the best possible pay and benefits to our nurses.

Dedicated, Personal Recruiting

Our founder is a nurse. We have nurses in our lives, and we love nurses. We understand the demands of the job and especially when you add travel. It is our goal to get to know you and to make sure we help you find the best assignment for you that matches your goals, financial and family needs.

HPHC offers competitive benefits including a health reimbursement allowance that ensures you can continue with your current doctors and facilities and a 401k plan you can participate in from the first day. We will also help to ensure you have the proper licensure, certifications, and screenings for every assignment.

Paid Time Off

Everyone deserves a little R&R, especially travel nurses. You manage your time off between assignments, but if you complete three assignments with HPHC, we will provide a week of vacation pay.

Travel Support

Travel can be a bit daunting, especially for work. HPHC is here to help. We will guide you through the assignment selection process, help you plan how to get where you are going and where you will live while on assignment. Travel reimbursements are provided based on the assignment. We will also provide local guidance on the culture, shopping, and leisure activities available. If we have other nurses assigned locally, we offer you the opportunity to connect, meet new people and make friends.

New England

Although we welcome nurses from all over the country, our clients are all in New England. We know and love the region and look forward to sharing it with you. We will let you know some of our favorite places and activities and help you explore the beauty of the area. We want your time in our neighborhood to be rewarding and enriching.

Find Nursing Jobs

All medical facilities have staffing fluctuations and most need more nurses at times. High Peak Healthcare can help match you, your specialty and interests with hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, specialty medical centers and even physicians’ offices to put you in a location with a paycheck you will love. Once you register, you can see all the available opportunities and the compensation, expense and schedule details which vary from assignment to assignment.

Find Travel Nurses

High Peak Healthcare (HPHC) is a boutique travel healthcare agency. We connect healthcare facilities with professionals capable of meeting their specific, immediate and anticipated staffing needs so that patients’ needs can be optimally met. We use personal and online communications to partner with hospitals and other health care facilities to meet their unique staffing needs. We work to ensure that healthcare facilities are staffed with the highest quality professionals and these professionals engage in rewarding professional experiences.

What is being said about Travel Nursing

Here are just a few of the testimonials from travel nurses we know.

Shauna, Massachusetts

Working as a contract nurse has allowed me more schedule flexibility and financial freedom! The ability to temporarily live in different parts of the country, both near and far from home, has allowed me to explore new places more than just for a short vacation.

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Travel nursing changed my life by allowing me to make friends all over the country and to work and learn from some of the most prestigious hospitals in the country. I now have financial independence and am able to work and vacation in some of the most beautiful places in the country.

Kyle, Williston, VT

Travel nursing allowed me to take more time off, see the U.S., and actually save money throughout it all. It’s allowed me to move as a nurse and try out new cities before making the decision to move full time. Do you know how many national parks I’ve seen? I’ll tell you 10x the amount after I started working as a travel nurse. Travel nursing really gives you more control of your schedule and time off, all while earning more for the same job. Traveling allowed me to work at top tier academic hospitals and shaped my critical care experience as a nurse!

Tourist Seasons in Italy: High, Low, & Shoulders

Anyone who has read enough travel writing – on this site or otherwise – has likely seen phrases like “high season” and “low season” before. The words “high” and “low” refer to tourist numbers, when a place is most popular with visitors (and therefore most crowded). Tourist seasons often correspond roughly to the calendar seasons of spring, summer, winter, and fall, but in Italy it’s a little more complicated than that.

Tourist Seasons

Tourists in the Florence Duomo || creative commons photo by Seth Sawyers

As mentioned, there are “high” and “low” tourist seasons in Italy, but in between those are what are referred to as “shoulder seasons.” These are transitory seasons, meaning the weather can be iffy, but there are some definite perks to traveling during the shoulder seasons. I’ll go into more detail below about the boundaries of the various tourist seasons in Italy.

Keep in mind that unlike calendar seasons, tourist seasons are a bit more fluid. There are months today that are firmly in the high season category that were once really shoulder seasons. Tourist seasons also vary depending on where you go in the country – less-visited places won’t necessarily be as crowded or expensive during the high season as cities like Rome or Florence are even during the shoulder seasons. In a country as popular as Italy, however, even the low seasons aren’t completely devoid of tourists.

Further reading:

• Holidays & Festivals in Italy
• Weather in Italy

High Seasons in Italy

Crowds in Venice during Carnevale || creative commons photo by mararie

The main high season in Italy is summer, but it’s not as simple as June-August. These days, the summer high season begins in May, covers June and July, skips August, and finishes around the end of September.

There are other brief spikes into high season territory during otherwise non-high seasons. These center around major events and holidays in Italy, for which lots of people travel to see – both Italian and foreign.

Easter is a big one, particularly in Rome because of the events in and around Vatican City , as well as in Florence with its explosive Easter traditions . The Carnevale celebrations in Venice are another mini-high season that’s localized to Venice. Easter and Carnival are on the liturgical calendar, so their dates change every year. Even if you’re not planning a trip specifically around one of those holidays, it’s a good idea to consult the calendar to see if you’ll benefit from adjusting travel plans to avoid (or seek out) those festivities.

Christmas isn’t as big of a deal in Italy as you might think – the Epiphany on January 6th is the more important religious holiday – but there is a mini-spike into a bit of a high tourist season around Christmas and into the new year .

You’ll find a host of smaller local festivals and events that bring about high season prices and crowds no matter when they occur – EuroChocolate in Perugia, the White Truffle Festival in Alba, and the Palio in Siena all being prime examples. Again, consulting the calendar as you’re planning your Italy trip is always a good idea.

• Summer in Italy

Low Seasons in Italy

Still crowded at the Trevi Fountain in December || creative commons photo by Benson Kua

Italy’s low tourist season is the one that most closely resembles a calendar season – it’s basically winter. I’d even suggest it begins in late November, continuing more or less through February, except for the high season spikes noted above.

The big exception to winter being the low tourist season is, of course, any mountain area known for winter sports. Skiing, snowboarding, winter mountain hiking – all of that means that in the mountains where there is snow, winter is the high tourist season.

• Winter in Italy

Shoulder Seasons in Italy

St. Peter’s Square in April || creative commons photo by Diliff

Shoulder seasons are usually my favorite seasons in which to travel, and that’s true in Italy, too. The shoulder seasons used to essentially be spring and autumn, but Italy’s popularity has meant the expansion of the high season into its neighboring shoulder seasons. Consequently, finding the shoulder season sweet spots is a little more tricky than it used to be.

I contend that spring is really the last true shoulder season in Italy, but it’s only two months long – March and April. Fall has become increasingly popular over the years, so that not only has September been absorbed into the high season, but early October as well. In some areas, high season prices don’t come down until the very end of October. The autumn shoulder season is, therefore, really only late October and most of November.

August, as mentioned earlier, isn’t included in the high summer season mainly because it’s when most Italians high-tail it out of the cities to escape the worst of the summer heat and humidity. Prices on things like airfare and hotel rooms may still be at high season levels, but crowds in the cities are noticeably smaller. At the beaches, however, crowds are at their peak – since that’s where all the Italians go to cool off.

• Spring in Italy
• Fall in Italy

17 responses to “Tourist Seasons in Italy: High, Low, & Shoulders”

Great site. Very good information for me as I am planning to travel to Italy within the next twelve months.

Thanks, Kerry, I’m glad this is helpful. 🙂

helpful post, thanks for sharing it 🙂

Thanks, Very useful and detailed.

Very nice and well written article.I suffer high temperatures so I chose September for my holiday in Italy. I went to Tuscany where I rented a house and from there I could visit all the most important places all around, cities like Florence, Siena,Volterra, but also Monteriggioni, Casole, San Gimignano. Amazing. Wishing to come back soon.

John, We are staying in Tuscany as well… question for you, when you went to Florence, did you have a long wait in line to see the Statue of David? We are going the first few weeks of October, and I’m wondering if buying the “skip the line” tours is worth it, that time of year.

Patty, when I was last in Florence it wasn’t high season yet but there was already a more-than-hour-long wait outside the Accademia Gallery. If you’re intent on seeing the original David, I think skip-the-line tours are a good idea – unless you’re prepared to get up early and try to be near the front of the line when the museum opens. I think skip-the-line tours are a must at the Uffizi, though.

Hi! Very concise and nice article. If I may suggest, a high-level information on the weather/temperature during these seasons would be greatly appreciated by 1st-time travellers to Italy like me. 🙂 More power!

I’ve already got a whole page about the weather, Aejay, linked at the top of this article – and every one of the seasonal links above has weather information in it, too. Happy researching! 🙂

I went to Italy in January 2016 on the 21st-27th. The locals say that January is the slowest season when it comes to tourist, and they were 100% right. I went with my mom and best friend and it was amazing! We felt like the only tourist there. There were no lines to the monuments, exhibits, churches, restaurants, shops and bathrooms. It was AWESOME! The only negative thing that sucked, was the weather. It was cold; like around 40 degrees, it did lightly drizzle from time to time but wasn’t too bad. Just make sure to bring lots of warm clothing and you’ll be fine. Both my mom and friend have been to Italy before, but they went in the summer during high peak season and shared their experiences with me about how they had to wait in line for hours just to see one attraction. Overall, my first trip to Italy was amazing and I’ll never forget it. GO IN JANUARY!

I agree, Nicole! I love winter travel in Italy for all the reasons you listed. And as long as you’re prepared for the weather, it’s not so bad. 😉

I always travel to Italy in January/Feb, it’s the best time of year especially if you hate crowds and want to save money!

Yeah, winter in Italy is pretty fabulous for that! 🙂

My wife and I are planning a 14 day trip to Northern Italy, making a circular train ride with overnight stays in Milan to Turin, Genova, Pisa, Bologna and Vi Goito. Any suggestions for traveling on a mid-level budget?

I’ve got some budget tips in my article about creating a budget for Italy travel . Hope it’s helpful!

Planning a two week visit to northern Italy in the next 9 to 12 months. Wondering the best central location to stay in order to easily travel from place to place. Possible itinerary Cinque Terre, Florence, Siena, Venice and possibly the Lake Como area. The trip is still a work in progress, all suggestions welcome.

I think my article on how to create an Italy itinerary is your best place to start. It’ll help give you an idea of what’s realistic in the timeframe you’re talking about being there, especially in terms of distances between places and the time it takes to get from one to the other.

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VIETNAM TOURIST SEASONS

VIETNAM TOURIST SEASONS & TIPS FOR TRAVELERS

Vietnam tourist season is influenced by cultural and weather factors. For international tourists, it is quite complicated to find out a large amount of information about weather, regional culture, geography,... then find the best time to visit Vietnam. We - Localtravelidea have compiled some information and analyzed the following to help you easily grasp and get the perfect vacation to Vietnam.

I - An overview of the Vietnam tourist season

Ii - vietnam tourist season: peak season  , iii - vietnam tourist season: low season.

Vietnam is one of the best travel destinations in Southeast Asia. The stunning landscapes from mountainous to coastal area, unique and vibrant culture existing over 4000 years of 54 ethnic minorities, and incredibly delicious food create diverse attractions for tourism activities. Vietnam, a country that you can visit and explore nearly all year round. 

In Vietnam, the tourist season is divided into two distinct seasons: peak season and low season. Due to the influence of culture and lifestyle, the Vietnam peak season for international tourists is from October to April of the following year (coinciding with winter vacation, Christmas, and Lunar New year,...). As for domestic tourists, the peak season starts from May to September each year (coincides with summer holidays, big holidays on April 30 - May 1, and September 2 in Vietnam). This opposition has created advantages and disadvantages for international visitors when coming here at different times.

Notes about the tourist season in Vietnam for international tourists: 

- Peak season of tourism: from October to April

- Low season of tourism: from May to September

- On the big holidays such as Vietnamese Lunar New Year, The Reunification day & International Labor day (on April 30 & May 1) are the booming times of domestic tourism, not recommended to visit the famous tourist destinations in Vietnam . 

Northern & northern central Vietnam

Experiencing the months of autumn, winter, and spring seasons, the weather in these regions is pleasant without high temperatures and heavy rains. The average temperature: 16 - 24°C. 

- Winter (October - January ): cold & dry weather, low rainfall.

- Spring ( February - April): cool fresh weather, little rain, and many big cultural festivals such as Vietnam Lunar New Year & traditional festivals. 

Southern central & southern Vietnam

From October to April is the dry season in Southern central & southern Vietnam with warm weather and low rain. The average temperature is around 25°C. 

October to April is considered the peak tourist season in Vietnam for international travelers. You can go sightseeing the beauty of natural landscapes, trekking and hiking to the mountainous regions in Northern Vietnam , having a cruise tour on Vietnam's bays , immersing yourself in the cultural experience, and enjoying the greatest food in Vietnam . 

Discover top outstanding mountains in Vietnam

Notes: On the occasions of Vietnamese New Year or holidays, the number of domestic tourists visiting the famous attractions goes up significantly, you should have well-prepared plans for the suitable travel itinerary. The cost of travel services, accommodation and tickets may get a bit higher. Be more careful when traveling and participating in public events and festivals. 

From May to September is the low tourist season in Vietnam. At this time, Northern Vietnam is in the summer, characterized by hot & humid weather.  June and July are the hottest months, the temperature can rise up to 40°C or even more.    

Central and southern Vietnam is in the rainy season. From August to September is the stormy season, mainly affecting the central provinces. The average temperature is about 30°C. 

During this Vietnam tourist season, there are still so many interesting places to visit and the long sandy beaches in the south & central region are always the best choices. Top Vietnamese beaches to visit include My Khe Beach and Non Nuoc Beach in Danang City; Nha Trang beach and Doc Let Beach in Nha Trang City; Dam Trau Beach in Con Dao Island ; Long Beach in Phu Quoc Island,... However, from May to July, the beaches in Vietnam are full of domestic tourists, which you should consider before visiting. 

The ripe rice season in northern Vietnam from late September to early October is so great to see. Top rice terraces in Vietnam are Mu Cang Chai rice terrace in Yen Bai province, rice terraces in Sapa, Y Ty rice terraces in Lao Cai province, Hoang Su Phi rice terrace in Ha Giang province. 

That is a brief look into the Vietnam tourist season. Low and peak seasons all have their own good things to see. And in general, the best time to travel to Vietnam for international tourists is from October to April. 

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Besides nature's beauty, historical relics,.. Vietnamese souvenirs especially handcrafted gifts with unique and catchy processes, also attract tourists a lot. This following article may be the best answer for the question “What souvenir to buy in Vietnam?”

When is the best time to visit the UK? (Seasonal & monthly guide)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: August 8, 2023

Are you planning a trip to the UK but unsure of the best time of year to visit? In this article discover what each season has to offer as well as a month by month guide to major events across the UK. Everything you need to know to help you make the right decision for your trip.

If you’re dreaming of having a spot of tea in England or envisioning a bagpipe serenade on the moors of Scotland, then it sounds like you’re on the verge of planning one heck of a British vacation. The question is, when is the best time to visit the UK?

There are many considerations to make when planning your trip , including the pros and cons of travelling “in season,” what types of activities you want to do and especially what kind of weather should you expect.

In this article, we will answer all commonly asked questions including

• what you can expect from the weather during each season
• the dates of school and public holidays – and the pros and cons of travelling during these peak times
• expected hours of daylight throughout the year and the impact this can have on your plans
• what (and when) major events occur throughout the year
• plus a guide to the best time to visit England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

FAQ’s about the best time of year to visit the UK

Many questions about when is the best time to visit the UK invariably revolve around the weather. The only certainty about the UK weather is that is unpredictable.

• When is winter in the UK?

The winter months ranges from mid-November to early March.

• When is summer in the UK?

The summer months range from early June to the end of August.

• Can I see the Northern Lights in the UK?

For the best chance to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) head to to Northern Scotland.

• What is the rainiest month in the UK?

Although December to February are the months that tend to have the most rainfall in the UK (and often can fall as snow especially on higher ground) expect rain at any time of year.

• What is the hottest month of the year in the UK?

During the summer months expect generally warm to hot weather with July (on average) the month with the highest average temperatures.

• When is peak season in the UK?

Peak season in the UK is July and August. This also coincides with school holidays across the country.

• When is the shoulder season in the UK?

Shoulder season in the UK is May, June and September.

• When are the major public holidays in the UK?

In addition to Christmas, New Year and Easter holidays there are a number of public holidays (called ‘Bank” holidays) throughout the year including May Day Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May – and yes there are two Bank Holiday weekends in May!), and the Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August)

• FAQ's about the best time of year to visit the UK

The weather

Pros and cons of visiting the uk during peak season, advantages of visiting the uk during shoulder season, pros and cons of visiting the uk during low season, impact of daylight hours, when is the best time to visit england, when is the best time to visit scotland, when is the best time to visit wales, when is the best time to visit northern ireland, essential guides, when is the best time to visit london, happy uk travel planning, when is the best time to visit the united kingdom.

Factors to consider when planning your trip

• Pros and cons of travelling during Peak Season, Shoulder Season or Low Season
• The impact of daylight hours

The UK is a small island divided into 4 separate nations — England , Wales , Northern Ireland and Scotland . Each has their own cultural identities and attractions to consider, not to mention their own weather idiosyncrasies.

Basically though, the entire UK has a temperate climate with warm summers that never get too hot and cold winters that never get too cold.

The UK weather is, however, famously unreliable and generally not the primary reason to visit the UK! Think about your many clothing options when packing— and don’t forget the umbrella (my UK packing guide for every season will help!)

The answer to the question, ‘When is the best time of year to visit the UK?’ really depends on what you’re looking for. The UK’s warmest weather is in the summer. Autumn and spring are charming but may be a little bit chilly for certain outdoor activities. Winter can be cold, blustery and damp, though it usually only snows around 24 days out of the year.

Spring in the UK begins in March and goes through to the end of May. The weather starts off cold and rainy but becomes more mild as the months progress. Finally, by the end of May and beginning of June, the UK starts to warm up. The average maximum temperatures are as follows:

• March, 12°C (54°F)
• April, 15°C (59°F)
• May, 18°C (64°F)
• June, 21°C (70°F)

Read – Complete Guide to visiting the UK in spring

The summer is generally very pleasant in the UK and tends to be dryer than in the autumn and winter months. The summer begins in June and ends in early September. The average maximum temperatures for the summer months are as follows:

• July, 23°C (73°F)
• August, 23°C (73°F)
• September, 20°C (68°F)

Read – Complete Guide to visiting the UK in summer

Autumn goes from September through to the end of November. Days change from crisp to blustery and then get downright cold. There tends to be a higher level of precipitation during these months as well. The average maximum temperatures for the autumn months are as follows:

• October, 16°C (61°F)
• November, 12°C (54°F)
• December, 9°C (48°F)

It can get rather bleak and cold in the UK during the winter months, which go from the start of December through to the end of February. The average maximum temperatures for the UK in winter months are as follows:

• January, 9°C (48°F)
• February, 9°C (48°F)

Read – Complete Guide to visiting the UK in winter

Peak season for travel in the UK are the summer months of July and August. These dates also coincide with the long 6 week summer school holidays (and hopefully sunny weather)

What are the pros of visiting the UK during peak season?

• The UK weather is generally at its best during these months.
• Hours of daylight are long which means more time to explore the sights.
• Some of the UK’s major events occur during July (Wimbledon) and August (Edinburgh Festival)
• Many historic sights have special events on especially for families e.g jousting at Warwick Castle.

What are the cons of traveling during peak season?

• It is the most expensive time of year to visit and prices for flights, accommodation and transportation can be sky-high.
• Main attractions across the country are busy – buy tickets ahead of time (skip the line tickets are worth the expense unless you enjoy wasting precious holiday time in a queue!)
• Restaurants and hotels are jam-packed.
• Roads are busy and traffic jams are common which can add to the stress if you are planning to hire a car for a road trip

Shoulder season in the UK is in May, early June, September and early October.

What are the pros of visiting the UK during shoulder season?

• Less expensive than peak season
• Better availability for accommodation
• Some of the UK’s most popular events occur during these months such as the Chelsea Flower Show (May), Trooping of the Colour (June)
• Less crowded (though the Bank holidays can be busy)
• There are 2 public (bank) holidays in May (first and last Mondays of May) and many popular historical sights organize events especially for families over these long weekends.
• Expect fewer crowds at popular attractions (though school groups may visit museums, art galleries, and castles during term time)
• Long daylight hours

November through to April is generally considered to be the low season for travel to the UK.

Note that some parts of the UK such as London and Edinburgh experience significant numbers of tourists during December and early January which can significantly impact costs.

Pros of visiting the UK during the low season

• Budget friendly
• Less crowded
• Enjoy special events over the festive period including Christmas markets, Christmas lights and decorations in major cities and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Cons of visiting the UK during the low season

• Weather can be very cold (expect snow during the winter months)
• Daylight hours are reduced (it can get dark as early as 3.30 pm)
• Many popular attractions are closed over the winter months.

The amount of daylight you can expect fluctuates greatly across the year and can have a major impact on your plans.

The amount of daylight can also vary depending on your destination within the UK. The further north you travel the more daylight you can expect in summer and the less in winter.

Average hours of daylight in June (longest day)

London – 16 hours +

Scotland – 17 hours +

Average hours of daylight in December (shortest day)

London – 8 hours

Scotland – 7 hours

First of all, there’s no bad time to visit England , though travelling during every season has its advantages and disadvantages. You can, however, expect some seasonal variation in prices, crowd size and availability of activities.

The summer is the peak tourist season, which is from the end of May to early September. The daylight hours are at their maximum, up to 16 hours per day. The weather is usually delightful and kids are off school (July and August). The inevitable consequence is that everyone starts flocking to the tourist destinations and adding to the already long lines and crowds.

If you dream of gallivanting through the English countryside, add throngs of people sharing the roads and limited parking to your vision. Unfortunately, hotel rates and airfare are usually more expensive in the summer. Still, that charming weather can be a lure that outweighs all of those inconveniences.

If you travel in winter, it may be cold and bleak, and the daylight hours will have waned to just 8 to 10 hours per day. That’s the bad news. The good news is you won’t have to fight any crowds or struggle to get a dinner reservation. There will also be deals to be had on hotel rooms and flights. So if your itinerary contains a lot of indoor activities, maybe winter travel is right for you.

If you’re wondering when is a good time to visit London , it’s similar to travelling in the rest of the UK in terms of weather and seasonal availability. There are a few exceptions, however.

Christmas time in the capital city has been an incredibly popular destination for decades, what with the shopping, the decorations and abundant Christmassy charm.

If however you are a royal watcher, consider traveling in the summer when there are more opportunities to have a peek into the royal lifestyle . Many royal residences are open to the public during the summer because the royals themselves are away on vacation.

Taking all of this into consideration, if you want to know when the best time is to visit England, the answer is (if you can) spring or autumn. During these times the weather is favourable and the daylight hours vary from 11 to 15 hours per day, so there’ll be plenty of time for sightseeing.

Taking a road trip through the English countryside (the Cotswolds , Lake District , Peak District or Northumberland are just two suggestions) is gorgeous in the spring or autumn because either the flowers are blooming or the leaves are turning brilliant shades of orange and yellow. While there are crowds they are smaller and more manageable than in the peak summer season.

Just like it did for England, the timing of your Scotland trip depends upon what you activities have planned. The country’s winter may be more suited to hunkering down in an Edinburgh pub rather than hiking through the Highlands. The average temperature hovers around 0°C (32°F) and is likely to be even colder on the coast and in higher attitudes.

Like England, airfares and hotel rooms will generally be cheaper and you won’t have to fight the crowds in the cities or in the train stations. You will, however, need to be ready for the reduced daylight hours. In January, for example, the sun rises at 8:47 a.m. and sets at 3:53 p.m.

There is good news, though. Because of Scotland’s high latitude and particularly dark winter nights, there’s a chance that you will be treated to the aurora borealis or the northern lights — a dazzling and somewhat ethereal light show in the sky.

A summer trip to Scotland is defined by pros and cons.

The pros — you’ll have lovely weather, as it never gets too terribly hot in Scotland. Temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63 °F). The daylight hours are also long. In August, for example, the sun rises at 4:22 a.m. and sets at 8:03 p.m.

There will be a lot to do, like hiking, camping, driving tours, beautiful train journeys , exploring the cities, islands and the countryside.There are festivals for every taste, such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival  in Inverness.

Now for some cons — July and August are peak months for travel, and the crowds will be significantly larger and the prices will be higher. If you don’t mind competing for a little space and paying more for the privilege, then a summer trip may just be the perfect one for you.

As with England, visiting Scotland in the late spring/early summer or early autumn is ideal. By June, Scotland gets an amazing 17 hours of daylight. That combined with the spring’s pleasant weather, an average of 7°C (45°F) to 13 °C (55°F), and you will be able to conquer every outdoor activity there is to offer.

If you would prefer to spend your time in Scotland’s cities, the good news is that the summer tourists haven’t arrived yet, so lines won’t be as long and the prices will be more reasonable. The same thing is true for an autumn visit. Starting in November through middle December, airfares tend to be cheaper.

Early autumn is an ideal time of year to drive North Coast 500 , a spectacular 516-mile trip from Inverness along Scotland’s North Highlands that might be one of the most scenic drives in the world.

No matter when you visit Wales , remember, the weather can be unpredictable and you should pack well and be prepared for a variety of temperatures.

The temperature in winter averages 6°C (43°F), but compared to Scotland, there is a good amount of daylight — sunrise is around 7:40 a.m. and sunset is around 6:28 p.m. In spite of the cooler weather, daffodils have been known to make their cheerful appearance late in the winter.

Another plus, if you travel on or near March 1st, you can join the locals in celebrating St. David’s Day. The patron saint of Wales is feted with parades, traditional Welsh dress and plenty of delicious food, not to mention scores of daffodils and leeks.

The summer is a lovely time to visit, as the weather is very agreeable, although the region can get quite a bit of rain. There is between 15-16 hours of daylight during the summer. Temperatures average 16 °C (61 °F), so hiking and camping would be fantastic during this time, as would any coastal family trips.

If you wish to see the Atlantic Puffins take over the island of Skomer, then early July is the time to go, especially if you want to see them parenting their new chicks.

Summer is the busiest time of year, so expect higher prices and be prepared to book well in advance for hotels (and popular Welsh castle hotel stays ), air travel, restaurants and activities.

The late spring and early autumn are great times to go to Wales. There are between 13 and 16 hours of daylight during both seasons. The temperature usually hovers around 13°C (55°F). In May and June, flowers will be blooming in a riot of colors, making the already breathtaking scenery fully come to life.

The Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile long footpath that winds its way along the coastline, makes for a perfect hike during this time. For something a little different, check out The Laugharne Weekend in West Wales — a local, literary and arts celebration of Dylan Thomas and other writers, musicians and comedians who’ve come from Wales.  

In the autumn, the mountains and valleys look to be on fire with all shades of gold and orange, and the nights begin to get crisp with a touch of chill. Places like Hay-on-Wye, a charming market town on the River Wye become even more magical in the autumn.

There will also be plenty of seasonal activities, such as at the medieval Powis Castle and Garden. Each year they create the Powis pumpkin trail, where kids can search for the carved pumpkins hidden throughout the garden.

If spending a night in a Welsh castle is on your bucket list why not book one of these amazing Welsh castle hotels ?

If you wish to visit Northern Ireland when the temperatures are at their warmest, then go during July and August. The average temperature in the summer is 17°C (63°F), but beware because summertime is also when the country’s rainfall is at its peak.

The summer in Northern Ireland has amazingly long daylight hours, 5:00 a.m. to 10:00pm, so you’ll be able to pack in a lot of activities. It is the peak season, which means you’ll be fighting the crowds as you see the sights.

Also, keep in mind, summer vacations for their school children start a few weeks earlier than they do in England, meaning the tourist sites may be more crowded starting at the end of June.

In winter, Northern Ireland is a little colder than England and has about 7-8 hours of daylight. That won’t matter too much if you seek out Belfast’s St. George’s Market, Northern Ireland’s last surviving Victorian market. In December, they offer twilight days for evening shopping. There will also be crafts from local artisans, delightful food and family entertainment.

Like with the other UK regions, you get the best of everything by visiting in the spring or autumn. By late spring, you’ll start to see lambs and calves in the pastures as the temperatures rise to between 10°C (50°C) to 16°C (60°F).

Visit Rathlin Island in the late spring and you’ll see all kinds of nesting birds and the area’s famous puffins. Also, for those festival fans, check out the two-day Bushmills Salmon and Whiskey festiva l held in early June.

In the autumn, as the leaves are changing colors, it’s a perfect time to visit the Glens of Antrim, or known locally simply as The Glens. It’s a region of County Antrim known for it’s astonishing natural beauty.

In October, the Glens Storytelling Festival is a five-day event for tourists and locals alike to experience the magic of this area’s story telling traditions. Expect family-friendly stories to have a touch of Halloween magic.

Which is the best month to visit the UK? Month by month pros and cons + guide to all the major events in the UK

❄️ Visiting the UK in winter

🌷 Visiting the UK in spring

☀️ Visiting the UK in the summer

🍂 Visiting the UK in autumn

🧣 Visiting Scotland in winter

January in the UK falls within the low tourist season, which creates some distinct advantages for travellers. Students return to school and the cold weather, gloomy skies and waning daylight translate into fewer people, cheaper hotel rooms and inexpensive airfare.

Also, the after-Christmas sales are in full swing, so bargain hunters will have a field day shopping. Theatre tickets and restaurant reservations will also be easier to get. A January trip is sounding better and better. Here are some fun things to do in January:

• New Year’s Day Parade in London —This is a fabulous, free and family-friendly parade in the city’s West End. It’s three and a half hours of music and revere that won’t soon be forgotten.

• Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Winter Run— If you’re in Scotland and are a fitness buff, join 3000 other hardcore health nuts for this 5k of fun that also affords fantastic views of the city.

• Big Burns Supper in Dumfries Scotland— Part of the country’s Burns Night, this event occurs in the latter half of the month and offers all sorts of venues with everything from comedy to cabaret.

February in the UK falls securely within low season for travellers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an absolutely fantastic vacation if you choose to travel then. If you don’t mind cooler weather, the seaside towns should be virtually empty, for example.

Keep in mind that UK schools have a half-term break in February, which may cause unexpected crowds at tourist sites. Here are some fun things to do in February:

• V alentine’s Day in London —A visit to multiple artisan chocolate shops would definitely be in order, as would a romantic dinner for two in one of London’s many fine-dining restaurants.

• The Orchid Festival at London’s Kew Gardens —If you adore flowers and don’t want to travel all the way to Indonesia, then this show is not to be missed. There will be over 5000 species of orchids to admire.

• London’s Classic Car Show in Olympia Exhibition Centre —You’ll see some of the finest and most collectable vintage models in the world.

Flowers will be just beginning to bloom throughout the UK, a promise that spring is just around the corner.

March is a shoulder season for tourists, which means it’s not too busy and not too light. So you can throw on a coat and start taking advantage of some of the outdoor fun that the UK has to offer. Here are some fun things to do in March:

• Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race in London — When is the best time to travel to England? When there are 250,000 screaming rowing fans cheering on the edge of the Thames. This is one of the largest sporting events held in London and it’s free! (Sometimes this event happens in April, so check online to see.)

• Glasgow International Comedy Festival —Are you a comedy fan? In the latter half of March, travel to Scotland and see the funniest stars from all around the UK hit the stage in what is Europe’s largest comedy festival.

• St. Patrick’s Day in Northern Ireland —On March 17th, County Armagh and County Down host the annual Home of Saint Patrick Festival that consists of concerts, family-friendly activities and general fun.

Ah, April. The flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer. It’s a shoulder season, so it’s a pretty good time to enjoy the natural beauty that the UK has to offer without having to brave too many crowds.

Students in the UK have a school break around Easter, which usually falls in this month, so that may alter the tourist scene slightly. Regardless, there are also a lot of fun, local activities to choose from. Here are some examples:

• Isle of Wight Walking Festival —Fun for all ages and all fitness levels. Thousands of locals and tourists alike explore the island and take in its stark, scenic beauty.

• Shakespeare’s Birthday in Stratford-upon-Avon —Celebrate The Bard’s birthday by traveling to his birthplace for performances, music and all kinds of fun.

• Cardiff Flower Show —If you’re a gardener or a flower appreciator and are planning to be in Wales, you might want to visit the Royal Horticultural Society’s Cardiff Flower Show. There are countless exhibits and demonstrations to inspire and fascinate those with or without a green thumb.

The weather is getting ever warmer and the days are getting longer in the UK, yet May is still a shoulder season, which means its an excellent time to visit. Things can get busy over the Bank holiday weekends with many Brits enjoying a spring staycation .

It’s also getting dryer, so rain may not be as much of an issue as it is in other months. Still, bring a few layers to wrap up in, just in case. Here are some fun things to do in May:

• Chelsea Flower Show – Since 1913, except during the two world wars, the famous Chelsea Flower Show has been a glamorous affair celebrating British flowers and garden design. It takes place on the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea and makes for a fun and historical activity whilst in the UK.

• Gloucester Docks Tall Ship Festival — Come see tall ships in all of their splendor along with fun and games for the whole family. There will be live stages with local bands as well as a food market

• Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair – Join over 10,000 locals and tourists at Scotland’s only highland games and country fair. It’s at the magnificent Gordon Castle located near Fochabers in Moray.

The middle of June marks the beginning of peak season for traveling in the UK, so make sure you’ve got those reservations, tickets and bookings well ahead of time.

You have an excellent chance of pleasant weather and agreeable temperatures, so live it up! Here are some fun things to do in June:

• Glastonbury Festival — This world-famous five-day festival takes place in Pilton, Somerset, in the south west of England. It features big-name contemporary musical acts as well as dance, cabaret and theater.

• Gregynog Music Festival — Attention classical music lovers! In the gorgeous Welsh countryside in the village of Tergynon, you’ll find the oldest classical music festival in Wales, which attracts some of the world’s finest musicians.

• The Royal Highland Show — Scotland’s largest agricultural show put on by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland. Thousands of visitors come from all over the globe to see over 1000 exhibitors and scores of livestock. It’s in Ingliston, an area of West Edinburgh.

July is peak travel season with very long days and probably the best weather offered by the UK. Restaurants will be jam-packed and tourist sites will be overflowing with visitors.

Add in the students who have just been released from school on summer break and you will have a lot of people to contend with. No wonder there is a lot going on the UK during the summer! Here are some examples:

• Wimbledon — In a town called Wimbledon, there’s a little yearly tennis tournament. Actually, it’s probably the most major tournament in the tennis world.

Good to know – If you want to do it on the cheap, go outside the stadium to Henman Hill and buy a £30 ticket to watch the matches on a giant TV. If you want the real thing, then you’ll need to shell out quite a bit more, depending on which match you see.

• The Big Cheese at Caerphilly — History buffs, would you like to be sent back to medieval days at Caerphilly Castle ? See reenactments and battles, along with entertainment, food, period dance and a whole lot of fun.

The weather is warm, so that distracts you from the peak season crowds traveling throughout the UK. All schools are enjoying summer break, so expect to be shoulder to shoulder with locals and tourists alike at all the tourist sites.

Here are some fun things to do in August:

• Wilderness Festival —Located in Oxfordshire’s Cornbury Park, this festival offers easy-going music, theatrical productions, amazing food and really cool art, all in a gorgeous lakeside setting.

• Edinburgh Fringe Festival — If you like crowds, music and having serious fun, then try out the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts festival. It goes on for days and hosts so much talent, it takes hundreds of venues just to fit everything in. Check their website to see the list of performers.

• The National Eisteddfod — A festival celebrating all things Welsh . It’s in the first 8 days of August and there is food, music, arts and design.

The beginning of September is part of the summer peak season but with the end of summer and beginning of autumn, the rest of the month is a shoulder season.

Most students head back to school early in September, so vacationers return home and tourist sites will be less crowded. Here are some fun things to do in September:

• The Jane Austen Festival — Do you dream of spending a quiet evening with Mr. Darcy or Elizabeth Bennet? Travel to Bath and spend 10 days choosing from over 80 Jane Austen-related events. There’s even a Regency Costumed Masked Ball!

• Culture Night Belfast – For the past several years, in the second half of September, people hit the Belfast streets from City Hall to the Cathedral Quarter to enjoy a free celebration of art, language and history of Northern Ireland. There is something to do for all ages.

There’s a crisp autumn chill in the air and Halloween ghosts and goblins are just around the corner. The beginning of October is a shoulder season, and by the end, it slows down into low season. Still, there are lots of interesting things to tackle in the UK during October.

• Harwich International Shanty Festival – For those who can’t resist the call of that salty ocean air, sail on over to Harwich and sing an old song of the sea. There’ll be concerts and barge trips and crafts for the saltiest old sailors to the youngest of landlubbers.

• The Callander Jazz and Blues Festival — Who doesn’t enjoy jazz in a charming rural setting? In 2006, this festival was born and has grown larger every year. It’s a long weekend of all types of music in a variety of venues. You’ll see live blues, jazz, boogie and soul from a huge variety of artists.

This is the low season for travel in the UK. The weather is brisk and it’s best to remember to bring a bunch of comfy layers and a jacket in your suitcase. Here are some fun things to do in November:

• Guy Fawkes Night —This celebration marks the night back in 1605 when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He did not succeed, and the anniversary has traditionally been remembered with a bonfire. Given that could easily get out of hand, most celebrations have switched to fireworks.

• Diwali on Trafalgar Square – Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindu, Jain and Sikh people all over the world. This one is the biggest in the UK and features amazing dancers in stunningly beautiful and colorful dress. Expect to see market stalls with amazing food, as well as crafts and fun activities for the whole family.

Yes, it’s pretty chilly in the UK during December, and the days have grown a wee bit short. There’s still a lot to love about this winter month. Keep in mind, that students in the UK usually have the final weeks in December off, so that could affect the crowd levels.

The weeks closest to Christmas are considered a peak tourist season, so there are many Christmas activities to choose from including festive markets all over the UK.

• Belfast Giants Ice Hockey — For something really different, grab the whole family, live like a local and check out an ice hockey game. Their website has all the information about tickets and times.

• Elfingrove at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum —This magnificent museum in Glasgow transforms itself and offers night-time tours along with local food and singing.

This is really a difficult question to answer and really deserves a post all of its own.

Many people insist that it’s Christmas. Trafalgar Square has a giant lit up Christmas tree dripping in ornaments and Christmas cheer. Carol singing and festive events occur all throughout London.

There are several London Christmas Markets that will surely take care of everyone on that Christmas list. There are also a number of festive events held annually around Christmas at many of the castles near London.

But in summer the hours of daylight are longer and exploring London’s attractions on a warm sunny day is also a wonderful experience.

To be honest for me deciding when to visit London is best answered with the words “it is always a good idea!”

Read more – Visiting London in winter | 21 Festive things to do and see in London in December | 29 Things to do in London in Spring | Guide to visiting London in Fall

So the only true answer to the question, “When is the best time to go to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?” really does depend on your own interests and available time to go.

Once you have settled on the time of year to visit the UK you are now ready to start planning your trip itinerary.

My UK Trip Planner will help you to plan the perfect UK vacation in 10 easy to follow steps – I recommend starting there!

For UK inspiration my top 21 landmarks in England , 19 places to visit in Scotland , top 10 things to see in Wales , top 10 things to do in Northern Ireland and London bucket list articles are great places to start.

I recommend prioritising what you want to see and do. You can also take some virtual tours of London and UK landmarks and sights to help you plan.

Other useful resources to help you plan your trip:

• How much does a holiday in the UK cost? Read my UK travel budget guide to help calculate your budget!
• Choose from my selection of the best guidebooks for UK travel
• Click here for my recommendations of the best booking sites for travel to the UK
• Prefer an organised tour? Check out our recommendations of the best UK tours available for 2021 and beyond!
• How to get around the UK (Complete Guide to Transportation in the UK)

Travel could be a good deal this summer. Here's when plane ticket prices will peak.

Spring is springing, and according to Hopper, it’s time to start thinking about your summer vacation plans.

New data from the online booking site shows some favorable trends for travelers in the next few months, including slightly lower airfares compared with 2023 and hotel and car rental prices that are more or less flat year-over-year.

Here’s what you need to know as you prepare to book, whether you’re looking for a domestic getaway or go on an overseas adventure. It’s also not too late to take advantage of deals on some last-minute trips.

How much are spring and summer plane tickets?

According to Hopper, the best deals right now are on domestic airline tickets. Round-trip flights within the U.S. are averaging $290 in April, but prices are expected to rise in the months ahead.

Hopper’s data shows prices for domestic flights will peak between May and June at $315 on average, then will gradually fall through the summer, reaching a low of $264 on average in September.

On a call with investors discussing first-quarter earnings Wednesday, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said summer travel demand has been pushed forward in recent years in part because schools, especially in the South, are finishing their summer breaks earlier in the year.

Is airport Wi-Fi safe to use? How to keep your information safe while traveling.

Short vs. long cruises: Which one is right for you? Here's how they compare.

This summer also will be a good time to travel internationally; Hopper data shows fares to most destinations abroad are down compared with last year. 

“Airfare to international destinations continues to improve following two years of bloated prices due to quickly recovering demand, high fuel prices and supply constraints. Airfare to most major regions of the world has dropped compared to last year with the exception of trips to Canada,” Hayley Berg, Hopper’s chief economist, said in the report. “International fares remain higher than pre-pandemic levels to most regions, as higher fuel prices persist and airlines continue to rebuild capacity to many regions.”

How much will a hotel room for the spring and summer cost?

Hotel prices remain mostly flat compared with the same time last year. Rooms in the U.S. are averaging $206 a night; better deals are available in some trending international destinations like Osaka, Japan, and Istanbul, Turkey.

According to Hopper, Las Vegas, New York and Chicago remain popular destinations in the U.S.

Will car rental prices rise this summer?

Car rental prices also haven’t increased much since last year and average $42 a day, according to Hopper.

The report shows most travelers rent a car for about four days, and warm-weather destinations like Orlando and Los Angeles remain popular pickup points.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].