Off-peak travel is a smart way to save money on flights, hotels, and more, but the only question you have is, where is a good place to go in the off-season? Here’s what you need to know! To assist you in planning your next off-peak adventure, we’ve curated a list of the most popular travel destinations and the corresponding low season periods to plan your dream vacation.
# Europe
# Asia
# North America
# South America
# Africa
# Oceania
Europe
During the off-season in Europe, November to March are the most popular months. For example, in northern Europe, you may have to brave freezing temperatures and snow flurries in December. However, in the Mediterranean, countries like Greece offer plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures.
During the winter months, Europe offers fewer crowds, bargain-worthy prices, and fewer crowds no matter what destination you choose (aside from ski resorts). Off-season travellers have a wide range of choices in terms of cities, countries, and regions to visit – places where they can get the best bang for their buck while having a great time overall:
Venice, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and Amsterdam are all world-famous and iconic cities.
# Greece
# Spain
# Iceland
# Budapest
# Prague
# Malta
#Finnish Lapland
Asia
Southeast Asia – June to October
While Southeast Asia is relatively small, it boasts an incredible diversity of climatic conditions to match its landscapes. Travellers tend to avoid the off-season when visiting this region completely, but this can be a very enjoyable season if you plan and prepare a little more.
Rainy seasons usually coincide with off-season months. Most areas of Southeast Asia experience monsoon rains between June and October, although the weather can differ dramatically depending on where you are.
There is a chance that your trip could be interrupted by torrential rains, or you might get lucky with sunny skies and quick bursts of rain – it’s all part of low-season travel! In Southeast Asia, the following months constitute the off-season, when you plan your dream vacation:
# During April-June, you can visit Bali.
# Thailand’s northern regions from May to October.
# From October to December, the Thai Islands (Gulf of Thailand) are accessible.
# The Thai Islands (Andaman Sea) can be visited between June and October.
# The Vietnam trip is from May to September.
# During July and September, Cambodia will be open.
Japan / Taiwan / China – November to March
In China, Japan, and Taiwan, you can avoid crowds by travelling during the winter months (unless you’re going to a wintry destination or skiing).
India & Sri Lanka – May to August/September
India and Sri Lanka indeed experience a wide range of weather conditions, with many regions (such as Goa, for instance) experiencing heavy rains at all times of the year.
North America
The low season runs from November through March/April (except for tropical states such as Florida and Hawaii). West Coast destinations (Los Angeles, Vancouver, and other places along the West Coast) are cooler during this time, while cities in the northeast (New York, Toronto, Boston) are transformed into winter wonderlands.
If you don’t want to deal with inflated hotel rates and crowded attractions, you should avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and March Break. Plan your dream vacation from late April to the middle of December. The off-season period in Mexico and the Caribbean lasts until the holidays are in full swing.
# November to March in the United States
#September to mid-December in Hawaii
# November to April in Canada
#May to mid-December in Mexico
#May to mid-December in the Caribbean
South America
It’s no surprise that there are such a wide variety of climatic conditions throughout the year on such a huge continent, given its enormous size. Generally, South American destinations experience low seasons during the winter months, except for countries such as Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia (where summer weather occurs in both wet and dry conditions). We highly recommend travelling outside of peak season if you’re not worried about packing extra layers and waterproof gear.
# Peru / Ecuador / Bolivia – December to March
# Machu Picchu – October to February
# The Galapagos Islands – May to June and September and October
# Brazil – May to September
# Chile and Argentina (excluding Patagonia) – June to August
Africa
Many African destinations, especially safari hotspots, offer fantastic game viewing during the low season: the Kalahari Desert is a great place to see wildlife in the off-season. There are better deals in Kenya during the low season, and you can find lion cubs and other baby animals in Tanzania during the off-peak months.
Plus, you’ll have plenty of room to explore wildlife areas, and the rainy season brings lush landscapes – which make excellent photo opportunities. Off-peak travel to this continent has numerous benefits even though it is wetter during the low season.
North Africa
# The months of November and February in Morocco.
# The Egyptian season runs from June through August.
Central/East Africa
# The Kenyan and Tanzanian seasons are from March to June and October to December, respectively.
# The month of May was particularly hot in Uganda.
#A trip to Rwanda should be planned in April, May, and November.
Southern Africa
# The South African season runs from April to September.
# The months of December to April in Namibia and Botswana.
# The Mozambican season runs from March to June.
Oceania
Australia – June to August
Plan your dream vacation in Australia; Australia’s winter (June to August) offers great savings on everything from airfare to tours to bucket list activities. While most people plan a summer trip to Australia, planning a winter trip will save you money throughout your journey. Travelling during the off-season also has many advantages, as the weather in many parts of the country is still pleasant and warm.
New Zealand – June to August
There are fewer tourists in New Zealand during the off-peak winter season: the popular tourist attractions are less crowded. Hotel rates drop, prices go down, and some. There are often price drops, and there might even be a feeling of the whole place being yours.
Holidays in the off-season: Things to consider
Travelling in peak season is not suitable for every destination; you don’t want to trek in a foot of snow in the Himalayas or swelter in 45-degree heat in Northern Australia.
Before travelling to any particular destination during the low season, you will need to weigh the pros and cons. While you plan your dream vacation, you should keep in mind the weather, seasonal closures, and safety.