How to Plan Cheaper Trips: Leveraging Seasonality to Travel More
Weather is a huge factor when traveling. Nobody wants to visit Miami during hurricane season. But did you know that also heavily affects price? You can get a cheaper trip just by going at a different time of the year.
The time in which you visit locations can define how expensive your trip can be in its entirety. From hotels and flights to activities on the ground – you can save thousands to achieve cheaper trips. One of my favorite hacks to save money is to leverage seasonality and visit during shoulder season.
What does this mean?
Travel Seasonality: Understanding Timings
You’ll notice that prices vary greatly depending on what dates you pick for a certain destination. This is defined as travel seasonality. Some places are more desirable at certain times of the year, primarily because of the weather in that place vs. other places around the world.
Shoulder Season: Choosing Dates to Save Money
A great way to save money to achieve cheaper trips when you travel is to travel to your destinations during shoulder season. This is the time between off-season and peak season. These are the sweet spots during the year where:
- The weather isn’t too bad
- You avoid the biggest crowds
- AND you can get a good deal.
You can go about planning your trip one of two ways:
- First, you choose your dates in advance based on your PTO limitations. Then, you choose a destination during shoulder season for those dates to visit.
- First, you have a destination in mind. Then, you choose your dates to visit during shoulder season.
Shoulder Season by Location
What you’ve been waiting for. Here are the best times to visit these destinations to achieve cheaper trips based on seasonality
Check the political climate and safety travel warnings before visiting. Also note that the actual climate varies throughout the continent, so depending on what country you go to the weather can change.
Europe
Visiting during the colder times may not seem as pleasant, but you’ll get a cozy vacation with some of the cutest Christmas markets to explore.
Asia
Check for timing of festivals and events as they will skew the pricing/crowds.
Carribean
Watch out for hurricane season.
Australia
Great for outdoor adventures.
North America
Climate varies depending on which coast you’re on and more. See what you want depending on what you are coming for.
South America
Climate varies greatly by country in South America. These are general guidelines, so be sure to research exactly where you want to go and when. Choose which countries you visit based on your interests and the political climate.
Africa
Great for safaris and more. Choose which countries you visit based on your interests and the political climate.
Travel Dates or Destination First?
This just leaves one question – should you pick your travel dates or your destination first?
You can go about planning your trip one of two ways:
- First, you choose your dates in advance based on your PTO limitations. Then, you choose a destination during shoulder season for those dates to visit.
- First, you have a destination in mind. Then, you choose your dates to visit during shoulder season.
Every situation is different. Here are some examples:
- You’re going on a group trip, so you’re locked in on dates because of everyone’s availability. That’s more important than where you go, so everyone’s flexible on that. You’re in situation 1.
- You have a dream destination you’ve always wanted to visit. Your heart and mind are set on it, so you have to figure out when to go. You’re in situation 2.
However, if you’re interested in traveling more without quitting your job, I recommend you hack your PTO. This would mean you figure out your travel dates first based on how you can best extend your PTO into more travel dates. To do this, I have a guide and calendar on dates to travel here.
Whether you’re picking your destination, or seeing the best dates for a chosen destination, you’re going to need to see all of the shoulder seasons. So let’s get into it!
Conclusion
By timing your trips around the shoulder season, you’re not only saving money, but you’re also avoiding the chaos of peak-season crowds.
This trick works for full-time employees trying to make the most of your PTO and general travelers alike.
Shoulder season is your golden opportunity to see the world for less.
So, start planning your next adventure during these perfect windows of opportunity, and see how much more you can experience without breaking the bank!
If you’re interested in more budget travel hacks, check out my other blogs here.
