If you want to get the most from your vacation, off-season travel is the way to go. Also known as “low season” travel, this trip-planning hack can help you avoid the high travel rates, low (or no) availability, long lines and bigger crowds associated with “peak” or high season.
June, July and August (summer in the Northern Hemisphere) tend to be peak travel months in many destinations around the globe. But seasonal travel trends for a destination can depend on a variety of factors, including expected temperature and precipitation, local holidays and even natural draws (think fall foliage in New England and snowfall in ski towns). A destination can have multiple peak travel periods throughout the year, too.
The “shoulder” season refers to the time period between a destination’s peak season and off-season; you can often find better rates than you’d experience during peak season but not quite as low as during off-season.
Granted, off-season and shoulder-season travel often require more flexibility with work schedules to successfully pull off. Some professions (for example, teachers) only allow for summer vacations and major holiday vacations, which are traditionally the peak seasons for many destinations. So your mileage may vary depending on your profession.
But if you can make it work, off-season and shoulder-season travel is glorious. Scroll down to find out about some of the many perks of traveling in the off-season. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
More Affordable Travel
With fewer travelers visiting in low season, the tourism industry is incentivized to lower prices across the board. Namely, you can expect more wallet-friendly rates for flights and accommodations. Airfare can drop by as much as 50 percent, especially when you avoid flying on popular days of the week for travel (like Sundays) or travel during January or February, which historically is the cheapest time to fly domestically in the U.S.
In other words, their loss is your gain. The more you save on this trip, the more you can allocate toward your next getaway.
The lower costs of off-season travel tend to also include car rentals, ride shares and even dining. If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can earn and redeem points on each of those activities — another way to save on travel in the long run. (If you’re not yet a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can join for free.)
Fewer Crowds at Local Sites and Attractions
People are great … except when throngs of them wreck your ability to enjoy or experience a new or favorite destination. This problem goes away during the off-season, however, and makes vacation better for it.
With fewer crowds, you can see and do more in less time. You can navigate a neighborhood, new city or the great outdoors at a slower pace. You can be more spontaneous and still get to everything you want to. Some people might call that a travel superpower. It is.
Better Availability for Restaurant Reservations, Tours and Events
Foodies will be thrilled to find that it can also be easier to get coveted tables at popular restaurants in the off-season. Enjoying local cuisine without unruly reservations or wait times is a huge relief in and of itself — it’s even better when you earn Marriott Bonvoy points while eating around town.
It’s also almost always easier to snag tickets to popular performances, like theater and live music, during low season. Since you won’t be competing with as many tourists for spots in tours and other ticketed activities, you might find more compelling options for those, too.
Don’t forget, when you book via Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities, you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points while you explore your destination.
A More Personal Experience with Locals
Peak season can be stressful for both visitors and locals alike. Because of this, it’s not uncommon to experience more friendly interactions and sometimes even more personal service in the off-season, when workers and residents aren’t overrun with massive amounts of outsiders clogging their streets, restaurants and beloved monuments.
It’s not uncommon to hear of things such as free appetizers at restaurants, room upgrades granted at hotels that aren’t at capacity, and other little extra touches to make your meal or visit worthwhile.
Admittedly, the weather isn’t always ideal in the off-season. And some shops, restaurants and popular attractions might operate on reduced hours during the off-season. But if you can avoid traveling in peak seasons, during school breaks, over weekends or anytime a lot of people head to that particular destination, there’s a high chance you’ll enjoy the trip a lot more than you would otherwise.
The Weather Can Be Nice — Especially During Shoulder Seasons
Off-season travel often means more rain, less sun or otherwise less-ideal conditions. For example, sunshine-seekers typically want a sizzling hot day at the beach or pool, something a cool winter day won’t afford. And snow bunnies certainly wouldn’t want a warm winter day with no powder on their next ski vacation.
But before you instantly dismiss the off-season, consider how enjoyable a destination can still be. Off-season and shoulder seasons can actually offer more temperate weather than peak travel months.
For example, Park City, Utah, might get the most visitors during ski season and summer months. But how about a crisp, low-season day of hiking or exploring town followed by a warm drink at Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection? Or exploring Rome on a sunny fall day and wandering the Colosseum after the summer crowds have dissipated — then tucking in for a cozy night at The Rome EDITION? Both sound pretty idyllic.
Explore and discover over 10,000 global destinations with exclusive off-season rates on Marriott.com or the Marriott Bonvoy app.
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