Every travel destination has a peak season and an off-season. Most people travel during the peak season, as it fits their schedules and lifestyles. People travel during the peak seasons as the weather is perfect to explore that destination.
But what if I tell you that traveling during the off-season is the best time to travel. You would find it ludicrous. Right?
Wrong. There are a lot of reasons to travel during off-season and you must not ignore them. Read on to believe…
1. No Crowds, Almost
I have been to Shimla in peak season and in off-seasons, multiple times. There’s only only one place where everyone hangs out and that’s The Mall Road. Walking up and down this road which has shops and restaurants with some amazing panoramic views is idyllic. The same road turns into a crowded noisy trap during peak season. Believe me, having the whole place to yourself and soaking in the peace and calm of the this hill station is more appealing than wading through a sea of people!
2. It’s Budget-Friendly
Due to high demand, the air fares, hotels have prices that are sky high during peak seasons. Although booking flights in advance can minimize travel costs, but you may have to shell out a few extra bucks sometimes. I have paid double tariff at the same hotel only because I was there when it was the tourist season. Also have stayed at luxurious hotels at throw-away tariffs. I am sure like me you wouldn’t mind enjoying the grandeur and luxury at reduced prices.
As an experiment, I checked the flights from Delhi to Goa in June and December which is off-season and peak-season at Goa, respectively. The tickets cost 2.5 times more in December even if I book today.
Every travel destination may not be ideal in off season, for example you cant travel when it’s freezing cold in Leh. The point I am trying to make is that identifying the ideal places to travel and booking flights during off time could always make you spend far lesser than the usual times.
3. Find Incredible Deals
Prices don’t just drop by single units (like hotel tariffs or flights), but you will also find great deals for packages combining accommodation and activities for instance surf camps or yoga retreats, group tours, rental cars, weekend getaways at hotels that include a few meals in your stay etc.
4. Better Services
With fewer travelers to deal with, the hotels, airlines, tour guides offer you better services. The off-season flights are nearly empty so you may get upgrades like window seats without charges, free meals and beverages, or if you’re lucky, even an upgrade to business class.
If you are looking at authentic travel experiences by way of interacting with locals, off-season is the best time to do. During the peak season, the locals are busy working, and although they’ll interact with you if you give them business, you’ll never get to hear their wonderful tales around a bonfire or lazing in the afternoon sun like you would in the off-season.
5. Opportunity to Explore More Destinations
The money that you save when traveling in off-season can be utilized to explore new places that weren’t in your plan otherwise. In a way, this is a way of treating yourself with more amazing destinations and fantastic experiences all the while being well within your budget.
Are you convinced? If yes, gift yourself some wonderful experiences and destinations this off-season. If not, share your thoughts in the comment box below.
Have you traveled when it’s off-season? Where? When you travel, are you more focused on going when it’s the nicest weather, or when it’s the quietest?
64 Responses
For us, traveling off season isn’t always possible but traveling mid-week helps us save. Every little bit helps as you say.
Traveling mid week is a great idea. 🙂
I’m away right now down at the sea … off season. It’s wonderful! Peak season in this neck of the woods can be hugely irritating for both the locals and travellers .. though seem to prefer the hectic-ness of busyness.
At the sea with peace and tranquility… sounds great! Have a fabulous time, Susan!
I fully agree with you. Off season travel is the best. Just one caution. Please don’t go to a country where severe winter is their off season.
That’s a valid point. Severe winter will close sown most of the things and one might have to stay indoors for extended periods of time. Thanks SG 🙂
Finding an off-season on a teacher’s schedule is a challenge.
https://antoinettetrugliomartin.com/2018/04/16/o-is-for-octopus/
True that!! 😐
I am also a fan of off season travel largely due to the fact that there is no crowd; I hate overcrowded spaces with over exhuberant kids who really test my patience. For me travel is about solitude and getting away from it all – so off season is my fav time to travel 😉
O is for the magnum opus #atozchallenge
I love that kind of travel too, far from crowds and wailing kids 😀
I keep telling people to do this to avoid the mad crowds that have come in some places during the main season.
This blogpost now gives me another way to show them my reasons are valid 🙂
Oh, it’s chaotic at some places in peak season. Thanks Roshan!
These are all very good reasons for traveling off season. Thank you for listing them.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Kalpana!
One of the main reason people pick peak season is school holidays. Mostly, those periods are what most parents can afford for long vacations. But I agree that short ones that can be planned for couple of days during weekend will help. I recently did a vacation to Lecce in Italy, during Christmas, and roads were less of traffic and almost no crowds on the beaches. But yes, you can swing on the sea… but had nice time!
True, with school going kids, off season vacations are not always possible. But as you rightly mentioned weekend trips or short ones can be undertaken! Thanks for sharing your experiences, Maheshwaran!
I agree with all the above mentioned points, you havent missed any. Off season is always less crowded and more fun, if the weather permits. 🙂
Yes, weather is the main deciding factor actually!
This is wise advice. I planned right, off season travel can be economical and fun.
I hope you are planning to make an ebook of this series, Shilpa. It will be a precious book for anyone who loves traveling, and help them plan it.
Well said, off-season is pocket and fun friendly 😀
No, Mayuri. I have no plans for an ebook 😀
Agree with you shilpa, the challenge is to go with holidays of our daughter so that she does not miss on the academics, but its a great idea, but think and explore.
True, with school going kids, going for vacations in the off-season may not be possible. But as you mentioned, one can explore and plan!
Depends on the off season…. for instance I wouldn’t go to Goa in the rains unless I wanted to sit inside and watch it rain cats and dogs. Similarly,I went to the US in the Winter and was actually snowed in!
Yes, when planning for an off-season trip, one must take care of the weather. Similarly, exploring Rajasthan in May and June is suicidal 😀
I am entirely convinced. I agree that it is better to travel during offseason, not only you save money you also avoid ludicrous tourists.
Thanks Balaka! 🙂
Absolutely the best time to travel. We have always done this up until now, but now we have to go on the school holidays with the children, so everything is more expensive and busy!
https://iainkellywriting.com/2018/04/17/o-is-for-ogre-latvia/
Oh yes, with school going kids, we have to plan vacations according to their schedule and that means no off-season trips!
You said it, Shilpa! Off seasons are so peaceful and so easy on the budget as well. You get some of the best five-star stay for half the price during off season!
The only place I don’t like to visit off season is Goa. Goa doesn’t feel like Goa without the crowd 😀
Yeah, Goa without its usual hustle and bustle loses its charm 😀
Now that our children have graduated from school, we can indulge in off-season travelling. It’s the best thing ever:)
N is for No to News
Yayyy! That’s fabulous, Arti! Happy traveling 🙂
Your advice is bang on Shilpa. Since we also travel a lot we find off season travel a better option. Last year I went to Thailand just a couple of weeks after Diwali as both during Diwali as well as Christmas and New Year Vacations the tariff was almost triple, Why waste the hard earned money and be there with maddening rush.
Yes, it makes sense to travel off season especially if the prices are so steep in peak season!
Shilpa, great ideas there! It is always better to travel offseason because it is lighter on the purse, and that makes sense, of course! 🙂
Thanks Deepti!
Of course, you make sense. P and I were discussing about taking a vacation and we were talking about off-season travel. I would show this post to him.
Kohl Eyed Me
Something’s Cooking
Aha! That’s nice 🙂
Do that and you will be able to get steal deals everywhere!
I completely agree. It’s also the reason why we scheduled our Florida trip for the end of April & first week of May right before the season kicks in mid June.
Florida sounds great. Have a wonderful trip, Shantala!
You know something Shilpa, every time we plan a holiday. at home, we work towards making it happen in Off season, to avoid the crowds and try to get some good deals. But somehow or the other, it seldom works out and we end up being amidst the crowds in the thick of season … HMPH!!!!
Aah! Is it because of children’s school schedule?
Great tips, Shilpa but off-season travel is not feasible always if you have school going kids. But quick one day or weekend trip can be planned.
Yes, weekend getaways or mid-week 1-2 days trips can be planned. Thanks Sachin!
Yeah, you are right. Hubby also has the same point of view — to go visit a certain place during off-season and save on not just money, but also enjoy the place with far less crowds.
Aha! That’s nice to note 🙂
I agree with you, Travelling during off-season is a great experience. I once traveled to Darjiling during the off-season and I loved how uncrowded the place was. Plus it was cheap. A wonderful post, Shilpa 🙂
Glad that you had a trip that was fabulous in every way, Purba!! 🙂
We used to take vacations in April or September, the “shoulder” season. Less crowded because kids were in school, but the weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold.
Yes, shoulder season is great too. Glad that you have taken advantage of the shoulder vacations, Cheryl!
That saving money is great. I don’t travel enough to blend my times with off-seasons but if I did, you make some excellent points.
Thanks Jacqui 🙂
This is a great tip. I went to Ranthambore during the off season and had a fabulous experience. https://kanikag.com/parenting-experiences-a-change-of-pace.html
I read about your Ranthambore trip and you got a steal deal at Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge!! Simply awesome, Kanika!
I’m a big fan of shoulder season and off-season travel myself. Good post.
Thanks Neha!
I agree with you on this. Off-season travel is good as it helps to reduce the overall cost and you get great deals but sometimes its difficult to plan when you have school going kids. You have to wait for their holidays to plan.
True, with young kids, off-season vacations arent feasible. But you can plan weekend or mid week getaways 🙂
A very helpful article! You have painstakingly listed out the advantages. It couldn’t have come at a better time for me, as I am going to Goa in a few days – and the off-season has started there. I am happy now, after reading your blog, that it’s going to be a great trip. Thanks Shilpa.
Thanks Sapna, glad that this post resonates with you. Have an awesome time at Goa 🙂
Excellent tips. Off peak season is indeed the best time to travel.
Thanks, Subroto!
My incentive for off-season travel is the lack of crowds!
I love off-season for this reason too!