Why shoulder season is the best time travel: Everything you need to know about when and where to go

While summer is the go-to travel season for many, there are also plenty of reasons to steer clear. Of course, the first one is money: travel companies know that we’re likely to pack our bags when the sun comes out, and they adjust their numbers accordingly. As well as that, the sheer number of people who end up travelling to popular destinations can also put many off. This doesn’t just happen in summer, either: ever been in Edinburgh on Christmas eve?

However, nestled between those extremes, hidden in plain sight, is the perfect moment to visit: the shoulder season. It’s the window when the crowds thin, prices ease, and the places we love breathe a little easier.

What is shoulder season?

Often, shoulder months fall during spring or autumn, but that’s not a rule: in some regions the shift isn’t between summer and winter, but between rainy and dry seasons.

As you might expect, everything from flights to lodging, and tours drop in price as peak demand drops. Simply because there are fewer tourists are around, those travelling can literally experience cities or attractions in a whole new light. On top of that, the weather also tends to be more forgiving, with lower temperatures, fewer storms, and milder conditions for walking or sightseeing.

Visiting in that off-peak window can reveal a more authentic vibe of a city without the polished sheen of peak tourism. It’s a chance to absorb the everyday rhythm of a place rather than its postcard version, something that is truly underrated after all we consume is an Instagram-tinted reality of the world we are exploring.

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Travel site Trafalgar recommends that if you’re travelling during the shoulder season, the trick is to pack flexibly, and remember that layering is your friend. Also, keep in mind that some of the better deals emerge last-minute, and rigid dates can rob you of them.

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