Shoulder Season: The Secret to Stress-Free, Affordable Travel

For a while, I believed that traveling only during peak season was the best way to see the world, but then I tried shoulder season travel! When I booked a trip on a whim, without really thinking about it, things changed.

Previous Travel Was Always Peak Times

I would take summer trips and holiday flights. So, I ended up visiting destinations that were already crowded, and in turn, I would become another face in the crowd of tourists. It all seemed very predictable. Besides that, it was quite stressful.

Then, rushing to get to France one year, I just wanted a cheaper flight. However, what I ended up with was a completely different travel experience. For a start, check-in was quicker, and I could actually find a seat in a coffee shop close to my boarding gates. But other advantages soon appeared.

Everything Was More Comfortable & Peaceful

The very first thing that came to my mind was how comfortable and peaceful everything was. Airports had less noise and commotion. The streets were more accessible. However, what mattered the most was the lack of need for constantly watching the time and making backup plans.

Going places during the shoulder season gave me the opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. I was free to follow my own plan of where to go. If I wanted, I could simply pause for coffee, walk a little longer, or divert my route without being concerned about the crowd or complicated reservations.

Saving Money

Most of the time, the biggest advantage of traveling during the shoulder season is the price factor. Notably, airline, bus, and vessel tickets were much cheaper than usual. Hotels that were pricey during the peak season suddenly turned into affordable ones.

Instead of cutting my trip short due to lack of funds, I extended my stay. On the plus side, I even upgraded my room and could allocate more budget to experiences rather than to the logistical side of the trip. Mostly, my journey felt less like a financial puzzle and more like something wonderful to do.

The Weather

Peak season isn’t always equal to perfect weather conditions. In fact, in some places, it means unbearable heat, sultry weather, or stuffy rooms. But my experience with shoulder season revealed that the temperatures seemed just right. So, it wasn’t a problem for me to walk all day. Not freezing or too hot, I enjoyed dining outdoors. And there wasn’t any need to plan my day to avoid the hottest times.

When it comes to visiting different places, I discovered that outside of the peak season, there’s a balance of nice weather and fewer tourists. Also, I could experience more of the local culture and feel. After a bit, you start to feel like a local, which is great fun.

With the absence of tourists, the destination became a more authentic place. The coffee places were occupied by locals. The markets were just normal places and not tourist attractions. So, I stopped feeling like I was rushing through the highlights but rather that I belonged, even if just for a short time.

Changes & Advantages

Now, when I’m planning a trip, I consider the weeks that are either before or after the off-season. These days, travel for me has become more about comfort and relaxation rather than an itinerary based on time and other constraints.

Obviously, not everywhere is ideal for a trip out of the main season, but most of them are. For example, whale watching in Hermanus, South Africa, or ice-caving in Iceland might disappoint as they close for certain times. But most activities continue on.

Slower & More Meaningful

Shoulder season traveling has been invaluable to me because it made me realize that better trips are not necessarily louder or busier ones. Sometimes they are quieter, slower, and more meaningful. After I had that first experience, I gave up ever trying the peak season again.

Have you ever traveled during the shoulder season? Did you find it way more relaxing and less like a rush to get everything done? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your travel news, updates, and tips.