The In-Betweasons Playbook: Maximizing the Benefits of Slower Travel Months

Instead of opting for summer travel, consider the off-peak season. As temperatures decline, so do travel costs, making winter getaways more budget-friendly. However, that may require bundling up for your adventures, which can be less than ideal. Not keen on either option? Fear not, Goldilocks—there’s a sweet spot between these seasons that’s just right. From ideal destinations to timing, here’s how to optimize in-betweason travel and save on your future journeys.

The In-Betweasons Playbook

• What exactly are in-betweasons?
• What savings can I expect while traveling?
• Best in-betweason deals by state: Europe
• Best in-betweason deals by state: Asia

Let’s find a happy medium

What exactly are 'in-betweasons'? Sounds fictional.

Alright, it's also referred to as 'shoulder season'—whatever name you prefer, it describes that perfect interval between peak and off-peak travel. For many locations, in-betweason typically occurs in spring and fall when temperatures are pleasant and crowds are thinner.

So, what are the advantages of traveling during in-betweasons?

The primary advantage is cost savings. Lodging prices tend to drop during in-betweason months due to lower demand. For instance, you could save up to 27%* on flights to Europe during these months compared to peak times. Additionally, expect fewer crowds. While it won’t be as deserted as the off-season, you’ll encounter less foot traffic, giving you more room at popular attractions (and fewer distractions in your photos). Reservations for dining and activities are still a good idea, though.

Another benefit of an in-betweason getaway is pleasant weather. Spring and fall are usually warm enough for most summer activities but cool enough to keep you comfortable. Just remember to check for potential weather issues at your destination before booking—you wouldn’t want your trip to coincide with hurricane or monsoon season.

Which months fall under in-betweasons?

Typically, in-betweasons occur in the fall and/or spring, but the exact months vary by region. Based on our findings, here’s the best time to visit your destination for that perfect blend of pleasant weather and great savings*:

Traveling during the mid-season means lower costs.

Now that you understand what in-betweasons are, here’s a snapshot of the potential savings for traveling to different regions*:

The most affordable in-betweason destinations by state

Let’s make it personal. Analyzing our recent search data shows that travelers from the US are keen to explore destinations in Europe and Asia. To cater to this demand, we sifted through our statistics to uncover the most affordable in-betweason spots by state. Here’s the scoop on how to snag those deals based on your nearest airport.

European Destinations

Most affordable in-betweason spots in Europe for all 50 states

Note: For states without an international airport, we’re considering the nearest major airport. 

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Key insights for in-betweason travel in Europe:

Asian Destinations

Most affordable in-betweason locations in Asia for all 50 states

Note: For states lacking an international airport, we’ll refer to the nearest major airport. 

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Insights for in-betweason travel in Asia:

Now that you have all the essentials to capitalize on off-peak pricing, including when to travel and expected costs… what’s next? Activate the Price Alerts! This way, we’ll let you know if prices change, allowing you to book when the deals are good.

If you’re looking to discover even more budget-friendly flights (whether during in-betweasons or not), check out our Explore tool. It helps you find destinations based on your preferred dates, budget, or interests. And if summer travel is still on your mind… we totally understand. Summer vacations have their own unique charm, so good luck saving during peak times.

Research Methodology

Understanding shoulder season by region:

Global regions were initially categorized into groups based on their size.

Europe, Central America, Caribbean, Middle East, South Pacific, and North AmericaTo establish shoulder season (the time between peak and low season) for each region, Dinogo US analyzed all travel search dates from January 1 to December 31 for 2019, 2021, and 2022 for trips originating in the US. Peak season was marked by months with above-average search volumes (excluding December, which was considered an outlier due to holiday travel). Shoulder season included the immediate month(s) before and/or after peak seasons where a trend was evident for at least 2 of the 3 years analyzed. Months typically associated with inclement weather, such as monsoon or hurricane seasons, were omitted.

Asia, South America, and AfricaTo define shoulder season in these areas, Dinogo first assessed whether different parts of each region experienced varying weather patterns throughout the year. After confirming this, Dinogo identified the top 20 most searched destinations for travel in 2019 and 2022. Only destinations that appeared on both lists were deemed the most searched. Then, all travel search dates from January 1 to December 31 for 2019, 2021, and 2022 were examined for these top destinations. Peak season was marked by months with above-average search volumes (again excluding December). Shoulder season consisted of the months immediately surrounding peak seasons that showed consistent trends in at least 2 of the 3 years. Months prone to severe weather were excluded. Despite the varied weather patterns in Asia, shoulder season trends remained similar across the region. For Africa and South America, Dinogo found differing weather patterns between the northern and southern regions. In Africa, the shoulder season was defined as all countries north of, but not including, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, while the southern regions included those countries. In South America, shoulder season consisted of all countries north of, but not including, Ecuador and Brazil, with the southern regions including those listed. These definitions are based on Dinogo's search data and should serve as a guideline. Check local resources to determine if it’s a good time to visit before booking.

Are travelers searching at above-average rates for shoulder season in 2023?For regions such as Asia, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the South Pacific, and North America, Dinogo analyzed flight searches from the US to each area between 8/1/2022 and 1/31/2023 for all 2023 travel dates. To assess whether searches for shoulder season increased compared to the previous year, searches from 8/1/2021 to 1/31/2022 were also considered for all 2022 travel dates. The average year-over-year (YoY) increase in searches per region by month was calculated. The average YoY percentage increase in searches for 2022-2023 was then evaluated to identify 2023 shoulder season months with a higher than average percentage increase in searches.

For Africa and South America, Dinogo examined flight searches from the US to the top destinations combined from 2019 and 2022. The search dates were again from 8/1/2022 to 1/31/2023 for all 2023 travel dates. Similar to the previous analysis, searches from 8/1/2021 to 1/31/2022 for 2022 travel dates were reviewed to determine whether shoulder season searches had increased. The average YoY increase in searches per region by month was considered to determine the 2023 shoulder season months with a notable increase in searches. To conclude that Dinogo observed an overall increase in searches, at least four destinations had to show an uptick in searches during the shoulder season.

How much can you save on flights in 2023 by traveling during shoulder season?For Asia, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the South Pacific, and North America, Dinogo analyzed flight searches from the US to each region between 8/1/2022 and 1/31/2023 for all travel dates in 2023. To calculate savings, Dinogo compared the average median airfare during the designated peak season months to the average median airfare in the corresponding shoulder season months for each region. These savings are based on general regional data and are intended to represent potential savings opportunities, which are not guaranteed.

For Africa and South America, Dinogo examined flight searches from the US to the most popular destinations identified in 2019 and 2022. The search period considered was 8/1/2022 to 1/31/2023 for all 2023 travel dates. To assess savings, Dinogo used the peak and shoulder season data for both northern and southern regions, then compared the average median airfare for the defined peak season months against the average median airfare for the corresponding shoulder season months. This analysis revealed varying levels of savings opportunities for shoulder season travel, based on general regional data intended to reflect potential savings opportunities, which are not guaranteed.

Shoulder Season Data by State

EuropeDinogo evaluated flight searches between 8/1/2022 and 1/31/2023 for travel during March, April, October, and November 2023 (previously identified shoulder season months in Europe) from all US international airport codes to various European cities. This analysis aimed to identify the cheapest city to visit during a specified shoulder season month. Airport codes lacking sufficient search data were excluded, as were cities that didn’t reach a certain minimum click threshold. Prices are averaged and provided for illustrative purposes only.

AsiaDinogo reviewed flight searches between 8/1/2022 and 1/31/2023 for travel during February, March, April, May, October, and November 2023 (previously identified shoulder season months in Asia) from every US international airport code to different Asian cities. This assessment aimed to determine the most affordable city to visit during a given shoulder season month. Airport codes with insufficient search data were excluded, as well as cities that didn’t meet a minimum click threshold. Prices are averaged and intended for example purposes only.