When I was a teacher, I was limited to traveling during the summer and spring break. I had to deal with large crowds, high prices, and generally sweltering weather. After leaving my teaching career, I had an opportunity to experience the joys of traveling during other times of the year. Shoulder season is a term to describe the times between high season and low season, and the months vary depending on the destination. Low season tends to not have many travelers because of poor weather or lack of activities, but shoulder season is a great time when you can usually enjoy some good weather without the high prices or large crowds.

We had the beach to ourselves on Naxos Island, Greece in October. However, we only had a couple of days of nice enough weather to swim.

How do I know when shoulder season is in my destination?

Usually summers and/or winters are the high seasons for destinations, while spring and fall are shoulder seasons, but that’s not always the case. It’s important to check for large holidays and events that could turn it into a high season. For example, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan or Dia de los Muertos in Mexico are very popular for travelers.

What are some benefits of shoulder season?

You’ll enjoy lower prices for hotels and airfare than what you’ll find during high season. It’s easier to book things as you go because tours and rooms won’t be sold out. You’ll be able to see popular sites with fewer crowds, making lines shorter. Usually the weather will be comfortable if you time it close to the high season.

It was awesome exploring Pompeii in the fall when it wasn’t so hot, plus it wasn’t very crowded!

What should I be prepared for when traveling during shoulder season?

Unpredictable weather. You could get surprised with lower than average temperatures or storms. It’s helpful to pack layers of clothing and to frequently check in on weather updates. You should also be prepared for closures. While most things won’t be closed until low season, if your dates bump up too close to the low season, you might start to see some things closed.

While many people are limited to travel based on their schedules, like I was when I was teaching, if you have the flexibility you should definitely take advantage of shoulder seasons! You’ll save time and money, and will hopefully have a wonderful experience!

Have you traveled somewhere during a shoulder season? What was your experience?