Travel Take Advantage of Shoulder Season Travel 1/3/2025 | By Emma Patch Shoulder season travel means going to destinations in the off season, when fewer other tourists do. This is often when students are in school and when destination conditions are not at their peak appeal. While many travelers lack flexibility in their travel plans, older adults who are retired or working fewer hours are in a better position to take advantage of the benefits offered by shoulder season. Shoulder season can be a great time for a vacation. Usually defined as the travel period between the peak summer and low winter seasons, shoulder season typically brings with it thinner crowds and lower prices for flights and accommodations compared with the most in-demand times in popular locations. Generally, certain portions of autumn and spring are in shoulder season, providing the best combination of decent weather and off-peak pricing. Flight prices typically drop by about 30% in the fall compared with summer, says Hayley Berg, lead economist for Hopper, a travel-booking app that helps users find deals on flights, hotels, rental cars and vacation rentals. (There’s a similar dip in price during the January and February low season.) You’ll also usually see falling prices for flights and hotels following spring break and Easter, typically beginning in late April or early May, depending on when Easter falls, and lasting until June, says Berg. We’ve selected three destinations that make for great shoulder season getaways. A good rule of thumb to get the best price on a domestic flight is to book one to two months ahead of your departure date. To snag the best deal on an international flight, start monitoring prices six to seven months in advance, then aim to book three to five months ahead of the trip. Three shoulder season travel destination ideas Santa Barbara, California Spring is one of the best times to visit the Los Angeles area, with mild weather, blooming flowers and lighter crowds than in the peak summer season. The fall has fewer tourists compared with summer, too, and the weather is pleasant, especially in September and October. If you opt to visit Santa Barbara during a trip to L.A., you can take in the excitement and amenities of the city as well as the adventure and serenity of the Gaviota Coast. The roughly 2.5-hour drive on the Pacific Coast Highway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara features beautiful natural scenery. Once you’re in Santa Barbara, wine tasting, relaxing by the sea and whale watching are among the activities available. (Whale-watching hopefuls should consider traveling in early to mid September to see humpback and blue whales, or in January or February to observe gray whales during their migration.) The average domestic round-trip flight to L.A. goes for $297 in the summer, according to Hopper. But average round-trip fares during the fall shoulder season drop more than 30%, to $197. In May, flights average $283. A stay at the Hideaway Santa Barbara hotel was recently available for $364 per night in May 2025, down from $591 per night in March 2025, when prices run higher during the spring-break season. Paris, France Fall is an inviting time in Paris. The crowds are lighter than in the summer, the weather is milder, the businesses are open following an August hiatus for many, and you can enjoy the golden fall foliage in Tuileries Garden. For tennis fans, tickets to the Rolex Paris Masters, which takes place in October, are a bargain compared with tickets to the French Open. Plus, Paris’ Fashion Week, showcasing collections for the following spring and summer, is held in late September and early October. Although many of the runway shows are invitation-only, some are open to the public, and the city comes alive with parties and performances. While round-trip airfares to Paris from the U.S. average $890 in summer, fall airfares average $600, according to Hopper. The average cost of a hotel in Paris in November may be higher than usual, however, at $361 per night, according to SkyScanner, a travel search engine. Consider traveling earlier in the fall for lower hotel prices. Related: Digital nomads and early retirement Tokyo, Japan Enjoy diverse cuisine, a thriving arts and cultural scene, and beautiful outdoor spaces during an autumn trip to Japan’s capital city. Consider visiting one of the traditional bathhouses, or see a Kabuki performance — you can enjoy the classical Japanese dance-drama art form at some Tokyo venues, such as Kabukiza Theatre, for as little as $23 per show. Fall in Tokyo offers other unique joys as well. You can hop on a high-speed train to the mountains for a leaf-peeping tour, or stay in the city and take in the foliage during a walk in one of Tokyo’s many beloved parks. Traveler tip: Even if you love the cuisine and service at Tokyo’s restaurants, avoid leaving tips, which may be seen as offensive. Because fall foliage season in Tokyo draws its share of tourists, you may see an increase in hotel rates in late October to mid November. But while summer airfares to Tokyo from the U.S. average $1,366, fares dip to an average of $1,035 in the fall, according to Hopper. A typical flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo takes about 12 hours. Flights from Honolulu are about 8 hours and 30 minutes, however, so a stopover in Hawaii may be a good choice for those who prefer to break up their time in the air. Emma Patch is a senior writer at Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com. ©2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Read More Emma Patch Emma Patch is a staff writer at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. For more on this and similar money topics, visit Kiplinger.com.