When Are the Cheapest Times To Travel in 2025?
Although inflation settled down nicely in 2024, prices for everything — including travel — are much higher than they were just a few years ago. More than ever, it’s important to hunt out deals if you’re looking to go on that trip of a lifetime — or even just a casual weekend getaway.
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While prices are high, there are always deals to be had. Traveling at certain times during the year can make the search easier. Here are some of the cheapest times to travel in 2025, broken down by location.
Mediterranean
Mid-October through late March are the cheapest times to visit the Mediterranean, with the exception of the December holidays. However, the reason it’s more affordable is because of the weather, which can turn wet and cold.
A good compromise if you’re looking to visit the Mediterranean while still enjoying temperate weather and low crowds is either March-April or October-November, according to Collette Travel Services.
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Northern Europe
Low season for Northern Europe is in winter, from December to March, but there are some caveats.
The holidays are popular in Europe during the winter due to Christmas markets and other festivals, and countries like Iceland and Norway can actually see a pickup in tourism in winter due to the increasing popularity of Northern Lights trips. But if you shop around, you should be able to pick and choose affordable dates.
If you’re not looking for absolute bargain-basement prices, shoulder seasons work out well in Northern Europe, also. Depending on where you go, April-May and September-October could offer everything from spring blooms and golf weather to fall foliage, wildlife viewing and Northern Lights, all with fewer crowds, Ker & Downey reported.
Australia and New Zealand
In Australia and New Zealand, peak season is summer, which coincides with winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, the cheapest time to travel is winter, during summertime in the U.S.
Unless you’re a skier, however, you’ll have to deal with potentially unpleasant weather. As with the Mediterranean — and many other destinations — the best time to travel is often the shoulder season, which offers lower prices and fewer crowds, according to Tourism Australia. Down under, these seasons run from March to May and September to November.
Alaska Cruises
If you’re cruising to Alaska, you generally only have a short season to choose from. Traditionally, this has run from May through September, although in recent years, cruise lines have extended sailings from April all the way to October.
The cheapest cruise options come early and late in the season, but the tradeoff is shorter days and more inclement weather.
New England
Early spring and late fall are great times to visit New England, with mild weather and more affordable pricing than peak summer and holiday periods. You can score an even cheaper fare in the dead of winter, but you’d have to deal with the added stress of frigid temperatures, flight cancellations and difficult driving conditions.
Be careful with the fall shoulder season in New England, as it tends to be pricey and crowded with tourists out to see the region’s legendary fall foliage.
American Ski Resorts
The cheapest time to visit an American ski resort is generally the beginning or the end of the season, typically December and April. High season tends to run from late January to early or mid-March, so those times, along with holiday periods, are to be avoided if you’re looking for a deal.
Regardless of season, skiing mid-week is often a way to score deals over the pricier and more crowded weekends.
The Bottom Line
Every traveler is different, so it’s impossible to pick the one perfect season that’s right for everyone. Some are looking for the right balance of pleasant weather, low crowds and affordable pricing, while others simply want the cheapest fare possible.
Dead of winter travel is often the most inexpensive, but shoulder seasons typically provide a good combination of affordability and pleasant conditions. The best way to get the cheapest fare, no matter where you travel, is to plan in advance and be as flexible as possible with your arrangements.
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