Choosing When To Travel: High, Low And Shoulder Season In Europe

Choosing When To Travel: High, Low And Shoulder Season In Europe

There are three main travel seasons in Europe: High Season, Low Season and Shoulder Season. Each has its pros and cons. The travel season you choose will affect what you do, what you see, and how much money you spend.

Choosing When To Travel: High, Low And Shoulder Season In Europe

2019-11-05
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Aviation Admin
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You may not have realized that there are travel seasons, and they may not have anything to do with the weather. For the most part, travel seasons have to do with the increase and decrease in demand to visit specific destinations. For this blog, we’ll clue you in on these fluctuations and how they can affect your next vacation.

What are Europe Travel Seasons?

There are three main travel seasons in Europe: High Season, Low Season and Shoulder Season. Each has its pros and cons. The travel season you choose will affect what you do, what you see, and how much money you spend. It will influence the people you meet and the travel memories you bring home. The success of your trip to Europe will be determined not only by when you travel, but by the specific benefits each travel season offers. In this blog we will help you decide which season is best suited for your travel style.

HIGH (OR PEAK) SEASON IN EUROPE

June-August

This travel season is self-explanatory. Book a trip during the most popular times of the year and you’ll have to contend with higher crowds, longer lines, and a slower pace. You may ask yourself: why would anyone want to travel during this time?

It just so happens that usually high season, or peak season as it is also referred to, occurs when the region’s weather is at its nicest. It could also be that many people have time off due to holidays or school breaks. For instance: summer break in the northern hemisphere is usually peak time for travel because families are able to travel together. However, there are spikes in travel around Christmas and February or March due to the holiday season and spring break, respectively.

What to expect during peak travel season

The Good Perks of Europe’s High Season:

• Gorgeous Weather: You probably won’t experience much rain and the temperatures are comfortable. Eating outside and people watching is highly popular. The nights are also great because the temperatures are nice. Just know that when you travel during this time, you should book everything well in advance. If you have a free day on a tour, make sure to give yourself plenty of time because queues will be longer.

• Hostels Are Full: You’ll have no trouble finding people to hang out with because the hostels will be full of young travelers.

• Long Days: In the summer it doesn’t get dark until about 9:30 pm-10:00 pm (the days get longer the more north you go).

• Most Attractions are Open: The tourists are out in force so the attractions are sure to be open.

• Music Festivals: There are a lot of music festivals during the summer.

The Cons Of Europe’s Peak Season:

• The Crowds: Many families travel during the summer. Prepare yourself for long lines and crowded streets. There is a reason most French people leave Paris for the entire month of August — to get away from all the tourists.

• High Costs: Everything is more expensive in the busy season. Hostels, plane tickets, some restaurants, etc.

• Full Hostels: It can be tough to find empty hostel beds. It shouldn’t be a problem if you book a little ahead, but you’ll get turned away often if you just show up the day of.

• Busy Trains: There are a lot more people traveling by train so there is a good chance that you’ll need to make a reservation.

• Crowded Public Transportation: Prepare to get squished into a bus or a subway car.

• Closed Businesses: Many Europeans take their vacations in August. Most Europeans get 4+ weeks of vacation and they take them all at once. Shop owners will close up their shop for the entire month.

Conclusion:

There’s no doubt how great it is to travel in nice weather. However, waiting in line for 2 hours and then having to fight a mob of people to see any work of art won’t be of everyone’s best interest. You can still have a great time in the summer, but it requires a little extra planning to beat the crowds.

LOW SEASON IN EUROPE

November – Easter

The low season, or off season, is the polar opposite of peak season. Usually, the weather is less than ideal, but the crowds are few and far between. Visiting during this time may seem a bit dismal, but the prices will be unbelievably lower. Businesses like tour companies and hotels still want to make a profit, so you will often find some of the best deals of the year during low season. In addition to paying far less for everything from hotels to tour packages, you’ll likely get to see more. If you’ve ever visited the Louvre on a busy day, you know how crazy people get trying to see works like the Mona Lisa. Vying for a space near the rail can be exhausting and time consuming. Visiting Paris is November may not come with boulevards lined with spring blossoms, but it certainly won’t be lined with tourists.

What to expect during Low travel season

The Good Perks of Europe’s Low Season are:

• Less Crowds: There are very few tourists in the winter months so you don’t have to fight with people to see the sights.

• Lower Prices: Hostel and plane ticket prices are considerably cheaper. You might even be able to negotiate hostel prices since they will have empty beds.

• Christmas In Europe: Christmas time is pretty neat in Europe. There are many famous Christmas markets all around Europe that might be of interest to you. There are lots of lights up and people seem happier around the holidays.

• Meet the Locals: Locals are a little more receptive of foreigners when they’re not being bombarded with them.

• Winter Sports: Skiing and snowboarding are fun (although not completely budget friendly).

• Europe Looks Great in Snow: Much of Western Europe doesn’t get much snow but it is stunning when it does snow.

• Mild-ish Winters: Winters tend to be fairly moderate in Western Europe. List of average high temps in major cities (December, January, and February).

The Cons Of Europe’s Low Season:

• Shorter Days: It starts getting dark pretty early so you need to start your sightseeing early as well. A 4:00 pm sunset does mess with your mind a bit if you’re not used to it.

• Cold & Dreary: European winters are usually mild but the past few years have been really cold.

• Rainy: It is rainy during the winter. Cold and rainy isn’t a great combo. Bring an umbrella.

• Some Attractions Closed: This isn’t a huge problem, but some stuff could be closed because of the lack of tourists. Stuff does close down on Christmas (and maybe the day before/after). But walking around in London on Christmas day is pretty neat because it is the one day where the streets are almost empty.

• Fewer Travelers: The hostels are not as full so things can get a bit quiet. There are still plenty of people traveling but you have to work a little harder to meet other travelers.

• More Clothes To Pack: You need more clothes in the winter so you have to carry around more weight on your back.

• Gardens Not In Plan: Europe has many great gardens, but you won’t experience them in the winter.

• Attractions Close Early: Some attractions close early during the winter.

Conclusion:

Travelling in winter isn’t a bad option after all. Just be sure to wear heavy clothes and it helps a ton.

SHOULDER SEASON IN EUROPE

September – Early November & Easter – Early June

Shoulder season is the balance between high and low season. Prices and crowds are generally low, though regions may not be as much of a ghost town as you’d find during low season. Many times, shoulder seasons come in spring or fall. If you’re looking for a more genuine experience, shoulder season is definitely the time to travel. Locals won’t be burned out from dealing with the demands of high season. Therefore, you’re more likely to succeed in striking up a conversation with them in pubs, shops, or parks.

What to expect during the shoulder season

The Good Perks of Europe's Shoulder Season

• Nice Weather: It’s neither hot nor cold. A light jacket is all your need as you get closer to summer but it can be chilly nearer to winter. May and September are beautiful in Europe.

• Limited Tourists: The lines are a little longer than during the winter but you can still walk up to many attractions without waiting in line.

• Gardens: In the Spring the gardens are in bloom.

• Lower Prices: Prices (airfare, hostels, some attractions, etc.) are still lower during the shoulder seasons.

• Hostels Have Travelers: The hostels are not totally booked but they still have plenty of people.

The Cons Of Europe’s Shoulder Season:

• Some Attractions Closed: There might be a few things still closed but it is pretty rare. 99% of things should be open during this time.

• Weather Tough To Predict: The temperature can range from perfect to chilly. Learn to layer and you’ll be fine.

• Rain: It rains a lot. Don’t forget your umbrella.

• Shortened Hours: Some attractions might still be on their winter hours. Most switch over to summer hours in late April.

Conclusion:

With mid-April through mid-June being hard to beat, the shoulder season is probably about the perfect time to travel in Europe. All the flowers are in bloom and the weather is nice. Mid-September through Mid-October are also very nice because it is less rainy. Plus, shoulder season may be the ideal time to do specific activities. For example: skiing from December through February will likely be very busy with other winter enthusiasts. Ski lodges and other winter accommodations will likely drop the price during this time to generate business – a win for you!

Ready to get started?

No matter which travel season sounds most appealing you, Aviation Horizons will help you effectively plan your dream vacation. Click here to get started with a free quote!

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