Here’s my hot take: Summer is the worst time to travel. Every destination is crowded, so hotels are expensive and reservations are nearly impossible. And don’t even get me started on airport lines from check-in to customs. Peak-season travel certainly has its charms (you can’t deny that sunny weather makes any holiday better), but there’s a better way to travel that gives you more bang for your buck. It’s called shoulder season.

What is shoulder season?

If you’ve ever travelled during peak season (looking at you, Europe in July), you know the unique frustration of sharing your dream destination with everyone else. Shoulder season is the travel sweet spot between the busy time of year and the off-season. Hotels and tourist attractions are still open, and cities are still alive with the last of peak season energy, but everything is quieter because most of the tourists have already packed up and gone home. Shoulder season is usually spring or fall, typically falling between September and November in the Northern Hemisphere and March to May in the Southern Hemisphere. And it’s the savvy traveller’s secret weapon for experiencing destinations at their absolute best.

Benefits of Shoulder Season Travel

Need more convincing? Here’s why shoulder season travel offers the most bang for your buck:

1. You see places at their best and least busy

The beauty of shoulder season travel goes way beyond just fewer tourists—though that’s a major perk. Beach trips to the Mediterranean, for example, are better for swimming because the ocean reaches its warmest temperatures in September and October. All those months of summer sun have been slowly heating the water, making it feel luxuriously warm well into October.

2. Hotels and flights are often much cheaper

You are also more likely to snag great travel deals during shoulder season. Hotels and airlines, eager to fill rooms and seats after the summer rush, often drop their prices significantly. That five-star hotel that was completely booked and busy in August will probably have rates for a fraction of the price come October. Travel agent tip: If you book with a travel advisor or send the hotel an email in advance, you can typically get free upgrades upon arrival since many of the luxury rooms will be empty.

3. You don’t have to fight the crowds to see the most popular sites

Dying to try a new restaurant? Want to visit that famous museum? If you’ve ever tried to get into the Louvre in the summer, you have to set aside a whole day just to wait in line under the beating sun. But the Mona Lisa is just as beautiful in the fall, and you can see her in a fraction of the time. Plus, no more setting your alarm for 3 a.m. to play the Resy lottery trying to book a trendy restaurant reservation. During shoulder season, you can often walk right into the most coveted spots and be seated immediately.

4. You can experience the seasons in a new place

Shoulder season typically lets you see some of the more romantic seasonal landscapes. Head to the East Coast or Europe in the fall, and you will have perfect, crisp days and delightful fall foliage. Destinations fit for hiking or exploring on foot are best during shoulder season when it’s not too hot. But make sure to do your research. Some places are empty for a reason, like during the rainy season (maybe even hurricanes and monsoons!) or around cultural holidays.

5. You can travel like the locals

With fewer tourists around, you’ll find yourself sharing cafés with locals rather than other travellers, stumbling upon neighbourhood festivals rather than tourist traps, and photographing popular landmarks without 20 strangers in your frame. Plus, the lighting tends to be gorgeous this time of year, with golden spring and autumn sunlight that makes everything look just a bit more magical.