Travel to Europe during the summer can be expensive, crowded, and hot, especially this year with the 2024 Olympics taking place in Paris during July and August. This will not only impact Paris but also other popular destinations in France, as well as London, Brussels, and Amsterdam. As a result, travelers may want to consider visiting Europe before or after the summer to avoid high rates and large crowds.
Selecting the shoulder season, which is the period between peak and off-peak travel times, can result in significant savings on hotel rates. Radical Storage, a travel research group, found that travelers in Paris can save an average of 60.3% on hotel stays during the shoulder season compared to peak season rates. This can amount to a discount of $522 per night. Shoulder seasons have more favorable weather than low seasons, making them an ideal time to visit Europe without breaking the bank.
According to the study, shoulder seasons vary by destination but generally include the months of May, June, September, and October before or after the busy summer months. Travelers can experience lower costs and fewer crowds during the shoulder season while still enjoying pleasant weather suitable for tourism. Data from Google Flights and hotel prices were used to determine the best times to travel to Europe, with Budapest offering a significant drop in prices during the shoulder season compared to peak travel times.
The study compiled a list of the best shoulder season months to visit popular European cities, highlighting the cheapest times of year to travel to each destination. For example, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Florence, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Prague, Venice, and Vienna are most affordable in April, while cities like Berlin, Edinburgh, Madrid, Nice, Amsterdam, Budapest, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Paris, Stockholm, and Zurich are more budget-friendly in later months such as September and October.
Overall, visiting Europe during the shoulder season is a cost-effective way to enjoy popular destinations without dealing with high prices and large crowds. By planning ahead and choosing the right time to travel, travelers can save a significant amount on accommodation, flights, and other expenses, allowing them to fully experience the beauty and culture of Europe without breaking the bank. With careful consideration of the shoulder season, travelers can make the most of their trip to Europe while staying within their budget.
