Best Shoulder Season Travel Deals
Summer is the busiest time for travel—schools are out, the weather is warm, and many people are eager to get away. But if you can plan your trip during the shoulder season, between the end of summer and the holiday rush (typically after Labor Day through Thanksgiving), you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, milder weather, and some of the best deals of the year. We’ve rounded up some of the best deals to help you make the most of this underrated travel window.
Best Deals for International Travel During Shoulder Season
Best U.S. Shoulder Season Deals
Best Shoulder Season Cruise Deals
Airfare prices drop dramatically in the fall for international travel. You can see a 30% decrease in prices from peak summer fares, making this the perfect time to plan that international trip that may have been too expensive in the summer.
Please note that all prices were accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
| Destination | Lowest Round-Trip Flight Price (U.S.) | Best Time to Go (Shoulder Season) |
|---|---|---|
| Paris, France | $393 (JFK nonstop) | September–early October |
| Amalfi Coast, Italy | $636 (JFK) | September–October |
| Barcelona, Spain | $428 (JFK) | October–November |
| Cancún, Mexico | $279 (JFK) | Late September |
| Tokyo, Japan | $531 (LAX) | October–November |
| Reykjavík, Iceland | $330 (JFK) | September |
| San Francisco, CA | $51 (LAX) | September–October |
| Orlando, FL | $127 (JFK) | September–November |
Paris, France
Have you been waiting to visit Paris, but it was just too expensive? This fall, you can get flights from the East Coast for around $400. Nationwide, flights are cheaper, averaging $600 round-trip, down from an average of $890 during peak summer travel. While things can get busy at the end of September during Fashion Week (and hotels may rise in cost), for the most part, you’ll find fewer crowds. You’ll find hotel deals as well, making your Parisian fall getaway more affordable.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $393
Flight from LAX: $680
5 Night Hotel Stay: Hôtel Chamar $950 on Expedia
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $1,736 (JFK); $2,301 (LAX)
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is hugely popular during the summer months, but things die down in the fall. The cost of flights drops from over $1,000 to under $800, and hotels are considerably cheaper. You can enjoy sunny weather, and the gorgeous coastline without breaking the bank.
Flight from JFK: $636
Flight from LAX: $886
5 Night Hotel Stay: Villa Maria $764 Total on Expedia
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $2,036 (JFK); $2,536 (LAX)
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona booms with tourists in the summer months, and quiets down nicely in the fall, with pleasant weather and shorter wait times at popular attractions. You can find economy round-trip flights for under $300 if your dates are flexible and you’re flying from New York City, and the average price is closer to $479, still a steal compared to peak travel.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $428
Flight from LAX: $612
5 Night Hotel Stay: Royal Rambles $1,151 Total on Expedia
Total for two people, 5 night stay: $2,007 (JFK); $2,375 (LAX)
Cancun, Mexico
Although fall is hurricane season in Cancun, as long as luck is on your side, you’ll generally find pleasant weather. Fall is also a quieter time to visit this destination that's a famous college spring break destination. Flights are cheap (thanks to hurricane season), and hotels tend to be more affordable as well.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $279
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $321
5 Night All-Inclusive Stay: Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas $2,750 (for two adults)
Total for two people, 5 night stay: $3,308 (JFK), $3,392 (LAX)
Tokyo, Japan
Autumn in Tokyo offers vibrant foliage, cultural festivals, and gorgeous weather without the summer crowds. We were able to find a fare from Los Angeles for only $531, nonstop, which is much cheaper than peak travel (dates are limited, though, so flexibility is key for fares that low). Hotels might not be the most affordable option, as foliage does attract people, but you can still find some good deals.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $801
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $531
5 Night Hotel Stay: Ocica Oshiage Tokyo by Rhotel $336 on Expedia
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $1,938 (JFK), $1,398 (LAX)
Iceland
Iceland is becoming increasingly popular to visit, thanks to nonstop flights from many US cities. You can fly for less than $500 from several cities throughout the US, with some cities even dipping below $300. You can find great deals on hotels in Iceland, with many options available for under $250 per night. This makes Iceland an affordable destination to visit in the fall, offering gorgeous scenery, relaxing hot springs, hiking, and other fun adventures.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $330
Nonstop Flight from ORD: $350
5 Night Hotel Stay: CityHub $718 on Expedia
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $1,378 (JFK), $1,418 (ORD)
San Francisco, CA
Fall is the perfect time to visit San Francisco, and include a road trip to Napa Valley during grape harvesting just fifty miles away. Flights average around $330 nationwide, and you can find hotel rooms for less than $200 a night in both San Francisco and the Napa Valley.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $237
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $51
5 Night Hotel Stay: Elm House Inn $920 on Expedia
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $1,394 (JFK), $1,022 (LAX)
Orlando, FL
Spring and summer mean family vacations, but when the kids go back to school, Orlando becomes quieter. Fall is a great time to visit Orlando and its theme parks. Flight prices are lower, averaging less than $200 nationwide, and Disney World often has deals.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $127
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $159
5 Night Hotel Stay: Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort $1,071
Total for two people, 5-night stay: $1,325 (JFK), $1,389 (LAX)
Fall is the shoulder season for many cruises, and several cruise lines offer last-minute bookings at a discounted rate. You can find fantastic deals on repositioning cruises, which are longer cruises as the ships change regions for the season, such as those transitioning from Europe to the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean 4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise
This cruise from Royal Caribbean is just $632 for two people, departing from Ft Lauderdale (which offers very affordable flights from cities nationwide in the fall) and stopping in CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $117
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $207
4 Night Cruise: $632
Total for two people, 4 night cruise: $866 (JFK), $1,046 (LAX)
Princess Cruise 14-Day Western Europe Passage
This fourteen-day repositioning cruise starts in Barcelona, stops in Mallorca, Gibraltar, the Azores, has seven relaxing days at sea crossing the Atlantic, and ends in Ft. Lauderdale. The best part? It’s just $924 for two people! Flights to Barcelona are also affordable in the fall.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $428
Flight from LAX: $612
14-Day Cruise: $924
Total for two people, 14-day cruise: $1,780 (JFK), $2,148 (LAX)
Celebrity Summit 4 Night Key West & Bahamas Cruise
Head to Key West and the Bahamas on this four-night cruise from Ft. Lauderdale, for less than $800 for two people. Flights to Florida are generally cheaper this time of year, so you can have a relaxing getaway for less than $1,000.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $117
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $207
4 Night Cruise: $731
Total for two people, 4-night cruise: $965 (JFK), $1,145 (LAX)
Norwegian 21-Day Panama Canal from Seattle s to Miami: Mexico, Costa Rica & Colombia
Trying to use up your PTO before it expires at the end of the year? Use it on this 21-Day cruise from Seattle to Miami. It starts at $1559 per person, so it is a little more expensive than other deals; however, it’s three weeks and is all-inclusive. Flights to Seattle are less than $200 from the East Coast and even cheaper from the West Coast, making this Panama Canal adventure worth it.
Nonstop Flight from JFK: $177
Nonstop Flight from LAX: $184
20 Night Cruise: $1559 per person
Total for two people, 4-night cruise: $3,472 (JFK), $3,486 (LAX)