The Best Times of Year to Travel Cheap in 2025

1. January: Post-Holiday Price Slump

After the December holiday rush, January consistently offers some of the lowest airfare and hotel prices worldwide. According to Hopper’s 2025 Travel Pricing Outlook, average international flight prices fall by up to 27% in the first three weeks of January compared to late December.

This trend is especially sharp for destinations in Europe and North America, where family and business travel sharply declines after New Year’s. For instance, data from Skyscanner shows that roundtrip flights from New York to London averaged just $465 in mid-January 2024, compared to over $800 during Christmas week.

Hotel occupancy rates similarly plummet, with STR reporting average U.S. hotel rates drop by 22% after January 5th.

Ski destinations are a rare exception, so avoid major mountain resorts unless you find last-minute deals. City breaks, Caribbean getaways, and Southeast Asia trips are all notably cheaper during this window.

2. Early February: Pre-Valentine’s Day Lull

The first half of February is a sweet spot for budget travelers, sandwiched between winter holidays and the spike of Valentine’s Day getaways. Kayak’s 2025 airfare index indicates that domestic U.S.

flights are on average 19% cheaper during the first two weeks of February compared to late February. European hotels in cities like Paris and Rome report occupancy rates as low as 62% in early February, according to the European Travel Commission’s Q1 2024 report.

This results in hotel price drops of 15–20% from their January highs. Beach destinations in Mexico and Central America remain relatively affordable, as the peak spring break crowds haven’t yet arrived.

Travel insurance provider Squaremouth reported that policy purchases for early February trips rose by just 3% year-over-year in 2025, signaling continued low demand and good deals for flexible travelers.

3. Late March: Shoulder Season in Europe

Late March marks the start of Europe’s shoulder season, when weather improves but crowds haven’t yet arrived. According to Expedia’s 2025 Spring Travel Trends report, airfare to Spain, Portugal, and Greece averages 23% less in late March than during the peak summer months.

Hotel prices in cities like Madrid and Athens drop by up to 30% compared to June and July, per Booking.com’s 2024 occupancy data. Ryanair and easyJet offer seasonal discounts as they ramp up routes for spring, with one-way fares from London to Barcelona as low as $45 in late March 2025.

Museums and attractions also begin to extend hours, but queues remain manageable. Local festivals like Valencia’s Fallas (mid-March) offer unique cultural experiences without the high-season price tag.

4. Mid-April: Asia’s Off-Peak Escape

Mid-April is one of the cheapest times to visit much of Asia, excluding countries celebrating major spring holidays. A 2024 report from the Pacific Asia Travel Association found that hotel rates in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia drop by up to 40% after their respective New Year festivals (Songkran, Tet) conclude.

AirAsia’s fare tracker shows average Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur roundtrip flights for $112 in April 2025, compared to $178 in December. Japanese cherry blossom season drives up Tokyo hotel prices, but secondary cities like Osaka and Fukuoka remain 15–22% cheaper than their peak.

Travel demand tapers off in China and Korea until local May Day holidays, so international visitors can capitalize on quieter attractions and sales.

5. May: Mediterranean Bargains Before Summer

May presents one of the best value opportunities for Mediterranean travel, as temperatures rise but mass tourism hasn’t yet begun. According to the European Travel Commission’s 2025 forecast, hotel rates in Greece, Italy, and Croatia remain 18–25% lower in May compared to July and August.

Airline pricing algorithms, analyzed by CheapAir’s 2025 study, show that transatlantic flight prices bottom out during the first three weeks of May—averaging $520 roundtrip from the U.S. to Rome, versus $760 in peak summer.

Car rental prices in Spain’s Balearic Islands drop by 30% from June rates, based on Europcar’s latest figures. Attractions like the Amalfi Coast, Dubrovnik, and Santorini are open for business, but you’ll avoid both crowds and inflated costs.

6. September: Post-Summer Price Drop

September is a golden month for budget travelers, as families return home and airlines slash prices to fill planes. The 2025 Skyscanner Trends Report notes that international flight prices drop by 21% on average in September compared to August.

Hotel rates in popular cities like Paris, Berlin, and Prague decrease by 26% from summer highs, with occupancy rates falling below 60% according to STR’s European market analysis. Southern Europe remains warm, and destinations like Portugal’s Algarve coast offer hotel rooms for as little as $90 a night.

U.S. domestic fares also dip, with Southwest Airlines advertising fall sale fares from $49 one-way in early September 2025.

The drop in cruise prices is equally dramatic, with seven-night Mediterranean cruises starting at $399 per person.

7. Early October: Autumn in East Asia and North America

Early October is a prime time for affordable travel in both East Asia and North America, as high-summer rates recede and fall colors begin to attract savvy visitors. Expedia’s 2025 data shows flights to Japan and South Korea averaging 17% lower than in September, with hotel rates in Seoul dropping below $100 per night outside of major festivals.

In the U.S. and Canada, the lull between summer and the Thanksgiving holiday means city hotels in New York, Chicago, and Toronto offer rates up to 33% cheaper than August, according to Hotels.com.

Fall foliage tours in Vermont and Quebec are more affordable in early October before peak leaf-peeping weeks. Airlines like ANA and Korean Air promote autumn sale fares, with Tokyo-Seoul roundtrips as low as $160.

8. Early November: Pre-Holiday Calm

The first two weeks of November often deliver some of the lowest travel prices before the holiday rush begins. Hopper’s 2025 Holiday Travel Guide reports that both domestic and international airfares hit annual lows during this period, with U.S.

flights averaging $212 roundtrip—down 24% from late November. Caribbean resorts, which see a dip in visitors after hurricane season but before Thanksgiving, drop rates by up to 35%, according to Travel Weekly’s Caribbean Hotel Trends update.

European cities like Prague and Budapest see hotel rates fall below $80 a night, as reported in the Statista European Hospitality Survey 2024. The cruise industry also offers deep discounts, with Royal Caribbean advertising balcony cabins at $599 for seven-night itineraries.

For travelers with flexibility, early November is a goldmine for last-minute deals.

9. Early December: Between Holidays Savings

The lull between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a secret window for cheap flights and accommodations. According to Kayak’s 2025 Holiday Price Tracker, U.S.

airfare during the first two weeks of December averages $189 roundtrip—nearly 30% less than the preceding and following weeks. International hotel chains like Marriott and Hilton report occupancy rates as low as 52% in major cities, prompting flash sales and member discounts.

TravelPulse’s December 2024 roundup highlights Caribbean and Mexican resorts cutting rates by 28% to attract early winter travelers. Airlines such as Delta and Air Canada launch short-term fare sales to fill empty seats before peak holiday demand.

Europe’s Christmas markets begin to open, but crowds remain light and costs are significantly lower than in late December.

10. Tuesdays and Wednesdays: Weekly Booking Patterns

Beyond seasonal trends, the day of the week continues to play a critical role in travel pricing. Recent analysis by Google Flights, published in March 2025, confirms that booking flights on Tuesdays and Wednesdays yields average savings of 12% compared to weekends.

Airlines release sales and adjust prices midweek, so travelers who search and book on these days consistently find the best deals. The Priceline 2025 Travel Habits Survey found that hotels also offer their lowest rates for midweek stays, particularly in urban areas where business travel tapers off.

For example, booking a Wednesday night hotel stay in Chicago can cost up to 22% less than a Friday or Saturday night in the same property. Travelers who remain flexible with their dates and monitor midweek price drops are statistically more likely to land the year’s biggest bargains.

Get more from Travelbucketlist!

What do you think about this topic? Share your thoughts in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! Want more stories like this? Follow us and never miss out!