Opening Chat
Recently while watching short videos, I saw many people complaining about their travel experiences: some said they couldn't find a quiet spot to take photos at popular attractions due to crowds; others complained about being overcharged for hotels, with one night costing several times the usual rate. Some took time off work to travel only to encounter continuous rainy days, unable to see anything - a total loss.
As an experienced travel blogger who has traversed China and traveled abroad, I completely understand these feelings. I remember my first trip to Japan - choosing the wrong season made the airfare and accommodation costs painfully expensive. But after years of experience, I've developed a set of secrets for choosing the right travel season. Today I'll share these valuable tips to help you have more fun while saving money on your future travels.
Peak Season Tales
When mentioning peak travel season, many people's first reaction is "stay away." Indeed, traveling during peak season is like paying a premium for having money to burn. Let me give you a simple example: in Sanya, a five-star hotel's ocean view room costs 2,000-3,000 yuan per night during Chinese New Year, while normally it might only be 500-600 yuan. The same goes for flights - peak season tickets can cost 2,000-3,000 yuan, while in off-season you might find them for just over 1,000.
However, there are reasons why peak seasons are popular. Take my experience in Switzerland last summer. In the Alps, the sunlight breaking through clouds onto the snowy peaks was breathtakingly beautiful. All outdoor activities were available - hiking, paragliding, cable cars, whatever you wanted. At Jungfrau, I spent an entire day just taking photos because every angle was too beautiful to leave.
The cultural experiences are also amazing. Visiting Europe during summer vacation means catching various art and music festivals. At Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, I listened to Mozart's symphony at a garden concert while watching the sunset - truly an unforgettable experience. During peak season, many special events and performances add extra shows, so you won't miss out.
Another advantage of peak season is convenient transportation. In Japan, for example, not only are there more Shinkansen trains, but buses connecting tourist spots also increase their frequency. When I traveled around the Kansai region last summer, I hardly ever had to wait for transportation - getting around was super smooth.
However, peak season does have its drawbacks. Besides high prices, crowds are the biggest headache. Popular spots like the Forbidden City and Great Wall become extremely crowded. Once I waited over half an hour just to take a photo in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. Accommodation is also problematic - better hotels need to be booked half a year in advance, or you'll end up staying in remote locations.
Off-Season Magic
After discussing peak season, let's talk about off-season. As a budget-conscious travel expert, I love traveling during off-season. Why? Because it's cheap! Let me break down the costs: last November, I spent a week in the Maldives staying in an overwater villa. During peak season, accommodation alone would cost nearly 20,000 yuan, but by going during rainy season, the entire trip including flights cost just over 10,000 yuan. Although it rained briefly every afternoon, the weather was great in the mornings and evenings. Best of all, there were very few tourists on the island, so I could take photos without worrying about interruptions and pose however I wanted.
The greatest charm of off-season is experiencing the most authentic local life. I remember visiting Venice one winter - though it was cold, without the bustling tourists, the city showed a completely different face. At St. Mark's Square, I met a local elderly gentleman, a retired gondolier. We sat in a café on the square and chatted all afternoon. He told me many old Venice stories, like how nobles used to ride gondolas and the history of the Venice Carnival. Such in-depth experiences are impossible during peak season.
Another time, during off-season in Kyoto, Japan, I met an elderly lady who owned a wagashi (Japanese confectionery) shop. Because there were few customers, she specially taught me how to make wagashi and explained the stories behind each type. When I left, she even gave me a box of her handmade wagashi. These warm encounters are truly the most precious rewards of traveling.
An unexpected benefit of off-season travel is often better service quality. With fewer tourists, staff have more time and energy to care for each guest. Last year, I stayed at a cave hotel in Turkey during off-season. The owner personally cooked breakfast for guests every morning and adjusted dishes according to everyone's tastes. In the evenings, she would invite hotel guests to drink tea together and share local culture and stories.
Of course, there are things to watch out for during off-season. Some attractions and activities may be closed or have reduced hours, and some special performances might be suspended. So it's important to do research beforehand to check if what you want to do is available. Also, weather can be unstable during off-season, so you need to prepare emergency equipment like umbrellas and warm clothing.
Shoulder Season Recommendations
Shoulder season is my most recommended time to travel because it perfectly balances various factors. What is shoulder season? It's the transition period between peak and off-season. For example, September to October in Europe, March to April in Southeast Asia - these are typical shoulder seasons.
I recently went to Turkey in early October. During this time, the weather was still warm but without summer's intense heat. Most importantly, the peak season crowds had left, but all facilities were still operating normally. In Cappadocia, I easily booked a hot air balloon ride. During peak season, this activity often needs to be booked a month in advance. The price was also very attractive, nearly a third cheaper than peak season.
Accommodation also has great advantages. Many high-end hotels offer special deals during shoulder season, with rooms costing 30-40% less than peak season. The seaside hotel I stayed at in Istanbul normally costs over 1,500 yuan per night during peak season, but I paid just over 900 yuan and even got a room upgrade.
Another benefit of shoulder season is seeing different scenery. In Japan, for example, late March to early April is just before peak cherry blossom season. While it's not yet prime viewing time, you can see some early blossoms. Going then lets you avoid the cherry blossom crowds while still enjoying the special scenery.
During shoulder season, you can also encounter special festivals and events. Take my experience in Germany last September - I caught the beginning of Oktoberfest in Munich. While tourists were starting to increase, it hadn't reached its peak, so I could comfortably experience the festival atmosphere. I drank beer and sang songs with people from around the world in the festival tents - that joyful atmosphere is unforgettable.
Choosing the Season
After all this discussion, how should you choose the best travel season? I suggest considering these aspects:
First is budget. If you have ample funds, you can certainly choose peak season. Though expensive, it offers the most complete services and activities. But if you want to save money, consider off-season or shoulder season. The difference in accommodation and flight costs alone can save quite a bit.
Time is another important factor. Many office workers can only travel during holidays, so they must choose peak season. But if you have flexible time, I strongly recommend off-season or shoulder season. You'll save money and have better experiences. I have several freelancer friends who often travel during off-season and always find great deals.
The destination's characteristics need consideration. For example, to see the aurora, you should choose when they appear most frequently; for cherry blossoms, naturally during blooming season; for skiing, obviously during snow season. These specific natural phenomena or activities often determine your travel timing.
Consider your travel purpose too. If it's for photos, peak season's good weather is indeed more reliable. But if you want to experience local life and understand the culture, off-season is better. I particularly enjoy visiting historic cultural cities during off-season, taking time to explore and savor every corner.
Also, different destinations have different peak and off-season patterns. Europe's summer is peak season, but Southeast Asia's summer is off-season. So when choosing travel times, first understand the destination's seasonal characteristics.
Let me share my experience: For Europe, I recommend September to October, or April to May. The weather is pleasant then and there aren't too many tourists. For Southeast Asia, November to February is best - it's peak season but the weather is excellent. For Japan, I personally prefer November - you can see autumn leaves and there are far fewer tourists than during cherry blossom season.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right season can truly double your travel experience. Through reasonable season selection, you can not only save money but also get better travel experiences. I hope this article helps everyone make wiser choices when planning trips.
Speaking of choosing travel seasons, I believe everyone has their own stories. Welcome to share in the comments if you've had experiences where choosing the wrong season affected your trip, or if you've had unexpected pleasant surprises from choosing the right season. Let's share and grow together.
If you're interested in the best travel times for specific destinations, feel free to ask in the comments. As a well-traveled blogger, I'm happy to provide advice. After all, helping more people enjoy perfect travel experiences is my greatest joy.
Remember, the meaning of travel isn't just about checking off attractions, but about gaining happiness and growth. I hope everyone can find their most suitable way of traveling and create their own beautiful memories.
