What It Means
Shoulder season is the stretch of the travel year that sits between a destination's peak season and its off-peak season, just before or just after the weeks when most people take their vacations. Collins English Dictionary notes it usually falls in spring and fall and that fares tend to be lower than at peak. Which months count depends on the place, since one destination's busy summer can be another's quiet time.
Try It: Price the Same Stay at Peak and in Shoulder Season
Enter what the same stay costs per night at peak and in the weeks just before or after. Starting rates are examples.
Same stay, lower bill. Now check what's open those weeks and how the weather usually runs.
No saving at these rates, so peak dates may be worth it after all.
How People Say It
- "Let's go the week after Labor Day, it's shoulder season by then."
- "Flights were half the price in May."
- "Shoulder season means fewer lines and cooler weather."
The Breakdown
How to plan a shoulder-season trip (Buhata's suggestion)
- Find out when your destination is busiest by checkingChecking accountA bank or credit union account for everyday money going in and out, used by debit card, checks, transfers and direct deposit. See more one hotel's prices across several months and noting which weeks cost the most.
- Look at the weeks just before and just after that peak. Those are the shoulder weeks.
- Price the same flight and stay in a peak week and a shoulder week, side by side.
- Check what changes: opening hours, attractions that close for the season, and the usual weather.
- Match it to your family's calendar, including school breaks and any days off from work.
Try it today. Pick a place you'd like to go, look up one hotel's prices for a week at peak and a week a month later, and compare the totals.
What to weigh
| Peak season | Shoulder season | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | Highest | Often lower than peak |
| Crowds | When most people travel | Just before or after that |
| What's open | Check opening hours | Check opening hours and seasonal closures |
| School calendar | Check it against your dates | Check it, since these weeks can fall during the school year |
Good to Know
A shoulder week that falls during the school year can mean taking children out of class. Attendance rules differ by school district, so ask the school before you book. Prices and seasons shift by destination and from year to year, so compare real quotes for your dates instead of relying on a rule of thumb.
FAQ
What does shoulder season mean?
It's the travel period between a destination's peak and off-peak seasons, just before or after the busiest time. Collins English Dictionary says it usually falls in spring and fall, with fares relatively low compared with peak season.
When is shoulder season?
It depends on the destination. For many places it's spring and fall, the weeks on either side of the summer peak, but a place that's busiest in winter will have different shoulder weeks.
Is shoulder season cheaper?
Fares are often lower than at peak, according to Collins, but the only way to know for your trip is to price the same flight and stay in both weeks.
Do It in Buhata
Calendar, Goals (Plus)
Mark your destination's shoulder weeks on the Calendar in Buhata, then set the trip as a target in Goals (Plus).
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Vacation planning
Working out where, when and how a trip will happen, including what it costs, how to save for it and what paperwork it needs, well before you leave.
- Travel budget
A plan for how much a trip will cost in total, split into travel, lodging, food, activities and a cushion, set before you book.
- Family vacation
A trip taken together by a parent or parents and their children, usually planned around school breaks, the children's ages and a shared budget.
- Points and miles
Rewards earned from credit cards, airlines and hotels that can be spent on travel, worth whatever the program lets you redeem them for, often around 1 cent each.
Sources
Collins English Dictionary, "Shoulder season"
Last updated .