The most expensive months for vacation. When is it cheaper to go on holiday abroad?
Updated: 2019-2-28
Oleg Lazhechnikov
59It has happened more than once that friends have asked us at different times of the year for advice, where is the best place to go now? What about the rains now? What's the weather like now in...? Well, and so on. To make life easier for myself and for all of you, I have collected the most attractive destinations and countries where it is better to vacation in each specific month.
The set of recommendations given below is general, and for each country you must then separately look at the weather forecast and read the climate features of the particular place and beach where you are going. The information was collected from reviews from forums, because the websites of travel agencies and tour operators often contain complete nonsense, such as the fact that it is best to vacation in Egypt in August (it’s incredibly hot there!)
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that there are such magical places in the world where you can relax peacefully all year round, for example, in Thailand in Pattaya, Cha-am, Hua Hin. Or in the Canaries on the island of Tenerife, where the weather is favorable all year round. Or the beautiful Maldives, beloved by everyone. Therefore, I will not mention them every month.
Where is the best place to relax in January?
If you want to sunbathe and swim in the sea, the best place is Asian beaches (Indonesia, Bali, Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi Island, etc.), Malaysia, India, Goa, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles, UAE) or beaches of the Caribbean Sea (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Tahiti, etc.)
You can go to Egypt or Tunisia, but keep in mind that it will just be comfortably warm for walking, but not for swimming or sunbathing.
When planning your trip, do not forget that January is a holiday month and it is better to buy all tickets in advance.
Where is the best place to relax in February?
The hottest countries this month are Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Chang), Cambodia and their closest neighbors Myanmar, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Vietnam is also good, especially for surfers, because there are big waves. You can try to go to Bali, although there is still a risk of being in the rainy season. You can also go to countries a little further west, for example, the UAE, Goa, Sri Lanka or the Maldives.
Starting from February, Europe is slowly opening its doors, and already in February you can arrange an excursion trip to the south of Italy.
Or you can have a good rest in the Canaries. Or choose an even more western direction and relax in February in another hemisphere, for example, in the Caribbean.
Where is the best place to relax in March?
The most popular beach holiday destination in March is Egypt. And although it may still be a little windy there, it is already warm enough to laze on the beach and swim in the Red Sea. Also, it is not very hot this month in the UAE, the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean islands.
In March, it also becomes possible to visit Chile, Brazil, and Mexico.
The beaches of Asian countries and islands such as Thailand (Samui, Koh Tao, Phangan), Vietnam (although there may be big waves there), Singapore, Malaysia, Goa, Sri Lanka, Seychelles remain welcoming for tourists. , Maldives. The real dry hot season begins in Bali.
Where is the best place to relax in April?
April is already a warmer month and more and more countries are ready to welcome tourists to their beaches. The Asian countries of Thailand (Samui, Tao, Phangan), Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bali are still friendly in terms of weather. One of the best choices may be Hainan Island in China. And the Maldives remains invariably favorable in terms of weather.
Rawai Beach, Thailand
In Goa, they say the humidity is high, it’s hot and there may be high waves, but the weather is good.
In Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco in April it is warm, but not yet hot, and in Israel (Eilat) April is considered the peak of the season.
The sea in the Canaries and the Caribbean remains warm and welcoming. From April you can also go to Malta, but keep in mind that at this time it is the peak tourist season.
Well, in April, bus tours around spring Europe are already actively starting to travel.
Where is the best place to relax in May?
The most popular destinations are Türkiye and Egypt; it is not yet hot in these countries, but it is already very good. The weather is approximately the same in Tunisia and Morocco.
Of the Asian countries, the beaches of Thailand (Samui, Tao, Phangan) remain consistently good, where it is hot but still tolerable, Seychelles, Singapore, Indonesia, Bali, Vietnam with clear weather and clear sea. An additional advantage is that on May 25, all Buddhist countries celebrate Buddha’s birthday beautifully and brightly.
You can go to the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean if short-term tropical downpours do not bother you. Tenerife is fine, hot during the day and slightly cool in the evening, but the water in the ocean may seem cool.
In May, active flowering begins throughout Europe and this is an excellent period for traveling to any European country, it is especially beautiful, they say on the Cote d'Azur of France.
Where is the best place to relax in June?
The most popular summer destination is Turkey and all kinds of beaches in Europe, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Spain and nearby islands, such as Sicily, Mallorca, Malta. But on the Cote d'Azur the sea is still cool this month, but you can simply travel around the beautiful towns of France.
We can suggest that you go to Greece with its islands of Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Zakynthos or Cyprus, but keep in mind that it may still be a little cold there.
From East Asian countries you can choose Bali, where in June it is not so humid and there is no rain, or Thailand (Samui, Tao, Phangan). I would warn you against traveling to other Asian and South African countries - it is too hot there during this period. The same as in the Caribbean, although many people still go to the Dominican Republic at this time.
But in Tunisia and Morocco, on the contrary, the sea may not yet be warm enough.
Well, various corners of our homeland are gradually becoming accessible, not only the Black Sea resorts, but also various places for tourist trips, such as the Caucasus, for example.
Where is the best place to relax in July?
If you are a big fan of the heat, then in July it’s time for you to go either to the European Mediterranean beaches in countries such as Italy, Spain, Portugal or Greece with its islands of Crete, Kos, the Cyclades, Rhodes, Corfu, where due to the breeze is not so hot, either in Morocco and the Caribbean, for example in the Dominican Republic. July also marks the start of the season in Tunisia and, according to tourists, it’s good in Bali and the Thai islands of Samui, Tao, and Phangan.
And don’t forget the Mediterranean islands of Mallorca, Sicily, Malta, where it is a little hot, but the heat is not very noticeable.
Friends advised us to definitely write that this month is very good on the Cote d'Azur in France, and the sea is already warm and the weather is excellent.
If you prefer weather that is a little calmer in terms of heat, then it’s time for you to go to the Black Sea beaches of our country, Ukraine or Bulgaria, or soak up the sun by the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro and Croatia.
In July, the Sea of Azov is quite ready to receive tourists, and throughout Russia you can find a lot of cool places for wild recreation and hiking. They say that this month is the season in Karelia, for example.
Where is the best place to relax in August?
August is the hottest month of summer and if you are not afraid of the heat, you can go on vacation to the Mediterranean beaches of Europe in Spain, Italy, France (Côte d'Azur) or Greece, Cyprus and Crete, where the dry air should make the heat easier to bear.
It shouldn't be so hot at sea in Montenegro, Croatia and Bulgaria.
Good weather for a beach holiday in August in the United Arab Emirates and in Southeast Asia on the islands of Thailand - Samui, Tao, Phangan or in Indonesia on the island. Bali. If you are not afraid of waves and strong currents, then you can go to Sri Lanka.
In Turkey, the heat subsides by the end of August, and the sea will still be just as warm. Although Egypt remains popular, it will be very difficult to vacation there due to the scorching sun. The same as in Cuba and the Dominican Republic, where it is very hot and humid and the rainy season may already begin.
In September it is comfortable in the Canaries, although the water there may not be very warm.
And the real freedom for hikers begins in Russia. This month you can go on a hiking trip to the Altai mountains, go to Baikal, the Urals, or just have a great time on Lake Seliger.
Where is the best place to relax in September?
The most popular destination in September will be Turkey, where it is no longer so hot and the sea water is still very warm. The weather is the same in Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt.
It is better to go to the European beaches of Bulgaria, Croatia and Montenegro in the first half of September, because then it may start to rain and it will already be cold. But in Italy, Greece, and Cyprus there will still be very good weather. September is generally considered the best month to visit Cyprus. In Spain you can visit Mallorca, Malaguf. If there is rain there, it will be mainly in the second half of September and will be short-lived for now.
The velvet season is also in Sicily this month, even if it rains, the sea is still warm.
September is the high season for Bali, at this time the weather is excellent and it is no longer hot in the Canaries, although the sea may seem cold.
You can still relax at the resorts of Ukraine and Russia; the weather there is still warm.
Where is the best place to relax in October?
In October you can have a great holiday in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia; it won’t be hot anymore, but the water will still remain pleasantly warm. The same can be said about Israel and Jordan.
It is also still possible to travel to Turkey, although the evenings may already be chilly.
It is still warm in Greece (especially on the islands of Crete and Rhodes), but there may already be strong winds. But Cyprus has great weather in October.
Among the European islands, one can cautiously suggest Sicily and Malta. The sea there is not as warm as before, but you can still swim.
East Asia is opening its doors, October is considered the best time for a holiday in the UAE, you can already swim in China on the island. Hainan, and Goa, and in Thailand (Puket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Koh Chang, Pattaya, Koh Samet) the main rainy season is ending.
Where is the best place to relax in November?
In Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, the velvet season begins in November, but this does not mean that it will be cold, it’s just not so hot during the day, and cool in the evenings. Also suitable for a holiday in November are Mauritius or Maiders (Portugal).
In the Canaries and Cyprus, the swimming season continues, although it may also seem a little cool.
But the real season is opening in the countries and islands of East Asia: in the UAE, Maldives and Seychelles it is no longer hot, but comfortably warm. The dry season begins in the south of Vietnam, in Malaysia it is best to go to the western islands, there is almost no rain there, just like in Cambodia. In Thailand, visit the islands of Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Lanta, Ranong, Phang Nga, Satun, Chang and Samet in November.
November is the best time for a holiday in India, Goa, Sri Lanka, where the water temperature is almost the same as the air temperature.
In Mexico and the Caribbean (Cuba, Dominican Republic), the dry season begins, although short-term showers are still possible.
Where is the best place to relax in December?
They usually choose those places where it is warmest this month. And this is undoubtedly East Asia. In Goa, December is the high season; you can go to Sri Lanka or one of the islands of Thailand (Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Chang, Samet, etc.). It is no less warm in neighboring countries - Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia. Vietnam is also warm, but the ocean is a little rough.
Many people choose the United Arab Emirates, but be aware that the water may already be cool in December. Egypt and the Canaries this month are like roulette, the weather can be normal, or it can be windy and cold.
In the Caribbean (Cuba, Dominican Republic) in December it is warm and mostly dry, although it may rain briefly.
P.S. If you have any interesting and useful information on the topic of where it is better to relax in each month, I will be glad to receive any of your feedback and comments.
P.P.S. Remember that depending on the country, you need to use different hotel booking systems, one in Europe, another in Asia. But prices in all systems at once for the same hotel can be found in a metasearch engine, a very convenient joke.
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Neither pre-booking nor last-minute tours will bring tangible savings if you travel at the “wrong” time. If you know which months are cheaper to vacation, you can halve the cost of a vacation abroad.
Depending on the activity of vacationers, the tourist season is divided into high, low and low. The latter term appeared relatively recently and means a period of time when the number of tourists reaches a minimum. During such periods, airlines and hotels reduce prices as much as possible to avoid losses and fill empty seats.
Obviously, for different destinations the “dead” season occurs at different times. The number of tourists depends on the weather, time of year, local holidays and other factors.
In countries such as Egypt, July and August are unbearably hot, which reduces the flow of people wishing to spend their vacation without leaving the hotel or under an umbrella by the pool. In Thailand, the rainy season begins in June and lasts until October. Accordingly, if bad weather is not a hindrance, these will be the cheapest months for a holiday in these countries.
- Read also:
Local holidays and festivals
For example, a ticket to Los Angeles in the first week of December will cost a third less than in the last week of November. And all because of Thanksgiving. at Christmas or New Year it will cost twice as much as in mid-January. Venice hosts a carnival in February, which significantly increases the cost of travel and accommodation. Therefore, when planning a trip, you should find out in advance about the presence of holidays and other events, and try to avoid these days.
"Internal" factors
If you do not take into account local peculiarities, traditionally, the flow of vacationers increases in the summer months (especially July and August), during school holidays, and on the New Year and May holidays. If you want to save money, try not to plan a trip during this time.
Cheap months for vacation can be divided into 3 blocks:
- Second half of January and February (except Valentine's Day). At this time, people are still calculating how much they spent during the holidays and most are not in the mood for travel.
- September is considered one of the cheapest months for vacation due to the start of the school year.
- The second half of November and the first half of December will be cheaper due to the fact that the most prudent are already starting to save money on.
Maximum savings can be achieved if the combination of all three factors is taken into account when choosing a time for vacation. This will be the “low season”, during which it is cheapest to go on vacation.
Endless beaches, warm sea, wild nature and a pleasant climate create ideal conditions for tourists in Thailand; lovers of various types of recreation can have a good rest here, be it beach, sightseeing or mainly dedicated to shopping.
Conveniently, Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Thailand for no more than 30 days.
Climate of Thailand
When choosing the most suitable time to travel to Thailand, you should take into account the weather conditions in the country and, of course, the peak of tourist activity if you want to spend your holiday in peace and quiet. Thailand is located in several climatic zones, so different places in the country can have completely different weather and humidity levels. Most of Thailand has a tropical-monsoon climate, while Malay is in the equatorial climate zone.
Thailand is large enough that while Pattaya may be dry and sunny, Phuket may experience heavy rain.
There are three seasons in Thailand: hot, cool and rainy. The hot season lasts throughout spring - from March to May. This time of year is characterized by moderate rainfall, extremely high temperatures and humidity, which is especially felt in the central part of the country and in the capital Bangkok.
The rainy season, which many tourists fear, begins in late spring and lasts until October. The heaviest amount of precipitation occurs in September; tropical rains are usually very short but strong. The cool season is from late October to early spring, and it is during this period that tourist activity peaks. There is practically no rain, the humidity level drops, and the air temperature, as a rule, does not fall below 30°C.
Best time for Thailand
The cool season, or the period from November to February, is considered to be the best for a holiday in Thailand, but when planning a trip during this time, you need to be prepared for a large number of tourists and you should hardly expect to see deserted beaches. People who can easily tolerate heat and high humidity can safely go to Thailand during the hot season, when there are much fewer tourists.
And for those who do not plan to sunbathe in the sun all day long, but rather want to enjoy the beauty of wild nature, breathe clean air and taste Thai fruits, you can visit this wonderful country during the rainy season. Low prices will be a pleasant bonus for traveling during the rainy season.
Those who prefer a beach holiday should not go to Phuket or Samui in August, since at this time the waves are too high, there is a high probability of bad weather, and many sea excursions are canceled.
Related article
Thailand remains a wonderful country at any time of the year. You can have a great rest in it regardless of the season, be it rainy or hot. Holidays in Thailand will be great, because each season brings its own colors. The calendar of events, events and holidays is always very busy.
Most tourists divide the year into high and low seasons. The last one in Thailand begins in May and ends in October. The holiday season opens in November. This division is rather arbitrary, because the heaviest tropical rainfalls brought by the monsoons are relatively short-lived. Moreover, due to the hot climate, moisture evaporates very quickly.
Winter in Thailand is considered a velvet season, because this time is simply ideal for anyone who does not like excessive heat. In addition, Europeans like to spend the New Year holidays away from bad weather and frost.
Spring is the time of flowering and New Year celebrations; at this time, tourists and residents of the country are overwhelmed by water madness. Thai summer is liked by all those who like to lie under the scorching sun, because this period is what it is. Autumn is characterized by unpredictable weather; There are usually few tourists, and hotel prices go down.
When to go?
When planning your trip, you must take into account, in addition to weather conditions and time of year, many other factors. You need to choose the most suitable hotel or resort. Find out about shopping opportunities and the availability of a variety of entertainment, especially if you are vacationing in Thailand with children.
The best season in terms of weather is considered to be the end of November and absolutely the entire winter period. Good weather will continue until the very beginning of April. It is necessary to take into account that the cost of housing increases significantly at this time, because the country is visited by a huge number of tourists. Throughout January there are a lot of vacationers in Thailand.
Resorts
As soon as the holiday season begins, several thousand people come to the country. For everyone who is going to visit Thailand for the first time, go to the resorts: Phuket, Pattaya, Samui.
Pattaya is located near the Gulf of Thailand, on its eastern side. The most favorable time for a holiday here is considered to be November – February. Then there is practically no precipitation, and the water and air temperatures are most comfortable.
Phuket is located in the Andaman Sea itself. It has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. You can relax almost all year round. The island has excellent conditions for fishing and diving.
Koh Samui is the best vacation for everyone who loves sunbathing on the beaches. And perfect for a family trip. The holiday season starts in January and ends in June. In this place you can admire beautiful waterfalls, landscapes and visit the aquarium.
Whatever the weather, Thailand is amazing at any time of year. Each month will color your journey in its own way. Calendar events and holidays in the kingdom are rich and colorful, so you won’t be bored all year round. If you are in doubt about the best time to go on a trip, find out the weather in Thailand for a certain time and go on an exciting vacation.
The diversity of Thailand's climate is determined by its large extent. At the end of spring and beginning of summer, the approaching monsoon is accompanied by a decrease in temperature and an abundance of precipitation.
In November, there is an increase in sunny days: when precipitation ends, but the temperature rises slightly. This weather in Thailand attracts many tourists and ends in mid-February. This period is called the velvet period. After it, intense heat begins, which lasts until May. And the whole cycle repeats again.
Rain season
Before planning a trip to the country, it would be useful to check the weather forecast in Thailand for the desired period. This will help you choose the best conditions for yourself. The greatest impact of the monsoon occurs on the east coast and central Thailand. It is here that August-September is characterized by heavy rainfall.
Typically the rainy season in Thailand ends in October. Despite the abundance of rainfall at this time, the influx of tourists does not stop. The fact is that a tropical downpour occurs once a day and lasts no more than half an hour. The rest of the time the weather is clear with a pleasant breeze.
Climate of the country
If you look at the difference in daily temperature, the greatest value is noticeable further from the equator. This has an effect on Thailand's climate. For example, in areas located closer to the equator, the average temperature in December-February fluctuates around +20-27º C.
For mountains, values from 0 to +25º C are considered normal. This is the case in Thailand when the “velvet season” begins. Phuket and Pattaya are considered the most favorable areas for relaxation at this time. Sunbathers will enjoy Thailand more. When the real heat comes up to +35-40º C.
Choose a suitable period for your trip to Thailand and enjoy an exciting holiday.
Video on the topic
You've probably heard the following travel tips more than once: it's cheaper to book flights on Tuesdays, Wednesday is the best day to fly, and January is the cheapest month to travel. All of them deserve attention to a certain extent. But we want to provide you with the most complete and up-to-date information, according to Booking.com, on how to choose the best hotel and the most financially pleasant place in every single month of the year. So as not to spend all your savings on a long-awaited trip. If you plan everything correctly, you can save a very significant 50% on some things and services!
What influences prices so much at different times of the year and different months? The reasons vary. In some countries, hotels offer very attractive deals after a major national holiday. You can go to other places inexpensively by choosing the right moment: when the weather is still fine, but the crowds of tourists have already left. There are quite a few options, and now we will briefly talk about them.
January: Melbourne
This month in Melbourne sees prices falling between the Christmas rush and the Australian Open. During the season, the average cost of accommodation here is $150 per night, but during this period you can book a great place for $112.
February: Hong Kong
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It's not just the nightly rate for a 4-star hotel that's dropping to $125 this month. This is also the best time for shopping and culture lovers.
March: Buenos Aires
The weather isn't very warm, but prices of $55 for a 4-star hotel justify the need to throw on something warm.
April: Copenhagen
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Copenhagen's busy tourist season runs from May to October and this small city can take a toll on your wallet and bank account. If you arrive in April, you will save up to 38% on housing, but you will no longer experience the harsh Scandinavian cold and frightening winter temperatures.
May: London
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Of course it is and it's never really cheap. But if you arrive after the famous May Day (May 2 this year), your savings will thank you.
June: Beijing
This is the best month for Beijing. The weather is mild and welcoming, but there are no national holidays, which means you can soak up the local flavor and pay around $80 a night in a 4-star hotel.
July: Sydney
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Traveling in the middle of our summer will allow you to avoid ultra-hot days and save 44% on high season hotel prices. And remember: the Australian winter is not much of a winter for us.
August: Berlin
One of Europe's vibrant capitals offers good prices on a variety of hotels throughout the year. And yet, in August you can seriously save money on accommodation here.
September: Rome
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There is no bad or wrong time of year to visit the magnificent city of Rome, but September is still the best! As many Europeans fly away in August, the city returns to its normal routine. And the average cost of $131 per night in a 4-star hotel is simply a super offer.
October: Cape Town
If you dream of whale watching, then this is the place for you! And a hotel this month will cost you no more than $80 per night.
November: Rio de Janeiro
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If you're going to Rio, you probably won't be able to do without the famous Copacabana Beach, and November temperatures are ideal for a holiday in this place. The most expensive season is the end of December, when prices will be 37% higher.
December: Frankfurt
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The first two weeks of December are a magical time in Frankfurt, with wonderful Christmas markets and festive events. They're also the best on the wallet, with savings of up to 56% and a night at a 4-star hotel costing around $112.