Summer is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean your travel plans have to be put on hold until the holidays.
Labor Day weekend signals the arrival of “shoulder season,” a fantastic time for travelers with some flexibility to save big on a spectacular getaway while avoiding the large crowds at the same time.
National Cheap Flight Day on Aug. 23 marked the start of falling airfares before they climb again, eventually peaking around the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Summer is winding down, and consumer focus is on returning to normal work and school schedules. Our data shows that airfares are trending downward, and we expect that to continue for the immediate future,” said Glenn Cusano, president of Fareportal, the corporation behind CheapOair and OneTravel.
There are plenty of great deals out there right now: Several airlines are launching sales with one-way fares under $40 and even offering discounted all-you-can-fly passes as demand dips.
Plus, travelers should be able to find plenty of favorable hotel rates, especially if they’re able to put those unused vacation days to work and stay mid-week.
Shoulder-season globetrotters could save even more by booking a vacation rental. Vrbo experts point out that travelers can save hundreds per night on beach houses in popular coastal destinations such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Charleston, S.C.; and Pensacola, Fla.
Guests can even save up to $900 a night on an eight-bedroom beachfront property in Miramar, Fla., by booking during the shoulder season compared to peak summertime.
In addition to lower rates and smaller crowds, travelers can still take advantage of awesome weather, especially in southern locales that remain warm well into October.
Nonetheless, be aware that the potential for destructive and disruptive tropical storm systems and hurricanes remains through November.
