For a growing number of travelers, the rational response to the intense heat, high prices, and overcrowding that often blight popular destinations in July and August is to visit in the spring or autumn instead.
This so-called “shoulder season” travel is booming, offering cooler weather, better-value hotel rates, and a more relaxed vibe away from peak-season crowds. By avoiding the busy summer period, tourists can sidestep extreme temperatures and even help reduce overtourism by spreading their trips into off-peak months.
Recent travel industry surveys back up these trends. Approximately one-third of travel advisors have seen an increase in shoulder-season bookings year-over-year (with 12% reporting a jump of over 10% in off-peak travel), and over half say clients are now booking trips closer to their departure dates.
In the UK, one travel network found that bookings for May–June and September–October 2025 jumped by 13% and 20% respectively compared to the prior year, as people looked for alternative travel dates to escape peak-season costs, crowds, and heat.
Major travel providers are also adapting to this shift in timing. For example, Delta Air Lines has observed a “systematic shift” of U.S. demand away from the traditional July–August rush into the shoulder periods “as consumers look to avoid peak crowds and summer heat,” according to its president Glen Hauenstein. “The peak is getting less peaky and the shoulders are getting stronger,” he noted, reflecting how many Americans now delay their Europe trips until spring or fall.
Tour operators report similar patterns: Intrepid Travel, for instance, saw a 61% surge in shoulder-season bookings to western Europe last year and responded by adding 47% more departures in April and 27% more in October to meet the off-peak demand.
Clearly, shoulder season travel, once a travel “secret” for savvy budget travelers, has entered the mainstream as a smart strategy to enjoy popular destinations without the summer frenzy.
Take Off This Summer
In the summer of 2025, spur-of-the-moment escapes have truly taken off. Travel experts note that many consumers are delaying their bookings until the last few weeks (or even days) before a trip, hoping to snag better prices or adapt to changing conditions. “This year’s hottest summer travel trend? Waiting for deals,” one report quipped, as Americans increasingly hold out to book only if the price is right.
Economic uncertainty and high inflation have made travelers more price-conscious, while the growing influence of younger travelers is also a factor. Members of Gen Z, for instance, are far more comfortable booking trips on short notice – 35% of Gen Z travelers confirm their plans less than one month before traveling, compared to just 24% of Baby Boomers.
In other words, younger vacationers don’t mind spontaneity, and they’re helping normalize a culture of last-minute trip planning.
Digital tools and post-pandemic flexibility have made spontaneous travel easier than ever. Airbnb, for example, has observed shrinking booking windows as travelers take a “wait-and-see” approach – many trips are now arranged much closer to the check-in date than in years past.
Airlines and hotels, facing softer early bookings, often roll out last-minute deals to fill empty seats and rooms. “Consumers are waiting to make decisions, including for the summer,” noted Southwest Airlines’ CEO in May 2025, explaining that people held off booking summer trips longer than usual, though many did eventually travel once good deals appeared.
In fact, hospitality data shows that bookings tend to catch up as the departure date nears: hotels might see a lull until a month out, then a surge of reservations in those final weeks as procrastinators lock in their plans. The result is that the booking curve has compressed – the last-minute crowd is now a significant segment of travelers.
Crucially, a spontaneous approach doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality or enjoyment. As departure dates draw near, unsold inventory prompts airlines, cruise lines, and hotels to slash prices or offer extras to entice late bookers. Last-minute travelers can often score discounted airfares and accommodations – sometimes with added perks thrown in.
Travel deal trackers note that many hotels include freebies like complimentary breakfast, spa credits, or room upgrades for late bookers, making it possible to enjoy premium experiences at a fraction of the usual cost. In other words, that impulsive weekend getaway or impromptu summer trip might come with luxury touches and a lower price tag.
Far from a compromise, last-minute travel has become an opportunity: savvy travelers who stay alert for price drops can end up with incredible value vacations. As one luxury travel advisor put it, “last-minute doesn’t mean compromise” – it can be the moment when opportunity awaits in the form of flash sales and surprise deals.
How to Book a Late Trip
Even if you’re planning on booking a vacation at the eleventh hour, there are smart strategies to ensure you get a great experience without overspending.
Here are some tips for embracing the last-minute trip trend while keeping costs under control:
- Stay flexible and set fare alerts: Being open-minded on your destination or exact travel dates can unlock huge savings. Set up airfare alerts and check airline or hotel websites frequently for sudden price drops. Often, traveling on off-peak days (like mid-week instead of a Friday or Sunday flight) will yield lower fares. The more flexibility you have, the easier it is to pounce on a good deal when it appears.
- Time your trip for the shoulder season: One of the best cost-saving moves is to travel during shoulder season (those spring and fall months) rather than peak summer. As discussed above, choosing shoulder-season dates can dramatically cut costs on flights and hotels while still offering enjoyable weather and smaller crowds. In fact, travel experts note there are “much better deals on flights, hotels and package holidays” during the shoulder months – and far fewer tourists to contend with. If you can schedule your vacation for, say, late September instead of mid-July, your wallet (and your sanity) will thank you.
- Leverage last-minute discounts: Keep an eye on last-minute travel deal websites, apps, or newsletters – many unsold cruise cabins, tour packages, or resort stays get heavily discounted as the start date approaches. Hotels will often reduce rates or offer promotions to fill empty rooms; for example, a hotel might advertise a “third night free” if you book two nights at short notice. Similarly, resorts frequently slash prices close to check-in, so a last-minute all-inclusive vacation can end up a steal (giving you meals, drinks, and activities for far less than the usual cost). The key is to monitor these channels regularly so you don’t miss fleeting deals.
- Be ready to jump on a deal: Spontaneous trips reward those who can act fast. To avoid scrambling, have your travel documents in order and a go-bag at the ready. Make sure your passport is valid, and consider keeping a small travel fund set aside for surprise opportunities. This way, if a fantastic flash sale to your dream destination pops up, you can book immediately. As one guide suggests, keep your passport up to date and a bag packed, and use handy travel apps to secure that last-minute booking quickly. A little preparation means you can say “yes” to an adventure at a moment’s notice.
In summary, the rise of shoulder-season travel and last-minute bookings shows that today’s travelers are rewriting the rules of vacation planning.
By staying flexible about when you go (and even being willing to go with very little lead time), you can enjoy memorable trips that skip the worst crowds and prices of peak periods – often while saving money in the process.
From a serene fall getaway to a spur-of-the-moment summer escape, traveling during the shoulder season or jumping on last-minute deals allows you to see the world on your own terms.
It’s all about beating the crowds, seizing the savings, and proving that sometimes the best travel experiences come to those who don’t wait (or rather, to those who wait until the perfect deal comes along).
