Shoulder Season is Here!Happy Labor Day! Check our favorite ways to save on travel during September and October. September 7, 2020 We hope you’re taking a much-deserved break on this Labor Day. While you’re lounging, we’d like to share some of our favorite tips for saving on travel during the 2020 shoulder season, in case you’re thinking of getting out there on the cheap. In travel industry jargon, a shoulder season is generally defined as the few months between a destination’s peak season and its low season. Here in the US and across much of Western Europe, the shoulder season tends to fall between September and October and March to April or even May in the Spring. Traveling during these months is a great way to maximize your travel dollars while also avoiding epic crowds. Most kids are back in some form of school right now, which means less demand for lodging, restaurants, and services, often resulting in lower prices across the board. But where can we travel during the shoulder season amid COVID-19? From domestic to even international travel, there are still a lot of options. Here are our top choices to keep in mind: Nature Travel US destinations such as National Parks are about to see a dramatic drop in visitors after Labor Day. Go early (pre-8am) and you may even avoid paying an entrance fee altogether. Not to mention, you’ll have many trails, parking lots, and attractions all to yourself. US Travel Icons Must-see destinations such as The Biltmore, America's Largest Home, built by George Vanderbilt, have serious discounts this fall. The same is true for Las Vegas and Disney. Explore Kayak’s Deals of the Day for an inspiration kick-start, including a range of cheap to spendy options like a Savannah Ghosts and Graveyards Tour or an all-inclusive guide of Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Where can you travel outside of the continental US? Mexico is one destination worth exploring right now as there are currently no restrictions for US travelers, and there are a number of cheap flight options if you’re flexible on travel days. Another great destination to consider is Alaska. While Alaska requires all travelers to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival, or take a test and potentially quarantine, we’ve heard the actual oversight on this is pretty minimal. And while we’re not suggesting anyone hop on a flight if they’ve potentially been exposed to COVID, there are many rapid results tests available now that travelers can get in advance of a trip like this that should satisfy some of the restrictions travelers are currently facing. Where can you stay on the cheap? Airbnb hosts across the US haven’t been hit as hard as some of the large national hotel chains amid COVID. For one, they’re been regarded as a more socially-distant option versus a large hotel. Second, they’ve reaped the benefits of more staycationers this summer as Europe and Canada travel remains under tight restrictions. Still, there are a few really great ways to book an Airbnb for less than the price] advertised online. First, if your travel dates are flexible, opt to stay during the week versus the traditional weekend. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for a discount, especially if you’re booking at the last minute and during a random weekday. It can feel a bit awkward doing this sometimes, but often a host will often grant the request versus risking the rental remain empty and unsold. This may not be the case in highly-desired destinations with a low inventory of available places to stay. But it never hurts to ask.
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