Four Places Where You Can Still Score a Shoulder Season Deal in 2024

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:40 PM ET, Mon January 29, 2024

In a recent media interview, Intrepid CEO James Thornton underscored a trend that’s been emerging over the past few years.

Shoulder season, historically a quieter and more budget-friendly time to travel, is no longer either of those things in many places.

What was once "one of travel's best-kept secrets ... is [now] our busiest time of the year," Thornton told CNBC.

For those not familiar with the term, shoulder season is that sweet spot between a destination's high and low travel seasons. Think late September or early October after the summer rush has died down (depending on the destination) or late February and early March, before spring breakers hit the roads, for instance.

The pandemic has upended the traditional seasonality of travel cycles, meaning shoulder season bargains are not as plentiful as they once were.

What’s more, parents are increasingly willing to pull children out of school in favor of travel in order to score shoulder season prices—adding still more competition during what was historically a low-key time to visit many places.

And if you need yet more evidence that the end of shoulder season may be upon us, Zicasso’s 2024 Travel Trends Report recently revealed that 41 percent of travel specialists who were surveyed said high seasons are lasting longer with more people traveling during “what used to be considered shoulder seasons.”

Additionally, 43 percent said an increasing number of destinations are essentially becoming year-round hot-spots with no clear low season at all anymore.

Thankfully, the data crunchers at CNBC analyzed the numbers and found at least four places where it’s still possible to score a shoulder season bargain, apparently. Here’s what they found.

Kyoto, Japan

Wildly popular for its cherry blossoms, Kyoto is often best avoided from March through May when the trees are in full bloom. A three-night hotel stay at Aman Kyoto during high season (late March) will set you back more than $5,700, according to CNBC.

But should you opt to arrive in Kyoto a few weeks ahead of high season, the tab at the same hotel drops to about $3,185.

Sea plane flying above Maldives islands, Raa atol (photo via Jag_cz / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

The Maldives

A stunning tropical destination that needs little introduction, the Maldives is rarely a bargain getaway. (At least for those traveling from the United States.)

During peak season in the Maldives, which is around mid-February, a stay at the Soneva Fushi will cost more than $3,600. Though, should you choose to visit in April, the price at the same resort drops to about $2221, per CNBC.

Dubai

If the everything-over-the-top, all-the-time destination of Dubai has been on your bucket list, there's good news and bad news. You're not exactly alone in wanting to visit. In 2023, Dubai grew to be one of the most visited international destinations.

The important thing to note, however, about Dubai is that rates don’t fluctuate much at all. At the glitzy Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a hotel stay will set you back about $1645 whether you choose to visit in mid-April (which is technically off-season) or mid-December, which is considered peak season.

However, there is a slight discount to be had in April — if you opt for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah. Nightly rates at the property drop from $451 to $435 between December and April.

Rome, Italy

An eternally popular destination, Rome’s peak season has officially expanded and now runs from May through September, says CNBC.

That means shoulder season is shrinking. But there are still deals to be had—if you visit in very early spring.

A stay at the Hotel de la Ville in the legendary Italian city in mid-March will cost about $1,350. That’s compared to the same hotel in peak mid-June when you can expect to shell out about $1637.

At Rome’s Hotel Artemide you can also save some money by visiting in mid-March when prices are $380 compared to a steep $560 in mid-June.

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