When to go anywhere
“Best time” depends on what you optimise for — weather, prices, crowds, festivals. This guide picks the best month-range for each major travel region using the standard traveller trade-off: reliable weather + reasonable prices + bearable crowds. For specifics by country, check the country pages linked below.
Europe
- Best months overall: May, June, September.
- Peak (avoid for value): July-August in southern Europe — heat + tourists.
- Shoulder (sweet spot): May, June, September, October — pleasant temps, 30-50% lower prices, all sights open.
- Low (best for Christmas markets / skiing): Dec-Feb.
- Country guides: France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal.
Southeast Asia
- Best months overall: November – February (dry season, cool).
- Peak: Dec-Jan — best weather, highest prices.
- Shoulder: Nov, Feb, Mar — quieter but still dry.
- Low (rainy): June-October — afternoon storms, low prices, lush.
- Country guides: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia.
India & Subcontinent
- Best: October – March (post-monsoon, cool).
- Peak (festival/tour season): December – January.
- Shoulder: Oct-Nov and Feb-Mar.
- Avoid: May-Sep (heat + monsoon) except hill stations and the Himalayas.
- Country guide: India.
Japan & East Asia
- Cherry blossoms: Late March – early April.
- Autumn foliage: Late October – November.
- Avoid: Golden Week (late Apr – early May) — domestic crowds spike.
- Country guide: Japan.
Americas
- Mexico, Caribbean, Central America: November – April (dry season).
- South America (Andes): May – September (Peru, Bolivia dry; Patagonia cold).
- Patagonia summer: November – March.
- Amazon: June – November (less rain, more wildlife).
- Country guides: Mexico, USA.
Africa
- East Africa safari: June – October (dry, wildlife concentrates at waterholes).
- Serengeti migration river crossings: July-September.
- South Africa garden route: Sep-Nov, Mar-May.
- North Africa (Morocco, Egypt): October – April.
- Madagascar: April – October.
- Country guides: Egypt, UAE.
Oceania & Pacific
- Australia (south): Oct – April (summer).
- Australia (tropical north): May – October (dry).
- New Zealand: Nov – April (summer), Jul-Sep (skiing).
- French Polynesia, Fiji: May – October (dry).
Pro tip: travel shoulder season
The week or two on either side of peak is consistently the best value — weather still excellent, prices 20-40% lower, sights uncrowded. Common shoulder windows: late May/early June for Europe, late February for SE Asia, October for Japan.
Use Compare Countries to weigh seasonal timing between two destinations, and the Trip Planner to align dates with your route. For full country-by-country detail browse the country guides.
Frequently asked questions
When is the cheapest time to travel anywhere?
Generally the country’s low season — opposite of peak. Europe is cheapest November-March (except Christmas markets); SE Asia is cheapest in the rainy season (June-Sep); Africa is cheapest in the green season (Nov-Apr in safari zones).
When is shoulder season worldwide?
Roughly: April-May and September-October for Northern Hemisphere destinations; March-April and October-November for tropical destinations either side of monsoon.
Can I travel during the rainy season?
Yes — rain in SE Asia/Africa is usually afternoon thunderstorms, not all-day downpour. Mornings are clear, prices halve, landscapes are at their greenest. Avoid major monsoon-onset weeks only (typically May-June in India, August in much of SE Asia).
What’s the best time to see the northern lights?
September-March in Iceland, Norway, Finland, northern Canada and Alaska — peak around December-February for darkest skies. See our Iceland and Norway country guides for specifics.
