Profitable vacation in Europe: what season to choose for a trip

The question of when is the best time to travel to Europe will be of interest to many travelers. According to Eurostat, European travel is gaining momentum again after low activity during the pandemic, increasing by 6.1% in 2023.

Interestingly, Croatia and Malta are now the most attractive destinations in Europe. But before traveling, it is important to consider not only the destination but also the season and day of the week, Investopedia writes.

How to plan a trip to Europe profitably: key issues

Choosing the season

Seasonality matters when you plan your vacation. For example, if you're looking for airfare from New York to London on Travelocity.com, midweek prices in June can start at $594, while in January they can start at $410.

As elsewhere, there are times in Europe when traveling is more expensive and times when you can save money on tickets and other expenses. The summer season from late May to August is the most expensive time to travel to Europe, especially for American families who are used to traveling during this period.

Fall and winter, from October to March, are usually cheaper times to fly. Although the weather can be chilly, a winter vacation in Europe can be attractive, especially for ski resort enthusiasts. Europe has some of the best ski and snowboard resorts in the world (Meribel, Zermatt and St. Anton am Arlberg, among many others).

It is also better to avoid traveling in late December and on New Year's holidays, when ticket prices are usually higher. Cities such as Cologne and Salzburg are best avoided at this time if you are on a tight budget.

Indirect flights

The most popular air travel route between the United States and Europe is from New York to London. Despite the fact that Britain has left the European Union, London remains attractive to Americans.

More than 30 airlines offer flights to London from New York's three major airports, which creates a huge choice for travelers and allows them to choose the best deal.

Thus, it is more profitable for American citizens to make a stopover in London to fly to their next destination.

It's worth noting that the UK's exit from the European Union has made traveling to Europe from the UK a bit more difficult for Americans. Now they have to queue up at entry points along with non-European travelers and the British themselves. So it's better to fly in the middle of the week when there are fewer lines at airports.

Please note that major airlines often cooperate with low-cost carriers such as RyanAir and Easy Jet, which can give you more options.

Compare prices

It is important to remember that airfare prices are constantly changing. An economy class ticket to the same destination can cost $1,200 in the morning and $531 in the evening. To get the best deal, it is recommended to monitor prices daily for several days. Flexible dates can also help you find more favorable options.

Day of the week

Planning a trip to Europe on a specific day of the week doesn't always lead to savings. While it's often better to fly midweek, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday, sometimes you can get a good deal on a Saturday.

The length of your stay also affects the cost of the ticket. For example, to save money, it is better to choose a return flight time on Saturday evening.

In addition, you can also track and compare ticket prices using aggregator sites. Assistant services like Google Flights, as well as Kayak and Travelocity, provide flexible date search, allowing you to compare prices for specific and upcoming dates.

Early booking

It is not always necessary to book tickets in advance. Although prices are constantly changing, the logic of pricing does not imply that seats are filled six months before departure.

If demand does not increase due to events such as the Olympics, good deals may appear a few weeks before departure, but at the last minute, prices may be high and choice limited.

We recommend subscribing to notifications from services such as Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak, which send information by email.

It is noted that average airfares in February 2024 decreased by 6.2% compared to the previous year, which is good news for travelers. During the pandemic in 2020, prices fell by 18%, but rose by 30% in 2022.

If you're nervous about flying and have an elevated heart rate, read TravelWise's tips to help ease your anxiety.