The Sweet Spot Between the Holidays: A Surprisingly Good Time to Travel

Have you ever considered taking a non-holiday holiday?

With Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s all crowded into a few short weeks, planning another trip during this time might sound a little crazy. But those quieter days between the celebrations can be a surprisingly good time to get away.

Once Thanksgiving travelers have returned home—and before the Christmas rush begins—demand often drops. Depending on where you want to go, you may find lower hotel rates, better airfare options and fewer crowds at restaurants and attractions.

A second quiet period sometimes arrives just after New Year’s, when the celebrations are over and children return to school. Of course, there are exceptions. Ski resorts and warm-weather destinations may still be busy, and a festival, sporting event or convention can raise prices almost anywhere.

But if your schedule is flexible and you don’t mind celebrating the season a little differently, this in-between time may offer just the escape you need.

Choose your travel dates carefully

The days immediately before and after a major holiday are usually among the busiest—and often the most expensive—days to travel. If you have some flexibility, don’t limit your search to the weekend. Compare several departure and return dates to see what happens.

You may discover that leaving a day earlier or coming home a day later makes a noticeable difference. Midweek flights can also be less expensive than weekend departures, with the added benefit of avoiding some of the heaviest airport traffic.

And while “Travel Tuesday” may bring a flurry of advertised sales, you don’t need to wait for one particular day to begin planning your trip.

Let price alerts do some of the work

Have you ever checked the price of a flight, gone back later and discovered that it had changed? Airfares can rise or fall at any time, which makes waiting for the perfect moment to book frustrating.

Instead of checking the same itinerary over and over, set up a price alert through a flight-search site. You’ll be notified when the fare changes, making it easier to decide whether the price you’re seeing is a good one.

Flexible-date calendars are useful, too. They allow you to compare several days at once and may reveal a less expensive option you wouldn’t have considered.

Try pricing your trip a few different ways

Don’t assume a round-trip ticket will always be the least expensive choice. Try searching for two one-way tickets, including flights on different airlines.

If you live within driving distance of more than one airport, compare those as well. Just be sure to look at the complete cost. When I flew to London in June, I booked a flight from Newark—about a 2½-hour drive from my home—instead of Philadelphia because the airfare was $400 cheaper. But by the time I paid for two train trips and two additional hotel nights, I had spent more than I saved. A cheaper flight isn’t always a bargain once you add in the cost of getting to and from the airport.

The same applies to airline miles and credit-card points. Before using them, compare the number of points required with the cash price of the ticket. Sometimes redeeming points is an excellent deal; other times, you may be better off saving them for a more expensive trip.

Look beyond the obvious destinations

Where you go can be just as important as when you go.

Cities that rely heavily on conventions and business travelers may have plenty of hotel rooms available when business slows for the holidays. Places with a large number of hotels can also be worth checking when there isn’t a major convention, festival or sporting event in town.

And don’t dismiss coastal destinations simply because it’s too cold to swim. An off-season beach town can be lovely, with peaceful walks, waterfront views and festive decorations—without the summer crowds. Cape May in winter is a good example: the town is quieter, but its Victorian architecture, restaurants and seasonal atmosphere still give visitors plenty to enjoy.

Before you book, check seasonal schedules. Some attractions, tours and restaurants reduce their hours or close completely during the winter. A quiet destination can be wonderful; a destination where everything you wanted to see is closed is considerably less so.

Compare hotels with vacation rentals

If you’re traveling with family or friends, a vacation rental may give you more room to spread out, along with a kitchen and a comfortable place where everyone can gather.

Having a kitchen doesn’t mean you have to cook every meal. Even keeping drinks, breakfast foods and snacks on hand can save money—and make mornings a little more relaxed. For more ideas about balancing restaurant meals with simpler options, see my tips for eating well while traveling.

But don’t assume a vacation rental will automatically cost less than a hotel. Cleaning charges and service fees can turn an appealing nightly rate into something far less attractive. Compare the final prices, along with cancellation policies, parking costs and the amenities included.

Don’t rule out Europe

Europe may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about an early-winter getaway, but there are some appealing reasons to consider it.

London, Paris, Rome and other European cities take on a different character in winter. Streets are decorated, seasonal foods appear in cafés and markets, and museums offer a welcome escape on cold or rainy afternoons.

You may also find better airfare or hotel rates than you would during the busiest summer months, although this isn’t guaranteed. Christmas-market destinations and cities hosting special holiday events can be extremely popular, so always compare prices for your particular dates.

And remember that winter days are shorter. You’ll want to plan outdoor sightseeing earlier and save museums, restaurants and performances for late afternoon or evening.

Make sure the deal is really a deal

An inexpensive fare or hotel room can be tempting, but take a moment to look at the entire trip before booking.

Add up accommodations, ground transportation, baggage and seat-selection fees, meals, resort charges and attraction tickets. Will you need to rent a car? Is the hotel far from the places you want to visit?

Check the cancellation terms carefully, too. A deeply discounted room that cannot be changed or refunded may not be the best deal if winter weather—or an unexpected holiday obligation—alters your plans.

Depending on the trip, travel insurance may also help protect some of your prepaid expenses if unexpected circumstances force you to cancel or interrupt your plans.

A deal isn’t much of a deal if extra expenses—or a difficult itinerary—erase the savings.

Colorful historic homes make Annapolis, Maryland, an appealing destination for a getaway closer to home. Photo credit: Melody Moser.

Enjoy the quiet between the celebrations

Traveling between the holidays may not work for everyone. Family gatherings, work schedules and school calendars can make this a busy time at home.

But if you have some flexibility, those quieter weeks can offer a chance to step away from the holiday rush. Whether you spend a few days in a decorated European city, take a peaceful coastal getaway or simply explore somewhere closer to home, a non-holiday holiday might become one of your favorite ways to travel.

So while everyone else is unpacking from Thanksgiving or preparing for Christmas, take a look at the possibilities. You may discover that the sweet spot between the holidays is just the right time for your next adventure.