The Cheapest Time to Visit Every Country

The Cheapest Months to Travel

Not all months are created equal when choosing to travel and the data study reveals the cheapest months overall for international travel and the most expensive.

On average, December was the most expensive time of year to travel with 38 countries having the highest hotel prices at this time including Australia, Japan, Mexico and Thailand. The month saw an average percentage premium of 9.52% for hotel stays. This makes sense, as December is a common time for people to have time off and is also the month of Christmas, likely hiking up prices.

Interestingly, November was the cheapest month with 25 countries having their cheapest hotel prices at this time, with an average decrease in room prices of 3.51%. This included many European countries including Norway, Sweden, and France, along with the United States and Singapore. As the cheapest month is so close to the most expensive, this could be classed as shoulder season which is an excellent time to travel.

Overall, June saw the biggest average decrease in hotel costs of 3.88%. As the month just before July and August which are peak summer months, this time of year sees incredible savings before prices hike. Countries like Sri Lanka, South Africa and Hong Kong find this their cheapest month to visit.

The Cheapest Months to Visit Each Country

Explore the map below to find out when the cheapest, and more expensive time is to visit each country. This is meant as a guide only, as hotel prices can fluctuate.

The map details how travelling at different times of the year can result in huge savings for travellers. Accommodation prices can fluctuate for many reasons, including the weather, peak season, how early or late you book, and important cultural events such as festivals and holidays.

For example, Holi happens in March, when India experiences a 12.95% increase in hotel prices. Brazil, known for being a winter sun destination and one of the most beautiful places to ring in the New Year, sees a whopping 59.7% jump in prices in December.

June to October is often the best time to visit Tanzania as this is the dry season when visitors have the best chance of spotting wildlife. As this is the high season for the country, hotel prices shoot up as much as 55.63%, spiking in August. Meanwhile, Kenya sees an average price decrease of 32.58% in November and 25.15% in May, the latter likely sparked by the rainy season. The country is most expensive in July when it sees a 45.36% premium in hotel prices. Safari prices can also fluctuate according to how in advance you book. Our annual state of safari outlines the most popular months of the year for a safari as well as how long in advance you should be planning a safari trip.

European destinations might see a spike in prices around July and August when many surrounding countries take their school holidays and therefore travel the most. For example, prices in Italy rise as much as 58.25% above the average in July while Croatia sees a 47.78% price premium in July and 42.53% in August.

Christmas is also an expensive time to travel with many countries charging a premium on accommodation for those taking a winter break or visiting family. America sees a 15.31% increase in costs when people travel for Christmas while Austria sees an incredible 198% increase in hotel prices in December, known for its Christmas markets, skiing and numerous Winter Solstice festivals.

How to Save Money on Travel by Booking at the Right Time

Traveling at certain times can save you hundreds of dollars on hotel costs and vacation packages, especially when you strategically book during off-peak periods or shoulder seasons, which are often less crowded and more affordable.

Justin Chapman at Go2Africa has compiled some of their top tips from working in travel for over 8 years on how to save money by timing your trips strategically:

1. Travel during shoulder seasons

Most people think summer is the best time to travel, but booking during shoulder seasons, which are just before or after peak seasons, can save you a bundle. Certain destinations have a sweet spot where you're far enough out of the peak season to get cheaper rates, but the weather is still decent. For example, Southern Europe can be surprisingly affordable in late March or November. Similarly, areas like the Caribbean or Southeast Asia tend to offer great deals just outside the traditional peak months, like May or early June before hurricane season begins.

2. Book during the rainy season

The rainy season (generally November through March in southern Africa) known as “Green Season” might seem like an odd choice for a safari, but it’s one of the best times to save money while seeing the landscape transform into a lush green paradise. Many travelers shy away from the rain, however, provided you are focused on the right areas, the landscape is stunning, with vibrant wildlife, fewer tourists, and the emergence of rare species. Similarly, beach destinations like the Maldives or Bali offer great deals during the rainy season (often November to March), when rainfall is brief and prices are slashed.

3. Opt for a last-minute deals

Many companies may offer last-minute deals if they have last-minute openings or need to fill spots on scheduled departures. While this might seem counterintuitive for a high-end experience, savvy travelers know that booking within 30–60 days of departure can give you unbeatable deals without compromising on the level of luxury. If you’re flexible with your dates and destination, you can score premium accommodations at reduced rates. Look out for email newsletters or exclusive offers advertised online.

However, this tactic doesn't always work, especially for sought-after experiences such as safari. Safari camps are generally a lot smaller than a typical hotel, and availability can run out fast. Booking well in advance, such as starting to plan a year ahead, is important in order to avoid disappointment

4. Take advantage of hidden gem destinations

If you’re set on an extravagant experience but want to avoid paying premium prices for the most famous safari parks (like the Maasai Mara or Kruger), consider booking safaris in lesser-known destinations. Areas like Zambia's South Luangwa, Mozambique's Niassa Reserve, or Kenya's Tsavo West offer extraordinary luxury safaris at lower prices than the more popular parks. These “hidden gem” destinations offer just as much in terms of wildlife viewing, but due to their remoteness, they remain more affordable.

5. Explore destinations with unconventional seasons

Certain places have offbeat seasons, different from shoulder seasons, that can result in lower costs. For instance, skiing destinations in Europe or North America are often more affordable at the tail end of the ski season (March or early April) when the snow is still decent, but prices have dropped. Similarly, Sri Lanka offers a fantastic opportunity during its “Indian Summer” (typically from March to May), which is considered the off-peak period. While this time can be a bit warmer, the island offers great deals on accommodation and fewer tourists.

Ready to Plan Your Safari?

Dreaming of a luxury safari? Find out the best time to visit each African safari destination for the ultimate wildlife experience.

Methodology

To find out the cheapest month to visit each country based on hotel prices, Go2Africa began by compiling a comprehensive seed list of every country in the world. Using this list, we analyzed average hotel prices for each country across all months of the year. Hotel pricing data was aggregated from a variety of reputable online booking platforms to ensure accuracy and representativeness.

From this dataset, we calculated the following metrics for each country:

• The overall average hotel price.
• The month with the highest price premium.
• The month with the lowest hotel prices.

Data collection was completed in January 2025.