Choosing the right time to travel: seasons, prices and crowds

The same trip can cost very different amounts depending on when you go. Choosing the right time means finding the balance between weather, crowds, budget and administrative timescales.

High season, low season

In high season (school holidays, the end-of-year holidays, summer in Europe), flights and hotels are more expensive and fill up quickly. Low season offers better prices, sometimes at the cost of less favourable weather.

A few pointers by destination

• Dubai: November to March for pleasant temperatures.
• Europe: spring and autumn to avoid the summer crowds and the winter cold.
• The Maldives and the Seychelles: the weather varies with the monsoons; find out about the dry season for each archipelago.
• Istanbul: April to May and September to October are often very pleasant.

Do not forget visa processing times

For destinations that require a visa, when you leave also depends on appointment and processing times, which are often longer before the summer and the holidays. Travelling in July or December therefore needs to be prepared several months in advance.

Booking at the right time

Booking early generally gets you better airfares and a wider choice of hotels. For destinations that require a visa, however, wait until you have a clear enough idea of the decision before buying non-refundable services.

Our advice

Tell us your possible dates and your budget: we will suggest the most advantageous time and package.