What is the cheapest month to go on holiday? Real prices from 2025

Want to know the cheapest month to go on holiday? It’s not a mystery - it’s just not what most people think. If you’re looking to slash your travel costs without sacrificing fun, the answer lies in timing, not destinations. The cheapest months to fly and book accommodation aren’t the ones with the most Instagram posts. They’re the ones no one wants to talk about - the quiet, cold, or rainy ones. And if you know where to look, you can save up to 60% compared to peak season.

January is the cheapest month to fly - everywhere

After the holiday rush ends in early January, airlines and hotels drop prices hard. In 2025, average round-trip flights from Vancouver to London were $487 in January, down from $1,200 in December. Same deal for flights to Mexico City, Bangkok, or even Lisbon. Hotels in popular cities like Paris or Barcelona dropped 40-50% after New Year’s. Why? Fewer tourists. Airlines need to fill seats. Hotels need cash flow. They’ll give you a deal just to get you in the door.

Don’t let the cold scare you. January in Budapest is freezing, but the thermal baths are open, the Christmas lights are still up, and the locals are friendly. You’ll find fewer crowds at the Louvre, fewer lines at the Colosseum, and more room at the table in Rome. This isn’t just about saving money - it’s about having the place to yourself.

September and October are the hidden sweet spot for warm destinations

If you hate the cold but still want low prices, aim for late summer and early fall. September and October are the best months for beach holidays in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. In 2025, all-inclusive resorts in Cancún were $120 per night in September - half what they charged in July. Flights to Bali dropped 35% after August ended.

Why? Schools are back in session. Families stop traveling. Tourists think the weather’s turning, but it’s not. The water is still warm. The humidity drops. Rain showers are brief and come at night. You get sunshine without the screaming kids and packed pools. In Greece, you can rent a villa on Mykonos for $80 a night in October. In July? $450.

Avoid these months - they’re the most expensive

Some months are traps. You think you’re getting a deal, but you’re not. Here’s what to skip:

• July and August - Peak summer in Europe and North America. Everything is booked, and prices are inflated. Flights from Vancouver to Toronto hit $900+ in August.
• December (especially 20-31) - Christmas and New Year’s. Even budget airlines jack up fares. A $500 flight in November becomes $1,300 on December 24.
• February break (mid-Feb) - Popular with American families. Prices spike in Orlando, Cancún, and ski resorts.
• May long weekends - Victoria Day in Canada, Memorial Day in the US. Short trips get expensive fast.

These aren’t bad times to travel - they’re just bad if you’re trying to save. If you go during these months, you’re paying a premium for the convenience of holidays, not the destination.

Where to find the best deals - and how to book them

Knowing the cheapest month isn’t enough. You need to know where to look and when to click.

• Book 3-4 months ahead - Prices drop the most 120 days before departure. Set alerts on Google Flights or Hopper. They’ll tell you when prices are at their lowest.
• Use incognito mode - Airlines track your searches. If you keep checking the same flight, prices go up. Open a private window.
• Consider nearby airports - Flying from Abbotsford instead of Vancouver can save $150 on a flight to Mexico. Check Kelowna, Seattle, or even Bellingham.
• Book stays with free cancellation - Prices change fast. If you find a $300 deal on a hotel but see a $240 deal next week, you want to be able to switch.

For budget stays, skip the big chains. Try Airbnb, Booking.com’s “Genius” discounts, or local guesthouses. In Lisbon, a 2-bedroom apartment in January costs $45 a night. In July? $180. Same place. Same location. Just different timing.

What about travel insurance? Don’t skip it - even on cheap trips

Some people think, “It’s a cheap trip, I don’t need insurance.” That’s a mistake. A missed flight, a lost bag, or a sudden illness can wipe out your savings. In 2025, a basic plan from Allianz cost $38 for a 10-day trip to Thailand. It covered a $1,200 flight change when a storm grounded planes in Manila. That’s not a luxury - it’s a safety net.

Look for plans that include trip cancellation, medical coverage, and baggage loss. Don’t buy from the airline - they charge double. Use third-party sites like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth. Compare plans. Pick the one that covers your biggest risk.

Real examples from 2025: What people actually paid

Here’s what real travelers paid last year:

• Canada to Jamaica - $580 round-trip in January (vs. $1,100 in March)
• Canada to Portugal - $620 round-trip in October (vs. $1,400 in August)
• Canada to Thailand - $790 round-trip in September (vs. $1,300 in December)
• Canada to Mexico - $410 round-trip in November (vs. $900 in January)

Notice a pattern? The cheapest months are almost always outside of holidays, school breaks, and summer. The most expensive? Right when everyone else is going.

What if you can only travel in peak season?

Life doesn’t always line up with cheap flights. Maybe you can only take time off in July. That’s okay. You can still save.

• Travel midweek - Tuesday and Wednesday flights are 20-30% cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
• Stay in hostels or Airbnb - Even in peak season, shared rooms or apartments cost less than hotels.
• Use local transit - Skip rental cars. Take buses, trains, or walk. You’ll save money and see more.
• Eat where locals eat - Skip tourist restaurants. Find a market, buy fruit, bread, and cheese. Dinner for two can cost $15 instead of $60.

You don’t need to go to Bali in December to have a great trip. You just need to know how to move smartly.

Final tip: The cheapest trip isn’t the one with the lowest price - it’s the one you actually take

People spend months researching the perfect deal, then never book it. They wait for the “perfect” month, and by the time they decide, it’s gone. The best deal is the one you book today.

Don’t wait for January to be the cheapest month next year. It already is. Flights are already dropping. Hotels are already emptying. The deals are live. The only thing standing between you and a $500 flight to Lisbon is your decision.

Book it. Go. You’ll thank yourself later.