Guide to shoulder seasons: the best times for family holidays

Less crowds, cheaper flights, affordable accommodation and mild weather – shoulder seasons are the best time to travel. Read our guide to shoulder season travel in seven of the world’s most popular family-friendly destinations. 

Shoulder seasons are the ideal middle ground for families travelling with kids. It sits between the busiest and quietest times of the year, usually in spring or autumn (though this depends on the destination’s weather and attractions). In places like Southeast Asia, it often lines up with the changeover between dry and rainy seasons, so it’s worth checking your specific spot before booking. In short, shoulder season lets families enjoy great weather, fewer crowds, shorter queues, and a more relaxed experience – without the peak-season chaos.

Why travel during shoulder season (especially with kids)?

Shoulder seasons are a win for families. You get smaller crowds, cheaper flights and hotels, and milder weather that’s easier on little ones. Airports are calmer, attractions are less crowded and queues are shorter, which means fewer meltdowns and a more relaxed pace for everyone. It’s also a great time to catch seasonal festivals and kid-friendly events, or see wildlife that’s more active in spring and autumn. Plus, travelling outside the busiest months helps ease overtourism and supports local businesses when they need it most.

Why is it called shoulder season?

The term ‘shoulder season’ comes from the idea that these months sit on the shoulder of the high and low seasons, like the sloped edges of a peak. They’re transitional periods between busy and quiet times. Travelling during these shoulder months is a clever way to travel smarter, see more and often spend less.

Nine reasons to travel during shoulder seasons

1. Smaller crowds at attractions and landmarks
2. Cheaper flights and accommodation
3. More pleasant, moderate weather
4. Less crowded airports and easier booking
5. Opportunity to attend seasonal festivals or events
6. Better wildlife spotting opportunities
7. Supports local tourism businesses during quieter periods
8. A more relaxed, unhurried pace of travel
9. Combats overtourism

Bali, Indonesia

• Peak season: July to August is the dry season in Bali, and late December to early January is busiest due to the festive season and school holidasys.
• Rainy season: The islands wet season starts in November and runs to April, with January the wettest.
• Dry season: May to October has lower humidity in Bali, with cooler nights, little rainfall and lots of sun – the driest month is August.
• Shoulder seasons: April to May and September to October are the best months for shoulder season travel in Bali, which offers plenty of sunshine and occasional, brief rainfall.

Read our guide to Bali

Thailand

• Peak (cool) season: November to February is the peak season for most of Thailand, with milder temperatures, lower humidity and minimal rainfall. However, peak season for the west coast (such as Phuket and Krabi) is November to April, and peak season for the east coast (such as Koh Samui and Phangan) is May to September.
• Rainy season: May to October is the wet season for most of Thailand, though the east coast west season is October to December.
• Shoulder seasons: March to May is the best time for shoulder season travel in Thailand. Sitting at the end of the cool season, the weather (and humidity) is typically warming up and the rainfall is minimal. October to November is the second shoulder season, sitting at the end of the rainy season with dropping temperatures and humidity, but visitors should expect a little more rainfall.

Read our guide to Thailand

Vietnam

• Peak season: Mid-December to March is the peak season in Vietnam, due to the dry and pleasant weather. July to September has higher rainfall and humidity, but become busy due to school holidays. Tet (Lunar New Year) is a domestic peak season from late January to early February.
• Rainy season north: The wet season in north Vietnam (Hanoi) runs from May to September and is wettest in July and August.
• Rain season central: Central Vietnam (Danang, Hue, Hoi An) experiences the most rainfall from September to December, with October and November bearing the brunt of flooding and typhoons.
• Rainy season south: The rainy season falls from June to November in southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City).
• Dry season north: Northern Vietnam is driest from November to April with cooler temperatures and less humidity.
• Dry season central: Central Vietnam’s dry season runs from January to August and tends to be hotter and drier.
• Dry season south: South Vietnam has low humidity and rainfall from December to April, with sunny days.
• Shoulder seasons: April to May is considered the best of the shoulder seasons in Vietnam. The weather is hot and humid, with this being the sunniest time in central areas. September to November is the second shoulder season option, with variable weather that leans cooler in the north and warmer in the south, but this time period can be riskier due to the risk of storms.

Read our guide to Vietnam

Fiji

• Peak season: The dry season months of June to September have the best weather in Fiji with low humidity, sunny days, cooler nights, less rain and the lowest cyclone risks. This is the time when water is typically clearest for diving.
• Rainy season: The wet season hits Fiji from November to April, bringing downpours, humidity, cyclones and warm weather – and very lush landscapes.
• Shoulder seasons: May and October are the two best months for shoulder season travel in Fiji, with mild weather and mostly sunny days.

Read our guide to Fiji

Japan

• Peak season: Japan has three key peak times for tourism: March and April for cherry blossom season and mild weather; October and November for the autumn turning of the leaves and cooler, crisper days; late December to early January for the domestic New Year holiday period – though this time is generally cold with snow in some areas. Ski and snow resorts will have peak season from December through to mid-February.
• Low season: Low seasons in Japan tend to coincide with the rainy season, which falls from June to July, and January to February when the weather is coldest. The typhoon risk is highest in August and September.
• Shoulder seasons: If you’re looking for slightly less crowds and milder weather, May is a moderate and dry time of year to visit, as is September to October, though temperatures climb during this time. The end of November can also be a suitable shoulder season, assuming you’re comfortable with colder days.

Read our guide to Japan

Singapore

• Peak season: November, December, January, June and July are the busiest times of year to visit Singapore, with crowds driven by holidays, major local events and ideal weather that is drier and slightly cooler, though still humid.
• Low season: Running from July to October, the low season is hot and humid with hazy conditions punctuated by rain showers. November marks the start of the monsoon season.
• Shoulder seasons: February to April and September to October are suitable shoulder seasons for those looking for more affordable accommodation. Expect hot and humid weather with sunny days and occasional showers.

Read our guide to Singapore

New Zealand

• Peak season: Much like Australia, New Zealand’s peak season runs throughout summer from December to February. If you’re looking to spend winter on the slopes skiing and snowboarding, you’ll find June to August is the peak season for winter sports in alpine regions.
• Low season: Winter brings cold temperatures, short days and little sun. Starting from June through to August, winter is typically the low season across the county, though ski villages are exceptions to this rule.
• Shoulder season: Those seeking crisp days and sun without the crowds will find the autumn months of March to May an appealing time to visit, while the verdant landscapes and warmer days of spring from September to November are the best months for shoulder season travel in New Zealand.

Read our guide to New Zealand

Keep reading:

• Cheap holiday destinations for families
• How to save money on family holidays
• Blissful islands near Australia for family holidays

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