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‘Shoulder season’ has long been a travel hack in itself, but prices have been creeping up since it started to become a trend.
Nevertheless, travelling outside the peak summer months can still be significantly more affordable, if you plan your trip well.
Now, research from online travel search engine KAYAK has revealed how to make the very best savings for autumn travel.
While the research makes use of its 2026 UK flight and hotel search data, the same destinations are likely to be just as affordable for those travelling from elsewhere in the continent. And for our readers who are from the UK, KAYAK also came up with tips for how to avoid long queues caused due to EES chaos.
Chase ‘double-value’ destinations
To feel like you’ve won twice, look at destinations which are not only less expensive than in the summer but more affordable than the same trip cost last year.
KAYAK found that Bilbao in Spain ticks both boxes, with flight prices down by a fifth on last year and down by over a third on peak summer prices.
If you’re keen to head to Croatia for a burst of warmth, flight prices to Dubrovnik are 20% lower than in 2025 – and 9% lower than in the summer.
Further afield, Atlanta in the United States is the third best option as a ‘double-value’ destination while, closer to home, Portugal, Italy and Cyprus all show decent value for money, as well as plenty of late-season sunshine.
Return before mid-September, or push your trip to late October
One of the most important things to realise when booking a shoulder season trip, is that not all times of the season are created equal when it comes to flight prices.
KAYAK found that they can vary wildly, depending on the week you choose to fly.
If you want to get away in September, make sure to return home before the middle of the month as return flight prices start climbing fast after that.
Late October is also a good time to plump for, with average flight prices significantly lower than in late September or early October.
Fancy skipping the border queues and save? Try hassle-free countries
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) has seen long queues across the continent, with non-Schengen Zone residents sometimes missing flights and facing havoc at airports.
For British travellers, destinations with simpler entry requirements will likely hold extra appeal.
KAYAK identified a number of non-Schengen countries where tourists don’t have to jump through so many hoops and, luckily, flights are far less expensive in the shoulder season.
Albania is the best destination to achieve this double whammy, with flight prices down 52% compared to peak summer costs.
Tunisia, Türkiye and Montenegro – all free from EES checks – flight prices are also down 35%, 27% and 26% respectively, while a trip to the Dominican Republic, known for its year-round heat, will cost 29% less in the autumn.
Consider accommodation prices too
As well as flights, KAYAK’s data also revealed that accommodation prices vary significantly throughout the season.
Early October was revealed as the cheapest window, accommodation prices climbing again as the month continues.
Although flight prices are fairly high at the start of the month, sometimes lower priced accommodation can more than make up for the difference, and make a trip better value overall – but be sure to check before you go.
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