We all love a trip away, but the time of year you choose to go away can contribute to the type of holiday you have, including the location and activities we choose, and how much it costs us.
If you’re deciding when’s the best time to go on holiday, we’ve rounded up the pros and cons of going away in the summer and the winter.
The pros of summer holidays
Better weather
Naturally, the weather is better in most countries during summer, meaning there are far more places you can travel to in the summer without having to worry about bad weather.
This gives you more freedom to explore towns and cities, take part in outdoor activities and go on long walks.
Longer days
Summer brings longer days, giving you more time to explore and have fun on your holiday, whether you’re in the UK or elsewhere.
More to do
A lot of sunny holiday hotspots close their bars and restaurants in the winter, as tourist footfall is much lower. This means that you’ll get the most out of your chosen location if you travel in the summer.
The cons of summer holidays
Higher rates
Because the demand for holidays skyrockets during the summer months, rates for flights and hotels are usually higher than they would be in other seasons.
More crowds
Summer is the top time for people to go on holiday, so you’ll find that a lot of popular spots are very crowded at this time of the year.
Less availability
Because summer is the busiest time for most hotels and airlines, it can be harder to find a room or seat for the dates you want.
You may also end up paying more for a room with limited availability, or you’ll have to book a location that isn’t ideal for you if the one you want is fully booked.
The pros of winter holidays
Lower rates
Because the demand for flights and hotels is lower during the winter months, you can grab better deals when booking your trip.
Some booking sites also have Black Friday deals in November that you can use to save a lot of money on your flights or accommodation.
Around Christmas and New Year, it’s likely that you’ll see a spike in rates, as people tend to visit home or go on short trips during the holidays.
Fewer crowds
Fewer people go on holiday in the winter, so it’s likely that wherever you go will be less crowded than it would be in the spring or summer.
Cities known for their Christmas markets and other festive activities may see a spike in footfall during the winter, so keep this in mind before booking if you want a quieter trip.
The cons of winter holidays
Worse weather
In many countries, temperatures drop in the winter months and inconvenient weather like rain and snow becomes more likely.
Less to do
As mentioned above, popular holiday locations, such as those on the Spanish coast, often close restaurants and bars during the winter because of lower footfall. Certain activities, such as boat trips and aquatic sports, may also be limited due to the weather.
However, there are places that thrive more in winter than they do in summer, such as ski resorts.
Flight cancellations
During the winter months, strong winds, snow and ice can cause delays and cancellations at airports. If you’re unfortunate enough to be travelling on a very cold or stormy day, you may run into flight issues.
This is where travel insurance comes in handy.
Travel tips for summer
When travelling in summer, there are a few things you can do to stay safe and comfortable:
- Book accommodation and activities well in advance to avoid higher last-minute prices.
- Arrive at the airport a few hours earlier to avoid long queues at check-in and security.
- Check in online so that you can skip the above step at the airport.
- Pack sunglasses and sun cream to protect your eyes and skin.
- Take out travel insurance to cover you for unexpected issues and events.
Travel tips for winter
If you’re travelling in the winter, follow these tips to make your trip more enjoyable:
- Pack lots of warm clothing, including thermals and thick socks.
- Check the status of your flight online to see if there are any delays or cancellations.
- Check in online to avoid the queues at the check-in desks.
- Plan your days in advance to make the most of the daylight hours.
- Take out travel insurance to make sure you’re covered for any unexpected issues or events.
Should I travel in winter or summer?
Going on holiday in the winter or summer depends on a range of personal factors, including:
- what activities you want to take part in (i.e. mostly indoor or mostly outdoor)
- what kind of weather you want
- where you’re going
- how much you want to spend on flights and accommodation
If you’re looking to take a cultured city break, you may find that winter is the best time to go. Cities like London and Rome can get very hot during the summer months but can cool down in the winter.
Of course, if it’s a beach or walking holiday you’re after, summer is your best bet.
Travel insurance for your trip
Before heading off on your next holiday, make sure you have travel insurance in place for yourself and your family.
We offer travel insurance for single trips or for multiple trips within the year. Our travel cover can help support you with:
- loss of personal belongings (e.g. your suitcase during transportation)
- medical bills abroad
- repatriation
- cancelled or missed flights
Check out our travel insurance page to learn more about what we offer.
