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Best Time To Visit...
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When is the best time to travel to Europe?
For those of us who aren’t making the trip for a festival or a white Christmas, these dates will give you great weather for a fraction of the cost.
Holidaymakers with a penchant for warm, sunny days and streets that aren’t packed to the hilt with tourists, take note: these months will give you all that and more when you travel to Europe.
The best time to travel to Europe
March to June and September to October.
Why?
Spring and autumn offer warm to hot days and are just outside of the peak holiday periods, ie, the European summer and Christmas break. Being shoulder months, they offer less crowds and less expensive flights and accommodation.
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Overview
Europe experiences four seasons. Summers are warm to hot with countries such as Spain, Greece and Italy enjoying some of the highest temperatures of 30℃+. Winters are cold and can be harsh in some of the northernmost countries such as Russia, Belarus and the Baltics.Europe is a popular destination for holidaymakers worldwide, especially during the summer, so unless you’re attending a summer festival, it’s best to steer clear during July and August.
Weather and prices
The best time to visit, weatherwise: July and August provide the best weather, however, to avoid the summer breakers, travel during the shoulder months of May and June and September and October.
The cheapest time to visit: Search for flight deals during the low-season months of March to June and September to October.
The best time to visit Europe for…
- To avoid crowds: Summer and winter are the busiest months of the year for Europe so you'll find travelling in spring or autumn less crowded.
- On a budget: Search for flights and hotel deals at the end of season, from August to September or during winter (excluding the Christmas and New Year's holiday week).
- Eastern Europe: Eastern Europe can be visited all year round as it has warm to hot summers and snow-filled winters. As winters can be harsh, you might like to travel in shoulder months when outdoor activities such as hiking are open.
- Central Europe: Central Europe can be visited all year round and, similar to Eastern Europe, it has hot summers and snow-filled winters. Spring and autumn are ideal months to visit as they offer pleasant weather.
- Mediterranean: Peak season is when the resorts in the Mediterranean open their doors to visitors. To avoid paying peak prices, travel during the beginning or end of season.
- Northern Europe: The best time to visit Europe's north depends on your travel intent. During summer, you'll enjoy long days and the midnight sun in certain destinations. During winter, you'll have a few short hours of daylight each day but you'll also likely have a white Christmas and may even see the Northern Lights in certain locations. For general sightseeing, spring and autumn feature mild to warm temperatures and are best for outdoor activities.
Hot Europe travel deals
Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off last minute trips
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Europe, UK, the Middle East, Argentina, India, Asia, New Zealand, Australia and Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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Otel.com
Extra 9% off hotel bookings
Valid on select hotel stays worldwide like Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Thailand, USA, Europe and more on all dates, including over holidays like Easter, Christmas and New Year's Eve. Some restrictions apply.
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Kayak
Up to 35% off flights worldwide
Subscribe to Kayak's newsletter and receive personalised private deals of up to 35% off. Destinations include Europe, Asia, America, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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Omio
Europe train tickets from €10
Valid on select trains in Europe. Sample price is for trains from Milan to Venice.
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Lufthansa
Europe flights from $1,510 return
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include London, Rome, Paris, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan, Madrid and more. Sample fare is Perth-Barcelona.
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Budget Air
Extra $5 off your next booking
Subscribe to BudgetAir's newsletter and receive an extra $5 off your next booking. Destinations include Europe, Asia, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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STA Travel
Europe flights from $539 each way
Available on select travel dates from January - November 2020. Sample fare is Perth-Paris with Thai Airways. Other destinations include London, Rome, Manchester, Dublin and more. T&Cs apply.
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isango!
Extra 10% off Europe hop on hop off bus tour
Available on select travel dates in Paris, Rome, Berlin, London and more.
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U River Cruises
Up to 10% off Europe cruises
Available on select 2021 travel dates when you pay 3 days after booking. Destinations include Vienna, Belgrade, Amsterdam, Brussels and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 5% off family tours
Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 5 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 5% off group tours
Available on select travel dates in 2020 and 2021 when you book for 9 people or more. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South Africa and more. T&Cs apply.
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TourRadar
Up to 56% off Europe tours
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021. Destinations include Italy, Greece, Croatia, Barcelona and more.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off Europe tours
Available on select dates until 31 August 2021 to Croatia, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece and more. T&Cs apply.
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Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
Up to 20% off + extra 10% off members on Europe stays
Available on stays until 31 March 2021 in Paris, Rome, London, Manchester and more. Plus get up to 20% off F&B, 2,000 My Millennium points and kids stay free. T&Cs apply.
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Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
Up to 25% off + extra 10% off members on UK and Europe stays
Available on select stay dates from 1 August - 31 December 2020 with a minimum of 2 nights stay. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Up to 10% off 2021 cruises
Available on select 2021 dates to Asia, Europe, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia and more. T&Cs apply.
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Insight Vacations
$99 Deposits on worldwide tours
Available for travel from 1 September 2020 - 31 October 2021. Destinations include Canada, USA, Europe and more. T&Cs apply
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Hertz
2x points for Gold Plus Rewards members
Available on rentals until 31 December 2020 across Europe and Asia. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 15% off Europe tours
Available on select dates from 1 October 2020 - 31 March 2021. Destinations include Germany, Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Netherlands and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to 25% off + extra 5% off Europe tours
Available on tours in 2021 and 2022. Destinations include Germany, Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Netherlands and more. Plus get extra 5% off if you pay in full by 17 December 2020. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 10% off 2021 Europe tours
Available on select 2021 dates. Destinations include London, Italy, Austria, Greece, Belgium and more.
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Omio
Book budget flights in Europe from €3
Valid on select flights in Europe. Sample price is from Madrid to Malaga.
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Omio
Book buses in Europe form €9
Valid on select buses in Europe. Sample price is for buses from Budapest to Vienna.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 10% off Eastern Europe tour
Available on select travel dates from May 2020 - October 2021. Package includes accommodation, meals and on trip transportation. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to $359.50 off 10-day Europe tour
Available for travel from May – September 2021. Destinations include London, Oxford, Liverpool, Lancaster and Edinburgh.
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Eurail
23% off passes for students
Enjoy 23% off on your rail travel in Europe. Destinations include France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and more. Must be 27 and below to redeem offer. T&Cs apply.
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Go Airport Shuttle
5% off airport transfers and car hire
Valid on select dates and locations worldwide. Destinations include USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Sydney, and the Czech Republic. T&C's apply.
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Hostelworld
Europe stay from $15 per night
Valid on select dates and hostels across Europe. Destinations include London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and more. T&C's apply.
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JustYou
Up to GBP£100 2021 Europe holidays
Available on select 2021 dates to Croatia, Greece, Netherlands, Iceland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 2020 | Extra 10% off Australia activities with code | RBF**** |
| 5 Aug 2020 | Extra 8% off on hotel bookings | CLP**** |
| 29 Jul 2020 | Get $20 credit | FIN**** |
| 13 Jul 2020 | Extra $10 off site-wide with code | FDR**** |
| 22 May 2020 | Extra 9% off hotel bookings | AUT**** |
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Ask an Expert
Should I book now for Christmas to Europe or wait?
Hi Ando,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder. Our page suggests March to June and September to October but it will be solely up to you when your budget and schedule permits. Hope this helps and feel free to reach back out if you have further questions.
Best,
Nikki