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.
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
Budget Air
$25 off worldwide flights with code
Valid for travel on select dates departing from Australia. Destinations include Europe, Asia, North America, New Zealand and more. T&Cs apply.
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Topdeck
Up to 30% off last-minute tours
Valid for travel on select dates. Destinations include Europe, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and North America. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Free economy airfare with 2020 Europe cruises
Valid for travel between 1 March - 15 November 2020 across Europe. Other destinations include France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia and more. T&Cs apply.
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U River Cruises
Europe river cruises from $1,999
Cruise through Germany, Netherlands, Hungary and see Europe's Christmas markets on select dates until December 2019.
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Contiki
Up to 10% off 2020 Europe tours
Valid for 2020 tours. Destinations include London, Amsterdam, Rome, Belgium, Paris, Barcelona, Ireland, Edinburgh and more. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
EOFY sale: Up to 15% off worldwide trips
Valid for travel between 20 May - 15 December 2019. Destinations include South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Central America, Australia, the Middle East, North America and more. T&Cs apply.
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Rail Europe
Summer sale: €80 off train tickets with code
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Discount applies with a minimum purchase of €880. T&Cs apply.
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Big Bus Tours
Europe bus tours from $35
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Destinations include London, Budapest, Vienna, Rome, Istanbul and Dublin. Sample fare is for a 1-day classic Paris bus tour. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Get unlimited mileage in Europe car hires
Book with Avis 360° Rental and get full damage and theft cover and more. Destinations include Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Europe flights from $1,159 return
Valid for travel on select dates from September 2019 - April 2020 including New Year's. Destinations include London, Edinburgh, England and more. Sample fare is Perth-Manchester with Singapore Airlines.
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Flight Centre - International
Winter sale: Europe flights from $1,095 return
Valid for travel on select dates from September 2019 - April 2020. Destinations include Amsterdam, Paris, Iceland, Norway and more. Sample fare is Perth-Copenhagen with Singapore Airlines. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Summer sale: Europe flights from $1,095 return
Valid for travel on select dates from August 2019 - April 2020. Destinations include Rome, Athens, Santorini, Morocco, Spain, Portugal and more. Sample fare is Perth-Barcelona with Singapore Airlines. T&Cs apply.
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KLM
Europe flights from $1,186 return
Valid for travel on select dates until December 2019. Destinations include Helsinki, Lisbon, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rome, Amsterdam, London, Edinburgh and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Dublin. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Up to $900 off 2020 river cruises
Valid for travel on select 2020 river cruises. Destinations include Europe, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Asia, Egypt, India and more. Discount applies to River Heritage club members. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Early bird sale: Up to 10% off 2020 cruises
Valid for travel on 2020 departures. Destinations include Europe, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Asia, Egypt, India and more. T&Cs apply.
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Insight Vacations
Up to $1,264 off Europe and Britain 2020 tours
Valid for travel on select dates in 2020. Destinations include Switzerland, Rome, Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and more. T&Cs apply.
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Best Western
Early bird sale: Up to 30% off Europe hotels
Valid for travel on select dates until May 2020. Discount applies when you book 21 days in advance. T&Cs apply.
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Budget Air
Europe flights from $1,120 return
Valid for travel on select dates from June - December 2019. Destinations include Paris, Barcelona and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-London.
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G Adventures
Up to $760 off Europe tours
Valid for travel from 1 August - 25 November 2019. Destinations include Rome, Florence, London, Athens, Berlin and more. T&Cs apply.
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Insight Vacations
$150 off global tours
Valid for use on any Insight Vacations tours in 2019 - 2020 including Christmas season. Destinations include Europe, Britain, Ireland, Italy, France, Belguim, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and more. T&Cs apply.
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Contiki
Up to $500 off Europe tours
Valid for travel on select tours in 2019 - 2020. Destinations include Rome, Croatia, Greek Islands, Mykonos, Athens, Santorini, Paris, Amsterdam and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Extra 3% off when you pre-pay with code
Valid for use until 31 December 2019 across Europe. Discount applies when you pre-pay bookings at select hotels in United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland and more. T&Cs apply.
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Sixt Car Rental
Up to 10% off car hires worldwide
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019. Destinations include Germany, USA, New Zealand, Europe and more. T&Cs apply.
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Rail Europe
Up to 90% off Germany train tickets
Valid for travel on select dates including Oktoberfest and Christmas Markets season. Destinations include Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt and more. T&Cs apply.
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Trafalgar Tours
Up to 15% off Europe tours
Valid for travel on select dates in 2019 - 2020. Destinations include Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and more. T&Cs apply.
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CruiseAway
Up to 25% off sailings + free drinks with Oceania Cruises
Valid for travel on select 2019 - 2020 dates. Destinations include South Pacific, Western Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Asia, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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TFE Hotels Collection
Become a TFE Hotels member and save 10%
Join the TFE eclub now to receive 10% off future bookings in Australia, New Zealand and receive 15% off future bookings Europe plus bonus extras. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Up to 20% off Europe and UK car hire
Valid until 15 December 2019. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 30% off Europe and UK hotels + extra 5% off with code
Valid for use until 31 December 2019 with participating hotels across Europe. Destinations include United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany and more. Discount applies when booked through app only. T&Cs apply.
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Uniworld
Early bird sale: Up to 10% off worldwide cruises
Valid for travel on departures dates in 2020. Destinations include Europe, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Asia, Egypt and India. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Up to 27% off Europe hotels
Valid for use on select dates across Europe with participating hotels. Destinations include Amsterdam, Berlin and Istanbul. T&Cs apply.
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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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Omio
Europe train tickets from €15
Valid on select trains in Europe. Sample price is for trains from Brussels to Bruges or Rome to Florence.
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Eurail
20% off passes for students
Enjoy 15% off on your rail travel in Europe. 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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Radisson Blu
Up to 20% off stays
Valid on advance bookings at participating hotels in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas only and is subject to availability. Most hotels define advanced bookings as one month in advance. Subject to change. See site for details.
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Etihad Airways Australia
Europe flights from $1,889 return
Valid for travel until 31 December 2019 including Christmas holidays. Sample fare is Melbourne-Belgrade.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun 2019 | Up to 50% off hotels + extra 10% off with code | FIN**** |
| 13 Jun 2019 | Up to 75% off + Extra 5% off hotels worldwide | FIN**** |
| 12 Jun 2019 | $25 off worldwide flights with code | AUW**** |
| 11 Jun 2019 | Extra 15% off with code | FIN**** |
| 30 May 2019 | Get $20 credit | FIN**** |
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