Best-value destinations for each month of the year

With holiday prices varying so much from season to season, bargains can be hard to pin down.

But according to global traveller data, it’s possible to book an affordable holiday based on the month you visit, with significant savings of up to 42%.

Here’s a month-by-month guide to help you find the best travel accommodation prices for 2018.*

January – Barcelona, Spain

To get the most out of a trip to Barcelona, visit in January when the off-season brings better prices and other advantages. The winter here is very mild – usually all blue skies and sunshine – and the streets far emptier, with fewer tourists meaning fewer queues. At the same time, the city’s cultural calendar blooms, with many of the best exhibitions saved for the winter months and lots of outdoor ice rinks (best enjoyed with churros and hot chocolate). And – if you time your visit for early in the month – you’ll be able to see the Reyes Magos (the ‘Three Kings Parade’) on the 5th January. This festive, traditional procession begins in the evening, when the Three Kings arrive in Barcelona’s port greeted by cannons and fireworks, before weaving their way through the city throwing sweets to the crowds, accompanied by giant floats, dancers, actors and circus performers. Last year, the month of January was 42% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

February – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Though Amsterdam is worth a visit whatever the season, its gabled houses and canals are particularly well-suited to winter. In February, the cobblestones are frequently frosted with snow, hushing the city into almost total quiet and making it look like a postcard from the 19th century. Dutch food also lends itself particularly well to winter, with warm croquettes called ‘bitterballen’, delicious bread, cheese and lots of beer. Have a jenever (Dutch gin) in one of Amsterdam’s traditional ‘brown cafes’, where wood-panelled walls and open fireplaces make cosy enclaves in historic neighbourhoods. Last year, the month of February was 32% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

March – Lisboa, Portugal

For an uplifting escape in the depths of winter, Lisbon is a savvy destination choice. The advantages of visiting in March aren’t just economical; as a shoulder month, it’s considerably quieter than peak times, while the milder weather means you can climb the hilly streets without sweltering. It’s still warm enough to sit outside though, so grab a freshly-squeezed orange juice and a custard tart and sit in one of the city’s mosaic-tiled squares in the sunshine. Last year, the month of March was 36% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

April – San Francisco, USA

April is one of the most inviting months to visit the hilly, cultural and energetic Californian city of San Francisco. The weather is fresh and sunny with endless blue skies, mild temperatures and a mesmerising sea fog that frequently rolls in from the bay in the evening or at sunrise. And April is ideal for beating the summer tourist rush and high season prices, making the ferry trip across the Bay to Alcatraz prison or a walk along the incredible feat of engineering that is the Golden Gate Bridge all the more enjoyable. Last year, the month of April was 26% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

May – Kyoto, Japan

Though you may miss the city awash in pale pink petals (this usually happens in April), May is arguably a better time to visit Kyoto. For starters, the sakura (cherry blossom) season is rarely punctual and you can still travel further north to Hokkaido to experience its divine scent and colour. But even without the incandescent pink hues, Kyoto in spring is in full bloom and is also reliably warmer (and more affordable), making conditions just right for strolling through the city’s famous temples and zen gardens. Last year, the month of May was 27% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

June – Bangkok, Thailand

People tend to shy away from Thailand in June, as it’s technically the beginning of monsoon season. However – while it is relatively hot and humid – it’s not as wet as you might expect. Often, rainfall drops temporarily in June and even when the monsoon rains do arrive, they tend to appear sporadically and disappear as quickly as they came. Visit Bangkok’s multitude of gold-covered temples, or make the most of the fact that June is prime time to take in Thailand’s verdant natural scenery; visit the jungle-covered Thai highlands where waterfalls will be gaining muster from the rainfall, the deciduous forests of the Khorat Plateau and the plains of glowing green rice paddies that cover Central Thailand. Last year, the month of June was 15% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

July – Cologne, Germany

Over a quarter of Cologne is covered with green space, so come warm weather it’s a wonderful place to enjoy long summer nights – picnicking, barbecuing or tasting Kölsch and other local brews in the city’s many Bavarian beer gardens. And last year, the month of July was 33% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year. Cool down from summer sightseeing with a swim in the Fühlinger Lake (where connected bathing ponds cover 100-hectares), or over a cocktail at one of the beach clubs on the Rhine. Visiting during July, you’ll have a host of festivals and events to choose from, including the Kölner Lichter – an annual music and fireworks display that’s the largest of its kind in Europe.

August – Bogotá, Colombia

August in Bogotá sees warm, dry weather, the Colombian capital’s annual Carnival, and affordable prices; last year, the month of August was only 8% cheaper than the most expensive week and was the third cheapest month of the year. The city has a subtropical highland climate, which doesn’t fluctuate much so the weather feels like spring year round. Expect cool days and crisp nights come August, though when the sun is shining the days can feel pretty hot. The Carnival takes place on the 5th and 6th August; cruise the pretty Spanish colonial district, La Candelaria, before floats, theatrical performances, costumed dancers and even puppeteers take to the streets as part of the grand parade.

September – Orlando, USA

One of the cheapest weeks to visit Orlando happens to fall around Labor Day, providing the perfect opportunity for an affordable long weekend at Walt Disney World before school gets into full swing. Last year, the first week of September was 22% cheaper than the peak price all year. Plus, with fewer crowds at the park, you’ll have more time to explore all the other attractions Orlando has to offer, like Wekiwa Springs State Park for some gator-spotting or Church Street Station for dinner and shopping.

October – Auckland, New Zealand

October is early spring in the southern hemisphere, when the weather can be changeable but is mostly sunny and warm. Around Auckland, spring buds and blossom appear on flora lining the beaches and volcanic landscape, while the city streets are quiet with peak season’s tourists yet to arrive. Considered a gateway to many of New Zealand’s natural beauty spots, you can go from Auckland’s bohemian Karangahape Road to pearl-coloured sandy beaches, rolling vineyards or be ziplining through rainforest in a matter of minutes. Alternatively, stay in the city and visit the Auckland Art Gallery, dine along Ponsonby Road and then catch a film at the open air cinema at Wynyard Quarter’s Silo Park, where films are projected against giant silo tanks by the waterfront. Last year, the month of October was 16% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

November – Budapest, Hungary

November in Budapest is invariably chilly but the advantages are worth wrapping up for; often coated with snow, the city’s skyline of Gothic church spires and castles is at its most bewitching. It’s also less busy, so more affordable; last year, the month of November was 30% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year. Budapest has a grand café culture, with high-ceilinged, Viennese-style establishments decorated with chandeliers and frescoes, delightful for whiling away a morning over a winter warmer. Afterwards, take a turn around the outdoor City Park ice rink (aka Városligeti Műjégpálya), with Vajdahunyad Castle as the backdrop. Finally, thaw out in one of the hundreds of hammams (thermal baths) for which Budapest is so well-known. Many of these are housed in elaborate Baroque buildings also containing saunas and steam rooms, where octagonal, Ottoman-tiled rooms feature arched ceilings and stained glass windows.

December – Los Angeles, USA

December is one of the coolest months of the year in LA and prices drop with the temperatures, but this is southern California so even winter brings constant sunshine and temperatures averaging 14 degrees Celsius. While you might need a wetsuit if you want to take a dip in the ocean, you’ll only need a t-shirt and shorts to stroll along the Santa Monica or Malibu Piers. Also, LA goes all out when it comes to the festive season, so December is a great time to visit for cultural attractions like exhibitions, Christmas concerts, parades, parties and even outdoor ice rinks. Last year, the month of December was 29% cheaper than the most expensive month of the year.

** Pricing data was measured over the period of December 2016 to December 2017.