When to Avoid These Popular Destinations — and When to Go Instead

The best time of the year to visit a destination can be a truly subjective decision. It depends on what you're after really. Are you seeking a bargain on accommodations and other expenses? Or long days of sunshine? Fewer tourists to jostle with at attractions? These are just some of the questions to keep in mind when planning a getaway to the world's most popular destinations. Still, there are definitely better times and bad times to visit well-known tourist haunts. With the help of the travel site Hipmunk, we've identified the cheapest and the most expensive months to fly to the most popular destinations in the United States and around the globe. We also tapped travel industry insiders for their insight about the best and worst times to explore some of these top locales.

When to Avoid:December
Sure the Big Apple can be charming in winter with the snow and holiday lights, but New York City tour guide and blogger Alicia Butler, says it is the busiest month of the year. "It's also more expensive as many bars and restaurants forgo their typical happy hour specials because it's so busy, they don't need to run them," says Butler. Most New Yorkers steer clear of Midtown Manhattan in December because of the influx of tourists. Hipmunk's data bears this out, revealing that the most expensive month to fly to the Big Apple is December, when average ticket prices are $339.

When to Go:Between late October and the end of November
From late fall through early winter, the temperature is moderate and crowds are negligible, Butler said. "To me, this is the sweet spot to come visit and my absolute favorite time in the city," she said. Hipmunk's data reveals that January can also be a bargain. Once the holidays have wrapped up, ticket prices drop to their lowest of the year at an average of $263.

When to Avoid: Summer
Another city where it really depends on what you're after when planning travel, spring and summer are among the loveliest times in the British capital but also among the busiest in this incredibly popular city. Summer also brings the highest airline ticket prices of the year, in July, when costs soar to $1,114.

When to Go: Fall and Winter after the holidays
If you're looking for cheaper travel, London is best visited during the fall and also in winter, after the holidays. In fact, the least expensive airfare of the year is in February, when prices drop to $827. While temps are quite chilly then, there are several notable events taking place including Chinese New Year, and the London Classic Car Show.

When to Avoid: Summer
Temperatures in Sin City soar during the summer sometimes in excess of 100 degrees, making walking down the street feel like you're in an oven. The winter holidays, particularly New Year's Eve, can also be challenging as the city is flooded with visitors. Surprisingly, however, Hipmunk says the cheapest airline tickets of the year are in January at $259. If you want to find equally cheap hotel rooms, avoid New Year's, and plan to visit once the holidays have wound down.

When to Go: March through May; September through November
The shoulder seasons are really where it's at in Las Vegas. From March through May and September through November, visitors will find the most appealing weather. It's worth noting however, that March also brings the highest ticket price, $390. So, you'll want to consider the other shoulder season months.

Related: 36 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Las Vegas

When to Avoid: February and May
Not only is it cold and rainy, prices are also marked up for Valentine's Day, says Paris-born Géraldine Lepère, founder of Comme une Française, a site offering French language lessons. Paris is the city of love all year long. No need to try and see it at the same time as hordes of other romance-seeking couples, Lepère said. Also, be cautious when booking a visit in May, a month when there are several holidays that mean many shops, restaurants, and museums are closed. Hipmunk's data reveals May is the priciest time of the year for airline tickets, which soar to $1,105.

When to Go: September through October 
If you want to actually see Parisians, September is a great time, Lepère says, because many are returning from summer vacation and getting back to work. You will also avoid the crowds of summer by visiting this time of year. Airline ticket prices are also their lowest of the year in October at an average of $881.

Related: 36 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Paris

When to Avoid: Summer
Though this seems counterintuitive for many outside Southern California, summer is just not the best time to visit. June gloom in particular means days of gray, overcast weather thanks to the marine layer rolling in. Once the marine layer is gone, temps soar and the beaches are packed and best avoided. Not to mention school is out, and there are crowds at nearly all the popular tourist attractions. December is another less than ideal choice, when ticket prices hit the highest of the year at $331.

When to Go: October
Here's an insider tip, October is stunning in SoCal. The weather is sunny, dry, and incredibly warm. And yet, the tourists have largely gone home (at least those who don't know about the October secret). Of course, if it's budget alone that you're considering, January brings the cheapest airline tickets of the year at $254.

Related: The Best of California For Budget Vacations

When to Avoid: June through August
Like many other popular cities, June is a busy time in Toronto and airfare prices reflect that, hitting their annual peak at $467. You'll be competing with countless other tourists at attractions. Summer is also Toronto's festival season, which includes Pride Week (one of the largest in the world, attracting more than 1 million people) and Caribana.

When to Go: December
Your biggest bargain of the year for Toronto will, of course, come during one of the chilliest times to visit, December, when tickets drop to $376. But not everyone is put off by the cold. And Toronto during the holidays can be quite lovely. Another good choice is April through May, just prior to when the tourist surge begins and temperatures are more pleasant.

When to Avoid: Last week of December through first week of January; last week of March through the first week of April 
It should come as no surprise that the busiest times in a city known for its kid-friendly theme parks coincide with school breaks around the country, says Jonathan de Araujo, who runs Magic Guides, a website designed to help travelers find the best time of year to travel to Orlando and its many attractions. The site has a Crowd Calendar page that helps travelers identify the busiest (and least busy) times of year in the city. Bottom line: Avoid school breaks when there are endless lines for attractions, rides, and restaurants, and when prices are at their peak. Airline ticket prices are also the most expensive of the year in March, spiking to an average of $365.

When to Go: Second week of January through first week of February, and the month of September 
With kids back in school, you'll find the lines (and prices) far more manageable. January is also when airline tickets are the cheapest, Hipmunk says. The cost drops to the lowest of the year at $235.

Related: How to Do Disney on a Budget

When to Avoid: Last week in April through first week of May
Golden Week in Japan (when four national holidays occur) is the last week of April through early May bringing huge crowds to the city that you might want to avoid. Prices at hotels, which are booked to nearly full occupancy, are at their peak, says Marian Goldberg of Goldberg On Travel, who served as a public relations manager for Japan for 12 years. Also try to avoid visiting in summer (June through August), says Goldberg, when it can be unbearably hot and humid. Hipmunk found the priciest airline tickets of the year to this destination are in June, when prices average $1,718.

When to Go: March
If saving money on an airline ticket is your main objective, the best month is March, when prices drop to the lowest of the year at $1,360. It's also one of the most pleasant times of the year to be in Tokyo. Temperatures are between 60 and 70 degrees and many of the parks are awash in color. But be sure to visit in early March if you want to avoid crowds, as the last week of the month brings out the famed cherry blossoms and with them come a flood of crowds.

When to Avoid: Summer
San Francisco can be another perplexing city, at least to those who don't live here. While one would think summer brings the best weather, that's not necessarily the case. The marine layer can ruin a summer visit, making it windy and chilly. You'll also contend with crowds of tourists visiting during their summer break. November may be another good time to avoid this city, as ticket prices are at their highest at $353.

When to Go: Fall through early winter
Fall through early winter is a much safer bet for San Francisco. The weather is better and the crowds have thinned. Spring is also another safe bet, offering mild temps. Looking for the best airline price of the year? Visit in February when prices drop to $273.

Related: 20 Free and Cheap Things to Do in San Francisco

When to Avoid: June through August
Summer is among the hottest and rainiest times of the year (monsoon season is May through October). And while by some accounts this may mean cheaper hotel prices and smaller crowds, it certainly doesn't mean cheaper airfare. The most expensive ticket of the year to this fascinating city is in June, when prices are $1,553. This is likely tied to the fact that many westerners travel to Bangkok in the summer.

When to Go: November
Perhaps catching the tail end of the monsoon season may be the sweet spot, as ticket prices drop to $924. Come November, the tourist season picks up here as temperatures drop to become slightly more bearable and precipitation is at its lowest.

When to Avoid: September
Wet season in the Philippines is May through October. If weather is one of the factors that drive your travel decisions, it may be best to avoid this time of year. In addition, airline ticket prices spike during this season, in September, when they hit $1,317. If none of these things bother you, the rainy season is likely to have the fewest crowds, and the lush, green scenery can be picturesque.

When to Go: November through April
Come November and lasting through April, things dry off in the Philippines, a time that is said to be the loveliest to visit. And as it turns out, airfare prices are also in your favor during this time of year. November brings the cheapest tickets of the year at an average of $850.

When to Avoid: June
This legendary and fascinating city is crawling with tourists in the summer. Which stands to reason, school's out and the weather is hard to beat. But with all of these things come the highest ticket prices of the year at $1,332 in June specifically. Summer is also one of the hardest times to find a hotel room, so book months in advance if this is when you plan to visit.

When to Go: Fall
When the kids go back to school and the crowds dissipate, Rome is lovely. The weather can be a bit chilly later in fall, but cheaper prices and a lack of crowds will be plenty of compensation for having to put on a sweater. The average ticket price in November is $829, the lowest of the year.

Related: 25 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Rome

When to Avoid: March through April
Cancun is popular with the spring break travelers, and the height of this is witnessed in March and April. March is also when you'll find the most expensive airline tickets of the year at $505. That said, December through April in general offers the best weather in this destination. So, if you plan to visit, just try to avoid going when school is out for spring break.

When to Go: Summer
If you're on the hunt for a bargain (though Mexico is already a budget-friendly destination in many cases), May through August can be a good choice. The weather is hotter (low 90s), but that's also why prices are cheaper. And for those who don't mind taking their chances, and visiting during the hurricane season, September brings the cheapest airline ticket of the year at $366.

Related: 25 Free and Cheap Things to Do in Cancún

When to Avoid: Summer
Like many other European destinations, summer is a busy time in Amsterdam. Airline ticket prices are also not exactly a bargain. They spike to the year's highest cost in June at $1,349.

When to Go: April through May
April through May is one of the top times to be in Amsterdam, particularly for flower lovers. "Amsterdam is best visited in spring where you can experience the world- famous Dutch tulips at Keukenhof," says Claire Willoughby of the popular travel site icelolly.com. "The city is also brought alive in autumn by the orange leaves on the trees that line the canals." September through November also mark a time when tourist season has largely passed and the temperature is still pleasant. If you're making decisions based on budget alone, however, December will bring the cheapest airline tickets at $982, though the weather can be rainy and quite cold.

When to Avoid: June through August
The height of summer is the busiest travel season throughout all of Europe. Big cities and coastal hotspots in Spain are packed and pricey, says Matt Kiefer, founder of Hostelgeeks, who has lived in Barcelona since 2011. According to Hipmunk, June may be the absolute worst time to visit, when airline ticket prices soar to $1,227.

When to Go: September
Come September, the weather is still warm and prices are lower than in peak season, while beaches will be half empty. Ticket prices are also at their yearly low in September, averaging $904.

When to Avoid: July
New Orleans is certainly one of the country's tourism hotspots. However, hot is the key word here when it comes to reasons to avoid the city in July. The average temperature is around 91 degrees, and with humidity, it can feel far hotter, and wetter. "Just because your kids are out of school, it doesn't mean NOLA is a good summer vacation destination," says Sophia Borghese, a former consultant for the New Orleans-based La Galerie Hotel. In addition to the sweat factor, July falls in hurricane season, added Borghese. Yet another month to consider avoiding is April, when airline ticket prices reach a peak of $389.

When to Go: October
Not only is the temperature more comfortable (highs are around 80 degrees), Halloween in the city is second only to Mardi Gras for its wild and crazy costumes and fun. "People in New Orleans really go to town for Halloween," said Borghese. In addition, there are countless haunted tours around the French Quarter that include the city's famous and historic cemeteries. Voodoo shops throughout New Orleans also make the most of the holiday. January is another good option, when airline ticket prices drop to $291.

Related: 26 Best Cheap Or Free Things To Do In New Orleans

When to Avoid: Summer
Tourism has been kind to Portugal in recent years, with Lisbon in particular experiencing record-breaking numbers. Summer sees crowds filling the streets and the beaches. If ticket prices are a concern, May is another month to consider avoiding. Hipmunk found they increase to $1,721.

When to Go: Winter
Skip the hustle and bustle that accompanies summer and visit Lisbon during the winter for deals on accommodations and flights. Lisbon offers plenty of colorful Christmas markets, lights, and activities to keep you entertained during winter. Also consider February, when ticket prices drop to an average of $1,005.

When to Avoid: Summer and winter
Chicago is a fascinating city but it's best not to plan on exploring all that it has to offer during the height of summer when it's peak tourist season (and peak ticket prices prevail with the average airfare around $301) unless of course you're bent on attending one of the many festivals taking place between June and August. Popular offerings include the Chicago Blues Festival, Pride Fest and the Chicago Pride Parade. One other note, despite Hipmunk data revealing that the cheapest tickets of the year are in January ($226), it's a good idea to avoid winter in Chicago, unless you are the type who enjoys bitter cold.

When to Go: April through May; September through October
Like other popular destinations, shoulder seasons are your best bet here — April through May and September through October. There are plenty of notable festivals during these two less touristy times of year. Among the choices are Mayfest (a celebration of the city's German heritage in May) and the Chicago Film Festival in October.

When to Avoid: Summer
Can you say "humid"? Summer in Miami is hot, crowded, and come June, it's also the start of hurricane season. March is another time you may want to skip, if budget is an issue, as ticket prices hit their highest, averaging $398.

When to Go: Late April through early May
Late April through early May is one of the best bets for this Florida hotspot. You'll have avoided the spring break crowd by visiting during this time and will still be able to enjoy pleasant weather. Hipmunk's data reveals that the lowest airline ticket prices of the year are in September, at $290. But it's also hurricane season, making visiting a dicey decision. Weather aside, hotels will be cheaper and beaches less crowded.

Related: 20 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Miami

When to Avoid: June through August
Come July, ticket prices to Denver hit their highest at $300, and summer also brings the tourist crowds that plague many popular destinations this time of year.

When to Go: January; April through May; September through October
Unfortunately, the best times to visit this city do not coincide with the best ticket prices. The cheapest airline tickets of the year are in January, at $202. But it's the city's shoulder seasons (April through May and also September through October) that have the most going for them, including comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, and cheaper accommodations. There's also a variety of events taking place, including Cinco de Mayo in May and A Taste of Colorado in September. Still if a bargain is what you're after, winter offers that. Despite its location near some legendary ski mountains, there are far fewer tourists in Denver come winter, and prices reflect that.

When to Avoid: Summer
Sweltering temperatures (think upper 80s with a serious dose of humidity) are just one reason to avoid the nation's capital come summer. Ticket prices are also a steep $359, says Hipmunk. You can avoid the heat by ducking into any one of the city's famed museums of course, but it will be you and everyone else.

When to Go: September through November; March through May
Here's that popular phrase again — shoulder season. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, September through November and March through May are among the best times to explore this destination. Both times of year are far more pleasant temperature-wise, and in the autumn there will be thinner crowds. October also features A Taste of DC, the largest culinary festival in the Mid-Atlantic. The cheapest airline ticket prices of the year however are January, at an average of $281.

Related: 23 Free or Cheap Things to Do in Washington, D.C.

When to Avoid: Winter
Boston may be somewhat picturesque in winter, but it's not necessarily the best time to explore this unforgettable city and all that it has to offer, as much of Beantown's attraction has to do with the outdoors — its parks, historic commons, harbor front, sidewalk cafes, and more. If you truly want to see Boston at its finest, hold out for late spring or early fall. Though if price is your top consideration, it's worth noting that the cheapest ticket prices are in January, at $236.

When to Go: Late Spring, Early Fall
While summer is among the most beautiful times of year in Boston, the crowds and steep hotel room prices will make a visit challenging. That leaves late spring or early fall, both of which are good choices. During fall in particular, you'll still have pleasant temperatures and the added bonus of fewer tourists. September also features the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival, an indoor and outdoor event showcasing a variety of food.

Related: The Best Things To Do in Boston