There are several major things you will have to consider to be figure out the right time of year to travel.
The airfares should be a priority. In the U.S., domestic airfares remain relatively constant all year round except on certain heavily traveled holidays or on occasions when special fares are offered.
During heavily traveled holidays like the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, airlines have normally don’t discount their tickets, and may even raise rates a bit. It’s best to book early when traveling during those peak seasons, because all flights fill up.
The day of the week and time of the day you travel are also major factors on air fares. Early morning flights and late evening flights tend to be cheaper. Nonstop flights are in higher demand than those with stopovers, and are harder to find good deals on.
As for international airfares, the rates you pay are related to several factors including 1) the popularity of your destination, 2) the distance that you will be traveling between airports, 3) the season in which you are traveling (is it peak season or off seasons), 4) the day of the week for your departure flight and return flight.
Airlines normally divide the year into the time slices classified into the low- or off-season, shoulder season, high- or peak-season and super high season. A fare during the super peak season can have as much as $600 difference to that of the lowest season. Sometimes a change of just one day in your flight schedule can already save you as much as $300 in airfare. The cost of air travel may also vary from one airline to another depending on how they define the time in different seasons. It’s better to check different airlines before booking a flight because the high season fare for one may be a shoulder season fare for the other. Consider, too, the days of the week when you travel. Weekend days are usually more expensive so changing your travel dates can really save you money.
The place you will be staying in at your destination is of utmost importance as well. Room rates of hotels and resorts vary depending on the season whether it is just a short special event such as spring break and conventions or a longer one such as the summer season. Naturally, you will get a good deal when a certain hotel is not full during your stay. Hotel rates are also dependent on their occupancy. Some may be full during weekdays or during the weekend depending on whether their guests are business people or those on vacation.
Hotels offer incentives to attract more guests during the low season. These may include a lower room rate such as paying for a one night rate which is actually good for a two-night stay or upgrades to better rooms or even free meals. And to get a good deal, you have to ask the hotel reservations agent. Don’t agree right away to the first rate they give you because these agents are taught to give the full priced rates during your first inquiry. You will really have to ask if they have special rates and that’s when they will reveal.
Don’t forget about the weather and climate of your destination location when you travel. Do check the anticipated weather at your planned destination to make sure that it won’t spoil your travel. A bad weather in one country may be good weather in another. For instance, people from Europe who would like to avoid the very cold weather during winter can go to tropical countries for a warmer climate.