Happy shoulder season! September marks the start of shoulder season for most destinations. Shoulder season is the in-between time when most people don’t take vacations. It is the perfect time to secure a great flight deal. It varies by country, but in the U.S., it’s between mid-September until Thanksgiving and early April until Memorial Day.
Fewer crowds are one benefit of traveling during shoulder season. According to Hopper data, lights and accommodations will drop by more than 30 percent compared to the summer.
Here are the best deals this September.
Toronto, Ontario for Less Than $200 Round-Trip
September officially marks the transition from summer to winter, but there’s still enough warmth in the air to enjoy Toronto before the winter makes the city unbearable. The arts and culture scene in Toronto is unmatched. The Six has world-renowned festivals, galleries and museums throughout the year, especially in September.
Rolling Loud takes place the second week of September, and the Toronto International Film Festival will be held from September 7 through September 17. Many flights leave the U.S. for less than $200 round-trip, including from Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Tampa, New York City and Orlando.
The cheapest option leaves from Nashville on Sept. 7 through Sept. 12 and can be purchased for less than $95 round-trip on Expedia.
Managua, Nicaragua for Less Than $200 Round-Trip
Nicaragua has been travelers’ best affordable secret for too long. Adventure seekers know that the Central American country has come a long way over the last decade. It’s now the destination for people looking for a less crowded alternative to Mexico and Colombia, cheaper than Costa Rica and Panama.
The best thing to do is to travel to the capital city, Managua, and use it as a launching point to get to other places. Start with visiting Masaya Volcano National Park. It’s Nicaragua’s first and largest national park, featuring two volcanoes and five craters.
Las Isletas de Granada is also worth visiting during your September stay. The Islets are a series of hundreds of 365 small islands formed thousands of years ago, likely from an explosion of the nearby Mombacho Volcano. The islets are located in the Lake of Nicaragua and are estimated to take up roughly 3,088 square miles. Private boat tours of Las Isletas take you around the many small islands formed in Lake Nicaragua.
Mansions have been built for wealthy families to use as vacation homes. There are also hotels, resorts and restaurants for visitors.
Getting to Nicaragua’s capital city, Managua, can be done for less than $250 round-trip this September. People leaving Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Boston, Austin, Orlando, Norfolk, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Detroit and Nashville can take advantage of this flight deal.
The cheapest option is from Charleston, South Carolina. Plug in Sept. 12 through Sept. 19 into Expedia for a round-trip ticket priced at less than $200.
Copenhagen, Denmark For Less than $400 Round-Trip
Flights prices to Europe are going back down in September following an expensive and busy summer season. September is one of the last times to travel to Denmark before the temperatures drop below 50 degrees. If visiting the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, but you’re not a fan of the cold, now is the time to book this flight deal. Witnessing the Northern Lights is rare in Copenhagen during this time, but there is a slight chance. You won’t know until you try.
Copenhagen is enchanting and inviting in September, so there’s plenty to do. At the top of your itinerary should be visiting the Nyhavn, known as one of the best walks in Copenhagen. It’s the historic area 17th century waterfront, canal, entertainment district and Copenhagen’s iconic site of colorful homes.
Other sites to visit include the Tivoli Gardens and the Rosenborg Castle.
Flights from New York City, Boston and Atlanta will get you to Copenhagen for less than $450 round-trip this September.
According to Expedia, people from the Washington, D.C., area have the best flight deals, as round-trip flights can be found for less than $350. Use Sept. 9 through Sept. 13 as your travel dates.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for Less Than $500 Round-Trip
Round-trip flights from Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago, Houston, Orlando, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles can be purchased for less than $450.
This is the perfect time to plan that group trip since so many cities are a part of this deal.
According to Expedia, travelers leaving Miami have the best deal. Use Sept. 18 through Sept. 28 as your travel dates for a round trip, priced for less than $450 round-trip.
There’s no better time to explore Rio de Janeiro than in September, which marks the end of summer. There’s very little rain, and people are recovering from summer travel. Winter is an excellent time to hike Christ the Redeemer. Exploring Saint Sebastian Cathedral is a must, and you can’t leave without visiting Little Africa. It’s known as the first place Africans occupied when they arrived.
Amsterdam, Netherlands For Less Than $550
Amsterdam is full of life in September and one of the best times to visit. A lot is happening in Amsterdam, including Amsterdam International Fashion Week and the three-day musical street party known as Jordaan Festival. It’s Amsterdam’s famous street party.
Other things to do include a food tour, a canal cruise, and a concert. Rapper 50 Cent will be in Amsterdam this September as he continues on The Final Lap Tour.
Round-trip flights from New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Boston can be purchased for $505 or less.
People departing from Washington D.C. can travel to Amsterdam for less than $400 round-trip. Use September 10 through September 15 as your travel dates in Expedia.
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