Best Tips for Travelling During Peak Season 2026

Travelling during peak season can be challenging due to crowds, high prices, and limited availability of accommodations and attractions. However, with a few tips, smart travel strategies, and good planning, you can still make the most of your vacation during this time without breaking the bank, whether it’s a quick Labour Day getaway or an extended holiday.

First of all, peak season, also known as the “tourist season,” refers to times of the year when the number of travellers reaches its highest point. This can be due to ideal weather for visiting certain destinations, periods when most people are on holiday (such as school breaks), or special events like cherry blossom season in Japan or summer across destinations in the Northern Hemisphere.

These periods are characterized by high tourist traffic, higher prices for flights, accommodations, and activities, as well as increased demand for tourism-related services. Indeed, if you plan to visit Tokyo in the middle of April, it is very likely that the place will be crowded with tourists, which can make your experience less enjoyable.

The start of the peak travel season varies depending on the destination and climate.

Here is an overview of peak season periods in different regions of the world:

On the other hand, the low season for airfare refers to times of the year when demand is generally lower, even though the travel experience can still be enjoyable. During these periods, airlines often lower their prices to attract more passengers.

Here is an overview of low season periods for flights in different regions of the world:

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to North America! Not only is this high season for some international travel, but significant crowds are expected in host cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, New York, or Los Angeles, to name a few.

If you find yourself in one of these cities during this special period, we have two tips for you:

• Consult our practical guide for World Cup travellers, which will help you fully enjoy the event.
• Use the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card to pay for all your purchases on site. In addition to saving 2.5% in conversion fees, you will earn Scene+ points that can be used to reimburse part of your trip later. Furthermore, Scotiabank is a global partner for sporting events, so your card will be accepted everywhere on site.

Booking in advance is essential for a great travel experience in peak season, especially if you want to use points. Flights, hotels and popular activities fill up fast. By booking several months in advance, you will have access to a wider variety of options and can often benefit from more advantageous rates, especially if you use points. Even if you are in a context of uncertainty, know that you can book different types of fare classes.

Use a tool like Google Flights, Skyscanner or Roame to find the best airfares for your destination. You can also activate price alerts on these sites to be informed of fare drops. These flight comparison tools allow you to find the best deals and track price changes; savings can be even more significant, especially for families, as you need multiple airline tickets and these often represent a large portion of the budget.

Buy tickets for popular attractions in advance to avoid queues and last-minute fares. Sites like Civitatis and GetYourGuide offer guided tours for many tourist activities and provide the option to skip lines.

If possible, be flexible with your travel dates when aiming for a vacation in peak tourist season. Travelling just before or after peak periods can save you money and avoid crowds. For example, going away on weekdays rather than weekends can often reduce costs. Leaving on a Thursday and returning on a Monday can be much more economical than leaving on Saturday morning and returning on Sunday evening. Therefore, it can sometimes be more economical to take a few extra days off to get better prices.

Alternatively, if you are flexible with your vacation choices, periods just before or after high season, such as early June or late August, often offer a good compromise between good weather and more reasonable rates. You can also enjoy equally pleasant weather conditions without the inconvenience of large crowds.

Staying flexible with destinations is an excellent strategy for travelling during peak season. Indeed, a good travel tip is to consider visiting emerging destinations or lesser-known regions. For example, instead of Bali, explore Lombok or Flores in Indonesia, or South America instead of Europe.

Also, to save on flights during high season, an effective tip is to book flights to gateway airports and then use low-cost airlines to reach your final destination. For example, instead of looking for a direct flight to an expensive tourist destination, book a flight to any major nearby hub, such as London, Paris, or Singapore. These airports often benefit from competitive fares due to strong competition between airlines.

Make sure to plan enough time between your flights, as purchasing separate tickets can lead to headaches if there are cancellations or flight delays.

Traveling with a carry-on bag during peak season is another important tip to avoid the risk of lost luggage, save time, and save money, unless you hold a credit card that offers the benefit of a free checked bag. By keeping your personal belongings with you at all times, you eliminate the risk of losing your luggage between connections. Additionally, you avoid long waits at the baggage carousel and the extra fees often charged by airlines for checked luggage.

To optimize your cabin baggage, choose a bag that respects the maximum dimensions allowed, and organize your belongings with compression bags. Wear your bulkiest clothes during the flight to save space. For advice on what to buy, the Milesopedia team has compiled a list of the team’s favourite travel accessories for you to peruse.

Travelling light will allow you to eliminate many hassles, and you can also consider same-day standby if the opportunity arises!

Planning, but above all, booking your activities in advance allows you to maximize your time and avoid disappointment. Some attractions require reservations weeks, or even months, in advance, especially during high season. Local guides can offer unique perspectives and help you avoid long queues. For families with young children, this is crucial to avoid meltdowns, as children are not necessarily patient!

Also, do not overlook hotel concierge services or credit cards, which can sometimes find you spots when a restaurant is already fully booked.

Even during peak season, there are times of day when attractions are less crowded. Waking up early or visiting sites late in the day is a travel tip that helps you to avoid crowds.

Most tourists start visiting around 10 a.m., so arrive as soon as it opens. You’ll be able to enjoy the sights in a quieter, more pleasant atmosphere. Similarly, if you are an early riser, you can have very popular sites, like the Trevi Fountain in Rome, almost to yourselves!

Alternatively, dinner time is another good option to visit while most people go to eat. By planning your visits this way, you can also avoid queues at restaurants!

Using credit card points and loyalty programs to save during peak season is an effective strategy to reduce travel costs. Loyalty programs and points-based credit cards can save you a lot of money. By earning points throughout the year, using your credit card for daily expenses, and choosing a card suited to your spending habits, you can quickly earn points for your travels. Take advantage of your family’s usual significant expenses to earn maximum points!

These points can be used to book flights and hotels to mitigate the hefty cost of a peak-season trip. For example, you can use the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card and Scene+ points to earn and redeem points on your trip using Scene+ Travel developed by Expedia. This card will also be your ally when travelling, as you will never have to pay the usual 2.5% foreign currency conversion fees.

Sometimes, it is possible to find airline tickets at a “fixed” price using points, while the cash price fluctuates according to supply and demand. Booking in advance, sometimes up to a year, is an important travel tip for peak-season periods, such as spring break, summer vacations, or the holiday season.

However, don’t be discouraged if you’re booking at the last minute. It’s often possible to find flights at the lowest points price less than two weeks before departure, as some partners release unsold seats at that time. Roame is especially helpful in this situation, since you can set up alerts to be notified when these seats become available.

Furthermore, taking advantage of welcome offers from credit card issuers and maximizing your earning on everyday spending is also important. The best current offers are as follows:

Travelling during high season presents unique challenges, but with good preparation and a few tips, you can fully enjoy your stay, no matter where you are in the world. Book early, be flexible, and explore lesser-known destinations! Don’t forget to use travel credit card points to maximize your savings!