Rick Steves' Favorite Time To Visit These 12 European Countries For Lower Prices And Fewer Crowds

Rick Steves has earned a reputation as the preeminent resource for European travel. Over the decades, his insights have informed and inspired millions of Americans to make the most of their trips across the pond. Among the most common questions travelers have when planning a trip to Europe is how to keep costs low. After all, as the most popular continent to visit in the world, Europe tends to be pricier than other potential holiday destinations. This is especially true for certain regions, such as Northern and Western Europe, which have become known for their above-average costs. One of Steves' most recurring and effective strategies for slashing vacation expenses is to travel in the off-season to avoid hordes of tourists and price gouging. 

These more budget-friendly times to visit Europe are often dubbed part of the shoulder season because they tend to fall before and after the peak season on a calendar, representing the "shoulders" of the annual spike in visitors countries receive. According to United Nations Tourism data, Europe welcomed 747 million international travelers in 2024. That impressive number means more tourists competing for limited services and activities, driving up prices all around. Instead of being evenly spread out across the year, these visits tend to concentrate within the span of a few months, when the weather is ideal and taking time off work is most convenient. This tends to fall around the summer months, although each European country has its own peak season. 

While not quite as popular as Switzerland, the neighboring country of Austria offers similar mountain vistas and all the accompanying hiking, skiing, and outdoor activities that come with it. The most popular time to visit Austria is between May and September when trails are more accessible, daylight lasts longer, temperatures are warm, and most of the tourist infrastructure is fully functional. Rick Steves recommends traveling to Austria in the spring or fall, though. On either side of the country's busiest tourist season, visitors can still enjoy moderate weather, fewer tourists, and sufficient activities and accommodation availability.

According to Kayak, hotels reach a summer peak cost of $271 per night in June, but can be snagged for $244 in April and even $230 in November. Steves goes a step further, arguing that overnight prices are negotiable in the off-season, as a dearth of tourists and an abundance of accommodation options give travelers leverage. According to Budget Your Trip, the most popular cities, such as Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Vienna, are specifically vulnerable to surge pricing during peak season. Thus, visiting these hotspots during slower months could yield even more savings. Notably, Steves considers Austria one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in Europe, and recommends hiking in the Alps for one of the best bang-for-your-buck trips.

Rick Steves celebrates the Czech Republic for its stunning and expansive capital of Prague, its constellations of medieval towns, and its breathtaking countryside. The European travel expert pegs the country's busiest season between Easter and October, pinpointing May, June, and September as the most active months. For budget-conscious travelers who still want to enjoy the country's best time of year, Steves recommends July and August. These months provide fantastic weather, fewer travelers, and maximum daylight. 

If you don't mind forgoing some of these more accommodating months, you can save even more money by hitting the Czech Republic in the wintertime. In the country's main cities, you'll be treated to quintessential European Christmas markets and other festive activities, along with beautiful snowfall across the vast nation's countryside. However, Steves stresses that most tourist infrastructure is closed in the winter.

Within the peak season, hotel prices in the Czech Republic spike in May and September, reaching an average daily price of $207 and $213, respectively, according to Kayak. As Steves suggest, July and August, while still in the high season, offer a slight relief on hotel prices, hovering around $170 per night. The absolute most affordable accommodation falls within wintertime, with hotels costing $136 in January and $143 in February.

France is the most visited country in Europe, attracting over 100 million tourists in 2024. This extraordinary popularity translates to a higher-than-average travel budget compared to other European destinations. Yet, Rick Steves still delivers with specific recommendations for avoiding peak-season pricing while still enjoying the best of what France has to offer.

Steves points out that May through July usher in some of the largest tourist crowds, especially from nearby countries, due to nice weather and European holidays. Steves also reports a surge in visits to the French Riviera and the Alps toward the end of summer. Given these spikes, he advises travelers to prioritize the spring and fall, securing moderate weather while avoiding throngs of tourists. Southern France is still enjoyable in the winter, another off-season period. Steves notes that smaller towns are mostly closed, advising visitors to stick to larger cities in the region, such as Nice, Lyon, and Avignon.

When it comes to accommodation expenses, France experiences a price hike in the summer, as Steves suggests. June, July, and August tend to be among the most expensive months, with nightly hotel stays costing $321, $305, and $286, respectively, according to Kayak. Spring and fall see some of the most affordable hotel prices. Tourists can expect to spend around $221 per night in April and $184 in November, the cheapest month.

Rick Steves heralds Germany as home to some of Europe's most enticing sights. The country offers a suite of natural surroundings, from Alpine mountains and lush valleys to rich forests and even a Northern coastline. Visitors also have access to quaint villages tucked away in the countryside and bustling modern cities with some of the most advanced amenities in Europe.

If you're looking to skip the crowds and high-season pricing in Germany, spring and fall are the perfect time to visit. Steves highlights these seasons as the sweet spot for cooperative and pleasant weather, available tourist opportunities, and lower prices across the board. He even says hotel prices are negotiable. This gives visitors more flexibility and spontaneity than busier times of the year.

Hotel prices are highest in September and October due to Bavaria's famous Oktoberfest, which straddles both months. During this popular part of the year, a hotel can range between $198 and $221 per night, per Kayak. August and November offer reasonable accommodation at $163 and $166, respectively. April is also fairly affordable, with the average hotel running $165 nightly. Although Germany is one of the most expensive European countries for tourists, using Steves' tips can help you optimize your vacation budget.

Often considered the birthplace of the Western world, Greece is steeped in history, with Roman colloseums and millenia-old aqueducts dotting the country's diverse landscape of rugged mountains, charming villages, and turquoise shoreline. According to Rick Steves, this popular getaway reliably attracts tourists from Easter to October, although the real rush occurs in summer. Around July and August, the islands and beaches tend to be flooded with sun-seeking tourists looking to bask in the crystal blue waters and explore the country's nook-and-cranny beaches. 

Greece's shoulder season begins in May and resumes in September, continuing through October. The European travel guru describes this time of year as having moderate, dry weather and fewer tourists to compete with. Travel really drops off at the end of October and doesn't pick back up until spring again. Steves warns that the months just before and after winter are wet and limited in tourist accessibility. He doesn't recommend any of the islands in the dead of winter due to rough conditions. If you're interested in visiting the iconic island of Santorini, using Steves' tips can help you limit costs and avoid the crowds, even in one of the most popular destinations in Greece.

Kayak data shows the country's average hotel prices spiking across the summer, hitting $364 in June, $382 in July, and an annual peak of $408 in August. In April and May, accommodation hovers in a much more reasonable range between $209 and $256. Similarly, prices start to dip after the summer surge, hitting $228 in October and an annual low of $169 in November.

Budapest might be a European city with one of the lowest costs of living, but the capital of Hungary, along with the entire country, experiences a peak season, as with any other destination. Rick Steves presents this unique Eastern European destination as a joyous surprise, offering visitors a break from the continental norms in cuisine, language, and culture. The veteran travel guide sees the main tourist swell stretching from May to September, with the summer months experiencing the peak of visitors. 

Those searching for quieter streets and emptier towns are advised to plan their trip in the shoulder season of spring or fall. More specifically, Steves highlights May, June, and September, along with early October. During this time, Hungary's climate is moderate and comfortable, and hotels are more affordable. Wintertime visitors will be treated to nearly tourist-free attractions, even in the larger cities, but the weather is harsh. Prices may be at their lowest, but much of the tourist infrastructure is completely closed down. 

August is by far Hungary's most expensive month for accommodation, as the average hotel runs $249 on Kayak. However, prices start easing through fall, plummeting to $197 in September, $169 in October, and $148 in November, the cheapest month of the year. 

Rick Steves has famously warned that the Blarney Stone and the entire town of Killarney are tourist traps that are a total waste of money. Yet, those highly specific criticisms don't distract from the praise the seasoned European traveler heaps on the Republic of Ireland. Describing the island as dripping with mystery, Steves salutes the country's breathtaking landscapes, charming folk music, and extremely welcoming people. 

Ireland is such a worthwhile destination that Steves actually weathers the peak season for the extended sunlight and cooperative weather, despite warnings of the tide of tourists washing over the island. During the summer, tourists must book far ahead of their trip to ensure available accommodation and even restaurant access. Shoulder season endures from April to May and picks up again from September to October. These dry spells are met with fewer visitors but bring worse weather. Furthermore, Steves warns that life outside the larger cities is mostly shuttered. This trade-off between fewer crowds and lower prices gets steeper in the winter. 

Ireland's hotels are their most expensive throughout the summer, reaching annual peaks of $324 in June and $329 in September, per Kayak. The pricing surge cools off in the fall, with night-stays reaching their annual low in November at $208. Winter and early spring are also affordable times with prices stretching from $219 in January to $258 in May, just before the summer peak starts again.

Italy is a one-stop shop of travel highlights from Rome's Colosseum and Pisa's Leaning Tower to Amalfi's rugged coastline and Tuscany's rolling hills. It's even considered one of the best places to retire outside of the U.S. Unironically, Rick Steves indicates the most ideal times to visit Italy — May and June, then September and October — also happen to experience the highest prices and biggest swarms of tourists. Instead of having a typical shoulder season, Italy experiences an extended drop in tourism from around November to April. The seasoned European traveler cautions against colder temperatures, but this weather brings with it better prices and less travel anxiety. Tourism accessibility is reduced in the off-season, especially in smaller, regional towns.

Mirroring Steves' suggestions, Italy's hotels peak throughout the summer months, extending to annual highs in June and September, reaching $480 and $473 per night, respectively, via Kayak. A sharp drop occurs in the fall, when prices hit their yearly low in November at $240, half of their peak in the summer. This drip continues throughout the slow season, remaining low in March, as prices stay at an affordable $257 nightly. Costs rise steadily in April and May before summer premiums land again. Looking to save even more money in this beautiful country? Consider visiting Matera, one of the cheapest destinations in Italy.

The Netherlands' quaint countryside villages, iconic canal-lined cities, and exploding tulip fields attract tourists throughout much of the year. Rick Steves describes a steady stream of travelers throughout the summer, especially in the capital of Amsterdam, resulting in above-average prices. Though even spring sees a boost in tourism due to the annual tulip blossoms. The true break in tourism occurs from the end of October to about the middle of March. The lower cost and empty streets come with some challenges, though. Tourists braving the off-season are met with rain, low temperatures, less sunlight, and a rough coast. The reward? Much lower prices. 

Kayak tracks an elevation in the average overnight hotel price starting in spring and lasting throughout the summer. Accommodation in May hits a seasonal high of $221 per night, and September caps off the peak season at $222 per night. Relief settles in throughout fall and winter, with prices hitting a low of $151 in February. Booking a shoulder season vacation can save you money in the Netherlands, but make sure you pack appropriately for the off-peak weather.

Portugal packs a heavyweight tourist itinerary into one of Western Europe's smaller countries, giving visitors more bang for their vacation buck. The Algarve region's dramatic cliffside coastline and hidden beaches are only a short trip to the capital city of Lisbon, with its winding, cobblestone streets. The wine country is only a little further north, with rolling landscapes and the regional hub of Porto, offering unique architecture and a tasty, seaside cuisine. 

Rick Steves' favorite time to visit Portugal is the shoulder season in May, June, and October. In the spring and fall, budget-conscious travelers can find some of Portugal's most sought-after destinations with fewer crowds and more reasonable prices, with still idyllic weather. From November to March, tourism drops off precipitously, leaving less for visitors to do and worse weather overall, although prices are at their lowest.

Lisbon's average hotel costs fluctuate considerably throughout the year. Prices top out in the summer at $292 in July, $277 in August, and $283 in September, per Kayak. Within two months, prices collapse to $150 in November. December sees a slight peak for Christmas vacations, but the deals continue into January at $144 nightly, their lowest of the year. Spring is even more affordable than fall.

Spain is another powerhouse European destination, bringing in nearly 138 million international visitors in 2024, according to Statista, marking a record high for the country. Whether visiting Madrid's world-class art museums, Barcelona's one-of-a-kind architecture, or Seville's flamenco bars, this Iberian nation has something to offer everyone. This extraordinary popularity results in some elevated prices, especially during the busiest parts of the year. Travelers face steeper prices in the summer months throughout the Spanish coast, with planeloads of tourists taking advantage of the country's long Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. 

Rick Steves touts spring and fall as the perfect balance of extended daylight and cooperative weather alongside fewer travelers. The shoulder season, despite seeing less tourism, still offers plenty of things to do. Spring is chock-full of regional events, such as the April Fair in the Andalusian capital of Seville and Valencia's wild, effigy-burning Las Fallas celebration. If you're seeking the biggest discounts and emptiest times, Steves recommends the off-season, which lasts from November to March. However, this drop in tourism and prices comes with less to do and rougher weather.

Spain's average hotel prices across the year closely track Steves' tips. Nightly prices reach their height in the summer, hovering around $300 from July to September according to Kayak. By November, prices dip to $190 before hitting an annual slump of $165 in January. Prices remain relatively cheap throughout late winter and early spring.

Switzerland is often considered one of the priciest European destinations, supported by higher-than-average hotel prices, a local currency that's worth more than the Euro and U.S. Dollar, and a higher cost of living overall. However, the appeal of the captivating Swiss Alps, world-renowned ski slopes, and tasty chocolates attracts even the most cost-weary travelers. That's where Rick Steves' advice comes into play, once again. 

The European expert positions May to September as the busiest travel season in Switzerland, with the caveat that mountain towns might not pick up until June. The middle of summer is ideal, exploding with tourist activities, but it brings with it hordes of travelers. Therefore, Steves advises visitors to stick to the shoulder season for flexible scheduling, lower prices, and fewer tourists. From late May through June and September to the beginning of October, savvy visitors can enjoy Switzerland at a fraction of peak-season pricing. 

Unlike other European countries, Switzerland's average hotel prices skyrocket in the middle of winter. From December to February, nightly prices hover around the mid-$400 range per Kayak. Summertime experiences its own price surge, hitting a seasonal high of $452 in June. True to Steves' cost-saving tips, travelers can snag a discounted hotel room in May for $334 or in November for $287.