Best time of year to travel - Europe

Choosing a time of year to travel depends greatly on many other factors including your work or study schedule, the travel plans of others, flight and tour availability and costs, your onward travel plans, events, festivals and activities you may want to take part in as well as personal preferences for weather.

Someone seeking sunshine, beaches and parties will have a hard time finding them in Europe during the winter while for someone looking for snow and Christmas markets, it will be perfect.

The choice is up to you.

Please note: Camping and Concept/Budget Tours are only depart from the end of March through to the end of September . Time Out/Superior/Hotel tours operate year-round and some tours are not available from October to March.

Tour Manager Opinions

“I think September is the best time to visit Europe, because the weather is still really nice but not too hot!”

by – Michael Thomas, Tour Manager, Europe

“There is no best time of year to travel each period of the year offers something different. In winter you don’t have the queues of summer and get to see everything covered in snow, in the peak of summer you get the best weather, nice and hot, which is great if you’re off to Greece, and the shoulder periods of summer are great because again the amount of tourists isn’t as great and generally not as hot as the peak of summer, so really every time of the year is a great time of year to travel in Europe.”

- Dean Smart, Tour Manager, Europe

“WINTER!!! No tourist crowds (no lines at attractions) less traffic on the roads. Go further, see more, smile more! It’s cheaper and better. Think about going when no one else goes. If winter is a bit too chilly for you, try April and September – again, not so many crowds, not as stinking hot, and a much better time to travel!”

- Claire Hanney, Tour Manager, Europe

“Winter is a great time to travel in Europe. Its yours to play with, no line ups, no crazy heat and you get a completely different perspective of the countries. Imagine walking right into the Vatican Museums, experiencing snow at the Eiffel Tower, or getting out to snowboard in Austria. Less expensive and less people, everyone always wants to do summer but winter allows you time to see more and have a true European experience.”

- Krista Taylor, Tour Manager, Europe