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In-demand and in budget: star destinations for savvy shoulder season stays

The HomeToGo Shoulder Season Report

Looking for a smarter way to travel? Americans are increasingly choosing to vacation during the shoulder season — those quieter months between summer and winter — to stretch their budgets, enjoy fewer crowds, and sidestep uncomfortable weather extremes. According to the HomeToGo 2025 Travel Forecast, nearly half of U.S. travelers plan to take off-peak trips in 2025, with fall and spring stepping into the spotlight — and HomeToGo's demand data reflects this trend. Searches for vacation home stays are already up +27% year-on-year for autumn 2025, and +25% for spring 2026.

With value sitting front of mind for many travelers, HomeToGo has delved into the data to highlight the destinations in which shoulder season offers standout savings. To help vacationers plan their perfect shoulder season getaway, HomeToGo pinpointed 40 destinations where travelers can find the best of both worlds — stunning settings as well as wallet-friendly accommodation rates. Every location on the lists offers median nightly rates under $75 in the U.S. and under $50 per person abroad, so it's easy to enjoy more travel for less.

Discover HomeToGo's shoulder season destination recommendations with the interactive map, lists, and location guides below:


Top destinations for savvy shoulder season stays across the U.S. and abroad, mapped 


Top U.S. destinations for affordable trips in autumn 2025

Destination
State
Median Price
Mackinaw City Michigan $47
Grand Rapids Michigan $61
Hatteras North Carolina $63
Kanab Utah $64
Reno Nevada $67
Boise Idaho $71
Pagosa Springs Colorado $72
Spokane Washington $72
Branson Missouri $74
St. George Utah $75
Kanab, Utah

Spotlight on: Mackinaw City, Michigan

Shoulder season travelers should visit Mackinaw City, perched at the tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, during early fall, before it truly quietens down in November. In October, crisp lake breezes replace the peak-season rush, and ferries to Mackinac Island run against a backdrop of turning leaves. Forts, lighthouses, and the famous bridge feel all the more impressive with room to roam.


Top international destinations for affordable trips in autumn 2025 

Destination
Country
Median Price
Western Cape South Africa $32
Athens Greece $45
Zadar Croatia $45
Costa Blanca Spain $46
Makarska Croatia $46
Corsica France $47
Apulia Italy $47
Cádiz Spain $47
Liguria Italy $48
Sicily Italy $48
Athens, Greece

Spotlight on: Western Cape, South Africa

When the U.S. moves into fall, the Western Cape shifts into spring. Vineyards across Stellenbosch and Franschhoek start to turn green with new growth, while Cape Town’s green spaces, such as Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, are especially striking. Along Walker Bay, southern right whales gather close to the shore, offering some of the world’s best land-based sightings.


Top U.S. destinations for affordable trips in spring 2026

Destination
State
Median Price
St. George Utah $47
Maggie Valley North Carolina $52
Williamsburg Virginia $52
Boone North Carolina $59
Greenville South Carolina $60
Flagler Beach Florida $62
Helen Georgia $65
Lexington Kentucky $67
Chattanooga Tennessee $72
Sunset Beach North Carolina $73
Boone, North Carolina

Spotlight on: St. George, Utah

During spring in St. George, temperatures are ideal for exploring trails in Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park without summer's intensity. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area provides quieter routes, while Sand Hollow State Park offers kayaking and swimming. Wildflowers add color to the red-rock backdrop, creating a vivid backdrop for all kinds of outdoor adventures.


Top international destinations for affordable trips in spring 2026 

Destination
Country
Median Price
Flic en Flac Mauritius $27
Donegal Ireland $28
Torrevieja Spain $35
Tropea Italy $43
Sidari Greece $44
Seoul South Korea $44
Pula Croatia $46
Corralejo Spain $47
Alicante Spain $48
Murcia Spain $49

Spotlight on: Flic en Flac, Mauritius

As spring arrives in the U.S., autumn in the Southern Hemisphere slowly brings drier, more balmy conditions to Mauritius’ west coast. Calm lagoons and clear reefs await travelers visiting Flic en Flac during late spring months, making this a prime time for snorkeling and diving. Inland, cooler weather opens up trails in Black River Gorges National Park, offering a mix of stunning coastal and mountain vistas.

Methodology: how this guide was produced

Fall 2025 price and search figures: Insights are based on observed searches carried out via hometogo.com between January 1, 2025 - August 10, 2025, with a check-in date during September 22, 2025 - December 21, 2025. 

Spring 2026 price and search figures: Insights are based on observed searches carried out via hometogo.com between January 1, 2025 - August 10, 2025, with a check-in date during March 20, 2026 - June 20, 2026.

Top destinations: To create these lists, shortlists were first collated of destinations in which the median nightly price per person for a vacation rental during the relevant season (fall 2025 or spring 2026) was under $75 for destinations in the United States, and under $50 for destinations outside of the United States. These shortlists were then refined according to traveler demand — as indicated according to search volume via hometogo.com — for each destination during the relevant season, with the 10 highest search volume locations included in the final lists.     

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