New data from KAYAK shows that flying abroad this September and October – dubbed 'shoulder season' – costs on average 26% less than flying in July and August 2026. 

Each year, shoulder season marks the perfect time for savvy Brits to grab a getaway without breaking the bank – as well as avoiding the crowds of the peak summer months. 

KAYAK's new Shoulder Season Savings Guide reveals the ten countries serving up the biggest price drops, and the top trending spots Brits are eyeing up for an off-peak escape. . 

Short-haul provides strongest savings for Brits

With the majority of the biggest price drops being short haul destinations, this shoulder season marks the perfect opportunity for British travellers to take advantage of a quick trip to some of Europe's most iconic locations.

TOP 10 COUNTRIES WITH THE BIGGEST PRICE DROPS VS. SUMMER 2026

Albania leads the pack with prices a stark 52% cheaper on average than the summer months, followed by Romania (47%) and Bulgaria (43%) - proving that Eastern Europe's most captivating destinations are also delivering the best value this autumn.

Rachel Mumford, UK Travel Expert at KAYAK, says: "It's easy to assume the best deals only come around in the depths of winter, but our data proves some of the biggest savings of the year are hiding in plain sight, shortly after the hotter summer months. As we see more people embracing off-peak travel, finding the cheapest destinations will mean being flexible with travel dates, tracking flight price trends, and tapping into tools like Ask AI to find the best-value options for you.”

The shoulder season advantage - less crowds, lower prices

Islands are firmly leading the shoulder season charge, with six of the top ten trending destinations - Paphos, Luqa, Chania, Arrecife, Palermo and Rhodes - all island or coastal escapes across the Mediterranean. With Paphos (+129%) and Luqa (+92%) topping the list, the data shows Brits are increasingly opting for quieter island getaways once the summer crowds have cleared.

TOP 10 TRENDING DESTINATIONS FOR SHOULDER SEASON VS SUMMER 2026

However, shoulder season isn't purely about short-haul travel either. Many travellers seem to be eyeing up destinations further afield to take advantage of the cheaper travel period. Flight prices to Cape Town are nearly a third cheaper than summer months and searches have increased by 72% on average. Meanwhile, bucket-list destinations like Seoul are piqueing traveller interest - with searches up 70% and flights 16% cheaper on average than in the peak travel period between July and August. 

"Our data points to two clear search trends shaping travel this shoulder season,” Mumford adds. “Some savvy Brits will be taking advantage of lower fares to tick long-haul trips off their list this year, while others are extending the summer with a Mediterranean escape after the peak season has passed. Either way, travelling during the shoulder season can be a smart move, often offering fewer crowds and better prices and greater flexibility to enjoy the kind of break people want.”

For more tips on shoulder season savings, visit KAYAK's guide here. 

Notes to Editors
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Methodology
Flight insights in this report are based on flight searches made on KAYAK.co.uk and its associated brands in the period between 01/05/2026 and 19/07/2026 for flights with departure between 01/09/2026 and 31/10/2026 (shoulder season) from any UK airport. They were compared year-over-year to searches made in the same period and with the same travel period last year. They were also compared to searches made between 01/03/2026 and 19/05/2026 for flights with departure between 01/07/2026 and 31/08/2026. All prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed. Percentages for changes in searches are approximate.
About KAYAK
KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. Trusted by millions of travellers, the KAYAK app makes travel planning seamless on iOS and Android, and we also support business travellers with our corporate travel solution.