When To Book a Hotel Stay for the Biggest Savings

With hotel prices changing as often as the weather, catching the lowest rate can feel like predicting the next storm. How do you know if you’re booking a stay for when you’ll get the best deal?

Our latest research leveraged data from 50 US cities — like New York and San Francisco — and 30 international destinations, including London and Tokyo, to uncover hotel pricing trends by season, month, and location. To keep things consistent, all seasons referenced in this report align with US seasonal time frames, regardless of destination.

Whether you’re planning a nearby getaway or a global excursion, this guide offers the insights you need to book smart and make the most of your travel budget.

Key Takeaways

• On average, US hotel rates are the cheapest in the spring ($185/£142), while international hotel rates are the cheapest in the winter ($296/£228).
• On average, Jacksonville, Florida, has the cheapest nightly hotel rate in the US in the fall ($104/£80), while Colorado Springs, Colorado, has the cheapest nightly hotel rate in the US in the winter ($98/£76).
• On average, Bangkok, Thailand, has the cheapest nightly hotel rate internationally in the fall ($97/£75), while Niagara Falls, Canada/USA, has the cheapest nightly hotel rate in the winter ($104/£80).
• On average, January is the cheapest month for hotel rates in the US ($160/£124) and internationally ($288/£221).

Seasonal Hotel Price Trends

Each season brings new opportunities — and challenges — for finding the best hotel deals, whether you’re traveling nearby or halfway around the world. Here’s how average nightly hotel rates vary by destination and time of year.

For those traveling within the States, spring trips were the most budget-friendly, with average nightly rates at $185 (£142), which is 7.5% less than the average US hotel price year-round. In contrast, international travelers found the best deals on winter getaways, with average rates dropping to $296 (£228) per night, which is 8.9% less than the average international hotel price year-round.

Summer trips had the priciest hotel stays across the board. Travelers in the US paid nightly rates of $211 (£162) during the summer months, while those venturing abroad encountered even steeper prices, with average rates climbing to $342 (£264) per night. 

Surprisingly, Jacksonville, Florida, offered the most affordable nightly hotel rates overall in the US and the best prices in every season except winter. Fall getaways to Jacksonville cost $104 (£80) a night. Colorado Springs, Colorado, was the most budget-friendly winter lodging destination, with nightly rates averaging just $98 (£76).

We also compared each city’s average annual hotel rates to their seasonal rates to pinpoint where you can find the deepest discounts. Here’s where you can save the most on American accommodations and when:

International Hotspots for Off-Season Bargains

Savvy international travelers know that timing is everything when it comes to finding great deals on accommodations. We researched the seasonal fluctuations of hotel rates across popular global destinations, uncovering the best bargains for those willing to travel during off-peak periods.

We found the most affordable international nightly hotel rates for fall travel in Bangkok, Thailand, averaging just $97 (£75). Winter travelers have found Niagara Falls to be the most budget-friendly of the season, with nightly rates averaging $104 (£80).

International travel destinations also offer significant discounts when you compare their seasonal hotel rates to their overall annual costs. For example, book a spring stay in Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba, in spring, and you could save 68% compared to their average yearly prices.

The Best Hotel Deals Year-Round

Next, we dug up monthly pricing trends for both US and international destinations, uncovering patterns that could help travelers maximize their savings throughout the year.

January was the most budget-friendly month for hotel stays across the board. Travelers in the US enjoyed the lowest average nightly rates at $160 (£124) (20% less than the average US hotel price year-round), while international travelers found the best deals at $288 (£221) per night (11.3% less than the average international hotel price year-round). This post-holiday month can offer significant savings for those looking to travel during the winter. A January trip can also be much more pleasant than enduring the stress of holiday season travel.

Our final but most fascinating chart yet is below. It’s another monthly breakdown, but this time, it shows you the top US and international cities with the deepest discounts by month. To find them, we compared each city’s monthly average nightly hotel rates to their annual average.

So, if you want to go to the best value international destination in January, you’ll find the biggest deals in Florence, Italy, where prices are down by an average of 52%.

The city with the best discount in the US in January was Virginia Beach, Virginia, with nightly rates almost 50% off. This coastal southern town also offers much lower hotel rates from October through December.

Book Smart, Travel Far

From the budget-friendly winters of Colorado Springs to the surprisingly affordable autumns in Bangkok, timing and destination choice can significantly impact your travel budget. These tips will help you save on your next trip, whether you’re booking trips to the US in spring, international journeys in winter, or targeting specific cities during their off-seasons.

As you plan your next adventure, these insights could help you make smarter, more economical travel choices. After all, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step — or, in this case, a well-timed hotel booking.

Methodology

For this study, we leveraged historical hotel pricing data from Vio.com to analyze the cheapest times to book hotels in the US and internationally. In total, 50 US cities and 30 international cities were analyzed. When analyzing hotel travel time frames, seasons were based on the US time frame of seasons, where:

• Spring is from March to May.
• Summer is from June to August.
• Fall is from September to November.
• Winter is from December to February.

About Vio.com

Vio.com is trusted by 100 million users each year to find better value, every stay with savings of up to 45%. We discover exclusive accommodation deals and compare prices across all the top travel sites, so you can book the best option with ease. Our exceptional customer support team is available 24/7, which is reflected in our ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and rapid growth.

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