School breaks, summer, and holidays are peak-season travel times for good reason. You can enjoy tons of events, special moments with loved ones, and unforgettable fun. Traveling during these times can feel overwhelming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. A little planning can go a long way toward making the most of peak-season travel, so you can have a great time.
You can access all the perks and make the most of your trip when you:
- Plan early to minimize stress
- Explore lesser-known destinations
- Find the best online deals
- Use technology to support your travels
Learn how to travel during peak season by being flexible, planning ahead, and booking early.
Plan ahead and book early
Planning your vacation and booking ahead of time can help you avoid sold-out flights, limited accommodations, and unavailable rental vehicles. It can also help you budget better to keep your finances in check. By reserving as much of your trip in advance as possible, you can find ways to save—even during school breaks and the holiday season.
While some travel deals have blackout dates, you can still save by using credit card points, taking advantage of membership benefits, and watching for deals at vacation hotspots. Also, consider group travel since many businesses offer special discounts for groups.
The earlier you plan, the more likely you are to secure your ideal itinerary at the best price. It also gives you time to consider alternatives to destinations with the highest traffic.
Explore alternatives to popular destinations
From the U.S. to Europe and across the globe, the world is filled with lesser-known yet captivating destinations. Because these hidden gems don’t get all the fanfare of more popular spots, you can explore them without massive crowds or higher prices.
Consider smaller towns in your area or those near popular destinations for your next vacation spot. Also, think about traveling during shoulder season—the time right before or after the peak travel months—when prices are usually more reasonable. With a little research and learning how to save money while traveling, you can cut costs significantly on your travel plans.
Similarly, you can visit popular spots during the off-season to save money on airfare and other travel costs. Another bonus? You’ll be less likely to spend much of your trip wading through crowds. And to remain flexible, download crowd-alert apps to see when and where crowds are likely to form, so you can avoid them.
Use technology to stay ahead while traveling
Regardless of your chosen destination, exploring is easier with the right tech tips on your side. Before you head out, research your destination and download local apps for navigation and real-time updates on weather, local news, and local hotspots. You’ll also want to browse and compare deals, and purchase digital tickets, essentials, food, and more.
If you’re traveling in the U.S., your mobile plan will keep you connected wherever there’s cellular connectivity. However, some areas—especially rural locations—may have weaker signals. As a backup, consider bringing a mobile hotspot for Wi-Fi® while traveling. You can connect through your cellular plan or a data-only plan.
If you’re traveling to popular destinations where a lot of people are using cellular connectivity or public Wi-Fi, you may struggle to maintain a stable connection. In this case, AT&T Turbo provides an enhanced connection for better real-time responsiveness, more reliable video chat, and smoother posting or streaming to social media while on the go.
Your unlimited wireless plan can get you other perks, too. AT&T Wireless customers have several options for unlimited plans (AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy). All include mobile security, which is helpful if you need to connect to public Wi-Fi and want to better protect your privacy. Each plan also includes a monthly hotspot data allotment per line. If you’re an AT&T Wireless customer traveling outside of your nationwide coverage, you can add international coverage to your plan.
Staying connected with your mobile device gives you access to the internet and your favorite apps, so you can plan, navigate, and stay in the know.
Beat the crowds with smart timing
Famous landmarks draw in tons of tourists—but visiting at the right time can help you beat the biggest crowds, even during peak season. Check out attractions in the early morning or during off-peak evening hours to help you avoid the midday rush, take in more sights, snap better pictures, and enjoy a more relaxing experience.
You can also minimize crowd exposure and maximize fun during peak-season travel by purchasing special-entry tickets that let you in before the general public. Load your itinerary with off-hours tours or, if that’s not possible, pick alternative spots that aren’t as popular with seasonal travelers. Keeping your itinerary flexible really pays off.
One last tip: vacations often come with unexpected twists and turns, leaving you to manage your stress when you should be enjoying yourself. To minimize stress, build buffer time into your itinerary to leave room for the unexpected—like traffic, longer-than-expected wait times at restaurants, or other things out of your control.
Plan ahead, stay flexible, and use your tech—your smartphone, tablet, and apps—to help you out. Check out our devices and wireless plans to find the perfect fit for your next travel adventure.
