The European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET) defines traveling off-peak as “traveling outside rush-hours to avoid overcrowding in public means of transport.” This sounds all too simple and as we might expect – easier said than done.
For both air and car travel, avoid the crowds by traveling during the week, especially from Tuesday through Thursday. An added bonus is that airfares for travel Tuesday through Thursday are usually cheaper.
Mid-morning and late afternoon flights tend to be less crowded, plus you can really avoid commute traffic during this time. This site also offers the load on late-night flights (also known as red-eye flights for obvious reasons): these flights can help you avoid traffic but it’s only effective if you can sleep sitting up-right on a plane!
And did you know that traveling off-peak means traveling during holidays (not before or after) when airfares are lower and there’s less road traffic?
Some of the most affordable travel deals of the year can be found in the fall. If you find super off-peak dates that fall between major holidays, strike while the iron is hot....