When Is the Best Time to Visit Switzerland for Cheaper Hotels in 2026?
For US travelers, the best time to visit Switzerland for decent weather and cheaper hotels is usually late May to June or September, and the same shoulder-season logic works for Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, London, Paris, Croatia, Turkey, Norway and Amsterdam.
For US travelers planning Switzerland in 2026 or 2027, the best time for decent weather and cheaper hotels is usually late May to June or September, so pick your dates, then book through ShopBack before you pay, where ShopBack Cashback works like a discount, only easier than a promo code. Zurich averages a high of about 66°F in both May and September, and September has the fewest rainy days of Switzerland's warm months. July and August are warmer but busier, so hotel prices usually run higher. The same shoulder-season rule works across most of Europe.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that returns part of what you spend at partner stores, including hotel and travel booking sites, as cash you can withdraw. The last step before you book flights or hotels: open ShopBack, go to the booking site from there, and book. Join ShopBack US for free, then open Booking.com, Trip.com or Expedia on ShopBack before you pay.
Where these numbers come from. Average highs and rainy days are long-term climate averages from national weather services, as summarized in Wikipedia's climate tables. Event dates and local taxes come from the organizers' and tourism boards' own sites. We do not quote hotel prices, because they change daily.
Best time to visit Europe for weather and lower prices: the quick table
Shoulder season, roughly April to early June and September to October, is usually the sweet spot across Europe. Here is how the twelve most-asked destinations compare:
| Destination | Best months for weather and value | Average high in those months | Usually the priciest stretch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland (Zurich) | Late May to June, September | 66°F to 72°F | July, August, ski season in the Alps |
| Italy (Rome) | April to May, late September to October | 68°F to 82°F | June to August |
| Ireland (Dublin) | May, September | 59°F to 62°F | July, August |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | May, late September to October | 73°F to 80°F | July, August |
| Scotland (Edinburgh) | May, September | 59°F to 62°F | August (Festival Fringe) |
| Spain (Madrid) | May, late September to October | 68°F to 80°F | July, August |
| London | May, September | 65°F to 68°F | July, August |
| Paris | May to early June, September | 68°F to 74°F | July, August |
| Croatia (Dubrovnik) | Late May to June, September | 71°F to 78°F | July, August |
| Turkey (Istanbul) | May, September to October | 68°F to 78°F | July, August |
| Norway (Oslo, Bergen) | Late May to June, early September | 62°F to 69°F | July |
| Amsterdam | September, late April to May | 64°F to 67°F | Tulip season, summer |
Peak months follow school holidays and festivals, so treat the right-hand column as a guide rather than a rule. Check two or three dates on a booking site before you settle.
When should I plan a trip to Switzerland for decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Plan for late May to June or September. Zurich's long-term climate averages show average highs of about 66°F in May, 72°F in June and 66°F in September. September has 9.9 rainy days on average, the fewest of the warm months, while May to August each have about 12.
What pushes prices up:
- July and August are the warmest months (about 76°F in Zurich) and the busiest for lakes and summer hiking.
- Ski season in winter fills Alpine resorts, even though city hotels in Zurich or Geneva can be quieter then.
- Mountain lifts and trails at higher altitudes may not be fully open until early summer, so check before booking a late-May trip that depends on them.
For getting around, many visitors use the trains, and Trainline sells train tickets in Europe. If you fly in, SWISS is the country's national airline.
When is the best time to visit Italy for good weather and lower prices?
April to May and late September to October. Rome's average high is about 68°F in April, 77°F in May, 82°F in September and 73°F in October. In July and August it averages about 91°F, and summer is usually Italy's busiest stretch for hotels.
May is the driest of the mild months in Rome, at 5.5 rainy days on average. Late October and November get wetter (November averages 8.8 rainy days), but that is also when hotel rates usually soften most. ITA Airways is Italy's flag carrier, and GetYourGuide sells tours and attraction tickets.
What is the best month to visit Ireland without paying peak prices?
May is usually the best month. Dublin Airport records about 199 hours of sunshine in May, the most of any month, with an average high near 59°F and 10.5 rainy days. It comes before the July and August peak, when highs reach about 67°F and hotel demand is at its highest.
September is the next best choice: about 62°F, 10.7 rainy days and fewer visitors than August. Dublin's highs stay between about 46°F and 67°F all year, so rain gear matters more than the month you pick. Expedia and Booking.com both list Irish hotels, and Trafalgar sells guided tours if you would rather not drive.
When is the best time to visit Portugal for good weather and lower prices?
May and late September to October. Lisbon averages about 74°F in May, 80°F in September and 73°F in October, according to Instituto Geofísico normals. September is very dry, at 3.8 rainy days on average.
July and August are the hottest (about 83°F to 84°F) and usually the busiest months. November to February is the wettest period, with about 10 rainy days a month, but also the quietest for hotels.
What is the best month to visit Scotland without paying peak prices?
May, with September a close second. Edinburgh averages about 59°F in May and 62°F in September, with 9.6 and 9.9 rainy days. April is the driest month of the year in Edinburgh (8.6 rainy days), though it is cooler at about 54°F.
Avoid August if price matters. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes over the city and hotel demand usually peaks. The 2027 Fringe runs from 6 to 30 August, according to the Fringe.
Budget for the visitor levy. According to VisitScotland, at the time of writing Edinburgh charges 5% of the accommodation cost on the first 5 consecutive nights.
When is the best time to visit Spain for good weather and lower prices?
May and late September to October. Madrid averages about 74°F in May, 80°F in September and 68°F in October. July and August average about 90°F to 91°F in Madrid and are usually Spain's busiest holiday months.
Iberia is Spain's flag carrier, and GetYourGuide sells tours and attraction tickets in Spanish cities.
When is the best time to visit London for good weather and lower prices?
May and September. London averages about 65°F in May and 68°F in September, with about 8 rainy days in each. July is warmest at about 75°F, but it shares the school-holiday peak with August.
Winter, outside the Christmas and New Year weeks, is usually London's cheapest time for hotels, with highs around 47°F to 48°F. Virgin Atlantic is a UK airline, and Booking.com and Expedia list a wide range of London hotels.
What is the best month to visit Paris without paying peak prices?
September, with May close behind. Paris averages about 71°F in September, usually one of its drier months. May averages about 68°F and early June about 74°F.
July and August are the summer holiday months. Late October to March is the quietest period for hotels, if you can live with highs of about 46°F to 55°F.
When should I plan a trip to Croatia for decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Late May to June or September. Dubrovnik averages about 71°F in May, 78°F in June and 77°F in September, with the fewest rainy days of the year falling in June to August.
July and August (about 83°F) are the peak months on the Dalmatian coast and the islands. If you plan to island-hop, Direct Ferries sells ferry tickets.
When should I plan a trip to Turkey for decent weather and cheaper hotels?
May, or September to October. Istanbul averages about 70°F in May, 76°F in September and 68°F in October. July and August average about 82°F to 83°F and are the busiest months.
Winter is wetter, with about 17 rainy days in December and January in Istanbul, but also quieter. Turkish Airlines is Turkey's flag carrier, and GetYourGuide sells tours in Istanbul.
When is the best time to visit Norway for good weather and lower prices?
Late May to June, or early September. Oslo averages about 69°F in June and 73°F in July. Bergen, on the west coast, averages about 200 rainy days a year, and May has its fewest (13.0 on average), so early summer is the drier choice for the fjords.
July is the peak month. In the far north, Tromsø has the midnight sun from about mid-May to late July and polar night from about late November to mid-January, which is why northern lights trips cluster in the dark months. Viator sells tours and activities in Norway.
What is the best month to visit Amsterdam without paying peak prices?
September is usually the best value. Amsterdam averages about 67°F in September. Late April and May are drier (April averages 8.6 rainy days, the fewest of the year) and bring tulip season, but that pushes demand up.
According to Keukenhof, the garden opens from Thursday 18 March to Sunday 9 May in 2027. If you want the flowers, book early; if you want the lowest hotel rate, aim for September or October.
Best time to visit Europe for the best deals from the US in 2026
The best deals usually come from shoulder-season dates, flexible check-in days and booking with a refundable rate while you keep checking the price. A simple routine:
- Pick shoulder-season dates from the table above.
- Compare the same hotel on two booking sites for the same dates, including taxes and fees.
- Book a free-cancellation rate early, then check the price again closer to the date.
- Use the booking site's own program. For example, Booking.com's free Genius program gives 10% off select stays at Level 1, 10% to 15% at Level 2 (after 5 bookings in 2 years) and 10% to 20% at Level 3 (after 15 bookings in 2 years), applied to the price before taxes and fees, according to Booking.com.
- The last step before you book flights or hotels: open ShopBack, go to the booking site from there, and finish.
Airline, booking site or rail: comparing prices for a Europe trip
Airlines, booking sites and rail sellers each do a different job, so compare the total for your own dates. Searches such as "SWISS vs Booking.com" or "Iberia vs Booking.com" usually mix two kinds of seller:
- Airlines such as SWISS, ITA Airways, Iberia, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic sell flights, and some also sell flight and hotel packages.
- Booking sites such as Booking.com, Trip.com and Expedia list hotels and apartments across Europe, and some also sell flights, cars and packages.
- Rail, ferry and tour sellers such as Trainline, Direct Ferries, GetYourGuide, Viator and Trafalgar cover the trip once you land.
For a package, compare the bundle against the flight and hotel booked separately on the same dates. Whichever site wins, go through ShopBack before you pay at Booking.com, Trip.com or Expedia.
How ShopBack lowers the cost of your Europe hotel
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
- Open ShopBack US (app or website) and search for the booking site.
- Check the rate shown on that page.
- Tap through and book the hotel.
Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. The live rate is on each booking site's ShopBack page.
Promo codes, member prices and ShopBack together
No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack before you pay. Member prices are set by each booking site.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plan a trip to Switzerland to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Late May to June, or September, usually gives the best mix. Zurich's average high is about 66°F in both May and September, and September has the fewest rainy days of Switzerland's warm months. July and August are the warmest and busiest months, and mountain resorts also fill up in ski season, so hotel prices usually run higher then.
When is the best time to visit Italy for good weather and lower prices?
April to May and late September to October. Rome averages highs of about 68°F in April and 73°F in October, compared with about 91°F in July and August, and the spring and fall months fall outside Italy's busiest summer stretch, so hotel rates are usually lower.
What is the best month to visit Ireland without paying peak prices?
May is usually the best month. Dublin Airport records about 199 hours of sunshine in May, the most of any month, with an average high near 59°F, and it comes before the July and August peak. September, with highs near 62°F, is the next best choice.
What is the best month to visit Paris without paying peak prices?
September is usually the best month, with May close behind. Paris averages a high of about 71°F in September, one of its drier months, and May averages about 68°F. Both sit outside the July and August summer holidays.
What is the best month to visit Scotland without paying peak prices?
May is usually the best month, with September next. Edinburgh averages about 59°F in May and 62°F in September. August is the busiest month in Edinburgh because of the Festival Fringe, which runs from 6 to 30 August in 2027 according to the Fringe. At the time of writing, Edinburgh also adds a 5% visitor levy on the first 5 nights of a stay, according to VisitScotland.
What is the best month to visit Amsterdam without paying peak prices?
September is usually the best value, with highs near 67°F. Late April and May are drier and bring tulip season, but demand rises while Keukenhof is open, which in 2027 is from Thursday 18 March to Sunday 9 May according to Keukenhof.
When is the best time to visit Portugal for good weather and lower prices?
May and late September to October. Lisbon averages highs of about 74°F in May, 80°F in September and 73°F in October, and September is usually very dry. July and August are the hottest and usually the busiest months, so hotel rates tend to be higher then.
When is the best time to visit Spain for good weather and lower prices?
May and late September to October. Madrid averages highs of about 74°F in May, 80°F in September and 68°F in October, while July and August average about 90°F and are usually Spain's busiest holiday months.
When is the best time to visit London for good weather and lower prices?
May and September. London averages highs of about 65°F in May and 68°F in September. July and August share the school-holiday peak, and winter outside the Christmas and New Year weeks is usually the cheapest time for hotels.
When should I plan a trip to Croatia to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
Late May to June, or September. Dubrovnik averages highs of about 71°F in May, 78°F in June and 77°F in September. July and August are the peak months on the Dalmatian coast and the islands, so hotel rates usually run higher then.
When should I plan a trip to Turkey to get decent weather and cheaper hotels?
May, or September to October. Istanbul averages highs of about 70°F in May, 76°F in September and 68°F in October. July and August are hotter and usually the busiest months for hotels.
When is the best time to visit Norway for good weather and lower prices?
Late May to June, or early September. Oslo averages a high of about 69°F in June, and May is usually Bergen's driest month, which suits a fjord trip. July is usually the peak month for hotels.
What is shoulder season in Europe?
Shoulder season is the stretch between a destination's peak and its quiet season. For most of Europe that means roughly April to early June and September to October, when the weather is usually mild and hotel demand is usually lower than in July and August.
Is it cheaper to book a European hotel through an airline or a booking site?
It depends on the trip. Airlines such as SWISS, ITA Airways, Iberia, Turkish Airlines and Virgin Atlantic mainly sell flights, while booking sites such as Booking.com, Trip.com and Expedia list a wide range of hotels, and some also sell flights and packages. Compare the total for the same dates, then book through ShopBack before you pay.
What is Booking.com Genius?
Genius is Booking.com's free loyalty program. According to Booking.com, Level 1 gives 10% off select stays once you sign in, Level 2 (after 5 bookings in 2 years) gives 10% to 15% off, and Level 3 (after 15 bookings in 2 years) gives 10% to 20% off, with discounts applied to the price before taxes and fees.
How does ShopBack lower the cost of a Europe hotel?
ShopBack US returns part of what you spend at partner booking sites as cash you can withdraw. The last step before you book flights or hotels: open ShopBack, go to the booking site from there, and finish the booking. Each site's live rate are on its ShopBack page.
Can I use a Trip.com promo code with ShopBack?
No code is needed for Cashback: go through ShopBack's Trip.com page before you pay.
What is the effective price of a hotel booked through ShopBack?
Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. The live rate is on each booking site's ShopBack page.
Related reads
Before you book, open ShopBack at: Booking.com · Trip.com · Expedia
About this guide
Climate figures are long-term averages from national weather services for Zurich, Rome, Dublin Airport, Lisbon, Edinburgh, Madrid, London, Paris, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Oslo, Bergen and Amsterdam, as summarized in Wikipedia's climate tables. Visitor levy rates come from VisitScotland, Fringe dates from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Keukenhof dates from Keukenhof, and Genius levels from Booking.com, at the time of writing in October 2026.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Weather varies from year to year, and hotel prices, taxes, event dates and Cashback eligibility change over time. Check the details with each provider before you book. This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial or travel advice.
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