Vrbo is naming the sunny destinations with the deepest discounted beach getaways this shoulder season, following the peak in summer prices.

School’s back and the days are shorter, but summer isn’t over yet. September and October mark a time when vacation rental hosts lower their rates and the competition for prime beach houses is less heated too.

According to Vrbo, this year’s shoulder season savings are steepest in the Southeast — Florida and the Carolinas. Average nightly rates for rentals are falling by double-digit percentages while rental availability for some of the most sought-after homes begins to open up in these locales¹. One Key members can stack on savings by using any accrued OneKeyCash on their Vrbo booking – and earn OneKeyCash toward their next Vrbo home.

Beach towns with the greatest price drops this shoulder season 

1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 

2. Outer Banks, North Carolina  

3. Fort Walton Beach, Florida 

4. Gulf Shores, Alabama  

5. Pensacola, Florida  

6. Miramar & Rosemary Beach, Florida 

7. Charleston and coast beaches, South Carolina 

“Shoulder season is the sweetest of the sweet spots in travel. The temperature only drops by a few degrees, so it’s still warm, but the prices plummet and the crowds thin out,” said Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Vrbo. “For budget-smart travelers, planning their vacations during this season has become the ultimate hack.” 

Here is a sampling of Vrbo vacation homes with major drops in prices during the shoulder season²:

^{1: Based on analysis of Vrbo booking data two months before travel dates, comparing travel dates July 1 – 31, 2024, with Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024.} 

^{2: Based on rates and availability on Vrbo as of Aug. 13, 2024.}