Why tours filled in September?

Sept. is a favorite month of many to travel to Switzerland—great weather and less crowds than July and August. I suspect that is the reason why. I’ve been to Switzerland in both Sept. and June and can’t decide which of those months I prefer. Sept. had the cows, but June had all the wildflowers. Weather was near perfect both months.

Not just Switzerland—September is no longer the European “shoulder” season it was long ago. Cooler temps and fewer kids, sure—but just as busy everywhere.

The best of Switzerland tour is a great tour. September has the advantage of kids back in school and cooler temps from than the peak of summer. I think you will find that many people like to travel in September rather than summer if they can.

I get a personal thrill of traveling in September because I was tied to the school calendar for all of my adult working life. Traveling in September just doesn't get old for me!

Steve, I think part of it is the pent up demand for tours all over Europe. I jumped on the RS website August of last year to look for my preferred Italy tour for September of this year, and found only waiting lists! Luckily someone cancelled and we are set for Italy in September with a brief stopover in Switzerland (which I booked six months ago).

Fall and spring are the best times to travel, that is why

September/1st half of October is the best time for travelling to Switzerland, or short CH, not SW. Compared to the previous months, in Sept/Oct there is less humidity in the air resulting in crystal clear views in the Alps.

I personally would not book a tour yet rather travel on my own. There is no better country in this world to do so! Our public transport is amazing and will take you everywhere, easily and reliably.

Thanks for all the good advice. (My apologies for the abbreviation mistakes). And after 38 years of having to travel in summer due to the school schedule (wife’s retiring) it will be nice to be able to travel in fall..

Cooler weather, fall leaves, cow parades, Octoberfest (which is actually in mid-Sept to early Oct), fewer crowds.

hey hey steve
like scudder says, no "shoulder" seasons any more. so many travelers are on a "revenge travel" thinking that sept/oct is best. not anymore. the weather is good, harvest season with many festivals going on, many work at home since pandemic can travel anywhere and set up their "zoom" talks online, conferences/conventions are out there.
we were in paris oct 2019 and it was insane. fashionista week, paparazzi/photographers all over, cops with their guns, uzis, tanks at every street corner, restaurants/outdoor cafes packed, wanted to see damage at notre dame, ex president cheraq passed away, many from france standing in line for memorial, many politicians in limousines and sirens all day long, techno music parade traveling down the seine river about 1 mile in 30 minutes or more, taxis busy. we stopped at cafe for appetizers and wine to just people watch. now people want outta their cocoons, airports busy and crazy, so many cancellations of flights it's a nightmare out there. attractions booked for months, it's not only in europe, it's all around the world
i'll stay at home or visit niece in oregon until things calm down
good luck with your tour if you can get one and enjoyed what's out there and go with the flow
aloha