Last-minute plans are super exciting, but they can feel super stressful to some. The thrill of embarking on a spontaneous adventure is a very unique one, and that’s why you’ll want to ensure it’s as stress-free as possible.
In this article, we’ve covered four tips for last-minute travel so that you can look forward to your adventures rather than feel overwhelmed. Keep reading to learn more.
Check Airline Ticket Prices on Multiple Websites and at Different Airports
Last-minute airline tickets are often quite expensive, and that’s not surprising because you’re buying a scarce resource. Airlines often don’t divulge their best ticket deals to third-party booking sites, so you’ll want to check directly on their websites to see if there are ongoing deals or if the prices are lower than other third-party sites.
But more often than not, you’re likely to find a terrific deal through a third-party booking site. There are many websites that will scour through deals on the internet and provide you with the lowest airline prices, like Kayak, Momondo, and Airfarewatchdog. You won’t have to wait more than a few seconds to get good results with these websites, and some of them might have more pleasing interfaces than even Google’s.
Generally, airlines tend to discount red-eye flights—flights that depart late at night and arrive early in the morning. Taking these overnight flights will save you some money. But ensure to check the layover time; it may not make sense for everyone to spend several hours in an airport terminal just to save an extra $50.
Also, if you have the option, it would help to check for ticket prices at multiple airports. Although bigger airports are known to have cheaper flights, there’s a good chance you might find a better deal at a smaller one. Make sure to check these options before finalizing.
Look for Accommodation Deals Online and Offline
Like with airlines, checking directly on a hotel website might help you bag some good deals. For hotels, you’ll want to also check third-party websites for last-minute deals. Keen on spending those loyalty program points you’ve been accumulating? Some hotels are flexible with their loyalty program points, so you could pool points with the people you are sharing the room with.
But hotels aren’t the only places you can stay at. If you’re okay with living in a shared space, you could find a hostel and lower your expenses substantially. You could reallocate that budget to other aspects of your travel.
And if you want privacy but a hotel is too expensive, you could check out Airbnb rentals. It’s not difficult to find lovely Airbnb rentals that are well-maintained and budget-friendly.
Try Traveling in the Middle of the Week
Most people who are traveling will try to do it during the weekends when they’re not working. Since they book their flights and hotel rooms in advance, it becomes expensive for others to book at the last minute. It’s not uncommon to see flight tickets double in price if you’re trying to book within 48 hours of departure.
If it’s possible, try to travel in the middle of the week, when the demand for flights and accommodation isn’t as high as it’s on the weekend. With this, you could hope to save plenty of money despite the spontaneity of your travel plan.
Approach Last-Minute Travel With an Open Mind
Planning a trip months or weeks in advance is convenient. You can comfortably conduct your research for travel, accommodation, shopping, and other things, and you have plenty of options to choose from. Importantly, you have the time to adjust your plans in case there are changes.
But with last-minute plans, a lot of things might not work out the way you intend them to. For example, you may want to find a place in the heart of the city, but it may be out of budget and you only have options available in the outskirts. Plans not panning out the way you wanted them to can make you disappointed and upset, which is why it’s essential to approach last-minute plans with a flexible mindset.
Keeping your mind open to possibilities, especially ones that are outside your comfort zone, will make it a lot more fun to go on a spontaneous adventure. Having this flexibility can also help to save money during the trip.
Parting Thoughts
Going on travel adventures is sure to leave you with many memories, some fond and maybe some dreadful. But it’s essential to plan through things properly so that you can eliminate as much stress as possible. With the tips given above, your last-minute travels will become easier to plan and execute.