Most people plan holidays and trips in advance. However, some of us don't. You may get that bug to take a trip in a heartbeat, just want a break from your everyday routine, or even procrastinate a little. Whatever the reason, these tips for last minute travel deals will help you make sure you are where you want to be for the right price.
Ready and Flexible
Sometimes it really helps to have no travel agenda. If you are fine with traveling on weekdays or don’t mind flights with layovers, you can get some very good last-minute deals. Many hotels, as well as airlines, look to fill up their rooms and seats on weekdays or during the offseason. A great site to check for hotels and flights is Skyscanner.
If you don't mind flying late at night or early morning, you can take advantage of tons of travel deals. The important thing to remember is that you can find really good offers if you are flexible. This also applies to the airports you are flying from or to. Just pack your bags and be ready to go when the deal comes up!
Stay on the Lookout
If you want to save when traveling, keep your ears up and your eyes on the horizon. In other words listen to people, friends colleagues and social media connections, and watch the travel biz closely, including bricks and mortar agencies and websites. Sign up for newsletters and emails from travel and tour companies.
This combined with flexibility will allow you to find tour packages that cost much less than what you would normally pay at peak holiday season.
Pay Attention to the Fine Print
A great last-minute travel deal always sounds tempting, but you have to read the fine print. You need to know if you are getting a deal that is worth the money you are paying. Basically, just be sure to take a reality check. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check providers and satellite photos on the web if you really want to be sure.
Keep in Touch with Travel Agents
In the age of internet shopping and travel sites, it's easy to forget about travel agents. But planning a trip to Italy or France may be more complicated than domestic travel in the US. As a result, it might be worth calling a travel agent as they have access to great deals on flights, hotels and tours, and they can help advise you, especially if you're traveling in a large group. If you love to travel, befriending a selection of agents is a must.
Ready to Go?
If you're ready to book in advance, that's probably advisable. But if not, we've shown you how last-minute deals are possible. Empty cruise cabins, hotel rooms, airline seats, and tours that need to be filled may be on sale and help you save money, even with short notice.
Lastly, if your destination is Italy, Paris or London, be sure to check out City Wonders for the best-guided tours around!
