If you’re on the verge of deciding about this whole last minute vacation idea but you keep finding some way to talk yourself out of it, then allow me to argue the case for the road least traveled by.
It’s Good For The Soul
Look, if you’re really willing to just up and take a break then chances are you need this more than you realize. You could be exhausted, not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. And most of the time we tell ourselves to just push through and soldier on, even when we shouldn’t.You know how they say change is as good as a holiday?
It’s not, but there’s a reason why it’s compared to that. Your soul needs to rest and recharge when it needs to. Some things just can’t wait.
You Could Save Some Money
Alright, so this isn’t always the case, but if you play your cards right you can actually save a ton of money. Some hotels and even airlines have last minute specials when they’re not particularly booked. Use that in your favor.
It’s always best to call the hotel or BnB directly though, often online booking systems won’t show the bookings that have been canceled. It’s also true, however, that you need to keep an open mind and not be set on a specific hotel that may otherwise be booked and will overcharge you if you insist on staying there.
You Save Time
Often when you’re planning a vacation that is in the distant future, you end up procrastinating and half of the details end up being planned at the last minute anyway.
Save yourself the time and mental bandwidth and go on a whim.
How To Do It Right
So we’ve established why last-minute travel is awesome although there really is no way to relay how incredible it is until you try it yourself. If you’re still with me and you’re one of the brave ones with a heart filled with wanderlust and a heart full of stars, then there’s more for you.
Doing a vacation on 99 is an art, here are a few tips that can help you along your way.
Go In The Off Season
If you’re anything like me then you don’t like traveling when it’s overcrowded anyway. You couldn’t catch me dead at the beach in the summer. There’s some sort of magic in it too. A last-minute vacay in low season will give you the quiet restoration your soul needs to be free.
Also, it’s crazy cheap. So win-win.
You may want to check when exactly low season is wherever you’re going. Because it could be snowing on your front lawn but in the Bahamas, it’s always sunny.
Use Your Miles
If you have an awesome credit card that gives you air miles when you use it then you have made the right choice somewhere in life. Air Miles allow you to travel for free. I’ll say that again – for free! Yes, please!
And if you have a friend or relative that has air miles they aren’t going to use then ask them for it. I’m sure they would be happy to help, and if they’re not they will probably pretend to be anyway.
Fly When it’s Less Crowded
If you’re planning on flying on a Monday or a Friday then let me just stop you right there. Those days, along with weekends will shock your wallet because most people tend to fly then and business folks fly on Mondays and Fridays.
Similar to Hotels that are overbooked, airlines will charge crazy prizes when they’re busy too.It’s always cheaper to fly on Tuesday through Thursday, specifically Tuesdays but it differs from airline to airline.
Look For Combo Deals
Combo deals, especially last minute ones can be an incredible way to not only save money but also check of a crazy amount of items on your to-do list.
At first, the airfare can be a bit more expensive but if you look at the bigger picture then you’ll notice that you actually saved a ton of money. If you go to an all-inclusive resort like Sandals, then you’re mostly done and you can go ahead and start packing.
Seriously, right now.
Because they include entertainment, food and even drinks. So yeah, you’re done.
Line Up Your Ducks
If you’ve made the (slightly questionable) decision of choosing to plan everything yourself, then you need to make sure all of the parts of your vacation work in harmony.
By that I mean, don’t pay for your flight and then you can’t get a booking at the hotel in that region or if you don’t know if your Visa is approved yet. And remember with last-minute bookings you’re going to want to pay for everything as soon as possible.
Because just like you, there are people who need a last minute break and if they pay before you? Well, you snooze, you loose honey.
By the way, if you need some quick cash you could always just sell some old jewelry or furniture, you don’t need stuff as much as new experiences.
Be In The Know
There’s nothing more awesome than getting an email about specials right when you’re about to lose your mind at work.
If you’re an avid traveler or just an average Joe with a stressful job and life then I would highly advise you to subscribe to newsletters of airlines and travel sites for specials. That way when the situation calls for it, you’re armed with the right information.
Make Sure You Have Vacation Days
I hope that this is obvious but you can’t just up and go to some gorgeous tropical island without having vacation days to use for it. Well, you can, but then you’d be sort of fired.
Know Your Neighbors
Befriending your neighbors can go a long way if you have a wanderlust that strikes at random times. A friendly neighbor can take care of your pets and plants with short notice.
