It’s Friday and suddenly you’ve got a craving for Pacific salmon.You could drive to the store or a fish market, or you might start browsing online for trips to British Columbia.
If you think you’d love the thrill of last-minute travel but are unsure about how to organize it, read this article for tips and advice.
Packing
Packing for last minute flights can be so difficult that you’ll be tempted not to bring anything, but you can hardly enjoy a trip with nothing of your own. While it might be alluring to waltz into the airport with nothing but a plan and whatever is in your pocket or purse, you’ll have an even better time if you bring a few things to help your trip go smoothly.
For example, a change of clothes will help you look confident and will save the time and cost of having to locate and purchase a new pair of socks if yours get wet. If this is a romantic getaway, bringing a toothbrush is also advisable. And, don’t forget your identification, credit cards and some emergency cash.
Scheduling
Scheduling a last-minute flight is not a contradiction in terms. In fact, if you’re savvy about booking tickets, with a bit of careful scheduling you can get a great deal that will make your spur-of-the-moment getaway even more attractive. Start to take note of what routes are on sale on what days of the week.
Each destination will have peak and off-peak seasons, and what is known as “shoulder season.” Shoulder season is the time between busy and quiet periods, and during this time last-minute deals are often ripe for the taking. Take note of price fluctuations for destinations you’d consider flying to, and pounce when the timings match up with your vacation days.
Planning What to See
If you choose a destination in a short time frame, odds are you won’t have been able to put a lot of thought into where to go in that area and what to see. When you only have a few days on the ground in a location, you’ll need to cherry-pick the best places to visit.
For example, if you’re flying to Paris for a last-minute three-day jaunt, it might be too much to include a full visit to Versailles in your travel plans. And, the line at the Eiffel Tower might be too lengthy to even consider going up the structure. Instead, plan to visit local sites that you can enter for a short period of time and where you’re not restricted by guides, tours or transportation schedules.
Last-minute jaunts are perfect for getting a feel for a place by people-watching, going out to local bars or eateries, strolling the streets in search of local color, or driving around and stopping when the mood strikes you.
Many travelers fall into the trap of thinking that they must see and do everything they would experience on a trip that’s a week or longer, but since last-minute travel is often also short-term travel, this is not usually possible. Before you get on your flight, get used to the idea that you won’t be able to tick off all the boxes on your master list for the city or region you’re going to.
Who to Invite
What makes travel more fun? Friends and family, of course! But, which friends and which family members you invite on your last-minute holiday makes a difference as to how much you will enjoy it.
Have you planned to sleep at the airport on the way back to save on hotel costs and accommodate the red-eye flight you booked simply because it was on sale? That sort of planning might not sit well with everyone. True seat-of-the-pants-planning travelers should be up for anything, and ready to make a few compromises for the luxury of affordable last-minute travel.
Before you invite someone to go with you, talk about his or her expectations. What kind of trip do they consider to be a successful, enjoyable travel experience? Don’t brush aside what they say, either. If they absolutely must get eight hours of sleep and aren’t good at waking up early for that elusive last-minute travel deal you just picked up, then maybe they won’t be good company for you on this trip.
About the Author: Katka Morgan is a personal assistant at a busy international company. Part of her job is helping the firm book last-minute travel. She’s used the tricks she picked up in her work to take successful last-minute holidays on three continents.