Planning a successful last-minute vacation without breaking the bank is possible. You can take a fun trip for a reasonable price with a little flexibility and know-how. When you know where to look for the sweetest deals on flights and food, you’ll open yourself up to the freedom of spontaneous vacationing. We’ve collected a few tips to help you arrange your trip without stressing out about booking costs and availability.
Last-minute Flight Smarts
Airlines can indeed charge a lot more for last-minute bookings if you go through their websites. Searching strategically is the answer. Several websites collect the lowest prices from all over the internet for popular destinations. The Flight Deal and Airfarewatchdog can hook you up with amazing last-minute flight prices. You can also plug your desired destination into the app Fareness to score great deals.
The Cheapest Airlines
Not all airlines will charge you an arm and a leg. You might be able to plan your getaway through a budget airline like Spirit. This airline can save you tons of money on your flight — money that you can put towards food and fun once you arrive at your destination. If you are on a serious budget, pack as lightly as you can. You can fly for only the ticket price if you limit yourself to your personal items, which can be a backpack. Also, try to pack your own snacks since you will have to buy any of the snacks available onboard.
Another inexpensive airline is Southwest. You can often score amazing flight deals with Southwest while still getting some of the perks and comforts that make flying a little less grueling. You can check up to two bags, so that’s a major plus. Finally, remember that Southwest won’t come up in those multi-airline websites. It sells its flights directly.
Fast Eats on the Cheap
Depending on when your last-minute vacation pops up, you might have trouble booking more upscale restaurants. And, fast food just won’t cut it for every meal — you’ll go home feeling worse than you did flying out. You can search for family-style restaurants or mid-level chains, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, try a service like EatWith. Take a taste vacation — you could find hidden gems and new flavors.
Take your food vacation to the next level and go hands-on with Traveling Spoon. You can connect with cooking classes and prepare your own new regional favorite. Last but not least, check the airline you’re using. They often have dining rewards programs that let you earn points towards free upgrades, free checked bags, or even discounted flights. Why not maximize your savings?
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You Can Plan a Great Last-minute Vacation
Last-minute getaways are within reach. With some flexibility, a good sense of humor, and a little savings knowledge, you’ll be jetting off to a new destination without blowing your budget. All work and no play will get you down. How about exploring the wider world today?
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