A last-minute vacation boasts quite a few benefits, such as typically being more affordable than one you could book months ahead of time. They can also be a stressful thing to plan if you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll need to know how to plan a last-minute vacation the right way.
Here are five tips for planning a last-minute vacation:
1. Be Flexible With Dates
Flexibility with the dates you travel is vital to taking advantage of a last-minute holiday. You’ll need to be open to traveling at various times during the year. Many last-minute deals are the result of cancellations, which then pop up at the last minute.
That could mean you’ll only have a few days or weeks to get ready for it. Know how flexible you can be with this and plan accordingly.
2. Be Smart With Baggage
You’ll need to be smart with your baggage when you’re planning your vacation. Doing so can be stressful, however, especially when you’re getting ready at the last minute. Aim to pack light and keep your destination’s weather in mind.
You should also make sure there’s enough space for anything to bring back from your trip. Keep weight limits in mind when you’re doing. It’s also possible that you might need to wait a while before you can check into your hotel.
If that happens, it’s worth looking into luggage storage Paris. Also available in other destinations, this lets you store your baggage for as long as you want. That lets you enjoy the city without carrying it around while you wait for your room to be ready.
3. Read The Fine Print
When you’re booking any kind of holiday, you’ll need to sign a few things. These will typically be contracts and other documents related to your flights or hotels. These are typically done during the booking process itself. When you’re doing this, make sure you read the fine print.
Despite being a last-minute vacation, there’ll be some time between when you book and when you actually go. Things can come up during this time, meaning you may need to cancel or change your plans. Determine whether you’re able to do so without needing to pay a lot more money for it.
Some airlines will let you transfer your tickets to another date, while others won’t. Be sure you keep that in mind when you’re booking. Reading the fine print will make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to.
4. Be Flexible With Plans
As mentioned above, flexibility is one of the most important parts of taking advantage of last-minute vacations. Alongside being flexible with dates, you’ll also need to be flexible with your plans. If you’re set on one particular type of holiday, for example, you mightn’t come across many last-minute deals.
If you’re flexible enough to consider any of these, however, you’re more likely to find something that you’re interested in and will enjoy. It could also be worth having a plan B with this, in case the initial plan falls through.
While this is unlikely to happen, it lets you be more flexible with what you’re doing. With this approach, you can consider more holiday options without needing to say ‘yes’ to the first one you come across.
5. Don’t Forget Insurance
Travel insurance has always been complicated, although that’s especially the case now that COVID-19 has altered the travel industry. You shouldn’t skip or overlook this, however, as it’s more important to have travel insurance now more than ever.
Making sure you have travel insurance and that it covers all potential circumstances is as vital for last-minute vacations as it is for those that aren’t so last-minute. Ensure you get this when booking your vacation.
If you have an annual policy, make sure you read through the terms and conditions to ensure you know what you actually have. If you’re getting a new policy, ensure that it’s comprehensive.
Feature Image Credit: Sulox32 from Pixabay.