It’s 2024 and it’s summertime. Which means that it’s the best time to plan a last-minute getaway. What kind of things do you need to think about to plan a summer getaway? Destination is a big one, as is choosing the best way to get to where you want to go. Here are some tips that can help your travel plans go a lot more smoothly:
Start by packing light
The trick to having a successful trip in this day and age is to travel light, and this is especially true if you’re looking to get on a last-minute flight. If you want to have an easy-breezy and affordable trip, it’s wise to only travel with the basics and use travel packing cubes so you can get the cheapest ticket possible and avoid the hassle of lost luggage and high luggage fees.
You’ll be amazed at how much easier it will be to just go with a light backpack. Plus, if it’s a last-minute getaway, maybe you won’t even need that much.
Choose weekdays
As you determine what the best plan will be for a getaway trip, consider weekday travel. Not only will it be more affordable, but appealing destinations will be less crowded. If you can travel whenever you’d like, it’s not a bad idea to book your getaway during the week. It may not be an option for everyone, but it can save you money.
While summer is typically a busy season in most places you visit, especially with children out of school, weekdays are still not as high in demand as the weekends.
Pick a nearby destination
A last-minute getaway may mean minimal planning, and that could rule out far-away destinations or complex vacation plans, especially if you’re on a limited budget. However, a quick getaway could be to a beautiful destination near your city that you don’t visit often. Whether that looks like a cabin in the woods or like a riverside glamping site, don’t rule out the wonders of local destinations in your state or nearby.
Ask a friend to go on and join
If you want to go on a road trip or go to a beach destination and rent an Airbnb, consider talking to a friend about joining you. Not only will you get fun company, but you could also split expenses, making it a more affordable trip for all.
Sure, not everyone can travel on the drop of a dime, but if you have that one friend who is spontaneous and loves adventure just as much as you do, you could have a fantastic time. Use an app like Venmo to help you share costs throughout the trip, but most of all, make sure to have a fabulous time.
Find affordable lodging
Take time to discover affordable options for lodging so you can spend less on where you’re staying and more on fun. Of course, if you’re the kind of traveler who loves a luxury hotel, then consider using your points if you’ve got them to score a last-minute hotel room. Options like VRBO or other vacation rentals could be tricky to find at the last minute, but you just never know until you try. If you have a car on your trip, then consider booking alternative options that could provide you with a great place to stay but are also available for your dates of travel.
In Conclusion
Last-minute getaways can be exciting. Don’t rule out those travel plans that drop into your lap unexpectedly. You could have the trip of a lifetime. Sure, you may find things to be a bit harder to find or book, but with some on-the-go planning and a bit of tweaking of expectations, you could still have that fabulous getaway you’ve dreamed of.