With the exception of transatlantic trips, I’m in the last-minute travel camp. Because I have a full-time job, most of my trips are weekend getaways. It’s rare that I plan them more than two weeks ahead of time. Sometimes a week will do.
Some people prefer to plan early: perhaps they feel more at ease or enjoy having something to look forward to. Nothing wrong with that! But last-minute travel has its benefits and can be fun. Here’s why I like it.
It’s exciting
There’s a thrill that comes with saying, “Let me go somewhere I’ve never been this weekend!” and clicking the ‘book now’ button. No turning back! Gotta pack, gotta figure out what to do when I’m there. Wait, did I have anything planned at home?
Spontanous by definition, last-minute travel can break up your daily routine. No more “métro boulot dodo” (metro, work, bed), as they say here in Paris. We can still be responsible adults, and feel carefree at times. Just for good balance.
It’s about here and now
Last-minute travel can do wonders for your well-being if you’re going through a tough time. By taking an unplanned trip, you’re thrown into a new environment where you get to live in the moment and distance yourself from issues. This positivity boost may help you deal with ‘real life’ when you’re back.
Traveling on the whim can also be good after you’ve been busy. There is value in focusing on the present: engaging your senses, taking time to enjoy a meal or contemplate architecture. We don’t always do that at home. Again, balance.
It can be cheaper
You know about those last-minute deals. Take hotels, for example. They often offer discounted prices on remaining rooms they’re trying to sell. Flight comparison sites, such as Skyscanner or Kayak, let you explore where you could go within the next week or two, depending on your budget. Or you might find last-minute package deals on Expedia or Voyage Privé. Tempting, right?
It’s often local
Because my last-minute travel usually happens on weekends, I don’t go too far from home. I see these trips as an opportunity to explore ‘the backyard’. Ever since moving to Paris, I’ve made it a point to see more of France.
All my recent trips have been to places within two hours of Paris, such us the medieval city of Rouen in Normandy. Going there was a spontaneous decision, based on a cheap bus connection I had found. I ended up having a great time and coudn’t believe that the city wasn’t on my radar before!
Ja zazwyczaj skrupulatnie planuję dalsze podróże, a to ze względu na dzieci. Mieszkamy w Anglii, gdzie są kary za opuszczanie szkoły. Nie ukrywam jednak,że jak już będę na emeryturze i dzieci pójdą w swoją stronę, to będę wyszukiwała lastów.
Nie wiedzialam o karach za opuszczanie szkoly! W dziecinstwie duzo podrozowalam z rodzicami i czasami byly zwiazane z tym male problemy, ale oficjalne kary nigdy. Rozumiem jednak potrzebe planowania podrozy w tej sytuacji, nie ma wyjscia.
Pretty interesting post! In our case everything depend on a situation. Sometimes we plan a trip spontaniously, we buy a ticket and just go, but I would say in most cases we plan our trips
Przemek recently posted..Islandia w poszukiwaniu jaskiń lodowcowych
Right, it all depends on the situation. I generally plan more when it comes to longer trips or those to another continent. But I know someone who recently went to Asia for one month and it was a last-minute thing! :)
I prefer last minute travel but even when I plan a trip well in advance I allow time for serendipity. My favorite travel memories are from unplanned situations so I want to maximize those opportunities.
Charles McCool recently posted..8 Great Things to Do on a Cabarrus County Getaway to North Carolina
Hi Charles, I like your planning + serendipity approach! It seems like you found the right balance. Happy travels!
U mnie róznie to bywa, ale przyznam, że takie typowe last minute jeszcze mi sie nie zdarzyło. Ja raczej z tych co lubią planować i czerpią przyjemność z tego procesu, ale nie znaczy to, ze zawsze wszystko mam na pół roku w przód poplanowane! :D
Jasiek – Popstrykane Podróże recently posted..Gibraltar w jeden dzień – informacje praktyczne
Tez lubie co jakis czas poplanowac, ale tak sie sklada, ze czesto jest spontan. Najwazniejsze, by podrozowac. :)
Haha, my all life is like last minute travel. Unfortunately it more expensive than usual ;)
It could be more expensive, depending where you live. In my experience it’s often cheaper, luckily!
For years I have been on the other side – I used to plan everything. But now I allow myself the comfort of last minute planning from time to time.
I like how you equaled last-minute planning with comfort. :)
I endorse the last-minute travel practice. A decade ago, I vacationed in San Diego and met an indie singer-songwriter at a show I attended on a whim. (Like Charles, I planned some activities and left room for serendipity.) Four months later, I returned for a weekend on an impulse trip to attend her CD release concert, and thus cemented our friendship. I’ve done so a few times since then, going coast to coast, for her and for others I’ve met in indie music circles. More often, travel simply will be booking an overnight stay in Chicago so I can stay late at a show and chat, and then take the train or drive back home the next day.
There’s just something wonderful about traveling in celebration of friendship and music.
Hey Mark, I love this story!! Travel, after all, is about discovery. And if music and friendship are involved, even better.
Spontaneous can be awesome! We just decided today to travel an hour away for dinner tomorrow and check out a waterfall along the way! I’m excited as it feel rash and a little crazy as I’m a HUGE planner!
If a planner goes spontaneous, all I can say is enjoy the ride! :)
Last minute travel always gives me a rush and makes the trip even more special :)
I’m with you on this! Happy travels :)
I agree on it can be cheaper if you’re flexible. That’s been the key. This is especially true with AirBNB and small hotels where you can negotiate.
Right, and now I wonder how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the price of travel. Some places may offer discounts to encourage people to travel, but they will also need to recuperate their losses. We’ll see.
I find some of the best trips are sporadic and unplanned. Just let your imagination take control, get in the car and go.
I love the “get in the car and go” part! I used to do that when I lived in Chicago and had a car.