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Squeeze the Last Drop Out of Summer

Last-Minute Travel Hacks + Resources

SUMMER AIN'T OVER. STEAL OUR PLAYBOOK FOR TRAVELING LAST-MINUTE.

There are endless resources for planning travel, but the clock’s ticking. Our team has traveled to 50+ countries, and these are the best travel hacks we swear by. 

From accommodation, transportation, and local experiences, use these travel tips to score last-minute deals to incredible places.

person wearing a travel backpack at an airport terminal during summer

WHY LAST-MINUTE TRAVEL WORKS

  • The travel trend is in your favor. Due to the rising popularity of last-minute travel, many platforms are designed exactly for this type of trip.

  • Less time means less overthinking. Skip the hours of indecision, trust your gut, and make it happen. 

  • Save money. As long as you have some flexibility, you can find deals that aren’t available with a long lead time.

Now, let’s talk logistics.

FINDING LAST-MINUTE FLIGHTS

Flights on the fly can be expensive, but there’s a few tricks to finding a deal on last-minute flights. Don’t worry, we’re not going to tell you to wait until Tuesday to buy your flight. Here’s our flight finding cheat sheet:

  1. Skyscanner - Flexible search for cheapest options and last-minute flights.
  2. Google Flights - Track prices and use the explore 'anywhere’ feature.
  3. Hopper - Leverage travel trends to secure flight savings.
  4. Skiplagged - Find flights airlines don’t want you to see.
  5. Going (Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) - Get notified for mistake fares and flight deals.
  6. Airline Miles, Points, + Travel Rewards - Take advantage of airline loyalty systems and credit card perks.

BOOKING ACCOMMODATION

  1. Hotels.com - Last-minute hotel deals.
  2. Agoda - Budget-friendly hotel stays, popular in Asia.
  3. Booking.com - A variety of properties to book for accommodation.
  4. Hoteltonight - Discounted hotel rooms for last-minute travelers.
  5. Airbnb - Stay in a local home.
  6. Outdoorsy - Campervans for rent throughout the world.
  7. Hipcamp - Camp grounds, tent camping, RV Parks, and more.

LOCAL TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

  1. Airbnb Experiences - Book activities with locals.
  2. Viator - Reserve experiences such as E-Bike tours and cooking classes.  
  3. GetYourGuide - Easy bookings for travel experiences.
  4. Facebook groups - You can find groups that match your travel style, interests, and travel destination.
person on a last minute trip walking with a carry-on backpack


person outside with a hip sling enjoying a last-minute summer adventure

HOW TO GET AROUND

  1. Omio - Compare trains, buses, and flights for best transportation options.
  2. Flixbus - Bus tickets for budget-conscious travelers. You can often book same-day.
  3. Priceline - Book rental cars across the world.
  4. Viator - Reserve an airport transfer - perfect for remote or rural areas.
  5. Google Maps - Use Google Transit to see public transportation options and map out your route.
  6. Rideshare Apps - Check location specific rideshare apps such as Uber, Gojek, Grab, Lyft, etc.   

HOW TO GET TRANSIT ON GOOGLE MAPS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION?

To use Google Transit, download Google Maps to your device; then add your starting location and end destination; Click the ‘Directions’ button; then toggle to the ‘Transit’ or ‘Public Transport’ tab. You’ll see the icon and the estimated travel time.

PRO TIPS FOR PULLING IT OFF

Pack light. Travel with a carry-on only to save on time and costs. One bag travel is efficient and allows you to maximize your trip. Matador’s travel packs are built to keep up, whether it’s summer travel or year-round adventures. 

See Recommended Travel Gear Here

Stay flexible. Keep in mind, flexibility makes a world of difference. If you’re set on going to a specific destination on exact dates, you may have to get creative. Either way, these resources are great for booking trips with short notice.

  • Shoulder season: Book a destination that’s off-season. There will likely be more availability and lower prices.
  • Flexible Dates: If you can adjust your travel dates by a day or two, you could access significant savings.
    - Events, conferences, and holidays are factors of price increases. If you adjust your travel dates by a day or two, you can avoid coinciding with a conference you didn’t even know was happening. 
    - Traveling on the weekend tends to get pricey as well. Instead, opt for weekday travel if you can. You’ll save on both flights and hotels if you can avoid weekends. 
  • Nearby Cities: Expand your search to nearby airports and surrounding cities. 
    - For example, London and New York have multiple airports in the city. Check around to see which is the best travel option. 
    - You could even fly into surrounding cities that have great public transportation. Or stay in a city nearby as an unexpected destination.

Skiplag Pro Tip: When it comes to travel hacks, there are risks. Otherwise, everyone would do it. Skiplagging is a great example. Let's dive into the benefits + risks of this travel hack.

First: What is skiplagging? Skipplagging is when passengers book a flight with the intention of exiting their journey prematurely in order to arrive at their desired destination for a lower cost. The desired location is generally a layover on a flight itinerary that continues to its final destination.

Don’t make it a habit though. If you try this travel method too frequently, airlines can penalize you and charge a no-show fee. Additionally, if you miss a flight, some airlines will cancel your return flight. However, you can generally secure your flight by contacting support. 

If you’re smart about it, you can snag major savings that make the effort worth it. 

ENJOY YOUR SPONTANEOUS TRIP

Book the trip + soak up every bit of summer. Last-minute travel makes for great adventures. You never know what it will lead to.

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