Caught the travel bug and dreaming of a last-minute getaway? Booking on short notice doesn't have to blow your budget. Here's how to do a last-minute trip without the last-minute price tag.
How to book cheap last-minute flights
Research shows the best way to get cheap international flights is to book well in advance. But if you're reading this, you probably haven't done that, right? Finding last-minute flights that don't break the bank can be trickier, but it's far from impossible.
There are two key ways (other than pure chance) to land a good deal. The first is to be flexible with your travel dates and the second is to set a price alert.
When you use Skyscanner, you can search by a whole month with the Whole Month tool. If you have a window of a week or more where you could fly, this is the easiest way to see which day is cheapest. Thanks to demand, some days are noticeably cheaper than others. Shifting your departure from a Friday to a Tuesday could save you hundreds of dollars.
If you're not fussed about the destination, try Everywhere Search. Just pop in your departure airport and Skyscanner will show you the cheapest places to fly right now, ranked by price. It's a great way to let the deals decide where you're headed.
Price Alerts are our way of keeping track of flight fares. Set one up for your desired route and dates and we'll keep an eye on the cost. If prices change, we'll let you know straight away by email or push notification so you can book at the best price.
Eat locally
The price of a meal doesn't always correlate to the flavour, and how you make this work in your favour depends hugely on where you're going.
In many parts of Southeast Asia, some of the best food is the cheapest. Skip the fancy restaurants with Australian prices and stick to local fare — street vendors, markets and roadside spots serve up the classics for a fraction of the cost. Where street food is this good and this affordable, there's little point paying extra for accommodation with a kitchen.
Elsewhere, the opposite is true. In cities where eating out is pricey, look for pubs and restaurants running weekday deals, and consider booking an apartment or hostel over a hotel so you can prepare some of your own meals. Even a toaster and a mini-fridge for breakfasts and snacks can make a real difference over a trip.
A good rule of thumb: research the local food scene before you go. Knowing whether a destination is a street-food haven or a self-catering city helps you decide what kind of accommodation to book and how much to budget for meals.
Embrace the free or cheap experiences
Wherever you go, you'll find cheap (or free) activities alongside the ridiculously expensive ones. You might have your heart set on something a bit pricey, but it's easy to balance that out with plenty of frugal fun.
Many destinations are full of free things to do if you know where to look. Cities like London, Paris and Washington D.C. have free access to museums. Elsewhere, museums and galleries often offer free entry, city parks and gardens cost nothing to wander, and public spaces like waterfronts, markets and historic sites make for a full day out without spending a cent. A quick search for "free things to do" in your destination will usually turn up more than you can fit in.
Nature is often the best free experience of all. Beaches, hiking trails, lookouts and national parks are frequently free or very cheap to access, and a short local bus or ferry can get you there for a few dollars. Just remember to pack the essentials — swimmers, a towel, comfortable shoes — and you're set.
Getting last-minute accommodation
Hotel prices don't follow the same pattern as flight prices. In fact, some suggest (and some tests have shown) that hotel prices can drop the later you leave your booking.
There's a risk to this strategy, though — the later you leave it, the fewer rooms will be available. This is especially true in peak periods. If you're travelling during summer or the school holidays, you'll want to plan ahead. To really save, avoid these periods entirely and travel during the shoulder seasons instead.
It's also worth comparing accommodation types. Hostels, guesthouses and apartment rentals can work out far cheaper than hotels, and staying slightly outside the tourist centre often means lower prices and a more local experience — just check it's well connected by public transport before you book.
Travel light to save
Checked baggage fees add up fast, especially on budget airlines where they're rarely included in the headline fare. If you can fit everything into your cabin baggage allowance, you'll skip the fees and save time at the airport. For a short last-minute trip, packing light is usually easier than it sounds, and it keeps you nimble if your plans change.
Be ready to book quickly
Last-minute deals move fast. Have your passport handy, know your budget and, if you can, keep your dates flexible so you're ready to jump when the right fare appears. Using Skyscanner's Price Alerts and saving your favourite searches means you'll spot a bargain the moment it lands. With last-minute travel, being ready to book is half the battle.
Popular last-minute destinations for Australian travellers
These are three destinations Australian travellers are looking to travel at the last minute.
Bali
Australia's go-to tropical escape, and for good reason. Flights from most east-coast cities take around six hours, deals pop up year-round and your dollar stretches a long way once you land, so you can book on a whim without blowing the budget. Villas, surf beaches and warm water are a given, and if the classic spots feel too busy you can easily slip over to quieter corners like Nusa Penida, Pemuteran or the nearby Gili Islands.
Tokyo, Japan
A big-city hit that keeps getting more popular with Australians, thanks to a strong Aussie dollar and regular flight sales. It's a brilliant last-minute pick because so much of the fun is cheap once you arrive — $2 convenience-store snacks, affordable trains and quirky capsule hostels mean you don't need to plan (or spend) big to have a great time. Ancient temples, neon streets and world-class food are all on the menu, and in winter the powder snow is within easy reach.
Melbourne
The domestic last-minute champion. It's walkable, easy to reach from anywhere in the country and packed with bars, restaurants and shops you can dip in and out of over a long weekend — ideal for the short, sharp getaways Aussies love. Add a stacked calendar of sport, festivals and exhibitions, and there's always a reason to go on short notice.
FAQs about the best ways to save money on a last-minute trip
Want to dig deeper into saving on your next getaway? We've rounded up plenty more advice to help you travel for less, from finding great deals on last-minute flights to our top tips for scoring hotel deals and a handy roundup of money-saving travel tips and secrets to help you stretch every dollar further.
