How to Plan a Last-Minute Trip

I love planning for a long well thought out vacation but what I love more is a quick last-minute trip. Once plans are booked, I’m ready to go and don’t want to wait 6+ months to be there. Plus I’m a pretty impulsive person once I’ve made up my mind, ha! I am the queen of jumping on a flight or switching up the itinerary and extending my trip at the last moment. The more flexible you are, the easier this process is.
I know, I know. I can already feel the anxiety radiating from those reading this post that NEED to have a plan but trust me, these trips are so worth it and will shock your body to reset. So drink a martini (or 3), take a deep breath, and book!

Where are we going?

Start researching locations for your last-minute trip by figuring out what makes the most sense for your time frame. Count how many days you have and decide on a location that is based on maximizing your time. Does it make sense to stay close to home or can you afford to spend some extra hours on travel time? Maybe you just want a getaway to lay around by the pool and relax or maybe you want just a change of scenery and something quick paced.

Quick trips from Seattle for us include –
Disneyland, our FAVORITE!!
Las Vegas if we’re feeling like we need a quick-paced environment with tons of activities
Los Angeles if we’re feeling hungry
San Juan Islands if we’re feeling romantic and don’t have tons of time
Scottsdale if we’re feeling like swimming
Oregon Coast if we’re feeling the need for a quick mental reset

How are we getting there?

Are we driving or flying on your last-minute trip? Pre-COVID days, I would always prefer to fly. I’d rather be productive at an airport and on a flight than spending hours driving. I use this app called Hopper that compares almost all flights, some airlines are excluded in the comparison so check it out and make sure your favorite airline is included. I typically stay with Alaska Airlines but I like to see if the price I’m getting is reasonable or not. There is a filter on the app as well so you can include if you want the basic fares (like the saver tickets on Alaska Airlines) included or not. The app has been fairly accurate in the years I’ve used when sending you a notification if the price is likely to drop or if it is the lowest price available.

Where are we sleeping?

Set the scene! Do you plan to be very active and just want a place to come back to sleep? Or do you want a house with a relaxing pool? Make the comparison of researching an AirBNB/VRBO and hotels. When looking at a site like AirBNB or VRBO, make note of the various charges, taxes and possible cleaning fee set by the owner – not just the nightly rate! Sometimes you can find great steals for a private location for much cheaper than hotels but sometimes it can be the other way around.
When looking at hotels I use Trivago to compare hotel prices before I purchase just like the commercials say.

PULL THE TRIGGER!

NOW, BUY BUY BUY! I will admit there are tons of trips I’ve planned in my mind, then just said no, closed my computer and went to bed. Or times I’ve waited to purchase but something “came up” where I wasn’t able to leave. Have that free spirit mentality and PULL. THE. TRIGGER! I have yet to regret a last-minute trip. Most of the time, I’ve probably needed it. You can do it!

Want to learn how to pack lightly for a last-minute trip? Click HERE!

Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite last-minute trips –