Do you want to explore the world without breaking the bank? Are you curious about how to score cheap last minute flights? If the answer is yes, you have come to the right place! Read on this article and discover how it is possible to travel and save money on last minute tickets.​

Going on a trip doesn’t mean that you have to spend a fortune.​ With a combination of shrewd research and a bit of luck, landing discounted tickets is more than possible.​ Don’t believe us? Keep reading and witness it for yourself!

Booking early flights might be good for travelers who plan their voyages months in advance, but if your idea is of spontaneous travels, then you should look for late flights and last minute specials.​ Flights with less passengers are usually cheaper and you can benefit from some last-minute deals too.​ Moreover, airlines tend to offer better prices when they sense that the plane won’t be full.​

Start your search by checking some ‘meta-search’ websites and look for discount brokers that can show you the lowest price for the dates you have in mind.​ Also, you can check the special offers of low-cost airlines, as they are often the ones who are offering the best deal on their tickets.​ Just remember to double-check all the fees and additional costs before taking any decision.​

Cruise sites are great to search for cheap last minute flights.​ These sites scrape data from several airlines and analyze it in order to provide you with the best fares that fit your budget and travel needs.​ There are some great examples out there, and they will do all the ground work for you.​

Traveling in ‘low season’ and during odd days are other great money-saving strategies that you should consider.​ When you travel off-season, apart from having better chances to find discounts and lower fares, you will get the chance of seeing a different aspect of a destination.​ Everyone loves traveling in summer, but why not try a winter getaway?

Additionally, matching your travel dates with day-of-week savings can be helpful when looking for cheap flights.​ For instance, flying from Tuesday to Thursday can be much cheaper than flying during the weekend.​ Why? There’s higher demand for weekend flights, while Tuesdays and Thursdays suffer relatively empty flight lists.​

How to Choose the Right Flight?

Choosing the right flight is essential if you want to save money.​ There are some factors that could determine if the ticket you are looking for is considered ‘cheap’.​ The time of day that you are flying will have an effect in the final price of the ticket.​ Most of the time, the cheapest flights are the ones that leave either in the early morning or late at night, since these flights have lower occupancy rates.​

Additionally, the number of stopovers could have an impact in the final cost of the ticket.​ Most times, multi-stop flights are more expensive, however there are some exceptions.​ Always compare the total ticket price of a multi-stop option and a direct flight, as it could happen that the multi-stop flight is the cheaper one.​

It is always important to read carefully about the restrictions and additional fees associated with the flight when searching for cheap last minute flights.​ Airlines sometimes apply hidden fees when you book a ticket, so make sure that the total cost of the ticket is competitive in comparison with other flight options.​ Also, don’t forget to check baggage fees before completing your order, as it can save you a lot of money.​

Further, try to avoid booking last minute flights during peak times like holidays and major events like sports tournaments and music festivals.​ These times tend to be more expensive because there’s a higher demand.​


Instead, choose ‘shoulder times’, when the general demand is lower and you can save lots of money.​

Finally, you should look for airlines that allow you to work or enhance your travel status in exchange of tickets.​ While some of them require genuine skills or even investments, there are other airlines that offer travelers free flights or discounts in exchange of basic services such as promoting, writing reviews or helping maintaining the flight.​

What about Last Minute Hotels?

Hotel discounts are usually connected with flight fares, so when you are looking for cheap tickets you’ll probably get great deals on hotel bookings.​ This is true when it comes to last minute trips.​ Many times you can find more than respectable discounts on hotels when buying an airline ticket, so make sure to compare prices whenever you are on the booking sites.​

Booking last minute hotels is much easier than you might think.​ With last minute hotel searches, you should not take into consideration the star rating or even the amenities.​ The most important aspect right now is to find a place to stay where you’ll feel comfortable and safe.​ The price is also a huge factor, so compare different hotel bookings and look for the most affordable offer.​

A great way to get discounts on last minute hotels is to ask for loyalty programs or discounts if you have organized a last minute trip.​ Most hotels are flexible and they will try to accommodate travelers who have had to book at the last minute.​ Additionally, you can also look for client referrals or even memberships from travel agencies as these could provide you with some discounts too.​

Going directly to the hotel website is also a great way of finding discounts.​ Most of them have their own offers and deals, but you won’t be able to compare them with other booking sites, so look at the one that suits your needs the best.​ And don’t forget to read the fine print.​ Sometimes, the lowest price doesn’t include taxes or other charges which could be pretty pricey.​

Flight Compared to Other Means of Transportation

It is no surprise that air travel is usually more expensive than other means of transportation.​ But the truth is that it could also be cheaper than you might think, especially if you land some low fare flights.​ Compare the prices of bus, train or even exit trips and you’ll be surprised to see how many flights are actually cheaper.​

When it comes to last minute trips, having a flight can be much cheaper than other means of transportation since they are quicker and can offer you a variety of destinations.​ Besides flying, bus and train travel can be a great option for cross-country trips or journeys within the same country.​ These are also cheaper than air transport, although bus and train can take longer to arrive to the destination.​

If you are traveling around with a group of people, renting a van or an RV could be a money-saving strategy.​ This will allow you to drive together and share expenses like gas, hotels and food.​ However, this option might not provide you with as much flexibility as flying or even train riding.​

Lastly, it is always important to plan ahead.​ While last minute travels can be great and amusing, booking early can also provide you with incredible costs.​ Make sure to always look for discounts either on early or last minute trips.​ That way, you will get to enjoy your trip without worrying about the cost.​

Frequently Asked Questions

1.​ Is it possible to get cheap last minute flights?

Yes, it is possible to find cheap last minute flights if you are willing to do the research.​ You should look for airline discounts and consider different transportation options.​

2.​ What are the best days to travel to save money?

Tuesday to Thursday are the cheapest days to travel.​ Also, traveling during shoulder season and off season can provide you some great savings.​

3.​ Is it better to rent a car or to fly?

It all depends on your destination and type of trip.​ Traveling by car might be more suited if you are going around with a group of people, however if you are looking for flexibility and a more direct route, flying might be the best choice.​