We’ve all been there where we get that sudden urge to book a flight for an impulsive getaway, but then see the cost of a last-minute ticket and change our mind. It’s human nature to think that all late bookings are certain to be pricey, but what if there’s a way to crack the code and find cheap last-minute flights? This guide shares the best insider tips for finding amazing last-minute deals.
From opening up your date range to using the right search tools, these tips are all you need to save big and get away. Whether it’s a sun-soaked beach escape or a city break you’re after, there’s no reason you can’t save money when you hit the skies. So let’s get right into it and find last-minute cheap flights.
One of the greatest last-minute flight hacks is simply not being too rigid. Finding a cheap last-minute flight is really about how open you are with your travel dates. The more adaptable your travel dates are, the more likely you are to bag that killer deal — and here is the good news: flexible travel deals really are a search engine away. Airlines base their price on demand, and travellers who can work around find serious discounts. All you need to do is open your flight search parameters and widen your search as much as possible. Here’s how to do it right:
Be flexible with your dates: the key to unlocking deals
Besides the airline you fly with, the next biggest factor that’s going to influence the price of your ticket is the time of your flight. Many people think weekends are the best time to fly, but those flights are so expensive because everyone travels at that time. The truth is weekday flights like Tuesdays and Wednesdays can often be cheaper than weekend ones. The reason for this is that fewer people fly during the week. There’s a reduction in demand resulting in a reduction in price. Sometimes booking a day earlier can save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you’re used to flying last-minute.
Most flight search engines have a flexible date search option. You enter the city you’re flying from and the city you’re flying to, and you’re shown a calendar with the price of flights on each date. Flying out a day or two earlier can reduce the price significantly. Give it a try and compare flight prices for each day. There is a possibility of scoring a cheap ticket.
Consider nearby airports: expanding your options for less
Another way to save money on travel is to get creative with your airport locations. For instance, in a city like London, there are three major international airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. Paris has airports in Charles de Gaulle and Orly. Oftentimes, flying into the less well-known airports will save you a few bucks. It may be a longer drive to the city you’ll be visiting, but the cost may be worth it. In some cases, nearby airports can have better links, less traffic, and cheaper flights. Check to see how many airports are near your destination and what the prices are for alternative airports.
Be open to your destination: let the deals guide you
Many flight search engines have a “This Weekend,” “Next Weekend,” or “Whole Month” feature where you can compare prices of destinations. There are also many that say “explore,” “Anywhere,” or “Where?” in their destination dropdown. If you need some inspiration, use these features. If you are not particular about where you go, as long as you get the cheapest ticket, you can explore destinations for a two-week trip in the month of your choosing. With a little luck, you could find a very affordable ticket to a new favourite destination.
You would be amazed at how cheap it can be to visit a completely foreign destination. There are many hidden gems out there, so this can be a great tool for finding last-minute flights. The world is bigger than high-priced tourist destinations, and if you are guided by price, it can give you a cool experience.
Mastering the search: tools and tactics for finding deals
There are lots of tools and search engines to help. With them, you can find those elusive cheap airline tickets. Here’s how to find the deals and make sure the price you pay is the cheapest available:
Leverage flight comparison websites: your ultimate search arsenal
The first place to find cheap last-minute flights is on flight comparison sites — and the good news is there is quite the laundry list of “best websites for last-minute flights”.
Google Flights is one of the best with its map tool to find cheap flights. Skyscanner and Kayak are also great comparison sites for last-minute cheap tickets. Momondo has the cheapest flights and an excellent interface. Start with Google Flights and move off. It has a feature called the price calendar, which shows you the price differences on different dates perfectly.
For Skyscanner, the Explore Map is a great feature that shows maps with different prices and destinations, and you can check out the cheapest deals for your destination. It’s a good idea to make things easier by putting all the flight comparisons in one place. Instead of checking multiple airlines, it would be so much easier if you could just check on the same site. However, it’s not always a matter of just using the tool. There are strategies for using comparison tools to find the best last-minute flight deals.
Set up price alerts: let the deals come to you
If you are not in a hurry to book, setting up a price alert is a great idea because it helps when looking for last-minute deals. The good thing is you don’t have to stay stuck on a page waiting for the price to drop. Once it hits a certain low price for the route you are searching, you will get a notification or email about it. With this, you don’t have to stress about checking the prices every time.
Check airline websites directly: sometimes the best deals are hidden
While comparison sites are good, the best deals may be on the airline’s website itself. Once you have found the best price for your flight, go check out the airline’s official site. Some airlines may provide specific deals or promotions for their customers.
Booking through the airline can have its own perks, such as a better customer service experience or more relaxed policies that can come with booking a flight. You won’t always find a deal like this, but it won’t hurt to take a minute to check the airline’s site before pressing that compare-website button.
Need a hand while comparing or booking your flights? You can also check out the WeRoad Flight Assistance page — it’s your go-to spot if you’re looking for support in searching or managing your flights, including help with last-minute bookings, ticket changes, or choosing the best departure options. Whether you’re already booked on a WeRoad trip or just looking around, we offer several services to help you fly smoothly and confidently.
Explore one-way vs round-trip: unconventional savings
Some think the best way to travel is by booking a round-trip flight. However, depending on the conditions, this may not always be cheaper. For last-minute deals, it can sometimes be cheaper to book two one-ways. This is ideal if you are flying with two different airlines. The thing is, you may get a deal for one-way tickets that doesn’t show up if you have booked a round trip.
If you’re looking to book last-minute, don’t forget to compare one-way and round-trip costs. You might find good savings, particularly if you have some flexibility in terms of airline or layover time.
Strategic booking: insider tricks for savvy travelers
Snagging an affordable last-minute flight isn’t just about using the right tools. It’s also about having a game plan. Here are a few logical hacks that are worth considering now that you know how to shop for the right flight:
Consider budget airlines: no-frills, big savings
On short notice, budget last-minute flights can always be your winning ticket. Many of these no-frills companies are known to offer incredibly affordable flights on last-minute bookings. However, remember that while these flights can come cheap, there can be charges for extras such as checked luggage, seat assignments, and even food.
Before pulling the trigger, be sure to factor in all the added costs and determine if buying that last-minute seat is worth it. If you don’t mind traveling light and having a complementary pack of pretzels, then chances are a budget carrier can save you money.
Be prepared to act fast: blink and you’ll miss it
When booking a last-minute flight, every moment counts. As soon as you see a fare that seems too good to be true up for grabs, take it because it likely won’t last long. In fact, last-minute flight prices are so fleeting that they often only last mere minutes.
This is why you need to be ready to shop smart and fast. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t done any price comparisons. If a price looks solid, book it and do so quickly. If you don’t, you will be wasting time you can’t get back, which is something you don’t want to do when looking for a last-minute deal.
The “sweet spot” for last-minute: when to pounce
Most seasoned travelers know that when looking to fly, the magical window for booking a ticket at the lowest price is between one and three weeks before departure. That is the time during which airlines have the most cancellations and are looking to fill those empty seats. The trick is to book at the right time and not to wait too long.
If you wait too long and book the flight too close to your departure date, you might run the risk of getting an inflated ticket price because the demand increases by the minute. It’s worth noting that even the ‘sweet spot’ can lead to more expensive fares down the line. The general logic is simple: If last-minute booking is open, passengers who are in a hurry are generally willing to pay more for their tickets than those who book in advance.
Booking one ticket at a time: a sneaky group saving
Traveling with a group? Buy those seats separately. These days, one well-kept secret to scoring the most savings is to book group tickets independently. The reason is that many airlines tend to lump the cost of two or more people together when listing ticket prices on the web. However, there are usually bucket seats that are priced lower than others, and if someone snags it, they pay considerably less than others. That is why booking separately instead of together increases the chances of getting those cheap seats.
Beyond booking: maximising your last-minute savings
Booking your flights is just the beginning. If you want to make the most of your impromptu getaway, check out these additional hacks you can use to unlock your flight deal gold mine.
Redeem rewards and miles: your existing points are golden
Have you racked up lots of miles or points with your favourite airline? Have you been collecting credit card points for years? Now’s the time to cash everything in. Redeeming travel credit or your well-earned frequent flyer points can help bring that last-minute airfare down even lower. Some credit cards also offer travel-related incentives like bonus miles or cashback on flight bookings. So check your cards to see what specials you’re eligible for.
Travel light: avoid baggage fees
No one likes lugging around a tonne of bags. If taking it easy isn’t enough of a draw, consider this: budget airlines often charge a big fee for checked luggage. By travelling with only a carry-on, you avoid paying for a checked bag, which can save you a lot of cash.
Consider non-refundable accommodation: balancing risk and reward
Booking a last-minute room that is non-refundable usually works out cheaper than its refundable counterpart. If you’re sure about your travel arrangements and will stick to them, this can be a good way to save even more. The flipside is that if something comes up and you need to cancel, you’ll lose what you paid. If you’re confident with your plans and the price is right, booking that non-refundable room can pay off.
Be ready for layovers: the price of savings
Sometimes that rock-bottom last-minute fare comes at a price, figuratively and literally. Last-minute fares can include crazy layovers or inconvenient travel. When it comes to flights, longer layovers usually equal a cheaper fare. If you don’t mind spending some time in between flights at a random airport, a longer layover can mean hundreds of dollars in added savings for you.
Ready to seize your spontaneous adventure?
Now that you know how to bag cheap flights last-minute and other spontaneous travel tips, the next thing to do is to book your next flight in confidence. After all, you’ll never exhaust all the incredible places the world has to offer. By keeping your wits about you and being curious and balanced when it comes to risk and reward, there’s really nothing stopping you from booking a last-minute flight when you feel the wind is on your side. So the next time you hear that call to action, don’t say no. Say yes and be on your way.And if you’re looking for inspiration on where to go next, check out our full list of group travel adventures across the globe. From epic road trips to remote escapes, there’s a WeRoad trip waiting to match your vibe — last-minute or not.
