How to Embrace Spontaneous Travel

There are many benefits to heading on last-minute adventures. They’re exciting and allow you to take a break from the daily grind when you feel you need it. Plus, you can often take advantage of great value deals and avoid the stress of long-term holiday planning. 

If you’re considering jetting off sooner rather than later, take a look at our tips below for embracing spontaneous travel and making the most of your getaway. 

Set a total budget

Spontaneity doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. While it may be tempting to throw caution to the wind when booking a last-minute trip, creating a budget will ensure you have fun without fearing your bank balance afterwards.

To create your budget, consider the costs you’ll need to cover before you jet off. This may include travel (like flights, train tickets or fuel), accommodation, insurance, toiletries and clothing. Then, think about what you’ll spend money on during the trip, such as excursions, food and travel. From here, you can create a spending limit that you feel comfortable with. 

We recommend having a bit of “flex” in your budget to cover any unplanned expenses. 

Look for last-minute deals

Once you’ve set a budget, you can start looking for last-minute holidays. 

Use booking platforms that offer great value deals on impromptu trips, so you get more for your money. Try to be as flexible as possible with destinations and dates.  Keeping an open mind about where and when to travel will help you find great options at great prices that you may not see if you limit your search. If too much choice feels overwhelming, consider the type of holiday you’re interested in. For instance, do you fancy a long weekend away in a city? A relaxing beach break in Europe? Or an action-packed adventure holiday? This will help you tailor your search while giving you plenty of options to explore.  

Pack smart

While you may be in a rush to fill your suitcase and go, it’s important to avoid overpacking. Going over your luggage allowance could lead to fees if you’re flying, plus heavier bags are often trickier to travel with. Instead, focus on packing the essentials. The Post Office has a helpful pre-travel checklist broken down into sections for packing travel documents and insurance, money, toiletries, electronics, clothing and medications. They also have checklists for different holiday types, including beach holidays, family trips, city breaks, skiing, backpacking, camping and more.  Use online checklists like these to speed up your packing and ensure you don’t forget anything important. 

There are many ways to ensure you enjoy a rewarding last-minute getaway, including securing great value deals, packing smart and creating a budget. So why not step out of your comfort zone and consider a spontaneous adventure? You might have the time of your life! 

Top photo by Anna Demianenko on Unsplash