Last minute travel guide
Got next week off and need inspiration on where to go? Travel plans fallen through and you need a vacation to match your flights? Just got a sudden yen for a yoga retreat in Spain, stat? This guide to last minute vacations aims to make your journey as smooth as possible. There’s information on where you can go right now, what to do about visas and vaccines, which vacations fit in with school vacations – and how our travel team at Responsible Travel can help you along the way.
We don’t panic when it comes to latecomers to the ball. Our Travel Team are just at the end of the line. They’ll save you time on research and help you find the vacation that matches you. They’re also real people who really care. They’ll be excited about the fact you want to book at the last minute, and throw themselves into making that work for you. Read on to find out how.
We don’t panic when it comes to latecomers to the ball. Our Travel Team are just at the end of the line. They’ll save you time on research and help you find the vacation that matches you. They’re also real people who really care. They’ll be excited about the fact you want to book at the last minute, and throw themselves into making that work for you. Read on to find out how.
Four things to remember when booking a last minute vacation
We’ve spoken to our expert in-house Travel Team to put together a quick checklist to tell you exactly what you need to think about when looking for a last minute vacation.
1. Passport
First things first: check that your passport is valid. It’s worth noting that you’ll probably need to submit your passport details to get a visa, and many countries require at least six months of validity on your passport after the date of your return home. Countries like Thailand also need your passport in decent condition; flick through it quickly to make sure there aren’t any ripped pages that’ll hold you up at customs.
2. Visas
Getting a visa can take a little time, so it’s worth considering visiting a country with an easy application process. If you’re booking as a UK citizen, your first port of call for entry information should be the FCO. If you’re booking as a US citizen, check out various visa requirements here. Some countries – Russia and China, for example – require you to apply at an approved Visa Application center. Others have e-visa websites that sort everything in 1-3 days.When it comes to countries with a trickier visa application process, you can lose a morning waiting for information from embassies. Sometimes, paying a specialist company like Travcour and Visa Central can help can ease pain. There’ll be a service charge, but they might save your skin in the case of late availability.
3. Vaccines
For many tropical countries, you need to have a full metal jacket of vaccinations. Yellow fever needs to be taken 10 days before travel. Two weeks is ideal for hepatitis A. Meanwhile, you can take tetanus and diphtheria jabs up to the day before travel. If you want to be gone within the week, consider whether it’s more practical to travel to vaccination-free zones.
Winter photography tour in Iceland
Little-visited East Fjords and iconic southern locations
From
£4600
10 days
ex flights
Gokyo Ri Valley trek in Nepal
Gokyo Valley Trek: A Scenic Alternative to Everest Base Camp
From
US $2150 to US $2420
15 days
ex flights
Lionfish spearing marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect reef ecosystems by hunting invasive species
From
US $995
5 days
ex flights
Madeira walking vacation
Small group walking tour of Madeira
From
US $2070 to US $2110
8 days
ex flights
Ancient Algeria and the Sahara Desert
Exceptional non-trekking trip in Venezuela
From
US $5320 to US $5660
16 days
ex flights
Sri Lanka cycling vacation, off the beaten track
Ride the cool highlands, jungle parks and ancient Buddhist cities
From
US $3795 to US $5015
14 days
ex flights
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4. Insurance
Insurance is always worth the money, offering you coverage for everything from emergency repatriation to lost luggage. Getting travel insurance is usually done with a few clicks these days – although it might take a little longer if you’re over 65 or have had any medical complications. EU citizens have it extra lucky. You can get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that allows you access to public healthcare at a reduced cost in other EU countries. If you do need to buy insurance, check out our partnership with Columbus Direct to get a discount and donation for charity.More Last minute articles
Read this last minute destinations guide to discover where to go and what to do, when.
Read our advice and tips, and you could book that dream getaway in your next lunch hour.
Fasten your seatbelts for our easy guide on how to get airborne at the drop of a hat.
Find out what vaccinations you need if you're going to be heading abroad at short notice.
Our travel team and expert partners share their advice about whisking the family away.
