Gen Z Reveals How They Turn Last-Minute Travel Whims Into Budget-Friendly Wins
Key Takeaways
- 77% of Gen Z and millennials booked last-minute trips in 2024.
- Spontaneous travel takes flexibility and quick decision-making.
- Deals on flights and hotels often pop up two to three days before check-in.
- Many travel sites are built to help you find these last-minute deals.
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is often called the “loneliest generation,” thanks to the time they spend online. But they’re also the most educated and tech-savvy. They apply logic and tech-savvy to travel—like deciding on Monday to visit Madrid and landing by Thursday, all without spending too much.
Gen Z’s Travel Preferences
Gen Z is all about book-it-and-go travel. Along with millennials, 77% have booked last-minute trips, according to the American Express 2024 Global Travel Trends Report. Same-day bookings for flights and hotels rose 30% from 2024 to 2025, with most of these bookings made by travelers ages 20 to 35.
Their destinations tend to be driven by personal passions, not necessarily where everyone else is going. Exploring new cultures is more gratifying than surfing all afternoon.
Gen Z is known for taking short jaunts, committing to just a few nights away from home rather than weeklong excursions. And they often do it alone. About 40% of their last-minute reservations were made for single individuals.
Mastering the Art of Last-Minute Travel
Want to wake up in Cleveland and fall asleep in Hawaii? You’ll need to be flexible. You may want to go to Kailua, but end up in a nearby town like Hilo if that’s where the affordable bed is.
“One of the biggest hurdles in last-minute travel is finding available accommodations,” says Ben Julius, founder of Tourist Japan. “It’s crucial to remain open to various options and styles, particularly during peak travel times when last-minute reservations are scarce. For example, capsule hotels have more last-minute availability in Japan and are often priced extremely low in comparison to more traditional hotels.”
And you might have to wait a couple of days and take off on Monday rather than depart that afternoon if you make this decision on a Saturday. That might be the soonest an affordable plane ticket is available. You may be limited to taking a wee-hours flight rather than flying at noon, when everyone else is doing so and willing to pay more.
Make It Budget-Friendly
Gen Zers are known for keeping an eye on that dollars-and-cents bottom line. The good news is that last-minute accommodations can be cheap, since hotels often slash prices to fill canceled rooms.
Contact numerous establishments to see if you can catch a break. And nothing says you can’t call back an hour later to check again, just in case someone’s travel plans fell through at the same last-minute when you’re trying to get away.
Important
Discounts often become available two to three days before check-in for both airfare and lodging.
Flexibility applies to more than just being willing to fly late at night. You can save some dollars by reconsidering which hub you’re going to fly into. It’s usually cheaper to fly to San Jose, California, than to San Francisco. Your savings on airfare might be more than enough to cover the cost of ground transportation to get you where you ultimately want to go, and smaller airports usually mean less expensive flights.
As for that San Francisco/San Jose choice, how badly do you really want to stay in San Francisco?
“One cost tactic going big among Gen Z is ‘townsizing,’” says Georgia Fowkes, a travel advisor at Altezza Travel. “We skip the big capital and slash the budget in half. Cultural experiences feel even richer, and it’s easier to get into a pretty boutique hotel. Local trains run on local prices, and family kitchens serve huge plates for the cost of a single Starbucks frappuccino.”
The Internet Is Your Friend
“When it comes to platforms, tools like Google Flights, Hopper, and Skyscanner are essential for this generation,” Julius says. “They use them not only for price comparison, but also for alerts that track last-minute deals in real time. Many also turn to apps like Kayak Explore to discover destinations based on budget first, then work backward to plan the trip.”
AAA offers Trip Canvas, featuring discounts and offers on everything from accommodations to cruises and tours. Allianz Travel recommends Going if you want to watch flight prices and HotelTonight for accommodations. And don’t overlook simply visiting hotel websites or even calling them.
As for what you’re going to eat on the road, Fowkes suggests using social media for that.
“Expat or nomad intel is the best and comes from Facebook or Telegram groups. They’re priceless. By asking, 'Where do you actually eat that isn’t a tourist trap?' you’ll end up with a thread featuring half-price meals compared to the main strip.”
The Bottom Line
So, go ahead and start packing that bag. Just be sure to cruise the internet first to find the best place to visit that suits your interests for the most reasonable cost possible. Nothing says you can’t act as your own travel agent, particularly if you do your research.
And be sure to book that last-minute flight for the predawn hours, not when every businessperson in the country is waiting in line to board at 9 a.m. on a Monday and paying top dollar for it. Last-minute travel is doable and can create awesome memories if you step aside from the crowds.