Whether you’re hanging on try and grab a bargain, or just fancy a spontaneous trip away, last minute deals can be a great way to get a good deal on your flights.

Here at Globehunters, we’ve got cheap last minute flights to destinations around Europe and the rest of the world, so what are you waiting for?

Destinations

Last minute deals aren’t available to all destinations and you’re most likely to get a bargain travelling to the holiday airports used by charter flights and to some of the budget airline’s secondary airports.

Generally speaking, you’ll struggle to get last minutes deals on long-haul journeys to destinations to places such as the USA, Southeast Asia, Oceania or the Middle East, although as we’ll see, there are a couple of exceptions. Here are some of the best places to snag a last minute deal.

The Algarve

Found at the southern tip of Portugal, the Algarve is known for its beautiful beaches and world-class golf resorts.

A real tourist hotspot, the coast is lined with luxury hotels, resorts and villas, but if you head to the western coast or head further inland, you’ll still find more traditional fishing villages and less developed areas if you wish.

The Caribbean

It’s not just short-haul destinations where you can bag a good last minute deal, with many cheap flights to the Caribbean available too.

There’s a hugely diverse range of islands to choose from, from the mountains of Grenada and Martinique to the beaches of Barbados or Spanish-influenced Cuba.

Cyprus

This Mediterranean island is best known for its sun-soaked beaches, but it’s also home to some beautiful wine-making regions further inland, where you’ll also find ancient ruins and archaeological sites.

Greek Islands

The thousands of islands that lie off the coast of Greece were tailor made for holidaymakers, with sun, sea and sand in abundance.

But with a history steeped in mythology and some gorgeous villages and ruins to explore, there’s plenty more to see and do if you fancy getting off your sun lounger.

Popular islands include Crete, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes and Kos.

Malta

Located right in the middle of the Med, Malta has had a number of rulers throughout its history, from the Romans to the Moors and the French to the British.

All of this means that it’s got lots of historic sites to visit, including many fortresses and megalithic temples, the most famous of which is probably the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, an underground complex of burial chambers dating back thousands of years.

Orlando

Orlando, Florida is the theme park capital of the world, home to Walt Disney World Resort, which is comprised of four theme parks and two water parks.

However, in recent years, the neighbouring Universal Orlando resort has started to rival Mickey Mouse and pals, largely due to the development of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Spain

Whether you want to chill out on the Costa del Sol or the Canary Islands or explore the cultural sights of cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, Spain has a bit of something for everybody.

History, culture, sun, cities, villages, Spain is a lot more diverse than you might have thought and can be as relaxing or as adventurous as you want it to be.

Turkey

Lying on the border between Europe and Asia, Turkey is a wonderfully diverse country due to its influences from the Greek, Persian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Head to Istanbul to see the huge dome and many mosaics of the Hagia Sophia basilica (now a museum) and the Topkapi Palace, which dates back to the 14th century.

The country is also home to a number of holiday resorts along the Mediterranean Sea.

(You can also sometimes pick up cheap last minute flights to popular European destinations such as France, Italy and Germany, although you’ll probably have to avoid the most popular airports such as Frankfurt, Paris and Rome.)

Tips for Booking Last Minute

While booking last minute is a great way to get a good deal, there are a couple of things you need to bear in mind.

Be Flexible

As with any flight, it pays to be flexible, whether that’s with your departure date or the destination itself.

If you’re booking a spontaneous last minute trip, why not try somewhere completely new?

Watch Out for Hidden Fees

Do be slightly wary next time you spot a great last minute deal, as lots of budget airlines like to tack on lots of hidden fees, so be sure you know exactly the price that you’re going to be paying before you book.

Don’t Rush It

When you do spot a great deal, resist the temptation to jump the gun and book it there and then.

Try to make sure that you take a minute to check everything before you book, such as whether your passports have the minimum required validity, whether you’re going to need a visa, or even whether you’ve booked the right dates!

People often rush into booking last minute flights and get caught out by details such as these, so just take a step back before clicking that ‘book’ button!

Why Are Last Minute Flights So Cheap?

The reasons why airfares are the prices they are is a complicated business. Usually, once tickets for a flight go on sale, the price will go up and up as more seats get booked, which is why it’s often best to book early if you can.

However, when there are only a few weeks (or days) to go until the flight, if the airline still has some spare seats left, they’ll offer some pretty big discounts on these seats to ensure that they don’t go empty.

There are no guarantees, so you do have to be careful, but if you’re happy to go through a couple of nail biting moments, you can be greatly rewarded!

So if you’re feeling inspired to jump on the next available flight, check out our cheap last minute flights here at Globehunters.