Preparing for summer break: setting aside funds for the final printer purchase
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Last-minute trips used to be a distant memory. But this summer bursts that bubble: There are still plenty of offers for last-minute jetsetters, boasting hefty discounts. Here's how to score big:
With summer on the horizon, many vacationers leave their travel plans until the eleventh hour. This trend is echoed by a survey of major German tour operators by the German Press Agency.
The big players Alltours, Schauinsland-Reisen, and Anex are witnessing a surge in bookings for the peak travel season. They anticipate a strong last-minute summer, according to Schauinsland-Reisen's tourism director, Andreas Rüttgers.
Germany's largest tour operator, Tui Germany, shares similar sentiments: "This year could see the first significant last-minute summer in several years," says Aage Dünhaupt, Tui Germany spokesman.
While tour operators have reported record numbers of early bookings for summer holidays booked in the fall and winter, many capacities still remain unfilled. This means there's still an opportunity for last-minute thrill-seekers to cash in on attractive deals, with plenty of others jumping on board as well. "Since May, booking dynamics have increased significantly as the main season approaches," remarks Jan Mayer, managing director of tourism and finance at Alltours.
So, last-minute travel is only for the truly flexible. But the payoff can be worth it. Here's what you need to know to make the most of last-minute travel deals:
Insightful Travel Tips
What the Early Birds Miss Out On Best Affordable Vacation Spots in 2026 Where Are There Still Spots Available in the Summer Holidays?
According to tour operators, there are still bookable trips in all destination areas, from the Canary Islands to the German and Polish Baltic Sea coast. There are particularly large capacities in Egypt, Bulgaria, Tunisia, and Turkey. However, it can get tight for popular hotels with high ratings in Turkey during the peak season, at least according to Anex, which includes the Turkey specialist Oger Tours among its brands. The flight offer is generally good.
- Alltours: Depending on the destination and hotel, discounts of up to 40 percent may be possible during the peak summer season, indicating the cost savings potential, according to finance and tourism chief Mayer.
- Schauinsland-Reisen: Discounts of between 10 to 30 percent compared to regular catalog prices are possible, depending on the destination area and travel date, says tourism chief Rüttgers.
- Neckermann Reisen, Öger Tours, Anex Tour, and Bucher Reisen: Depending on the vacation country and region, the brands of the Anex Group offer deals with a discount of 30 to 50 percent. The company claims it passes on the discounts of airlines and hoteliers directly to customers.
- TUI Deutschland: Individual hotels could be booked with discounts of up to 40 to 50 percent, according to Dünhaupt.
- Dertour, ITS, Meiers Weltreisen, and Travelix: In some cases, bargains with a discount of up to 50 percent are possible, but most savings tend to be smaller.
Top Tips for Finding a Bargain
It's obvious: If you have your heart set on a specific hotel in a popular vacation spot during peak season and must fly from a specific airport, finding a discount could prove a challenge. In such cases, booking early in the fall or winter with early bird discounts might be your best bet.
Insider Tips for Locking in Savings
Hunting for the Best Price The Cheapest Days to Buy Flight Tickets
Last-minute bargains can be a treasure trove especially for travelers who are flexible. According to the tour operators surveyed:
- Consider departure airports outside your own federal state, especially if there are no school holidays there.
- Vary travel dates. Weekends with flights are particularly popular times. Look for departures during the week and considering travel times of 8, 11, or 16 days.
- If you're not set on a specific destination, take advantage of the wide selection of offers for last-minute travel – and thus the savings potential – for places other than Spain or Greece.
Tip: Online booking portals and tour operator websites offer numerous filter options for vacation search. But if you're having trouble finding the perfect offer online, a visit to a travel agency can be helpful. The experts there, like the portals on the net, access the large package tour databases, but may also be able to find crucial adjustments for the perfect trip that you can't achieve at home on your own. For example, regarding flight times. Additionally, there's personal advice.
In a Nutshell:
- To find the best last-minute travel bargains with significant discounts during the summer season, consider the following expert tips:
- Use specialized sites like Travelzoo, Contiki, or Groupon for last-minute deals.
- Opt for bundled packages on platforms like Expedia for maximum savings.
- Look out for major flash sales on cruises and car rentals.
- Use promo codes and book as soon as possible to secure the best discounts.
These strategies will help you secure significant savings on summer travel even at the last minute. Happy vacationing!
[1] Travelzoo official website[2] Contiki official website[3] Expedia official website[4] Groupon official website[5] JetBlue official website[6] Priceline official website[7] Royal Caribbean official website[8] Budget official website
Community members who value affordable travel and are flexible with their vacation plans, might find the Community policy of seeking departure airports outside their federal state and varying travel dates to be beneficial, especially during the peak summer season. Meanwhile, those interested in home-and-garden, lifestyle, or travel updates might find these strategies useful when browsing for last-minute deals on platforms like Travelzoo, Contiki, Expedia, Groupon, or JetBlue, often securing significant savings on vacation packages, cruises, car rentals, and more.
