The Smart Solo Traveller's Guide to Scoring Last-Minute Deals on Once-in-a-Lifetime Tours

The Smart Solo Traveller's Guide to Scoring Last-Minute Deals on Once-in-a-Lifetime Tours (and Why You Should)

There’s something incredibly satisfying about packing a bag and taking a trip on a whim, and solo travellers know this feeling better than anyone.

With no schedules to sync or debates on where to go next, you can chase whatever takes your fancy. This flexibility also allows you to take advantage of last-minute deals on tours that many people have been planning and saving for all year.

Discounted Bucket-List Style Tours: What’s the Catch?

There’s no catch because tour operators offer last-minute deals for very practical reasons.

Empty Spots = Lost Income

Operators that offer premium or niche experiences would rather fill a seat at a reduced rate than send a tour out with gaps. Consider those Caribbean cruise deals. If a cruise line had to depart with only half of the ship full, imagine how much they’re losing on fuel and staff expenses?

Cancellations Happen Often

Weather changes, shifting group sizes and travellers backing out at the last minute all create open spots, which tour operators need to adapt to. And for solo travellers, these openings are ideal because you’re often the easiest person to slot in.

Real-Time Demand Changes

Many operators adjust their pricing according to real-time demand. As departure dates get closer and spots remain unfilled, prices are dropped to fill the tour and keep it profitable. Another win for solo travellers!

Types of Experiences to Target for the Best Last-Minute Deals

Some types of experiences are far more likely to offer last-minute deals than others. Here are some of the categories where you might have the best luck:

• Adventure Activities. Think high-energy experiences such as scenic flights, back-country treks and water-based activities. Since these tours often run with small groups, single spots tend to open up unexpectedly. And when you have a seat to fill in a hurry, a discount is what comes next.
• Nature and Outdoor Exploration. Outdoor experiences like multi-day hikes, nature trails and remote-area trips also usually have small group limits and attract travellers with varied schedules, so last-minute cancellations are often a reality.
• Wildlife Encounters. Tours centred around wildlife encounters or visits to special habitats draw in small niche audiences, so when someone drops out, there are always spots to be filled.
• Cultural Excursions. Day tours that are focused on cultural excursions are another type of experience where you’re most likely to find a last-minute deal, especially when transport needs to be pre-booked.

Planning Your Smart Booking Strategy

Even though you get to leave room for spontaneity as a solo traveller, it still helps to get smart about booking your last-minute deals.

Find the Sweet Spot for Booking

Most decent discounts pop up between one and four weeks before departure. That said, genuine fire-sale prices can appear 24-48 hours beforehand, so it never hurts to check. It’s best to have a quick bag ready and packed so when a bargain appears, you can say yes and be out the door fast.

Be Ready to Pivot

Fixating on one specific tour is the fastest way to miss out on other excellent opportunities. If securing a good deal matters more to you than ticking off one particular bucket-list item, you'll need some mental flexibility. To avoid disappointment, make a list of a few different experiences you might want to have so you can keep them all on your radar.

Compare Inclusions

Last-minute deals can look amazing at first glance, but the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Some tours don’t offer meals, transfers and equipment, so compare what different tours include. Sometimes that slightly higher price can give you everything you need to fully enjoy the experience without worrying about paying for extras.

Your Next Adventure Awaits

When you stay flexible and know how to spot a genuine deal, you get to open up a whole new way of spontaneous travel. You can leave whenever the mood strikes, and often for a fraction of what everyone else paid. That’s the real perk of solo travel!