by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 6:40 PM ET, Tue June 30, 2026
The July Fourth holiday is just around the corner, meaning we're midway through summer 2026 and plenty of vacations are now in full swing.
But if you haven't booked your getaway for the season yet, not to worry. Travel advisors say it's definitely not too late to get your summer vacation on the books. The more important question is, where exactly can you go when booking last-minute? And are there any deals still available? Or are travelers now facing premium pricing only?
To dive deeper into those questions, we tapped some of our favorite travel advisors for their expert insights. If you're hoping to plan a last-minute summer getaway, read on for all you need to know.
Flexibility is key
Sure, you may have your heart set on spending sun-filled days at a luxe hotel in The Hamptons or on the French Riviera, but when booking last-minute, it's best to keep an open mind about where you'll go.
Tamara Lidbom, owner of Anytime Travel Agency in Arizona, has arranged numerous last-minute trips. (And in full transparency, she does not recommend them.) That aside, Lidbom says it's still possible to book a summer vacation if. you're flexible.
“A lot of places are going to be booked. You can probably get a flight and hotel for a quick trip to Mexico or the Caribbean, but if you want to go to Europe or Japan, forget about it," Lidbom advises.
Mallory Dumond, a travel advisor and team lead with Travelmation, offers similar advice for the procrastinators of the world.
“There are great opportunities available for those who are willing to adjust their destination, dates, and other elements of their plans,” says Dumond. “My advice to travelers is to keep the heart of your trip in mind, but be willing to adjust how that unfolds."
“For example, if you have your mind set on a beach vacation but your ideal beachfront property in your preferred destination is sold out, be willing to adjust dates or even look at different destinations," Dumond adds.
Family having fun on summer vacation. (Photo Credit: Sunny studio / Adobe Stock)
Destination matters
For those who missed the memo: summer is high season for Europe. And that makes it far less likely you’ll be able to organize a last-minute vacation to the continent. Not to mention, there’s a record-breaking heatwave taking place across much of Europe, meaning it’s also somewhat less pleasant to visit right now.
Popular destinations like France, the UK, Germany, and Spain lack the infrastructure to handle the extreme temperatures occurring, which have led to heat-related illnesses, transportation delays, and temporary closures of major tourist sites, including the Louver and the Eiffel Tower.
If you want to look elsewhere, however, there's a far greater chance of success.
"It all comes down to destination. If you want to stay at an all-inclusive resort, that's easy because that's all you have to book, but if you want to book a trip to Europe with lots of tours, that is going to be extremely difficult," continues Lidbom.
“Mexico and the Caribbean are what I would recommend. You can usually book an all-inclusive hotel at any of these places, so if one is booked, you can likely find another,” Lidbom continues. “You also really don’t have to plan these trips as everything you need is at the hotel.”
The experts at Squarmouth, a travel insurance marketplace, recommend looking at northern countries, where temperatures are far less toasty. Some of their top suggestions (based on Squaremouth data) include:
- Ireland: Average trip cost: $9,211, Average trip length: 13 days
- Iceland: Average Trip Cost: $11,227, Average trip length: 12 days
- Switzerland: Average trip cost: $11,687, Average trip length: 11 days
- Norway: Average trip cost: $14,093, Average trip length: 16 days
Janie Burt, managing director at Solos Holidays,
says her agency has been fielding a lot of last-minute demand for more
off-the-beaten-path Greek Islands. And that's an especially good idea as
the Northern Greek islands are in their "sweet spot" right now.
“Daily indulgences from fresh seafood to beach club loungers haven't
suffered from the artificial price inflation seen in mainstream European
hotspots,” explains Burt. “Many Northern Greek Islands feature the
striking turquoise waters and dramatic scenery Greece is known for, but
with a more relaxed, local feel at an affordable price point.” (Insider
tip: Northern Greek islands are typically sought after by the Greeks
themselves for their summer holidays.)
For domestic options, Dumond of Travelmation recommends the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, parts of New England, and spots in the Midwest, which she says can still offer good availability.
Cruising is another one of the best values for last-minute travelers. Cruise lines occasionally release promotions close to sailing to fill remaining cabins, and because so much is included in your cruise fare, it can be one of the most economical vacation options available, says Dumond.
Availability and pricing may be challenging
Like the other travel experts, Kristin Freeman, founder and CEO of FlyOver Travel in Kansas City, believes it's still entirely possible to book a summer trip. But prices and availability may be issues this late in the season, says Freeman, who works with many families and couples, and also plans many corporate events that involve travel during the summer.
“Obviously, pricing is going to be increased as we've seen throughout 2026,” Freeman says, adding that the days of last-minute deals are not as frequent as they have been in the past.
“We always advise our clients to try to book ahead as much as possible, but we also get the stragglers who say they want to do a last-minute trip, and then we work hard to try to find them options,” continues Freeman.
But each day that goes by brings us all closer to the end of summer, and the availability shrinks even further, she says.
Keep it simple
When you're organizing a trip at the last minute, the fewer moving parts you have, the more likely you are to book something. Translation: Last minute travel isn't the time to create a massive itinerary with all sorts of special tours or activities.
“Find your destination, get there, and just find your own fun from there," says Lidbom. “This is why all-inclusive are easier to find last minute. The hotel has everything, so there are no moving parts. A multi-country trip to Europe with lots of guided tours is full of moving parts and you just don't have enough time to plan that."
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