Is It Too Late to Book a Last Minute Summer Vacation?

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. 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 (along with the dates, for that matter).

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 entirely possible to book a summer vacation.

“But you have to be flexible,” Lidbom explains. “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”

Mallory Dumond, a travel advisor and team lead with Travelmation, offers a similar take 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,” adds Dumond. “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.” 

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 has led to heat-related illnesses, transportation delays, and temporary closures of major tourist sites, including the Louver and the Eiffel Tower.

But if you want to look elsewhere, 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 is easy because that is 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

For domestic options, Dumond of Travelmation recommends the Smoky Mountains, parts of New England, and spots in the Midwest, which she says can still offer good availability.

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.)

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, Kristen Freeman, founder and CEO of Fly Over Travel agency, which works with many families, couples and corporate events that involve travel during the summer, believes it's still entirely possible to book a summer trip. But prices and availability may be issues this late in the season.

“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, adds Freeman.

Keep it simple

When you’re organizing a trip at the last minute, the fewer moving parts you have on your trip the more likely you will book something.

“Last minute travel isn't the time to create a massive itinerary,” advises Lidbom. “Find your destination, get there, and just find your own fun from there.”

“This why why all-inclusive are easier to find last minute,” Lidbom adds. “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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