There are travelers who book flights and hotels months in advance, study each leg in detail, and arrive at departure with a clearly defined itinerary, and those who prefer to decide everything (or most of the trip) at the last moment. There are those who take advantage of a few days off and would simply like to be surprised.
But what are the most loved destinations for last-minute trips? A new study by Sirvoy, a company specializing in hotel management systems, reveals it. They analyzed bookings from their clients across independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, hostels, and vacation homes. To compile the ranking, they mainly considered bookings made within seven days of check-in, along with the percentage of those arriving on the same day or the day before. The result tells a lot about travelers’ new habits: in all the top 10 destinations, more than half of the accommodations are booked when there is less than a week left until arrival.
The Queen of Last-Minute Travel
Claiming the first place is Thailand, where a full 74.8% of the analyzed bookings are made within seven days of check-in. Even more surprising, however, is another figure: 56.8% of travelers arrive practically at the edge of the stay, on the same day or the day after the booking.
Turquoise beaches, major cities like Bangkok, and a vast supply of accommodations render the country a destination capable of adapting to even the most spontaneous departures. But beware of the timing of your trip: between September and October, in several parts of Thailand the monsoon season is still underway.
On the podium rise two other distant destinations: in second place are the Philippines (which hosts the world’s most beautiful beach as named in 2026), with 71.7% of accommodations booked within a week of arrival, while third is Australia, where the percentage reaches 61.2%. Here, with the onset of the southern hemisphere spring, in Sydney temperatures already exceed 20 degrees: the perfect moment to combine cultural visits, sea, and surfing.
The 10 Most Popular Destinations for Last-Minute Travel
Just shy of the podium, Mexico and New Zealand follow, respectively with 59.7% and 58.3% of bookings made within seven days. The former blends history and beaches, while the latter, thanks largely to its spectacular natural scenery, is a destination suited to be explored year-round. Indonesia ranks sixth, with 55.8%.
And it is in the second half of the top 10 that Europe takes center stage, claiming all four of the last positions. Leading European destinations is Norway, where 39.1% of bookings are made on the same day or the day before arrival. Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden follow. In the Netherlands, in particular, 33.9% of bookings arrive very close to check-in.
Here is the full ranking (with the percentages of bookings that occur within 7 days of check-in):
- Thailand: 74.8%;
- Philippines: 71.7%;
- Australia: 61.2%;
- Mexico: 59.7%;
- New Zealand: 58.3%;
- Indonesia: 55.8%;
- Norway: 53.8%;
- Finland: 53.3%;
- Netherlands: 52.3%;
- Sweden: 51.9%.
