Last minute holidays have become extremely popular because of this. By booking late, you don't have to work your diary out months in advance, you can go as and when you feel like it and you get a much better rate.
But there are some things to remember when booking last minute, to make sure you don't get stung by hidden costs and small details.
Check what's included
While last minute holidays are a lot less that those booked in advance, the travel companies still aren't giving them away. Check that the price includes things such as baggage allowance otherwise you could end up being charged loads when you get to the airport.
![Favour places likeMajorca in Europe over destinations further afield to get the best deal](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/ac/1953c/aa270/9e697/64314/5d32d/42e3c/holiday2_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Don't be unrealistic
Just because it's last minute doesn't mean you're going to be sunning it up in Dubai on the cheap. Your best bet is Europe as anything further afield isn't usually that much cheaper.
Be prepared to fly
In exchange for a cheaper holiday, you might not be flying direct to your destination and you can almost guarantee that the flight hours won't be very sociable. But it will be worth it when you're sitting around the pool getting mojito'd up.
Here are eight of the best last minute holiday websites to choose from
How and where to get a great last minute holiday deal
![Travel Republic](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/29/56762/9c9d3/eff9f/0dec9/73f91/af5b6/travelrepublic_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Travel Republic
TravelRepublic.co.uk
![Lastminute](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/2a/500b7/08a58/07cd4/658fd/ead0b/dd59e/lastminute_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Lastminute
LastMinute.com
![Travel Zoo](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/70/c5b98/406f7/49c67/44cef/81f34/e4ee8/travelzoo_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Travel Zoo
TravelZoo.com
![Ice Lolly](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/51/ad5be/91383/cb56a/349ca/3ba5d/51200/icelolly_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Ice Lolly
IceLolly.com
![Teletext](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/95/3e17e/ed5eb/475a4/f7334/ca6c7/642e7/teletext_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Teletext
TeletextHolidays.co.uk
![Travel Supermarket](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/be/0dec7/dc193/04699/66b25/bdc68/ba3a9/travelsupermarket_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Travel Supermarket
TravelSupermarket.com
![Expedia.co.uk](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-legacy/21/e00c7/1a16f/582d6/e25d2/47341/45f48/expedia_646x363.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Expedia.co.uk
Expedia.co.uk