Spontaneous Travel Report: US vs. UK

Do you crave the thrill of a last-minute getaway or prefer planning every detail weeks in advance? Vio.com’s latest travel report reveals some surprising trends in spontaneous and planned travel across the US and the UK.

For this study, spontaneous travel refers to accommodations booked 0-7 days before arrival, while planned travel includes hotel bookings made 8 or more days in advance. Our data uncovers how travelers on both sides of the pond approach these different booking styles — and what it means for their wallets.

Key Takeaways

• On average, travelers book US hotels just 5 days in advance, while UK hotels are typically booked 19 days ahead.
• Booking US hotels at the last minute saves 30%: The average nightly rate is $80 (£62) for bookings made 0-3 days in advance, compared to $115 (£89) for those made over a month ahead.
• Nearly 1 in 5 travelers (19%) prefer spontaneous travel to planned trips. 
• Spontaneous travelers are 2x more likely than planned travelers to end their trip early due to disagreements with their travel partner and 50% more likely to get lost or stranded.
• Couples who travel spontaneously are more than 2x as likely to break up during the trip than those who plan ahead.

Spontaneous Travel Hotspots

From quick escapes to well-planned vacations, let’s explore which cities in the US and the UK attract the most and least spontaneous travelers based on when they book hotels.

• On average, travelers book US hotels just 5 days in advance.
• Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is the most spontaneous travel destination in the US, with hotels booked only a day in advance, on average. As a smaller city, it likely attracts more regional travelers who can arrive without much planning. The area offers a blend of cultural attractions and activities that might appeal to weekend travelers or those looking for quick getaways.

• Honolulu, Hawaii, is the least spontaneous US travel destination, with people booking hotels there an average of 47 days before arrival. Travelers likely plan trips to Honolulu well in advance due to the higher costs associated with flights and accommodations, as well as the need to secure reservations for popular activities during peak tourist seasons.

• On average, travelers book UK hotels 19 days ahead of time — 2 weeks more in advance than for US destinations.
• Potters Bar, England, is the most spontaneous travel destination in the UK. Potters Bar’s proximity to London makes it a convenient, affordable alternative for last-minute stays, especially for those attending events or visiting friends in the capital. As it’s not a major tourist hub, travelers may feel less urgency to book far in advance.

• Fort William, Scotland, is the least spontaneous UK destination, with travelers booking an average of 41.1 days in advance. Fort William’s status as a gateway to the Scottish Highlands and a hub for outdoor activities makes it a popular destination. Travelers visiting for specific events or seasonal activities are likely to book accommodations far in advance to secure availability during peak times.
• Travelers book trips to London, England, 28 days in advance on average.

How Last-Minute Hotel Bookings Save You Money

Discover where last-minute travel can save you big bucks — and where it might cost you more — across the US and the UK.

Booking US hotels at the last minute is often more affordable. The average nightly rate is $80 (£62) for reservations made 0-3 days in advance compared to $115 (£89) for those made over a month ahead of time — that’s a savings of 30%! Last-minute UK hotel stays are also cheaper: $86 (£66) vs. $107 (£83), for an average savings of 19%.

The Cheapest US Cities for Spontaneous Travel (0-3 days in advance)

1. Amarillo, Texas ($49/£38)
2. Winston-Salem, North Carolina ($51/£39)
3. Kissimmee, Florida ($52/£40)
4. Dayton, Ohio ($57/£44)
5. El Paso, Texas ($58/£45)
6. Lubbock, Texas ($60/£46)
7. Tallahassee, Florida ($61/£47)
8. Pensacola, Florida ($62/£48)
9. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania ($62/£48)
10. Reno, Nevada ($62/£48)

The Most Expensive US Cities for Spontaneous Travel (0-3 days in advance)

1. New York, New York ($199/£153)
2. Miami Beach, Florida ($185/£143)
3. Boston, Massachusetts ($173/£133)
4. Honolulu, Hawaii ($165/£127)
5. Seattle, Washington ($156/£120)

The Cheapest UK Cities for Spontaneous Travel (0-3 days in advance)

1. Brighouse, England ($42/£32)
2. Southport, England ($46/£35)
3. Gravesend, England ($48/£37)
4. Walsall, England ($48/£37)
5. Chorley, England ($50/£37)
6. Wakefield, England ($54/£42)
7. Potters Bar, England ($55/£42)
8. Peterborough, England ($56/£43)
9. Bradford, England ($57/£44)
10. Ipswich, England ($58/£45)

The Most Expensive UK Cities for Spontaneous Travel (0-3 days in advance)

1. Edinburgh, Scotland ($139/£107)
2. Windsor, England ($274/£211)
3. Ingliston, Scotland ($177/£136)
4. London, England ($145/£112)
5. Bath, England ($143/£110)

Spontaneous vs. Planning-Focused Travelers

Our survey of 1,001 Britons and Americans reveals how much they spend on trips and which type of traveler — spontaneous or planned — is better at staying within their travel budgets. Those identified as spontaneous travelers prefer to book hotel stays a week or less ahead of time, while planned travelers typically book rooms 8 or more days in advance.

• Nearly 1 in 5 travelers like spontaneous trips more than planned trips.
• Britons are 24% more likely than Americans to prefer spontaneous travel.
• The excitement of unplanned adventures is the most common reason why people prefer spontaneous trips (76%). Many people also find this type of travel to be more flexible (59%) and relaxing (48%).

• The average US traveler’s last trip budget was 75% higher than the average UK traveler’s budget.
• Planned travelers’ budgets were 56% higher than spontaneous travelers’ budgets.

• Spontaneous travelers are 2x more likely than planned travelers to end their trip early due to disagreements with their travel partner and 50% more likely to get lost or stranded.
• Couples who travel spontaneously are more than twice as likely to break up during the trip than those who plan ahead.

Methodology

We used internal booking data from Vio.com for top US and UK cities to explore trends in pricing and booking dates. The data included the percentage of travelers who booked hotels 0-3 days in advance, 4-7 days in advance, 8-14 days in advance, 15-30 days in advance, and 30+ days in advance by city, as well as the average nightly cost of hotels for each. We also surveyed 1,001 Americans and Britons about their travel preferences; 53% were American, and 47% were British.

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Fair Use Statement

This travel data is provided for noncommercial use only. If you plan to share insights from our spontaneous travel report, please link back to this page as the source.