How Millennials and Gen Z Are Planning Spontaneous Getaways

In a world driven by social feeds, swipe culture, and “in-the-moment” gratification, Millennials and Gen Z are rewriting the rules of travel. Gone are the days of detailed itineraries, months of booking in advance, or rigid family travel calendars. Today's young travellers are all about spontaneity — living for unplanned excursions, last-minute vacations, and experiences that are shareable and create lifelong memories. And fuelling this movement is the growth of digital travel platforms that enable spontaneous getaways to be more convenient than ever.

The Rise of the Last-Minute Escape

Statistics in early 2025 indicate a drastic shift in booking trends. Bookings on flights and hotels made during the same week — even during the same day — have increased by more than 30 per cent year-on-year, with most of these bookings being made by travellers between the ages of 20 to 35. It may be a last-minute mountain retreat, a beach holiday after a hard day at work, or a weekend of culture in a city nearby; young travellers are opting for flexibility over formality.

Digital platforms are driving this trend through real-time price comparisons, flash sales, and location-based travel recommendations. With a few clicks on an app, an adult can transition from "scrolling Instagram" to "boarding a flight" within hours.

The Power of FOMO, Flexibility & Flash Sales

At the root of this trend is the power of social media and hybrid lifestyles. The youngsters today are more motivated by images than pamphlets. A well-captured reel from Rishikesh or a viral story of a friend trekking in Coorg can create a wave of wanderlust.

Throw in the emergence of remote and hybrid work — and suddenly, weekdays are open windows for a quick getaway. Millennials and Gen Z no longer have to be chained to regular 9-to-5 workdays. If a flight opportunity appears on a Wednesday, they can perform work from a hill station on Thursday.

Travel is today opportunistic: "Spotted a bargain, booked a vacation." Platforms provide instant hotel savings, flash fares, and push alerts on popular destinations, enabling users to book on impulse. In fact, over 60 per cent of spontaneous vacations booked through our platform are booked within 48 hours of flying.

Micro-Trips, Major Impact

Among the major trends witnessed is the trend of micro-trips. Instead of a single long vacation a year, short multiple breaks over seasons are being preferred by young travellers. A common pattern followed is the Friday-to-Sunday getaway, with the destination falling within a 2–3 hour distance by flight or drive.

Top trending places in 2025 for impromptu trips include:

Goa– For its beaches throughout the year, music festivals, and lively cafes. Rishikesh – A spiritual adventure getaway.

Jaipur – A heritage fix in a jiffy with gorgeous architecture.

Coorg – A perfect weekend getaway amidst rolling greenery and coffee estates.

Pondicherry – For tranquil beaches and French-looking streets.

These brief, regular breaks give travellers a chance to break away from routine, discover new destinations, and recoup without having to plan months in advance. For some, it's not about checking off places on the map — it's about building shareable stories, engaging with culture, and being present in the moment.

Solo, Spontaneous, and Self-Driven

Another interesting find from travel statistics is the emergence of solo travel. Solo travellers have made more than 40 per cent of last-minute reservations, a huge attitude change in comparison to a couple of years ago.

This shift heralds a new travel persona: one of self-discovery, independence, and mental wellness. Youth travellers are leveraging travel as a means to unplug from daily stress, introspect on personal aspirations, and see the world on their own terms.

Women, especially, are driving this trend — with increasing demand for secure, highly rated single-person-friendly hotels and specially designed single-person packages.

The Future of Travel is Fluid

If anything is certain, it's that travel behaviour is changing at a breakneck pace. For Millennials and Gen Z, travel isn't an annual excursion — it's a way of life. Regardless of whether they're travelling on their own, with pals, or for workcations, this generation values liberty over protocol, and experiences over agendas.

Travel websites are upping their game, leveraging AI-driven recommendations, personalised notifications, and real-time pricing to meet the requirements of this busy crowd. The lines between planning and travelling are blurring — what is taking their place are smooth, seamless experiences.

The post-pandemic traveller generation is motivated by impulse, inspiration, and intention. Armed with technology in their pockets and wanderlust in their souls, Millennials and Gen Z are redefining what travel means — making it more accessible, inclusive, and real-time.

In the new travel age, the greatest journeys are the ones you didn't book.