Go To The Airport & Take A Random Flight

The adventure

Most trips are planned to death. This one starts with a passport, a carry-on and a deliberately empty diary. You stand in front of the departures board, read the destinations like a menu, and feel that odd fizz of possibility when anywhere really does mean anywhere.

Then you commit. Maybe it's a city you'd never have picked, maybe a sunny island, maybe somewhere you can't yet pronounce. A few hours later you land with no hotel, no itinerary and no expectations, and that turns out to be the thrill: finding a bed, a meal and your bearings purely on instinct. Whatever happens next, the story of how you got there will beat anything you could have planned.

Why it’s epic

• Big hubs such as Heathrow or Gatwick give you the widest choice of last-minute destinations.
• Flight search sites let you search to 'everywhere' and sort by price or departure time.
• Leaving it to chance often lands you somewhere you'd never have chosen, which is exactly the point.

What it is

Turning up at the airport with a packed bag and booking whatever leaves next is the ultimate spontaneous trip.

How to do it

Check last-minute fares from a large hub, have your passport and any visas sorted, and keep the next few days free.

Top tip

Pack light and neutral, so you're ready for any climate.

Need to know

• Check entry rules before you buy, as some countries need a visa or online authorisation in advance, such as the US ESTA.
• Many countries want at least six months left on your passport, and some ask for proof of onward travel.
• Last-minute fares can be steep, so set a spending limit and stick to hand luggage.
• Buy travel insurance before you set off, so you're covered wherever you end up.

Make it happen

• HotelsBooking.com

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.

Why it’s on my list

Not done yet. If you’ve done it and have tips, tell me about it.