Still Want to See the Solar Eclipse? Here’s How to Book a Trip at the Last Minute
If you’ve been dragging your feet on planning for the August 12 total solar eclipse, you’re not alone—but you’re also not out of luck. While many hotels and cruises along the path of totality have long been booked solid, there’s still a surprising amount of availability for the spontaneous traveler. The catch? You need to act fast. United Airlines has already seen a 20% jump in searches for flights to Reykjavik this July, and Hotels.com reports year-over-year search spikes of 115% for Valencia, 75% for Mallorca, and 25% for Reykjavik for the August 10-16 window. Prices are rising, but deals can still be found.
Start by zeroing in on the path of totality—the moon’s shadow will sweep across Greenland, western Iceland, northern Spain, and a tiny slice of Portugal. Reykjavik, Bilbao, Zaragoza, and Palma de Mallorca all sit directly in the shadow’s path. Hotels.com’s travel expert Melanie Fish notes that rooms are still available, with rates ranging from $285 in Valencia to over $600 in Reykjavik. If major cities are sold out, widen your net. Christina Bennett, a consumer travel expert at Priceline, suggests checking nearby airports, smaller towns, and destinations within driving distance of totality. In Spain, consider A Coruña, Burgos, or Valladolid. Just remember: the eclipse happens near sunset there, so you’ll need an unobstructed western view. In Iceland, look beyond Reykjavik to rural guesthouses and campsites on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Snæfellsnes, or the Westfjords—but map your drive carefully, as limited roads and eclipse traffic can turn a short distance into a long haul.
Keep checking booking sites, especially as cancellation deadlines near. I recently snagged a cheaper Reykjavik hotel and airfare by refreshing searches at different times of day. Filter for free cancellation to stay flexible. And don’t overlook cruises—the path crosses vast stretches of ocean, and ships can reposition for clear skies. Several lines still have cabins, from Holland America’s Lisbon-to-Athens voyage (August 9-22, from $2,280) to luxury options like Silversea’s Nice round-trip (August 6-12, from $12,300) and expedition cruises from HX, New Scientist Discovery Tours, and Quark Expeditions, ranging from $17,788 to $29,590. With a little persistence and a flexible itinerary, you can still catch the show.