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Personal Loan

Say yes to a spontaneous trip by using an instant personal loan

Key Takeaways

Last-minute trips cost more due to price surges and inventory shrinks.
A travel loan lets you book instantly and manage expenses without straining your savings.
Borrow smart: take only what you need, compare total costs, and choose EMIs that fit your income.
With FIRSTmoney, you get quick, transparent instant loans ideal for urgent travel needs.

20 Apr 2026 by Team FinFIRST

instant travel loan for last minute trip planning and booking

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Ever tried booking a last-minute trip and felt your heart drop looking at the airfare? One minute the ticket is priced at ₹7,000 and the next minute it’s ₹14,500. Hotels also become pricier, and everything suddenly feels like a “peak season” charge. But life doesn’t always wait, whether it’s a family function, a quick getaway, or an emergency visit.

When your plans can’t be delayed, but your bank balance says, “maybe another time,” an instant personal loan can bridge the gap. It lets you book flights, hotels, and everything else immediately at the best price, so that you can enjoy your stay.

Let’s break down typical last-minute travel costs, what a travel loan covers, how it works, and smart borrowing tips to help you travel stress-free.

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Why does last-minute travel get expensive?

Last-minute trips are becoming increasingly common, with people opting for quick getaways and easier visa destinations. But the flip side is cost.

Airfares and hotel rates typically hike sharply in the final 48–72 hours as demand spikes and inventory shrinks. So, while travel has become more impulsive, booking at the eleventh hour often means paying a premium for the same trip.

Travel cost snapshot: Trends 2025

Last-minute travel is exciting, but are the prices? Across 2025, both domestic and international travel prices saw noticeable increases:

Domestic airfares climbed 10–25%year-on-year in peak months due to strong demand and limited airline capacity
Long-haul international packages rose by 8–14%, partly due to a weaker rupee, which drove up dollar-denominated costs

These trends mean waiting until the last moment often hits your wallet harder, which is another reason travellers consider an instant personal loan to lock in bookings before prices jump again.

Savings or a travel loan: what should you choose?

When last-minute costs pop up, you’ve basically three options: use savings, swipe a credit card, or take an instant loan. Each has pros and cons:

Savings: Safe, but it shrinks your emergency buffer.
Credit cards: Easy, but high rates may turn a ₹2 lakh expenditure into a considerable amount if not paid quickly.
Travel loan: Structured borrowing with fixed EMIs and predictable costs, which are easier to manage than spiralling credit card interest.

In fact, about 27%of Indians used personal loans specifically for travel in the first half of 2025, highlighting that people are turning to formal borrowing rather than savings or cards.

What can a travel loan cover?

A travel loan isn’t just for flights. It can take care of almost every expense that pops up during a sudden trip, so you don’t have to juggle multiple payments. It can cover:

Last-minute flight bookings
Hotel or resort bookings
Visa and processing charges
Cabs, tours, and inter-city transfer costs
Travel insurance
Unplanned activities, local passes, emergency costs

How does a travel loan work?

A travel loan works similarly to any other instant personal loan. Thanks to quick loans online and digital processing, you don’t have to wait or visit a branch.

Here’s how you can apply for a FIRSTmoney personal loan by IDFC FIRST Bank via website or app:

Click on ‘Apply Now’
Register using your basic details
Choose your loan preferences including amount and EMI plan
Link your bank account where you want to receive the funds
Complete video KYC by showing your original PAN card

You repay the loan in fixed EMIs over a tenure you choose, making budgeting easier. Let’s understand with an example:

If you borrow ₹4,00,000 at an interest rate of 9.99% for 24 months, your monthly EMI will be approximately ₹18,456. The exact EMI depends on your final interest rate and tenure, but this gives you a fair idea before booking anything.

Using IDFC FIRST Bank’s online EMI calculator can help you check numbers upfront and avoid surprises later.

Smart borrowing tips before you apply for a travel loan

When applying for a quick loan online, a little planning can save you from future EMI headaches.

Borrow only what you need, not what looks tempting on screen
Compare the total cost, including interest, fees, and hidden charges, not just the headline rate
Match your EMIs with your income cycle so repayment feels natural, not stressful
Avoid overlapping loans or too many EMIs running at once, as they disrupt your monthly budget
Check processing fees and prepayment rules to understand the loan's true flexibility

Use FIRSTmoney for instant travel plans

If you’re trying to book fast without derailing your monthly budget, FIRSTmoney makes the process effortless. Here’s what it offers:

Apply for funds up to ₹15 lakh in a 100% digital manner, with no document uploads needed
Get disbursal directly to your bank account within 10 minutes
Borrow up to depending on your eligibility and travel needs
Enjoy interest rates starting from 9.99% p.a., keeping repayment manageable
With zero foreclosure charges, you can close the loan early without penalties
Choose a flexible repayment period of up to 60 months, depending on your income cycle

With these features, you can lock in your bookings immediately and focus on the journey, not the stress of arranging funds. A travel loan with FIRSTmoney by IDFC FIRST Bank keeps things simple, quick, and completely in your control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need collateral for a travel loan?

No. IDFC FIRST Bank’s FIRSTmoney personal loan does not require security, a guarantor, or even a branch visit to avail the loan.

How quickly can I get the money for a last-minute trip?

You can receive funds within 10 minutes via FIRSTmoney personal loan by IDFC FIRST Bank, allowing you to take your last-minute trip without any hassle.

What can I use a travel loan for?

A travel loan can help you pay for flights, stay, visa fees, travel insurance, local travel, or any other trip-related expense, whether domestic or international. There is no usage related restriction with a personal loan for travel.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.