Travelling is not just about the number of places you can tick off your list. It’s also about venturing out of your comfort zone, creating memories, meeting new people, and exposing yourself to different cultures and experiences along the way. The best part is you don't have to be Richie Rich to see the world either!
With our budget travel tips and some simple planning, you can travel the globe and enjoy all of these experiences without breaking the bank.
Remember to check out our 30 Top Tips To Prepare For Your Trip too!
Tips to save on tours and bookings:
1. Shop around online! Use comparison websites like Booking.com† to find the best deals.
2. If your travel dates are flexible, check the prices for days either side of your preferred travel dates. A day or two may make a big difference to how much you pay for airfares and accommodation.
3. Check what the peak seasons are in your destination country and plan to travel in off-peak times for the best deals.
4. If you purchase attraction tickets in packages, like the Gold Coast Mega Pass, the cost will generally be cheaper than if you paid separately for each individual attraction.
5. Haggle, haggle, haggle! This goes for hotel rooms and tours as well. It doesn't hurt to ask for a discount or their best price! To help get a discount, join their loyalty programs, which are usually free, before making any bookings.
6. Some attractions and travel providers give discounts or free entry to seniors and students so make sure you ask and also take your ID. Also travel discounts may be available for Defence Force personnel through websites like APOD†.
7. Look out for attractions and cities that offer free guided walking tours.
8. Package tours are a good option if you want to control your costs since accommodation, meals and entertainment are all included.
9. Brush up on your history and see the sights through a local's eyes with free guided city walking tours.
Tips to save on accommodation:
10. The longer you stay in one place, the lower the rates usually are.
11. Instead of staying in a plush hotel, why not rent a room or apartment through a service like Airbnb?
12. Save the cost of a hotel room for a night and travel overnight on a train, ferry or coach.
13. If you're comfortable with it, ‘swap’ with another traveller overseas through a house swapping website like Home for Exchange.
14. If you have relatives or friends, crash on their couch for a night or two! You can return the favour when they visit.
15. Consider if you really need to stay in the heart of the city or if you can commute from a neighbouring location. You’ll save yourself some money and discover places and paths less taken.
16. If you're feeling risky try booking at the last minute! Vacant cruise cabins and hotel rooms may translate to cheaper prices waiting to be snapped up!
17. You can rent a room or a whole house or apartment on AirBnB - sometimes for less than the cost of a hotel room!
Tips to save on food and drinks:
18. Buy food from the local grocery store, market or corner shop and have a picnic!
19. If you're travelling a lot, only buy what you can eat that day.
20. End of day specials at bakeries, markets and supermarkets are a great cheap way of eating well.
21. If you want to try a restaurant, consult guidebooks, tourism websites or local food blogs or ask the locals!
22. Look for coupons or prepaid offers like Groupon.
23. Make breakfast or lunch your main meal, as restaurants usually charge more for dinner.
24. If you're travelling with the family, look out for kids eat free offers.
25. Avoid the hotel minibar in your room at all costs!
26. If you're staying in a hotel where breakfast is included, take a few pieces of fruit or a bread roll for later.
27. Buy bottled water from a supermarket or store, rather than a restaurant or street vendor.
28. If you want to treat yourself to a holiday cocktail, go during happy hour and look out for bars that offer free snacks!
Tips to save on transport:
29. A travel pass like Eurail can help you save transport costs if you're going to be hopping on and off buses and trains.
30. Travelling by bus can sometimes be cheaper than trains or flights and you'll see more of the countryside!
31. Embrace public transport, jump on the bus, train, tram, ferry or rent a share bike like the locals and experience the city. It can be much cheaper than airport transfers, taxi's and city tours.
32. Save transport costs and walk! It's free and what better way to discover the new city you’re in? You can explore all its nooks and crannies, discover places not in the guide books, plus with all the exercise you can justify that second chocolate croissant or baklava!
Tips on everyday essentials
33. Avoid exorbitant international roaming data and phone charges by knowing what they are before you leave Australia and if your phone provider has a reasonable roaming option you can use. If they don't, look to buy a local SIM card or utilise hotels and cafes free Wi–Fi.
34. Avoid exchanging currency as using your debit or credit card may be more cost effective for exchange rates and fees - just make sure you pay the credit card off each month!
If you're taking a road trip around Australia, you may find some helpful tips in our Tips for a Budget Friendly Road Trips in Australia!
† Fast Cover has a referral arrangement with this company.
