Traveling is expensive. But it doesn’t have to be out of the question. You can still travel on a budget even to far off places. Holidaying in Australia can be impractical for some when it comes to budget vacations but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to save money while holidaying in Australia.
Flights
To save on flights, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to book as early as you possibly can. Thinking of booking a flight to Australia? Then book now because you’ll be saving yourself a lot of money by booking early. Flights are likely going to be the most expensive part of your vacation, depending on how long you’re planning on staying in the land down under. You’ll also want to consider booking your vacation in the off season when everything is going to be cheaper from flights to your accommodation.
Accommodation
Instead of staying in one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels, if you’re planning on staying in the big city, you may instead choose to stay in a hostel. There are a huge amount of hostels throughout Australia’s capital cities and rooms can range from just $30 – $40 a night. If you’re able to travel further out of the city then you can expect lower costs of around $20 a night. If staying in a hostel just doesn’t do it for you then you may want to consider exchanging homes with a local or couch surfing.
Transport
If you’re going to be staying in a hostel a great way to save big on transport is to rent a car with your hostel pals. If this seems too risky then another top tip to save big is to buy a car instead of rent. Yep. In Australia, depending on your length of stay it’s often going to be a lot cheaper for you to buy a second hand car and resell after your trip. This is a particularly good tip if you’re staying for a long period of time or need a larger 4×4 or other vehicle. Of course, if you’re staying in one of the bigger cities like Sydney or Melbourne there’s every chance you won’t need a car thanks to excellent and cheap public transport options.
Camping
Of course one of the cheapest and best ways to really experience Australia while you’re here is to camp. Australia has a huge amount of national parks which offer free or cheap camping grounds. Even if you just choose to spend one or two nights in the bush is going to drastically cut the cost of your trip. The most popular campsites will have your basic amenities covered, including power, water and toilets. Of course free camp sites will not have these amenities, however even just $20 will likely get you a powered site.
Food
Food prices in Australia are often more expensive than what you’re used to. Plan your meals in advance by stocking up on your needed items in one of the cheaper, larger supermarkets. Of course, you’ll want to go out for meals too as Australia has some seriously fine dining. When wanting a cheap meal it’s often a lot cheaper to go out for breakfast or lunch than dinner.
