Australia might be an expensive holiday destination, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that only those with fat wallets can grab tickets on flights to the nation. The nation can be toured without burning big holes in the pocket. Read on to know how.
Australia, with its stupendous natural beauty and man-made wonders, has always lured travellers from all corners of the world. But there is a perception that Australia is a place only for those with fat wallets. It could be true, however, with just little preplanning, travellers may enjoy gratifying holidays without spending much. Here are some important travel tips that may save a great deal of money for those on Australian vacations.
Flight Tips
- Keeping the immense popularity of Australia in mind, it is smart to reserve air tickets aboard flights to the country well in advance.
- Travellers are advised to use online airfare comparison websites to get the best prices.
- Experts suggest that flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings can prove fruitful in terms of cheap tickets on flights.
- Travellers must be flexible in terms of schedules of flights and choose less popular dates and airports of the destination for landing in Australia.
- Due to vast distance, there are no non-stop flights between UK and Australia and connections are unavoidable. Cost conscious flyers would do well to include multiple stops with onward flights booked aboard regional low cost carriers like Air Asia, Jet Star, Scoot etc for arriving in Australia.
Accommodation Tips
- Look for affordable hostels which are plentiful in all Australian cities. These provide basic private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Along with affordable rates, these usually provide kitchens for holidaymakers to save a bit by cooking a few meals.
- Prefer booking package holiday; booking hotel deals along with flights saves a handsome amount.
- Beach lovers seeking to stay close to Australia’s famous surf beaches can also find relatively cheaper accommodation options with careful planning and research.
- Couch surfing is an option that is becoming increasingly popular amongst young backpackers and solo travellers across the world. As per online sources, Melbourne alone accounts for over 15,000 couch-surfers after and Sydney over 13,000.
- Australia prides itself with a wide plethora of National Parks and a night stay at the camps here is perfect to reduce travel costs.
Sightseeing Tips
- Vacationers disembarking Australia flights are best advised to plan their sightseeing schedule way in advance as one may easily blow hundreds of dollars on unwanted day tours, excursions and entrance fees/tickets.
- It is best advised to find some free attractions when on a budget holiday to Australia. It costs nothing to wander along the Sydney Harbour Beach or stroll through Bondi Beach and Royal Botanic Gardens. The National Gallery of Australia is free to enter, so is National Museum of Australia.
- Keen wildlife lovers on holidays to Australia can avoid buying high-priced entrance tickets at zoos; head to the River Red Gum National Park. Pebbly Beach and Kangaroo Island are also some prominent options to hop freely around.
- Travellers who wish to cruise the harbour on budget may buy nominally-priced ferry tickets and head towards Manly, one of Sydney’s most gorgeous beach suburbs relishing the amazing views that the ride offers.
- Be a part of the many free festivals and events to experience the authentic Aussie culture. The celebrations are held in entire Australia throughout the year.
Transportation Tips
- Taking the public transport to wander around in the city is the best way to save bundles. Watch out for free public transportation routes within the cities. Melbourne and Sydney are two which offer a free inner city tram.
- Australia has a traditional rail network and provides a unique way to explore the destination. Travellers may look for special discounts, low-season tickets/fares on different routes.
- If travelling by car, try and share the vehicle with other people. This can be helpful in splitting the fare.
- Family vacationers keen on campervanning experience may look for a number of operators that offer vans at incredibly cheap prices.
Eating Tips
- Australia is hard to get cheap on food but a little compromise with the choices can serve travellers good.
- American-style food vans can be easily spotted in the whole country including Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Hobart and Brisbane. The vans offer affordable Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese and Malaysian food in good quality and quantity.
- Travellers craving for some tantalizing Asian food may head to a food court located in almost every city offering brilliantly cheap yet fresh and spicy cuisines.
- Visitors who love cooking can visit Coles and Woolworths, two competing supermarkets and collect all the required ingredients to cook their own meals.
- Prefer taking away rather than eating in as take-away is much cheaper in Australia.
- Vacationers with families must research well for eating options in the market as “children eat free” deals are quite common in major Australian cities.
