You CAN Afford A Holiday!

Some excellent tips to save money while travelling.

Do you love the idea of getting a few more stamps in your passport, but not sure if your budget can stretch that far? An overseas holiday doesn’t have to be outrageously expensive, especially if you follow these money saving tips. You may be surprised how far your money can take you.

Research your options

• Shop around. Go online and find the best deals without leaving your mouse. Although seeking expert advice from a travel agent could also save you time.
• Consider a travel package which includes flights, accommodation and meals. Often packages are cheaper than purchasing each component individually.
• Choose a destination that doesn’t have a big impact on your budget. South-east Asia, New Zealand and the South Pacific are cost-effective destinations for Australian travellers.
• Consider choosing a venue that offers plenty of free activities, such as a resort.

Time your travel

• Save on flights and accommodation by travelling off season.
• Plan your trip well in advance and book early. The closer you get to your departure date, the more expensive travel costs are likely to be.
• School holidays tend to coincide with higher costs, as well as bigger crowds. If you don’t have to travel with children, steer clear of these times.

Save money on flights

• Make the most of discounted flights but check terms and conditions carefully. Many “discount” airfares have “add-ons” such as paying for seat allocation and credit card surcharges which make the promoted fare much higher.
• Consider flying mid-week rather than on weekends, which is the more popular and usually most expensive time to travel.

Be budget savvy with accommodation

• Check out discount travel websites. Type “discount travel” into your favourite search engine. The choice is astounding – but stick to the more well-known and reputable sites.
• Rent a fully-equipped holiday home or a serviced apartment rather than staying in a hotel.
• Consider staying several nights in one location to take advantage of discounted weekly rates or deals like “buy 5 nights, get 2 nights free”.
• Better still, arrange to house-sit or house-swap at your holiday destination and your accommodation could be free! There are many websites available offering these services.

With these money-saving tips, the most expensive thing you’ll do for your next overseas trip is update your passport!