You may like traveling a lot but can not afford it due to a shortage of money. You may also want to save money while you are traveling but do not know exactly what to do or where to start.
If you know how to do it properly, you can surely have an astounding trip without spending a huge amount of cash.
With a little planning and smart moves, you can start saving money on your travel trips. If you are planning to go to Australia next, then here are some ways to save money on your trip, as I did on my recent vacation there.
Plan and book early
The more you plan, the higher your chances of flying on cheaper flights and staying in cost-effective accommodations. Airfares and hotel rates differ based on the season; therefore, booking in advance is probably going to get you the cheapest low price.
Avoid high peak travel periods like school holidays, Christmas, and New Year, when the flight fares and accommodation skyrocket. If your travel dates are flexible, you can also take advantage of flash sales from all other airlines and hotels.
Look for cheap airfares.
Make a financial plan for your flights and stick to it. You can generally get a less expensive rate by getting connecting flights rather than flights that go straightforwardly to your preferred destination or by going during the off-season.
By booking your tickets well ahead of time, for instance, 14 days before your schedule, you can cut the expense considerably. You can likewise spare some cash by picking a more modest flight terminal to arrive at and taking a train to your hotel.
Choose your lodging facilities carefully.
Booking your stay during the week when many people are working can yield the best lodging rates. You should also consider the individual lodgings’ rebates and advancements for booking your room early.
In the event that you travel just after the occasions when costs are the most expensive, you can exploit the off-season lower rates. A percentage of the least expensive places to stay are in inns, which are found in urban areas all around the globe.
Saving on your food
A superb approach to saving money on food is to purchase it from a supermarket close to your motel or hotel. You could make two of your dinners from the food obtained at the store and then consistently plan one restaurant supper. Just buy snacks and breakfast from the store and keep them in your room. Keep in mind that numerous hotels offer a free breakfast, which will allow you to save significantly more cash.
Saving on touring
By walking around, you can discover numerous spots like libraries and historical centers that do not require tickets to enter. There is additionally open transportation, which will spare you cash over utilizing a taxi. Avoid the malls; try the local market, as things here are available at reasonable prices compared to the overpriced items at the mall.
If you follow these tips, you can undoubtedly spare cash and never pay more than necessary. By arranging your trip well ahead of time, you will find out and figure out the best costs and will be able to save some money.
Go Somewhere That Is Not Commercially Touristy
It is good to explore with tourists when traveling to big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane since such places are more expensive. Instead try going to smaller places in Tasmania, Cairns, and the Northern Territory.
These destinations offer the most thrilling experiences at an almost negligible fraction of the cost of touring some of the world’s significant holiday destinations.
You can see the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, witness Tasmanian landscapes, or enjoy the millennia-old Uluru rock structure in the heart of the Australian outback. Venturing into lesser commercialized areas allows you to spend less on accommodation, food, and other costs.
Use Public Transport
Australia has well-developed public transport, which often tends to be cheaper than private means. Major cities are quite good for buses, trains, ferries, and trams.
If you travel between places in a big city, do not spend much money. Various passes are available, such as the Opal card in Sydney and Myki in Melbourne, so that tourists can travel at reduced fares. Buses or trains are generally an excellent, inexpensive alternative to flying for travel between cities.
Budget Accommodations
Australia has some pretty expensive hotels and resorts, but for sure, there are just as many budget options as there are for staying and enjoying comfort and convenience. Hostels, Airbnb, motels, and caravan parks are great alternatives if you are on a tight budget.
Many hostels have private rooms with en suite bathrooms that are far cheaper than hotels. However, staying in smaller towns or rural areas means that accommodation costs are way cheaper than those of major cities. You can also camp out well. Australia has wonderful campgrounds in its national parks, along beaches, and close to popular attractions.
Prepare Your Meals
Eating out in restaurants in Australia is rather costly, considering you are at popular tourist destinations. You can save on expenses by buying groceries and preparing meals for yourself. Many hostels and Airbnb rentals come with fully fitted kitchens, through which you can prepare meals for yourself and save on restaurant bills.
With your group, you could also take advantage of the shared cooking facilities to prepare basic meals at a go. When eating out, go to local restaurants or food markets where you can enjoy really delicious food at a lower price than in high-class restaurants.
Use Free and Low-Cost Activities
Australia has many free activities that will make your trip memorable for the rest of your lifetime. Several natural attractions that the country owns, including national parks, beaches, and hiking trails, are absolutely free to find. There are some famous sights like Bondi Beach in Sydney, the
Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road and the Blue Mountains near Sydney are free of charge. You can also enjoy free walking tours in cities and learn about cultures and history without spending a single coin. In addition, many museums and galleries are free entry or are free on certain days of the week in Australia.
Look for Discounts and Passes
In most cities of Australia, there are discount passes available for tourists, through which you can save on various attractions and activities. It covers the discounts for entry to the top tourist attractions, including zoos, museums, theme parks, etc., with the following passes: Sydney Pass, Melbourne Pass, and Go City Pass. It helps you skip the line and acquire a discount above the individual prices of tickets. Remember to ask about group discounts, student discounts, or senior discounts when you book tours or activities.
Group Travel
Group travel with friends or family can also be cheaper because the cost of accommodation, transport, and meals can be shared among the group members. Renting a house or apartment to stay with the group may be very affordable compared to booking separate hotel rooms for everyone.
Many organized tour and activity operators have lower prices if there are more people within a group. So you can have an easy-arranged tour with your people without paying the entire price.
Travel Applications and websites
There are a lot of apps and websites that will help you get the best deals on any of your trips, be it flights, accommodations, or activities. You can compare airfares from different airlines and booking sites by using Skyscanner, Kayak, and Google Flights.
Booking.com and Hostelworld are some websites where you can easily find budget-friendly accommodation in almost any city. Use discount apps like Groupon to score deals on activities, dining, and shopping during your trip.
Conclusion
Suppose you would be spending a year in Australia. In that case, a working holiday visa can become a great way of funding your travel: you can earn money while traveling throughout the country and meet people who are heading to or have already come back from traveling around Australia on the back of a working holiday visa. Australia is one of the few countries that provide working holiday visas specifically for young travelers aged between 18 and 30.
A working holiday visa would allow one to financially sustain himself or herself by working in cafes, farms, or any other sector around Australia while traveling on a budget.