Affordable travel

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Affordable travel
Holiday guide

Affordable travel

From intel on the best budget accommodation to making your dollar stretch further, our experts reveal how to travel light on cash without compromising comfort.

Find great deals for Indonesia between June to September … AYANA Resort Bali.

The world’s 50 greatest travel bargains right now

Travel budget shrinking? Here are the best-value destinations, hotels, flights and more for Australians right now.

  • by Nick Trend and Julietta Jameson
Phi Phi Island, Thailand.

Our experts’ 52 greatest money-saving travel tips

From which day of the week to book your flight to where to score a discounted high-end meal, our travel experts do the bargain hunting for you.

  • by Brian Johnston, Ute Junker, Ben Groundwater, Belinda Jackson and Michael Gebicki

15 must-have travel apps that will help you save a fortune

There’s an army of free apps out there dedicated to saving you money at every stage of the travel experience. Here are some of the best.

  • by Rob McFarland
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The day you choose to fly can have a bit impact on how much you pay.

Change your flight by one day and you could save a fortune

If you’re looking to save dollars and are flexible with time, it really does pay to fly on certain days of the week.

  • by Brian Johnston
A chef cooks at a street side restaurant in Bangkok.

Who needs restaurants? The world’s 10 best places for cheap eats

Street food and local snacks are the only way to go if you’re after delicious, authentic dishes that won’t hit your hip pocket.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Avoid touristy areas if you want to save on your dining bills.

Avoid the rip-offs: How to eat well in Europe on the cheap

Although exchange rates work against us, you can still save on meals in Europe without having to sacrifice enjoyable restaurant experiences.

  • by Brian Johnston
The seaside pool at Novotel Lombok.

Best beach stays in South-East Asia for less than $100 a night

Sandy feet, thatched roofs, water views – it’s the perfect trifecta for a tropical beach getaway.

  • by Belinda Jackson
Experts expect international airfares to start falling for flights after Easter in 2024.

Experts reveal their top tips for getting cheaper flights

These travel hacks could save travellers hundreds of dollars, and sometimes more than $1000 in costs, and make the difference between taking a trip and staying home.

  • by Sue Williams
The beautiful and unique landscape of coastal Oahu, Hawaii and the Kualoa Ranch where Jurassic Park was filmed as shot from an altitude of about 1000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. tra15-rants
Photo credit: iStock
Reusage permitted for print and online

How to travel on a budget in wallet-busting Hawaii

Holiday in Hawaii? Don’t shell out too much; there’s more aloha, less moolah, with these money-saving Hawaii hacks.

  • by Kristie Kellahan
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Instead of Barcelona, try Girona.

13 essential tips for saving money on your next overseas holiday

Follow this advice, and you will be seeing the world and saving your pennies in no time.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Remember: Europe isn’t just France, Italy and Spain, it’s also countries like Bulgaria.

Nine essential tips for travelling Europe on a budget

Remember: Europe isn’t just France, Italy and Spain. But even in the most popular spots you can still keep your travel expenses down.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Goldie Adams, 3, at Thredbo.

Expert tips for making a trip to the snow more affordable

To cut the costs on a trip to the mountains, it comes down to timing, location and preparation.

  • by Jim Darby
Picturesque St Moritz can be a cheaper alternative to Samedan.

How to do one of the world’s most expensive countries on the cheap

Switzerland is expensive but also beautiful, so don’t cut it from your travel list. A few smart strategies will reduce your costs.

  • by Brian Johnston
InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam.

Eight affordable destinations perfect for family holidays

If money’s too tight to mention, these budget-busting destinations make for the perfect family getaway both at home and overseas.

  • by Sheriden Rhodes
The Turkish island of Marmaris (pictured) can be a bargain but beware the high-season hordes of northern Europeans.

The world’s best-value destinations

Travel budget shrinking? We've done the sums for you and selected 20 of the most affordable and good-value destinations right now.

  • by Brian Johnston
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satnov24tokyo Ramen food tour Tokyo Japan ; text by Rob McFarland ; iStock *** REUSE PERMITTED ***Note: Generic Shibuya, Tokyo image. Does not feature the restaurants in the copy. People walking in Shibuya shopping district, Tokyo, Japan

How to travel in Japan on the cheap

Japan is notoriously expensive, but thanks to a weak yen, the price of travelling there has dropped by about a third.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Planespotters get a prime view from the bar at 'The House' in Melbourne Airport's international terminal.

Eight Australian airport lounges you can access without flying business class

Relaxing in a lounge is one way to help alleviate the current stressful period of air travel.

  • by Michael Gebicki
It's easy to avoid using cash in Australia, but overseas you'll probably still need some local currency.

Do you still need to use cash when you travel overseas? Debit vs credit cards and more money tips

The supermarket, the petrol station, the cafe - it's all tap and go. No cash required. But can you get away with having no cash overseas?

  • by Michael Gebicki
Sleeping in a room full of strangers requires a sturdy degree of trust.

The seven things you may have forgotten about hostels

Here are seven of the heartwarming highs and nose-crinkling lows you may have forgotten.

  • by Michael Fowler
Plated with 16,000 glittering aluminium tiles, the building itself is one of the attractions at Museo Soumaya, where the collection includes works by Picasso, Van Gogh and Rodin's sculpture The Thinker.

Best free attractions: The 50 amazing sites that won't cost you a cent

Whatever type of traveller you are, it is hard to pass up a freebie.

  • by Ute Junker
If you have ever flown Jetstar to or from Melbourne's Avalon airport, you will appreciate that which airport you land at or take off from makes a big difference.

Are budget airlines worth it? These four questions will tell you whether to book

When you are trying to stretch your travel dollar, booking with a budget airline seems smart. But things are not necessarily that clear cut.

  • by Ute Junker
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If you need to transfer money overseas to pay for a hotel booking, there are better options than using your bank.

How to save money when paying for overseas holiday bookings

Paying in advance often gives you the best rate, but be careful how you transfer cash overseas – some services offer a far better rate than the bank.

  • by Michael Gebicki
In Copenhagen, tourist passes are good value.

How to do the most expensive part of Europe on the cheap

Scandinavia is notoriously expensive, but savvy travellers can cut the cost of visiting Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

  • by Brian Johnston
The pool at the Byron Bay YHA.

I stayed in a youth hostel with my kids and disturbed the backpackers

I used to stay in this very hostel back in my early 20s, but I’ve never stayed in one with my kids. I’m here to see if it’s a good idea.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Aperitivo is a deeply cherished tradition in Italy.

How to eat (almost) for free when in Italy

Aperitivo can be a fantastic deal – if you keep the drinks flowing, the free snacks do too.

  • by Natasha Bazika