Travelling to Australia on a Budget
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Australia is a dream destination for many people – from visiting family, a dream holiday or even a gap year travelling around the country. As with any holiday, it can take a lot of organising and with Australia being the other side of the world, it’s not the cheapest place to visit. From visa applications to flights and accommodation to sightseeing, this post has everything you need to know for a budget trip down under.
When undertaking any a holiday of any sort, in particular one that involves travelling halfway across the world, the key to saving money is preparation. Doing lots of research before a trip is either super exciting or a bit tedious depending on what sort of person you are. For me personally, I love the planning stage and always have most things for a big trip planned well ahead of time. Doing thorough research also means being clear on the not so fun details such as luggage allowance, which visa is needed, hotel check-in times and local customs that may need adhering too.
Saving Money On Flights To Australia
Flights are arguably the most expensive part of a trip to Australia so knowing how and when to get a good deal is the key to saving money on them.
Firstly, the cheapest time of year for flights to Australia is April to June and mid-week is typically the cheapest time fly. As usual, school holidays and the run up to Christmas will be the most expensive. Booking ahead of time – as much as a year if possible – will see the best savings although there are sales throughout the year. January sales tend to be the best although it’s worth signing up to Airlines own email newsletters for information on special deals.
Flight comparison websites are also a great way to find and compare the price of plane tickets and offer the option of looking at both direct and indirect journeys. Flying into Sydney will give the biggest choice of airlines and therefore the biggest range of prices.
Do I Need a Visa for Australia?
Yes, a visa for Australia is an essential part of travel and you will not be allowed to board your flight if you do have the correct type of visa in place. If arriving in Australia by cruise ship, your visa will be checked for validity when you disembark.
There are several different types of Australia tourist visa and the visa you need for your trip will depend on your home country (the one named on your passport) and whether your trip is for business, study or pleasure. Other factors that will affect the type of visa you will need also include how long you plan to stay in Austalia for and your criminal history.
It’s worth applying for a visa well ahead of time and before booking some of the other more expensive parts of your trip in case there are any difficulties or complications when applying. This is also the perfect time to check that your passport is still in date and there is plenty of time left on either side of trip (some countries now require you have a minimum of six months remaining before your passport expires).
Finding Budget Accommodation In Australia
Finding the right accommodation for your trip to Australia will depend on what your plans are. If you’re planning to travel around a lot, making use of hostels is a great way to stretch your budget further. You could also consider hiring a camper or caravan so you can travel, sleep on the road on not need to worry about finding somewhere to stay each night. If there is a group of you travelling together you could even consider buying one together and sharing the driving.
Another great budget option would be to stay in an Air B&B. Like hotels, prices can vary hugely but generally speaking, these tend to be cheaper, especially when the accommodation is shared. Another perk of an Air B&B over a hotel is that you’ll usually have access to a kitchen which should make it easier to cook and prepare your own food, which in turn will help save you money.
Saving Money On Food While in Australia
If you’re travelling around Australia, after the flights and accommodation, food will more than likely be your next biggest expense day to day. As mentioned above, if you’re staying somewhere that allows access to a kitchen cooking and preparing your own food is the cheapest way to go, especially if you have access to a fridge for storage.
The average fast-food meal in Australia is around $8 AUD so while fine occasionally, it’s not the cheapest thing to do long term. There are lots of open spaces in Australia so picnicking or even barbequing is a much more budget friendly way to go. If you are planning to eat out, there are plenty of ways to save money – lookout for discount restaurant apps such as Liven and Eatclub. Also, remember to use more well-known discount websites such as Groupon.
Cheap Activities in Australia
Activities are another area that can really eat into your budget, but there are plenty of things to do for free in Australia. Much like the U.K, the majority of museums and galleries in Australia are free to enter – especially handy if you’re staying in a city like Melbourne or Sydney, as there will be plenty to keep you entertained.
Of course, Australia is famed for its extensive coastline, so spending time at the beach is must-do free activity. Most big towns and cities will have various free activities and events throughout the year so it’s worth looking at local tourist board websites. Lots of places also offer free walking tours which can be a great way to explore the local area with a knowledgable guide.
So, to recap here are my top budget tips for travelling to Australia:
- Use a price comparison websites to find cheap flights.
- Make sure your visa is in place before booking anything expensive.
- Hostels and Air B&B are great cheap accommodation that allows you to prepare food
- Look for free activities like walking tours and art galleries.
