9 cheap holiday hacks every traveller needs to know

Dining in Marseille’s buzzing Old Port is a wonderful experience. Waterfront restaurants stretch in every direction, there’s live music in the square, and golden light dances on the water as the sun sets behind the Basilica of Our Lady of the Guard, which sits proudly on a nearby hilltop. But it’s also pricey – this is where everyone wants to be, so dinner can easily be €35-€50 ($57-$82) a person, even before you add wine.

Thankfully, the backpacker in me is still an expert at sniffing out a bargain. Three streets back, a baker sells me a fresh sandwich for €2.50 ($4.10); around the corner, a greengrocer offers a bag of juicy seasonal fruit for €2 ($3.30). I stroll over to the giant “Marseilles” sign, sit on the stairs and voila! A delicious picnic with fantastic ambience and an unmatched view for the regal sum of €4.50 ($7.40).

But creative dining isn’t the only way to maximise value from your holiday spend. Here’s how else you can drive your travel dollar further.

1. PICK COUNTRIES ON CURRENCY

WHAT: Most Aussies are still planning to travel internationally in the next three years despite the cost of living, says Tristan Dakin, ANZ country manager at multi-currency debit card provider Wise. A great way to start is by swapping the US, the UK and the eurozone for destinations with favourable exchange rates.

WHERE: “Places that have affordable exchange rates for Australians right now include Sri Lanka, where $1 is currently buying 202 Sri Lankan rupees,” Tristan says. “It would cost about 1000 rupees, or just under $5, for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital.” He also says Fiji and China are fantastic countries for Australians looking to make their money stretch.

HOW: Lock in your holiday spending money while the Aussie dollar is doing well. Wise has an exchange rate alerts function that lets you know how different currencies are tracking to take away the guesswork.

2. HOLIDAY UNDER THE RADAR

WHAT: Popularity comes at a price – anyone who has been to Byron Bay recently will know a simple flat white is creeping ever closer to $10 a cup. The good news is Australia is bursting with great spots to escape the city, breathe some fresh air and hit the reset button.

WHERE: Reflections Holidays CEO Nick Baker names Scotts Head, between Sydney and Brisbane, as one of his favourite locations. “It’s a stunning little coastal village that doesn’t attract a plethora of tourists, so it’s an ideal getaway,” he says. “It’s an incredible spot for connecting with nature, from a pristine coastline to beautiful walks and breathtaking views from Yarrahapinni Lookout.”

HOW: Reflections Holidays is the largest holiday park group in NSW, with 40 locations. “Current financial circumstances are a reminder that sometimes the best escapes are the ones closest to home,” Nick says.

3. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

WHAT: Speaking of yet-to-boom destinations, lots of so-called B-list cities offer similar experiences to A-list cities, often at a fraction of the price – meaning it pays to broaden your search.

WHERE: Raffles is one of the world’s most famous hotel brands, and usually synonymous with one destination – Raffles Singapore. But Raffles Phnom Penh is also a historic landmark hotel that offers five-star luxury. While the former costs over $1000 for a midweek stay in December, the latter is less than half the price.

4. SLOW DOWN AND SAVE

WHAT: Sometimes, it’s easy to be distracted by the big cost of an international airfare and forget about all the little costs you incur while you’re travelling – especially for the time you spend in transit. The best way to solve this is slowing down and spending more time in fewer destinations on your next trip.

WHERE: “Slow travel is a wonderful way to extract more value from your trip,” says Dean Van Es, CEO of travel insurance company Fast Cover. “Imagine spending a few weeks in a Tuscan villa or a Cotswolds cottage, really living like a local. For an even more unique experience, look into house-swapping.”

HOW: Dean recommends looking into platforms such as Home Exchange to save on accommodation while immersing yourself in a local neighbourhood. Or you can book a longer stay on a platform such as Airbnb, and if it’s in Europe, be sure to snap up a Rail Europe pass to save on local train trips.

5. EXPLORE OFF-PEAK

WHAT: New Zealand has long been one of Australia’s favourite overseas destinations, and it’s lovely at any time of year, but visiting off-peak between March and November means you’ll find fewer crowds, more availability and better value. If you time your trip for spring, you’ll find the weather is warming up and flowers blooming, and budget-friendly outdoor adventures are the way to go.

HOW: “I’m a big fan of outdoor adventure, so one of my personal favourites for spring is hitting the mountain-bike trails in Rotorua’s Redwoods Forest,” says Andrew Waddel, Australia general manager for Tourism New Zealand. “Be sure to refuel nearby at Okere Falls Store, home of New Zealand’s recently crowned best toastie.” You could also tackle one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, which are free, or try a popular experience such as dining under the stars at The Lindis Group’s The Black Diamond.

6. BE STRATEGIC ABOUT SNOW

WHAT: Australians love the snow, but as soon as you say “ski trip”, you can almost hear a cash register going “ka-ching!” A global ski pass such as the Ikon Pass can slash your costs. It includes access to more than 50 snow resorts around the world and you can split your days over two Australian winters, with the northern season in between. That means three snow holidays for the price of one – at least, as far as lift tickets are concerned – with great benefits including discounts for family and friends.

WHERE: Visit Mount Buller or Thredbo in Australia; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mount Hutt in New Zealand; Niseko and Arai in Japan; and an impressive list of North American resorts including Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Palisades Tahoe, and Mammoth Mountain.

HOW: “Lots of Australians turn up and buy tickets on the day,” says Rhylla Morgan from Mount Buller. “But there are lots of ways to make skiing more affordable – it’s about digging into season memberships, looking into the Ikon Pass, and planning your trips for the next two years to get the best value.”

7. CONSIDER ALL-INCLUSIVE DEALS

WHAT: Australians are the world’s most prolific cruisers per capita for good reason. It’s not just a great holiday, it can be an affordable one – and if you get an all-inclusive fare, it’s easy to manage your budget.

WHERE: Cruises can whisk you away to far horizons such as Vanuatu and New Caledonia, or give you a new perspective on your own backyard. Carnival Cruises, which sails from Brisbane and Sydney, offers great mini-escapes to local destinations such as Airlie Beach, Moreton Island and Hobart.

HOW: All Carnival Cruises fares include accommodation, main meals on board, entertainment and use of most of the on-board facilities. Your family will enjoy live shows, entertainers, trivia, karaoke, dance classes, movies, swimming pools, the waterpark, the gym, minigolf and more. There are options to upgrade your cabin, add a drinks package, opt in for shore excursions, try the specialty dining options, or use the spa – but even on the base fare, you’re guaranteed to create amazing family memories.

8. BOOK EXPERIENCES FOR LESS

WHAT: Travel operators aren’t immune to rising costs, but they’re conscious they can be prohibitive, so some companies – such as Contiki – are offering new inflation price promises to keep costs manageable. “Going on a Contiki is a rite of passage for many young Aussies, and we want to ensure it remains affordable with the rising cost of living so the next generation can continue to experience the magic of travel – without having to live off tinned beans,” says Toni Ambler, Contiki managing director.

WHERE: Contiki is winding back prices on 90 per cent of its European itineraries for 2025, including the 25-day European Quest which starts and finishes in London. It will be about $700 cheaper next year, visiting nine countries on a coach tour with an average group size of 42, all aged between 18 and 35.

9. CHANNEL SCROOGE AT DISNEY

WHAT: Simplify your next family holiday by swapping mega-resorts for boutique accommodation. “‘Kids’ clubs’ and ‘affordable’ typically don’t go in the same sentence,” says Kirstin Edwards, creator of kids’ travel diary company My Big Adventure. “Kids will be just as happy in a pool with some pool toys and ice cream.”

WHERE: If you’re going to Disneyland, Kirstin suggests staying at Hotel Pepper Tree. It’s only seven minutes away, plus it has a kitchen and it’s near a supermarket, which will help your dollars stretch a lot further.

HOW: Pad out your trip with free activities such as snapping the Hollywood Sign or walking along the Venice Beach boardwalk.