Opt for camping or caravan sites

Perfect for families and lower in cost, these unpretentious accommodations are a great chance to get close to nature and lower your cortisol levels while keeping your holiday spending under control.

Faith Campbell, content director of Qantas magazine, recommends using the Hipcamp app, which functions like Airbnb but for campsites in Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the US. “Hipcamp connects you with private camping areas so you’re guaranteed somewhere to pitch a tent and can choose where it is, what facilities are offered and how private it is – even at the last minute.”

Campbell used it for a recent trip to a bush property near the Wombeyan Caves in New South Wales. “The site had a tank of water and basic toilet facilities but not much more so the daily price was low when shared among four adults. We could drive in so we could bring plenty of kit – yes, there was a solar-powered fridge – and retreat to our cars if the weather suddenly turned.”

Choose land travel over flights

Trains, buses and bikes are not only better for the environment, they’re easier on your wallet. Options such as light rail or shuttle transfers can minimise your holiday budget significantly. Australian travel vlogger Jorden Tually is used to wringing the most fun out of every trip. No stranger to the scenic route, Tually says hiring a car or taking your own on a road trip is often the best way to travel. “I’m a big fan of driving a different route, even if you have to cover more ground, because you get to see more of the country and you never know what hidden gems you’ll stumble upon along the way.”

Driving isn’t the only way to stretch your travel dollar. Train trips, especially scenic ones, are an efficient and exciting way to see the world. “Recently I was in Switzerland and one of the highlights was the Glacier Express, a seven-hour train ride through the Swiss Alps,” says Tually. “They say that the journey is better than the destination and in this case, I’d have to agree because the train ride was the highlight of my week-long trip in the country.”

Manage your travel budget

Tracking spending, avoiding foreign exchange surprises and keeping an eye on currencies can sometimes be overwhelming. Travel content creator Elise McLean says careful planning is crucial for a stress-free holiday – and so is targeted savings.

“My partner and I save money for overseas trips by setting aside funds monthly in a separate account to our everyday spending,” she explains. “We only dip into this account for big trips and we don’t spend any more than we originally budgeted for. We also have this in an account with high interest so we’re growing our holiday fund before we use it.”

The couple keeps track of how much cash they have left to spend and how much they’ve converted into the local currency on their travel card so they can adjust their spend as needed and don’t go over budget. “We work out the rough currency conversion to Australian dollars when travelling to a new country so when we see a menu, are buying tickets or negotiating transport, we know how much we’re spending and that we’re not being charged a ridiculous amount for something.”

Book early and pay ahead to avoid price increases

Often, paying for the big expenses, like flights, ahead of time can help you avoid hefty price surges. Multi-day passes or experience bundles can also help you save. Campbell, who makes it a habit to book trips six months in advance, recommends a targeted approach.

“My number one suggestion for saving on flights is to be flexible,” she says. “Flexibility is easier said than done when you need to organise leave from work and manage school-holiday schedules so I try to be flexible in where to go rather than when. Think about a few destinations that could work for your needs then keep an eye on prices for the dates you’re available to travel. Ticket prices fluctuate for all sorts of reasons and you may be surprised to find a deal that suits you.”

Cut accommodation costs by staying in one location

Hopping from one location and accommodation to another can soon drain your expenses. A more budget-friendly choice? Rent a home in one spot and see the sights from there. It’s also a great way to slow down and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Campbell chose this option last August when she travelled to South Korea with her partner, their young baby and her mum. “Rather than having separate hotel rooms, which would have limited our downtime together, we booked a two-bedroom apartment with room for everyone to relax together or in their own space.” The apartment also had a kitchen and laundry, which are helpful when travelling with kids.

“I researched stays that were located outside the most popular tourist spots, hoping to find a more affordable and genuine local experience,” she says. The group ended up in a neighbourhood called Haebangchon, a vibrant, diverse district in the heart of Seoul. “It had a high street with bakeries, cafés and convenience stores so when we didn’t feel like doing much, everything we needed was nearby.”

When they did want to explore further afield, public buses and Ubers were budget-friendly. Another thing that was budget-friendly was booking a longer stay. “We received a discount for booking two weeks,” says Campbell, who loved having a calm space to retreat to.

Travel in the shoulder season for cheaper deals

“If you travel during the shoulder season, you can get some great deals,” says Tually, who recently spent time in the United Arab Emirates during summer, which is the low season due to extreme heat. “I got five-star hotels for $70 a night, rather than $250,” he says. And if you’re trying to time flights as well, Travel Booking’s AI-powered Price Prediction Tool tracks flight prices and can tell you if it’s a great time to book, making it easier to lock in a deal before fares rise.

Related articles

• Coastal reset: How one couple found a fresh start and slower life in Kingscliff
• Ways you can save while making your home more efficient
• From city to farm: How David and Emelia built a new life at Kimo Estate

Published: 14 May 2026