Lock in the essentials before you book
Before you start swooning over boutique accommodation, consider the overlooked basics. “Travel insurance, visas and local transit passes should be locked into the budget before you even look at flights or hotels,” says Matthew Newton, co-founder of LeatherBack Travel. “They’re the costs people forget until they’re standing at the airport or train station without them.” Deciding on your essentials upfront keeps your budget tight and prevents unexpected expenses from derailing your spending plans down the track.
Save on airfares by flying mid-week
Flexibility is key for cheaper airfares. “Flying mid-week or out of season is usually a better money saver than waiting for a specific day to book,” says travel content creator Tiffany Lawrence. Set alerts with the Price Prediction tool in Travel Booking via the CommBank app to stay across the best available deals.
Travel outside peak periods
Take a moment to consider the timing of your trip. For many, this decision is settled after a quick “best time of year to visit” search – but this can backfire on your wallet. “Everyone else is searching for exactly the same thing, which pushes up prices and crowds during those windows,” explains Newton. “Being flexible on when you travel, rather than chasing the so-called optimal season, takes a lot of pressure off both the budget and the booking process.” Shifting your dates into the shoulder season can shave up to 50 per cent off accommodation and airfares while giving you room to breathe.
Get through airport security faster
Getting through airport bottlenecks comes down to prepping before you step through the terminal doors. Lawrence’s airport rules are simple: check in online, travel carry-on only whenever possible and head straight through security upon arrival. Keep your passport, boarding pass and liquids easily accessible in an outer pocket to avoid being the person slowing down the line.
Smart packing tips for every trip
Packing well is about structure, versatility and leaving room for the unexpected. “Pack clothing that can be mixed and matched and use packing cubes to stay organised,” says Lawrence, who rolls her clothes instead of folding to prevent deep creases and save vital bag real estate. And don’t forget to leave a little buffer room in your suitcase so you aren’t fighting to zip it up after picking up souvenirs along the way.
Create your own in-flight sleep kit
Long-haul economy flights don’t have to ruin your sleep cycle. “A weighted eye mask, earphones, a supportive neck pillow and a reusable water bottle make a huge difference,” says Lawrence. Stay hydrated throughout the flight and actively block out ambient light and cabin noise. You’ll step off the plane feeling like a human rather than a zombie.
Look beyond traditional stopover cities
Defaulting to major stopover capitals out of habit is one of the quickest ways to inflate your travel budget. Mark Trim, founder and director of Complex Travel Group, notes that skipping traditional layover points pays off. “Rarely is London seen as the best base nowadays,” he says. “With the growth in flights to continental ports, low-cost travel between European ports is far more readily available.” Booking a multi-city ticket – landing directly in Munich instead of London or flying home out of Rome rather than backtracking to Paris – can save you extra transit days, connection fees and double-handling baggage.
How to spot a tourist trap
Finding great local food without getting ripped off requires a quick eye for warning signs. “If staff are standing outside trying to pull people in or if there are no locals inside, it’s usually a red flag,” warns Lawrence. Avoid dining spots that lack visible, clear pricing on their menus. Walking just two blocks off the main tourist drag can help you find authentic, reasonably priced meals.
Avoid unnecessary overseas transaction fees
Holiday budgets can be tricky to manage and small extras can add up. Switching to a travel-ready card like the CommBank Ultimate credit card could help plug those leaks with no international transaction fees on overseas and online purchases. Even better, it works hard for you between trips, offering eligible customers up to $300 in annual travel credits ($25 monthly) to use on exclusive flight and hotel offers via Travel Booking provided by Hopper*, plus two complimentary airport lounge passes each year*. Search CommBank Ultimate credit card.
See more for less with rail travel
Train travel delivers epic views without driving stress but luxury rail lines come with steep prices. The ultimate hack is making travel choices that allow you to see world-class scenery at a fraction of the cost. On Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer, save by choosing SilverLeaf seats over GoldLeaf, booking in April, May or October and arranging independent hotels. In the Swiss Alps, skip Bernina Express fees by taking regional trains along the same tracks. For Sri Lanka’s Kandy to Ella route, skip private cars – reserved second-class seats offer identical tea-country views for about $3.
Use AI to plan your itinerary
Once you know what you’d like to do on your holiday, AI tools can map out daily routes or suggest how long you might want in one place – the trick is knowing the limits. “You can save time but the downside is that AI can sometimes recommend outdated information,” says Lawrence, “So I always double-check opening hours, prices and transport details before locking things in.”