Overdue for a holiday? Itching for some time away from home with the family or just your significant other? We’ve all had the feeling of needing a getaway. But when finances are tight, it can be tricky to put some time and money aside for a “proper” holiday
By choosing the right place and booking at the right time, you can enjoy a fantastic getaway without forking out your entire savings account. These cheap holiday ideas will be sure to help your family unwind and bond.
Cheap Holiday Destinations from Australia
1. Indonesia
Pictured: Mount Rinjani, Lombok
For many Aussies, the first place that comes to mind for cheap places to go on holiday is Bali. If your dream holiday involves breathtaking beaches, bustling markets, vibrant nightlife and delicious seafood, Bali may indeed be the best cheap holiday destination for you.
But Indonesia has so much more to offer than this hyped tourist hub.
If you’re put off by Bali’s reputation or have been before and didn’t enjoy it, consider visiting one of these Indonesian alternatives:
- Lombok – Bali’s less developed and less crowded sister island
- Solo – a city brimming with authentic Javanese culture and traditional shopping centres
- Bunaken – a tiny isle with amazing underwater views (ideal for experienced divers)
- Bintan – an amazing island for golfers and water sports enthusiasts (great spas too!)
- Yogyakarta – splendid temples, natural wonders, and plenty of shopping opportunities.
Find the Best Deals: Indonesia
2. Turkey
Pictured: The white travertine pools and terraces in Pamukkale
Current economic struggles make Turkey a very affordable place to travel at the moment. There’s never been a better time to explore fascinating architecture and panoramas, witness the stunning white terraces of Pamukkale, visit ancient ruins, and cruise the Mediterranean in this beautiful country.
If paying your respects at Gallipoli is on your bucket list, now is a great time to book a holiday in Turkey.
Find the Best Deals: Turkey
3. New Zealand
Pictured: Jetboating in Queenstown
One of the best cheap holiday destinations from Australia is just across the ditch. While the culture and cost of living aren’t hugely different, the affordable flights make New Zealand a very attractive getaway for anyone who just needs some time away.
From the rich culture and revitalising thermal springs of Rotorua to the modern metropolis of Auckland, from the thrill-seeking paradise of Queenstown to the glorious national parks and scenery on every horizon, there’s something in New Zealand to delight anyone.
Find the Best Deals: New Zealand
4. Vietnam
Pictured: Ninh Binh
It may cost a little extra to get to Vietnam, but the cost of living during your trip will be incredibly low. Cheap yet delicious market meals and shopping bargains make it a dream destination for travellers on a budget.
This means you can save your holiday funds to truly enjoy all the attractions the country has to offer. Some of the most highly recommended things to see and do in Vietnam include:
- The Cu Chi Tunnels
- The Mekong River with its floating markets
- Hoi Ann Ancient Town
- The shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
- Bai Tu Long Bay
- Lake of the Restored Sword
- Ninh Binh
- Hoi An Impression Theme Park
- Son Doong Cave in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.
Find the Best Deals: Vietnam
5. Australia
One of the best cheap holiday destinations from Australia is… Australia.
Let’s face it: Our backyard is massive. It would take a lifetime of travelling to explore all the cultural and natural wonders our own country has to offer. So, if your budget is making it tricky to book overseas flights or a long-term stay in another country, why not take a holiday closer to home? You could:
Backyard Camp
Sometimes the best budget holiday ideas are hiding right under your nose (or right on your doorstep). This one is ideal for treating younger children to a holiday that’s barely beyond the backdoor. Find the furthest patch of grass in your backyard, set up the family tent, and pack all the gear you’d take on a real camping trip.
Apart from using the bathroom, restrict your family from going back in the house. Challenge the kids to see who can last the longest without their creature comforts. This is a great way to reconnect with nature while spending quality time with your family – without any screens.
Staycation with the Grandparents
They love seeing their grandkids. They don’t live too far away. And they have a spare room available (for free). If you’re looking for family holiday ideas on a budget, staying a few nights with nan and pop checks a lot of boxes.
If this is a viable option for your family, it’s well worth your consideration. You’ll still get some much-needed time away from your own home, and your children will get to connect with their grandparents.
Road Trip
You don’t need to leave the country – or even your state – to have an exciting adventure. In Australia, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to road trip options. No matter where you live, you can hit the road and be somewhere new and fascinating within hours. For example:
- NSW – Conquer the Greater Blue Mountains Drive.
- Queensland – Straddle the coastline from Cairns to Brisbane.
- Victoria – Explore the iconic Great Ocean Road.
- WA – Venture from Perth to Margaret River.
- SA – Discover the Barossa Valley.
- NT – Drive from Darwin to Kakadu.
- Tasmania – Trek the east coast from Hobart to Launceston.
Find The Best Holiday Deals
You can search online for a range of cheap holiday packages. Check out the following travel apps and discover where to go with great deals that won’t hurt your pocket.
TripAdvisor
With the all-new TripAdvisor, you’ll discover helpful travel recommendations and advice from the people you follow and easily save and share ideas to plan and book your perfect getaway. There are millions of traveler reviews and photos, bookable tours and attractions, and recommended restaurants — it’s everything you need to know and go better, every time.
The TripAdvisor app uses your location to notify you on personalized hotel, attraction and vacation rental recommendations, restaurant, as well as remember the places you visited via Travel Timeline feature.
Airbnb
With Airbnb, you can now start your unforgettable travel experiences. Find travel adventures and new places to go near or far, and access vacation home rentals, places to visit all around the world, and new experiences.
Book everything for your trip, or start earning money as a host
For Travellers:
- Search for last minute travel accommodations or long-term rentals.
- Save your favourite rental homes, experiences, and places
- Book vacation home rentals and travel experiences for your next solo journey, family vacation, or business trip.
- Add experiences and events to your itinerary.
- Message your host and get directions to your home.
For Hosts:
- Share your extra space or lead experiences that showcase what makes your city great.
- Update your listing and calendar availability.
- Share what’s special about your neighbourhood with a host guidebook.
- Message guests and manage their reservations.
Trivago
Find hotels for your holiday or business trip, discover a last minute city break, or a winter sun weekend deal. With more than a million hotels to choose from and hundreds of worldwide booking sites to compare, plan your next trip stress-free!
- Discover travel discounts, deals, and savings from hotels worldwide so you can travel cheaply
- Compare and find hotels, motels, or B&B’s from hundreds of bookings sites worldwide
- Keep your hotel search within budget, search by both location and price, and easily compare
- Hotel search with the Trivago Rating Index® to see the combined online ratings of all available hotel review scores
- Set a trip itinerary for that last minute getaway
Skyscanner
Whether you’re booking holiday, a city break, or a romantic trip, Skyscanner is the best travel planner to instantly search, compare, and book cheap flight tickets, hotels, and car hire deals anytime, anywhere for your next trip.
Skyscanner can find you the best holiday deals out there in seconds. Search over 1,200 travel sites at once to instantly get the best deal across Expedia, Wotif, Qantas, Emirates, Booking.com, Budget and more!
- No booking fees or hidden charges
- Get notified of any price changes with Skyscanner Price Alerts push notifications
- Easily find and compare the cheapest days and months to fly with a colour-coded calendar and chart view
- Filter results by airline, flight length, stopovers, cabin class, departure and arrival times
- With the new Trips feature, you can keep track of your journeys and all your bookings in the one place
- Search the world’s car hire deals in seconds from over 30,000 car hire airport or city locations
- Skyscanner team is contactable 24/7
- Earn frequent flyer points when you search for and book cheap flights.
If you’d like to spend a little more for a fancier holiday, a holiday loan might give you the extra budget for a nicer Airbnb or an extra night away.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Cigno Loans’ articles do not replace advice from an accountant or financial advisor. All information provided is intended to be used as a guide only, as it does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you consult a licensed financial or tax advisor.