Cheapest Ways to Travel to Australia | Plan a Bucket List Trip

Nowadays, travelling to the globe may seem incredibly expensive due to many factors, such as rising fuel prices, increasing demand for travel, fluctuating rates of currency exchange, and others. Additionally, in 2024, global airfares are also expected to increase between 3% and 7%, which has made travelling far out of reach for many.

But there are many things to know before travelling to Australia on a budget and many practices to adopt to enjoy your trip around Australia.

Now, with a single click, we can easily find out more about smarter transport options, more affordable accommodation options, and more ways to travel cheaply in a foreign country, like Australia.

Whether it’s a short break from the daily grind, a staycation, or backpacking, travel allows you to recharge, explore, and create memories that may last a lifetime. However, it is essential to make plans wisely, find the best deals, and consider the most cost-effective ways of travelling to enjoy the trip on a low-budget Land Under Down.

In this blog post, I will share with you the cheapest ways to travel to Australia in 2024. So plan a bucket list trip and make it memorable as well as affordable.

Are you ready to Travel to Australia on a budget?

Yes? 

So, let get started to catch a plane!

Before we dive in, let’s discuss why Australia is such a compelling destination for travelers around the world. 

Why is Australia a Well-Desired Travel Destination?

Over the decades, Australia has become the most popular and well-desired travel destination. According to a survey, over 7 million international visitors arrived for a short visit in 2023. Australia is a vast country that possesses incredible and beautiful destinations to visit. 

Apart from Australia’s wall-peppery landscape, vibrant culture, bizarre wildlife, and wild adventures, there are many other things to offer you. Undoubtedly, its spectacular natural attraction will get you lost in otherworldly landscapes.

Once you arrive, you would love to visit more than one place to capture every moment. Further, you will have a chance to see some of Australia’s weird and wonderful creatures, such as kangaroos, koalas, the elusive platypus, and more.

In short, to have a cheap holiday in Australia, there is much freedom to roam!

Lets Find out the Cheapest Ways to Travel to Australia in 2024

Travelling around Australia can be done in many ways, but it always requires proper planning in advance to make the visit affordable. So, be prepared before traveling to Australia for the best possible deals. 

Here are some of the cheapest travel ways and bonus tips that can lead you to explore Australia for less. 

1. Create a Budget Plan

A sound budget plan is a cornerstone of experiencing an economical trip to any foreign country like Australia. First of all, try to figure out the expenses required to choose an affordable location, including the average cost of transportation, accommodation, food, and other essential expenses.

Setting a proper budget before travelling to Australia will help you enjoy all the wonders of the Land Down Under without financial stress. It will also help you prioritise your spending on experiences that matter most to you and avoid unexpected costs that could derail your dream vacation.

Bonus Tips:

If you are unsure how to set a travel budget, it is recommended that you use online budget-creating tools such as Budget Your Trip to make daily cost estimates for your prior destination. 

For example: 

• Low budget (backpacker): For two people, the daily budget would be around $84, which is about $42 per person
• Average budget (traveler): For two people, the daily budget would be around $123, which is about $61.50 per person.
• High budget (tourist): For two people, the daily budget would be around $149, which is about $74.50 per person.

 

2. Find Out Affordable Places

Do proper research and find out the cheapest places to travel in Australia. Remember, your trip to Australia doesn’t have to break the bank. Australia is known for its high cost of living, especially in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, but you can also find affordable places in other cities to visit without overspending.

With effective budget management, you can allocate your funds to your prioritised places within Australia. It is advisable to consider regional cities like Adelaide and Cairns, as they offer lower cost of living as compared to larger cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

Check out Top 10 Holiday Destinations in Australia You Should Visit

 

3. Plan Your Trip During Off-Peak Season

Identify Off-peak time via research to know when the off-peak season occurs in Australia and plan your trip accordingly. Generally, this season is considered for summer holidays outside Australia. Many tourists choose to fly to Australia during its peak travel season. However, the off-peak season might be different in various regions and states.

When you plan your trip during the off-peak season in Australia, it will significantly reduce travel costs. As demand is lower during the off-peak season, you will find cheaper flight rates, accommodations, and even some activities.

The significant advantages of off-peak travel to Australia may include absence of large crowds, more relaxed sightseeing, and a generally peaceful experience. Further, you will have a better chance of interacting with locals, leading to a more authentic and enriching travel experience in Australia. 

Bonus Tips

Australia is an outdoor country accessible to tourists throughout each season, as it has four seasons and three different climate zones. However, the best time to travel to Australia is Spring, which falls between September and November, and Autumn falls March to May. During these seasons, you can enjoy Australia’s beauty and diversity in many affordable places. 

Note: Peak travel season in Australia might differ based on region, but generally, it revolves around the summer months from December to February. In the northern parts of Australia, like Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region, a peak season might be during the winter months from June to August.

 

4. Cheap Transportation

One of the highest portions of the cost is spent on travel among overall travel budgets when it comes to travel to Australia. Due to the increasing demand for tourism, it has been difficult to jump on a great deal of flights. So, you need to cut down on travel expenses, which require strategic planning both before and after travelling to Australia in 2024.

It will help if you keep an eye on cheaper airline offers and flight ticket promotions, as many airline companies offer special discounts during off-peak periods, especially if you are flexible with your travel dates and book in advance. Some of the familiar airlines offer competitive rates and occasional promotions, such as Jetstar, Scoot Airline, AirAsia, Bonza, Rex Airline, Qantas Airways, Virgin Australia, and more. 

Bonus Tips

Try to cut down on travel expenses for your trip to Australia in 2024 by considering the following strategies:

Pre Travel Tips

• Book Flights from Smaller Airports: Sometimes, smaller airports offer cheaper flights than main airports.
• Choose the Right Time to Buy Tickets: With time, prices fluctuate throughout the year. For example, tickets from October to February can be more expensive due to Australian holidays.
• Visa and Passport Costs: To avoid renewal fees, make sure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay in Australia.
• Travel Insurance: Check if your credit card or insurance company covers your insurance during your stay abroad; if not, shop around for affordable travel insurance.

Post Travel Tips

• Use Public Transportation: You must plan to use public transportation, which is often cheaper than renting a car or using taxis in Australia. 
• Avoid Peak Holiday Times: As mentioned above, travelling to Australia during peak times may be more expensive and crowded. So, plan your tour during off-peak times to save money.

 

5. Packing Light with Minimum List

You don’t need to pack years’ worth of clothes into a suitcase. Try to be ruthless while packing instead of keeping up with the fashion. Some airlines don’t allow more than one or two free luggage bags. They used to charge for check-in bags. So, light packing can be the best way to travel to Australia cheaply. It might be helpful to travel more easily on public transportation, walk, and restrain yourself from paying extra taxes in Australia. 

Bonus Tips

To avoid check-in taxes, follow bag-packing hacks such as:

• Divide your clothes and accessories into packing cells or cubes so that they may take up less space.
• Pack and organise your outfits according to your daily plans to make it easier to unpack everything.
• Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space and reduce wrinkles.  

To learn more about packing hacks, read this blog: What to pack before travelling to Australia?

 

6. Budget Friendly Accommodations

Explore different accommodations before travelling to Australia, such as shared houses and rental apartments that may fit your budget. Hotels may be expensive, so it is better to stay in hostels. They are the cheapest living places and a great way to socialise with tourists across the world. For this purpose, use the Hostel World app. It will not only help you find the cheapest accommodation in Australia or compare other affordable living options. 

Bonus Tips

• For solo travelers, it is best to look for hostels with private or dormitory-style rooms. These hostels often offer free Wi-Fi, kitchens, and other social areas where you can enjoy your surroundings.
• If you prefer more privacy, look for deals on budget-friendly hotels or motels without sacrificing essential amenities. You can search websites, such as  Booking.com or Hostels.com to find the best deals for your stay in Australia. 
• If you have your partner or family members along and need a rental home, you can find rental properties for a vacation. Platforms like Airbnb offer many cost-effective rental houses, apartments, and other properties.

7. Cheap Meals

When it comes to dining out on a budget in Australia, you will find a variety of food points that offer delicious tastes without breaking the bank. Australia has a variety of tourist restaurants, as they are often very delicious and affordable for tourists. You can easily find a great deal of food at affordable prices in popular cities like Melbourne, Sydney, and more. Apart from budget meals, you can have a variety of dishes like Thai in Adelaide and pub feeds in Canberra.

Bonus Tips

• Visit local food markets like Sydney’s Spice Alley and Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market. These markets often have a wide range of affordable food stalls that offer everything from Asian street food to classic Aussie snacks. 
• Further, look for happy hours and daily specials, as Australian restaurants often offer high-quality dishes at low prices. 
• Another way to curb your meal expenses is to cook by yourself at your accommodation with kitchen facilities. 
• Download apps like EatClub to find last-minute deals at restaurants across your accommodation in Australia. 

8. Sightseeing & Activities

If you want to explore Australia on a budget, you would be surprised to know that there are numerous affordable places across the continent. 

Australia offers numerous affordable and accessible sightseeing options to attract thousands of international visitors. A multitude of intonations visit Australia worldwide to mesmerise its beauty and diverse culture. Its historic areas contain glimpses of Sydney’s ancient cobbled streets and colonial buildings that you can watch via free walking visits.

By leveraging these affordable sightseeing opportunities, you can enjoy the best of Australia without spending a lot. So research the best affordable natural beauty, cultural secrets, and historical landmarks that would not cost you a dime. 

Bonus Tips

• Get a city tourist card, which will help you visit multiple sites at an affordable entrance price. This card allows you to visit various top sites without the hefty price tag.
• Australia has a beautiful landscape, natural attractions, and stunning beaches, many of which are free to visit. From the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney to the serene shores of Whitehaven Beach in Queensland, you can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf without paying any cost.  
• Many international parks in Australia offer free entrance or just ask for the lowest conversation fee. For breathtaking natural beauty, explore the Blue Mountains near Sydney and the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland.  

9. Local Tips & Hacks 

If you are travelling on a tight budget, make a budget plan and stick to it. Proper planning will prevent you from getting stuck on an expensive tour. No doubt, planning before travelling to Australia in 2024 is a cornerstone to experiencing a budget-friendly tour.  But a plan is not enough without action.

Here are some savvy local tips and hacks that will help you make the journey down under as economical as memorable like:

• Before setting off a budget, make a budget plan and stick to it.
• Prioritise your must-see landmarks to make sure you get all your favorite places.
• Find out free activities in Australia within your visit dates and secure them by booking in advance.
• Familiarise yourself with the standard entry fees of different places to avoid getting scammed in Australia.
• Using alternative Airports to fly into various cities other than Sydney, like Melbourne or Brisbane, might offer cheaper airfare options.
• Never exchange money at the airport or the busiest tourist places where rates are at their peaks.
• Use a local SIM card to save money.
• Use offline maps to conserve data usage. 

 

So, now you have understood the cheapest ways to travel to Australia and made a plan. 

What to do next?

 

Secure a Visit Visa Australia to travel to Australia in 2024

Making plans and getting ready to travel to Australia is not enough to explore Australia cheaply. You must need to secure a Visit Visa Australia first as it is a passport to start your journey Down Under. Without a visa, it is like setting sail without a compass; both are essential to reach your desired destination. Once it is in hand, you can dive into the myriad cost-effective travel options available in 2024.  

 

Now it’s the time to take your flight  towards Australia with your prior visit visa stream.