Eager to leave? Advice for Australians facing sky-high travel costs

A return economy flight from Australia to Europe on a route that does not require multiple or long stopovers will cost at least $4500 and, on some dates, more than $6,000. Around $3,000 is the cheapest fare, including multiple or long stopovers and travel times of up to 40 hours. A direct flight from Los Angeles to the United States costs $4,300.

The increase is staggering compared to pre- or even mid-pandemic levels. It was once enough to cover an entire vacation and still have money left over, but it is now just the price of a plane ticket.

Flight Centre’s managing director, Andrew Stark, said that the high fares are due to a combination of factors, including a lack of competition, rising fuel prices, and fewer airlines flying into Australia.

Skyscanner’s Naomi Hahn, a price comparison website, says that the fact Australians want to leave their country after two years of travel restrictions and uncertainty has compounded the problem. The strong demand for seats sometimes exceeds the available ones, which leads to higher ticket prices.

Stark says that domestically, accommodation costs are increasing and are selling out more quickly. Now that the international border is open again, many Australian holiday destinations have been booked up… some even for the remainder of the year.

Many Australians are struggling to afford a winter getaway or a reunion with friends and family overseas.

Traveling on a budget isn’t possible right now. You will have to compromise on location, route, planning time, or even all three. Travel experts agree that with some strategic concessions, you can still get a good value for money trip.

Plan for any trip.

Stark states that the current uncertainty is causing “customers to book closer to their dates of travel than ever before.” This is understandable, but it can also mean paying more. Book as soon as possible because the more you book in advance, the better the deal.

Skyscanner’s data shows that the best time to book an itinerary to London is, on average, 18 weeks before the departure date.

The same is true in the US. Data from the flight comparison tool Hopper show that prices are above average or even well above average for flights to Los Angeles, and direct flights can cost as little as $2,000.

The prices for travel during peak periods in December and early January are also high.

Even domestic trips require planning, particularly during busy periods like school holidays and long weekends. Stark advises that you should consider booking school holidays right after the last school holiday period.

Book Insurance

Stark recommends that you purchase “good quality travel insurance” as soon as possible after booking your first flight. This will ensure you are covered if anything changes. This may add to the cost of your trip but could pay for itself if something goes wrong.

Most travel insurance policies do not cover cancellations made more than 48 hours prior to the purchase of the policy. So, book your insurance as soon as you plan your trip or even before.

Stay close to home and midweek for short breaks.

The price increase for domestic flights is not as high, but the best way to save money on a short trip is to avoid the costs of flying and renting a car and choose a destination that can be reached by public transport or car.

Daniel Finch, a Wotif expert, says that the Grampians offer “some of Australia’s best value accommodation, with rates on average less than $200 a night”. Sam Bates has just completed a new mural in the region as part of its 200km Silo Art Trail.

A New South Wales break that embraces the winter chill is the most economical. Wotif suggests Orange, where accommodation costs an average of $172 per night. Albury and Murray Region also offer good availability at reasonable prices. In South Australia, prices on the Limestone Coast are around $158 per night, just three hours from Adelaide, near the Victorian border.

Wotif’s top pick for warmer getaways is Queensland’s Fraser Coast, which has good accommodation availability and an average nightly price of $174.

Finch believes that traveling outside of peak times – such as midweek instead of weekends – will likely result in lower prices.

If you want to stay longer in your own country, go where tourists don’t.

Booking a package that includes both accommodation and travel is more cost-effective than booking separately.

Stark claims that the best deals in Australia are currently found at “destinations which aren’t popular with international tourists.” The Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia offer some excellent deals.

He recommends that you also keep an eye out for flight sales, which “are just as frequent, if not even more so than before Covid.”

Wotif recommends North Queensland as the best place to enjoy a warm-weather break during winter. The best rates and availability are found in Mackay and Townsville, where the average accommodation costs $149 per night and $154 per day, respectively. Cairns offers reasonable availability and prices.

Darwin and Katherine also make good choices for warmer weather. However, you’ll need to consider car rental costs, which begin at $100 per day according to the price comparison website Kayak.

Wotif says that there are still plenty of rooms available (and good weather) along the Coral Coast in Western Australia. However, accommodation costs an average of $209 per night.

Renting an RV or caravan can combine your car hire and accommodation costs. The rates at caravan parks are usually cheaper or free. You can rent vans through traditional rental car companies or the peer-to-peer website Camplify.

Try Hipcamp for affordable campsites. It offers powered and unpowered sites, tents that are already set up, and even tiny homes on private property across Australia.

Be flexible when traveling abroad.

Hahn recommends using Skyscanner’s “whole-month” and “cheapest-month” search options if you are flexible about dates.

Hahn recommends the “anywhere” option for those who are more interested in a trip than a destination. This search will show the cheapest trips available throughout the month, both within the country and abroad. There are economy return trips to Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore in July for less than $400.

Stark states that “destinations which were popular because of their ease and value, like Bali, Fiji, and even Hawaii, are still excellent places to enjoy a holiday at a great price.” Stark says that prices will likely fall as more destinations relax their travel restrictions. This will lead to increased competition in the market.

Hahn says that mixing and matching airlines and airports can help you save money. Flying with one airline, then another, or from one airport to another can help you save money.

Booking through multiple airlines increases your administrative workload if you have to change or cancel your plans.

You can save money by setting up alerts that track the price over time, especially if you book in advance. You can do this on Google and most of the major comparison travel websites.

You can save money on accommodation when you arrive by using programs like house swapping; the non-profit exchange network Welcome, or house or pet care.