11. Hack your care hire
“If you’re a spontaneous traveller, book a relocation car hire. You’ll have to drive a set route and find a way home but rentals can start from just $1 a day and some include a fuel allowance.” – Stephanie Yip, Escape E-commerce travel writer
12. Hand over your credit card
“Ditch the debit card when asked for pre-authorised credit on a cruise or when checking in to a hotel as it could take up to 10 days to reverse the charge and leave all your spending money tied up. Instead, hand over a credit card.” – Dilvin Yasa, Escape’s Doc Holiday
14. Check the right boxes
Flip the way you search for flights and make your destination ‘Explore Everywhere’ on Skyscanner. Enter dates, your departure airport and leave the destination open. You’ll get an instant picture of which places are cheaper to reach.
15. Pay before you go
There’s one resort inclusion that can save a family hundreds of dollars – breakfast. If you’re staying in a destination with few dining options outside of the resort, like Fiji’s Coral Coast or Bali’s Nusa Dua, book a resort where breakfast is included. A family of four can save hundreds on a seven-night holiday in this way.
16. Delay breakfast time
Speaking of breakfast …“If you have breakfast included, pop in closer to the end of service, that way it’s technically brunch and you’ve got one less meal to pay that day.” – Stephanie Yip, Escape’s E-commerce travel writer
17. Hop on, hop off
“The double decker sightseeing buses you can jump on in many cities are an easy and affordable way to get your bearings in a city, plus get a basic tour in for a fraction of the price. They also run frequently so they offer flexibility.” – Kerrie McCallum, Escape’s editor in chief
18. Pay by the day
Hit the slopes with the family without the hefty price tag – just go for the day. Resorts like Selwyn Snow Resort in NSW and Mt Donna Buang in Victoria offer dedicated snow play day entry from $25.
20. See for free
Dilute a costly stay in the Olympic city with a day or two of free touristing: picnic beside the Eiffel Tower, explore the Jardin du Luxembourg, window shop (and people watch) on the Champs Elysees and wander through the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, the last resting place of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
21. Ask the expert
Good value lies in local knowledge and nothing beats your hotel concierge. They can help you find the best value places to eat, cheap days at museums, free walking tours and more.
22. Stay on the outskirts
You often pay a premium to stay in the city centre of any country. But in most parts of the world, like Paris or Rome, public transport to city centres is cheap and dependable – especially trains. Going suburban and ‘commuting’ is the perfect way to see more of a city for less.
23. Buy a visitor pass
“Always visit the official tourism website of the city, region or country you’re visiting and look for visitor passes. The New York City Pass, for example, will save you 40 per cent on the city’s top five attractions and the London Pass offers 50 per cent savings on major attractions.” – Jana Frawley, Escape content director
24. Pick a pick-up spot
Check if it’s cheaper to hire a car at the airport or city before booking. Often the city is more affordable, so jump on a train or taxi to the city to pick up your car.
26. Check the fine print
Car hire can attract a substantial excess in case of damage to the car. It’s worth checking your travel insurance or credit card provider to see if you already have car hire excess cover and save up to $40 a day by waiving the fee at the car hire counter.
27. Download city guides
Major cities often have free city tours led by volunteers (who appreciate a tip for good service). Better still, show yourself around with a free audio tour through popular apps like STQRY Guide and TripScout.