Australia Travelling

Traveling to Australia is a pricey proposition - the airfare alone could bust your budget, and the sheer length of the flight encourages most visitors to stretch their visit for well over a week (it'll take you that long just to get over the jet lag!). So how can you afford a two-week or longer journey to the Land Down Under?

It may not be as difficult as you think. We've put together 25 ways to help you save money on every aspect of your trip to Australia, including info on cheap eats, discount cards, fun freebies and more.

1. Do your homework. One of the biggest expenses of any Australia trip is the airfare to get there. As you hunt for bargains, don't forget about Virgin Australia, which began service between the U.S. and Australia a few years ago and in a recent search beat all other roundtrip Los Angeles/Sydney prices. Get started with our Sydney travel deals.

2. Time your visit. Airfare is typically most expensive between December and February, which is summer in Australia and the most popular time to visit places like Sydney and Melbourne. You'll likely find lower fares during the shoulder seasons: spring and fall.

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3. Consider an air pass. Qantas offers a Walkabout Air Pass that includes roundtrip airfare to Australia as well as several domestic flights within the country. Prices are based on season and how far you plan to fly within Australia. For more options (including passes that are also valid in New Zealand and the South Pacific), see our story on Air Passes.

4. Keep your focus. Australia is enormous - nearly the size of the continental U.S. You wouldn't try to see the entire U.S. in two weeks, so don't attempt to do it in Australia either. If you have limited time for your trip, fix your sights on one or two regions and explore them thoroughly - you'll have a more relaxing experience, and save both time and money on transportation.

5. Consider a cruise. If you're looking to see a variety of destinations without having to unpack more than once, a cruise is a cost-efficient and convenient option. We've seen Australia cruises that cost less than 0 per person, per night; these rates include accommodations, meals, entertainment and transportation from each port to the next. Royal Caribbean, Princess and P&O Cruises Australia are just a few of the lines you could consider.

Travel Budget Calculator

6. Look for freebies. Australia has a wealth of museums and attractions that don't charge admission fees - like Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art and Brisbane's Botanic Gardens.

7. Buy a discount card. You can purchase an iVenture Card for popular tourist destinations like Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania. The cards include free entry to many area attractions, as well as special offers and discounts, for a single price. These cards may save you money if you're doing a lot of sightseeing in a short period of time.

8. Lock in your rate. International exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, and they're not always in your favor. (See XE.com for the latest rates.) The best way to control costs and stick to your budget is to prepay for your hotels, airfare and tour packages in advance - preferably in your own currency - so that last-minute fluctuations don't send your budget ballooning.

Foreign Currency Guide

9. Skip the exchange counter. You'll get the best exchange rates by using your credit card or withdrawing money from an ATM; that's because you'll be exchanging money at interbank rates, which tend to be 2 to 5 percent better than the rates exchange bureaus charge. ATMs can be found just about everywhere in Australia except the most remote towns and villages, and credit cards are accepted at many stores and restaurants. But beware of fees - most banks will charge you to withdraw money at a foreign ATM or make a purchase in a foreign currency. One exception is Capital One, which doesn't charge its American cardholders a fee for foreign purchases. For more information, see The Best Way to Carry Money Overseas.

10. Negotiate a better deal. Haggling is always in style at Australia's open-air markets - you can negotiate great deals at places like Paddington Markets, the Rocks Markets and the Bondi Markets, all in Sydney.

11. Get a refund. If you purchase $300 AUD or more in goods from a single retailer, you are eligible for a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) that you paid on those items. You must get an original tax invoice from the store where you made the purchase and present it when you depart Australia. For more information, visit Customs.gov.au.

12. Check the discount airlines. Thanks to Australia's sheer size, the quickest way to get around the country is by air. Australia has a number of discount airlines that provide affordably priced domestic flights, including Jetstar, Regional Express (REX) and Tigerair.

13. Take the bus. If you've got time to spare or if you're focusing your travels on a relatively small region, hopping on a bus to your next city may be your cheapest option. Greyhound Australia offers a wealth of discounts and specials, sometimes up to 50 percent off. For extended travel, consider a bus pass.

14. Take the train. One of the most relaxing and scenic ways to explore Australia is by rail. Check out the offerings from Rail Australia, which include a number of rail passes that could save you money on train trips around the country.

15. Travel for free. A number of Australian cities have made select public transportation routes free to the public. For example, Brisbane has free service on several bus routes in the city center, while Perth offers free transit on buses and trains within a certain city zone. Sydney also offers several free shuttles.

16. Travel at a discount. Keep an eye out for public transportation discount cards such as Sydney's Opal card, which offers discounts and a cap on your maximum daily fare, no matter how many times you use the transit system. If you'll be relying heavily on public transportation, these passes can save you money over individually priced tickets.

17. Think outside the tour. Why pay for a pricey sightseeing cruise around Sydney's harbor when you could enjoy the same scenic views from a Sydney public ferry for about a third of the price?

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18. Go grocery shopping. Buy your food where the locals do: at supermarkets. Instead of paying for your hotel's pricey breakfast, pick up a loaf of fresh bread at the local market and keep it in your room for a morning meal. Add some meat and cheese and you've got yourself a picnic lunch.