How to summer holiday on a budget

In the summertime the days are long, the nights are hot, and everyone seems to be on holiday. But if you’re pinching pennies and not sure you can afford to get away, it’s enough to cause the summer blues.

However, if you need to travel on a budget, you don’t need to splash serious cash to have a good time. With a little creativity, research and planning, you can travel cheap, have a blast, and make summer holiday memories to keep you warm well into winter. 

Make a budget – and stick to it.

Before you draw up travel plans, make a budget. Travel budgeting might not feel fun, but it can make or break a trip. First, go over your fixed expenses like accommodation and travel, then create a budget for the variable expenses in your trip, like shopping, food or fuel.

You can keep your travel budget in check with a SpendME account on the ME Go app, to get an alert when you go over your pre-planned budget for each category of spending – things like shopping or food. 

Staycations vs Vacations.

Consider taking a staycation rather than a vacation. A staycation can save you big time on travel costs, from pesky transfers to big ticket flights, hotels and accommodation. A staycation allows you to discover another side to your hometown as a tourist.

Write a list of all the touristy things you want to do in your city you’ve never done and give it a go: whether it’s that harbourside walking trail, swimming in ocean pools along the coast, or visiting that museum you’ve always wanted to visit. Check out our guide on planning the perfect staycation.

Timing is everything.

Going away for a summer vacay? Book outside of peak season. While it might be nice to take advantage of that work shutdown between Christmas and New Year’s Day, everyone else wants to do the same thing. Instead, aim to travel in late summer. Come February, school goes back, term time starts at university, and prices drop dramatically, from fuel to hotels, campsites to Airbnbs.

Likewise, if you must travel, avoid Fridays and Saturdays when prices are elevated. Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays always have lower rates.  

Hit the road.

Perfect your playlist, throw a sleeping bag in the car and head out on a road trip. You don’t have to go far to have a good time, but there are things you can do to cut costs on the road. First, pack your snacks, lunches and meals so you’re not tempted to grab takeaway or expensive snacks once you’re on the road. Also do a little research on fuel prices before you go.

Some online sites track fuel prices and can offer insight into when petrol might be cheaper or more expensive in the coming days, while some states like NSW offer an online portal and app that shows the price of petrol at each gas station in a set radius, so you can get the cheapest deal on fuel. 

Share the load.

Cut travel costs by adopting a shared approach. Instead of pricey rentals, borrow gear like surfboards and kayaks from friends or look for specialist libraries in your area which offer a range of items to borrow for a small membership fee.

Maximise savings by road tripping with friends to share expenses on fuel, accommodation, and meals – opting for shared housing or campsites, and distributing meal responsibilities. Keep activities budget friendly and fun with outdoor games, bushwalks or beach outings. 

Go out into nature.

Head outdoors and reconnect with nature by exploring the stunning national parks in your state. Dust off your walking shoes, slip on a hat, and grab a water bottle to embark on one of the many walks listed on the national parks' website. Each walk is graded for difficulty, with information on duration, route details, and notable sights – everything from waterfalls to culturally significant sites. Additionally, consider extending your hike into a camping trip.

Many of today’s holiday parks and campsites are budget friendly and offer everything you could need, like powered sites, self-catering kitchens, and a range of free activities. For an even more affordable option, pitch a tent at an unpowered site, and add a touch of comfort with solar-powered fairy lights, a pillow, and an eye mask. 

Check the calendar.

Over summer, many local councils and cities arrange free events, talks, festivals and shows. Have a look at their events pages and plan your activities around what’s on. Going further afield? Many local tourist boards have lists of cheap and cheerful activities you can do in their local area: ask at the visitor centre or look online before you go.

And don’t forget to ask the locals what they recommend: from a good feed to a great secret spot, you won’t know until you ask. 

 

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