Planning a cost-effective winter getaway

There’s nothing like a drop in the temperatures to motivate you to book a winter holiday. Whether it’s sun or snow that floats your boat, here are a few ideas for planning an affordable holiday.

Go against the flow

If you possibly can, travel in the off-season for your destination. If you don’t have kids at school, always travel outside school holidays. Travelling outside peak times will often mean cheaper flights and accommodation, as well as fewer crowds.

Always research flights online in incognito mode

Airfare and flight comparison sites track your browser history, and can raise the price on the same flight each time you search for it, to create a sense of urgency. To hide your browsing history, open an incognito (in Google Chrome) or private window (in Safari) every time you search for flights.

Think about flying mid-week

The cheapest days to fly are usually Tuesday and Wednesday, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday being the most expensive. If you can be flexible with your dates, you can save a lot by flying when demand for flights is at its lowest.

Sign up for airline deals

Browse the airlines and see what specials they have on offer. A lot of airlines will also have email or notifications you can sign up for, so you know about the latest deals straight away.

Do your research when booking hotels

When you’re looking for a hotel, it’s really important to shop around. If you use a few different accommodation comparison sites you will soon get a sense of the going rate for a particular hotel room.

Armed with this information, it can be worth contacting the hotel directly. Some hotels promise the best rate when you book with them directly. And many more will offer you a better deal when you tell them the best rate you’ve managed to find on comparison sites.

You may also find that you get cheaper room rates the closer to your required dates you book. Obviously leaving your booking till later can mean you run the risk of missing out, but it’s a good option if you decide to book a last minute getaway and aren’t tied to a particular hotel.

Don’t forget insurance

It’s a good idea to have comprehensive insurance cover for your trip. Shopping around is a good idea to get the best rates and make sure you’re paying for the right level of cover. And if you’re renting a car, consider buying out the insurance excess. It will typically not cost you much, but will give you peace of mind should the rental car suffer any kind of damage.

Consider a house swap

House swapping is fast becoming a global phenomenon. The concept is simple - you swap houses with someone living in a different part of the country (or the world) and no money changes hands.

The whole system works on trust and goodwill - you’re unlikely to trash someone’s house when you’ve trusted them with your own pad. And you’re both so grateful to have a place to stay for free that you take good care of the house. Simple.

To get started, list your property on one of the many house swapping websites out there, such as aussiehouseswap.com.au.

Staycations are awesome

You don’t need to travel overseas to have a fantastic holiday. Why not explore one of our vibrant cities and soak up some culture, see a show or do some retail therapy?

Alternatively, go and find some snow for the complete winter wonderland experience - you can always try tobogganing or sledding if skiing’s not your thing.

Australia is packed full of beautiful scenery to explore - for the cost of little more than petrol and a packed lunch.

If you really can’t afford to head away, make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to do in your own town, city or region and commit to a weekend of being a tourist in your hometown. Enjoy a bush walk, find a new beach, let the kids plan a local road trip on your Google maps … you might be surprised at how much fun you can have without breaking the bank.