Please help: First Holiday in Eight Years (Perth to Melbourne), November 2017

OzBargainGirl on 13/10/2017 - 23:07

As the title says, I have not been on a holiday in eight years.

I would like to visit Melbourne for ten days, at the end of November 2017.

1 person travelling, wanting to stay in Melbourne CBD, preferrably a hotel. I have no travel vouchers/points of any kind.

So, I have lots of questions. I could not find answers to them on the website.

AIR TRAVEL
- Is it worth sanity to go with Virgin or Jetstar, or pay upfront for Qantas? Is the difference in fares worth the heartache of missed flights and other potential issues, e.g. hidden fees?
- What time is it best to travel? Morning/evening re: arrival to Melbourne (due to time difference)? Is it worth travelling early morning, spending a few hours walking around the city then going to a hotel; or travelling from Perth to Melb to hotel (arriving in the evening), and going to sleep?
- Is it safer or easier to book through a travel agent or to do it myself over a website? I looked at webjet/flightcenter/skyscanner websites, but it seems confusing, as I have never done this before.

HOTEL
- Is it worth staying at one hotel, or swapping to two different places, e.g. if the prices are higher over the weekend?
- Would anyone recommend a clean hotel with three or four stars in Melborne CBD (not over the river)?
- Is it better to book over the phone (myself), or use an agency, or a website, e.g. trivago?

INSURANCE
- Is it worth going with HBF, or who would you recommend for interstate travel to Melbourne?

Thank you!

Travel

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2017 - 23:47

    what ever u are going to see/do book the cheapest hotel around that area will save on taxi fares plus you only sleep there, also take ur Medicare card for insurance.

    • OzBargainGirl on 14/10/2017 - 09:58

      Would you happen to have any suggestions of a good three or four star hotel in CBD area?

  • [Deactivated] on 13/10/2017 - 23:55
    -7

    Watch out for the gangs in melbourne; recommend top of the line insurance for Melb.

    It is better calling up by phone the hotel.

    9/10 jetstar flights are delayed or cancelled.

    • hell0 on 14/10/2017 - 00:59

      Only the Somali gangs…

      AIR TRAVEL
      For a no-stop domestic flight I would go with the cheapest

      HOTEL
      Just do some comparisons yourself and see what you can find, and also look up airline deals on flight/hotel packages
      If you want to take the stress out then take a look at Flight Centre holiday deals and then go talk to them or a travel agent, thnat way you have plenty of help

      • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:07

        Thank you for the suggestions. I do not intend to visit any gangs.

  • daalinz on 14/10/2017 - 07:40
    +2

    Don't go with Jetstar if you have to arrive by a certain time. Virgin has been on time for me.

    Time to arrive usually doesn't really matter unless outside of hotel concierge hours. If it's before check in you can leave your bags with the hotel.

    Travel agent for domestic travel between capital cities isn't necessary in my opinion.

    I'd personally go for best option in your budget. Do whatever is possible in your price range. I usually check the hotel aggregator sites for deals and then contact the hotel directly to match or better the deal. I've had issues with aggregators not passing on reservations before.

    Like @RowdyAlpha says take your medicare card.

    If you are around the CBD you can generally get anywhere walking in 20 mins. There's also free tram rides inside the CBD.

    • OzBargainGirl on 14/10/2017 - 09:59

      What is a hotel aggregator site?

      • daalinz on 14/10/2017 - 13:13
        +1

        Trivago, hotelscombined, tripadvisor, booking.com, etc.

        I'm not sure who organises the deals whether the hotel lists a deal with the hotel aggregation website or the other way around.

        They list deals for accommodation on behalf of the hotel. They usually take some take payment and commission and pass onto the hotel.

        • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:00

          Thank you very much daalinz!

  • Marcsie on 14/10/2017 - 08:30

    Just google yourself, very simple :)

    • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:06

      I tried googling it, but there are terms and conditions on the website (airlines) which confuse me, and it is always a good idea to get the most recent experience from people who travel often.

  • pyramid on 14/10/2017 - 08:32

    For flights, check classified section and you can score return flight around $250 with Virgin or Qantas.
    Hotels depends on budget but there are few nice hotels in CBD like mantra on Russell, Marriott on exhibition street, Adina on Flinders street etc….

  • retiredfeline on 14/10/2017 - 10:48

    Why do you think you need insurance within Australia? Your medical policy covers you throughout the country, no?

    • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:04

      I think I may need it if for example, the plane does not arrive on time, and the wait is very long; and if the hotel is pre-booked, and I come the next day; or if for example, my phone goes walkabout/gets stolen. Not necessarily for medical reasons.

      • retiredfeline on 15/10/2017 - 00:28

        Personally I think those risks are small enough that I'd rather save the money and put part of it towards mitigation.

  • agam2104 on 14/10/2017 - 21:30

    For Hotel try Expedia they are giving additional 12% off hotel bookings enter coupon code MASTERAU12 to enjoy and for flight book ASAP because the rate will go up to try to book via airlines website directly it not so hard and if you need transport from the airport my brother has a cab:).

    • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:05

      Hahaha, thank you very much for the words of encouragement, and for the code. I will try it and let you know.

      • agam2104 on 15/10/2017 - 00:14

        No worries , I forgot to mention that coupon work with Master card only and if you don't mind let me know the dates of check in and check out and hotel Name . I will try to find a best deal.

  • OzBargainGirl on 15/10/2017 - 00:18

    OK. Thank you. Dates: 21 to 30th November.

    • agam2104 on 15/10/2017 - 00:20

      Thanks,If possible give me the Hotle name also and before choosing a Hotle always read it review on Tripadvisor.You can search any particular word also on review.For eg "Transport"or "food".It help me everytime before choosing a Hotle hope it work for you.

  • try2bhelpful on 16/10/2017 - 09:44

    We live in Fitzroy in Melbourne. Welcome to the city in advance.
    Can’t comment on the plane, but you should be OK with the major ones, you might want to watch tiger air etc. there are two airports so decide if you want Tullamarine or Avalon. The major one is Tullamarine. You can come from the airport from a skyways bus or taxi/Uber.
    The CBD trams are free but, bizarrely, the art galleries or museums are usually one stop beyond so you are best getting out and walking.
    Melbourne is a great eating city. In Fitzroy I recommend Lune croissants, try to get there around 8ish during the week, often very busy on the weekend. Also Nyalla is a great African restaurant in Brunswick St. So many great choices.
    Given you are staying for a bit of time I would look into air bnb as an option and don’t rule out places like Fitzroy if you like a bit of a walk. The tram/train network in Melbourne is pretty good if you are inner.
    If you want to wander further afield get a MYKI card for the trams/trains.
    You might also consider a trip down the coast or to the see the penguins.
    Walking around the parks is lovely, I particularly like walk-in through Fitzroy gardens, past the MCG, over the river to the botanic gardens in south Yarra then taking the train home.
    Enjoy the city

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