Crafty Ways to Save a Dollar Travelling in Australia (Capital Cities)

dammit on 07/11/2022 - 09:32
Last edited 07/11/2022 - 15:36

I'm heading to Melbourne (from Sydney) next weekend for 5 nights and I'm a bit shocked at how costly everything is now (flights, accomodation, car hire etc)…and wanted to enlist the experts of OzBargain in any tricks you may use to save a dollar??

Accommodation

In Melbourne CBD area we couldn't find anything less than ~$300 a night (mind you it's Thurs-Sat so seems to be pricey) as we needed 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom [one of the family has a bowel problem so need a dedicated toilet]. AirBNB seems to have gone up a lot $$. But given we needed the unique requirement of a kitchen, and needing two bathrooms, finding random hotel rooms etc was pretty much not great. I tried VBRO, Booking.com, looked for random Amex deals etc but couldn't find anything better than AirBNB in the end. I used Reward Gateway for 5% off AirBNB gift cards which was the best I could find…

Aside from investing in these random 'clubs' like Accor etc, or booking earlier in advance etc, would it seem like I've pretty much maxed out savings benefits/ideas on accommodation?

Car Hire

Luckily, I work for a corporate and we have Avis corporate discount and AWD# which I was shocked to see the standard rate for 4 days car hire was about $750, and this brought it down to $250 - PHEW…but I am about to leave corporate and with it, all such perks will evaporate I imagine…maybe I can still use it after, given it's self-paid and probably doesn't get reported back on a per user basis and just some membership/perk offered to staff…

Aside from the random coupon websites to try codes and things, does anyone have any tips to get large savings like a corporate AWD# for car hire?

Flights

Again, pretty much using something like webjet/google/skyscanner to identify where the cheapest flights are, buying discounted gift cards if possible, using velocity or qantas points if it stacks up, can't seem to find a better deal than these techniques to get cheap flights?

Eating

This is where I don't really get any savings, in the past I've used entertainment book and would buy it if going to a specific city and take advantage, particularly of the buy one get one free main meal, but does anyone have ways to get good savings on nice restaurants etc?

Thank you! :)

This will contradict my post and open me up to flaming, but we do like a level of comfort and quality, not things like dorms etc or bringing Lean Cuisine to use in the parents room microwave to avoid dinner costs :D Basically just looking for unique ways to try and save a dollar, now that mentally my price expectations seem to be 2020 and we are now in 2022 ! :) :) Thanks all!

Travel

Comments

  • oscargamer on 07/11/2022 - 09:43
    +3

    Get an Airbnb not in the CBD. Maybe Williamstown. On a train line and much nicer and quieter than the city. Easy access to Melbourne, just better.

  • dipster on 07/11/2022 - 09:53

    Collect airbnb gift cards throughout the year when there are 10-12% cashback offers etc

    Sometimes you can google the name of an airbnb listing and find a site to book direct. However many owners/property managers don’t pass on the discount, which is madness considering portals take like 20%

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 07/11/2022 - 10:10

    we needed 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom.

    I can understand the 2 bedroom, but 2 bathroom… seriously?

    • dammit on 07/11/2022 - 15:36
      +1

      one of the family has a bowel problem so need a dedicated toilet - edited post as relevant info :) otherwise you are right 100% - one bath makes it heaps cheaper!

  • altomic on 07/11/2022 - 10:10
    +1

    Crafty Ways to Save a Dollar Travelling in Australia (Capital Cities)

    drive - save on airfares and car rental.

  • GG57 on 07/11/2022 - 10:11
    +1

    Hopefully you factored in the additional fees (cleaning etc) for some AirBnB properties. Those can add up and put you in the price bracket of serviced apartments.

    Do you actually need a car? Public transport in Melbourne is pretty good, or there are plenty of street-side car hires available for when you actually need it.

    The Fork has regular discounts on dining out.

  • capslock on 07/11/2022 - 10:15
    +1

    Why do you need a kitchen if you plan on eating out anyway?

  • plmko on 07/11/2022 - 10:21
    +2

    Airbnb with gift cards is not a discount when you're wearing risk that everything can go wrong with Airbnb.

    • dammit on 07/11/2022 - 15:40

      What risks may I ask pls :)

      • lgacb08 on 07/11/2022 - 19:12

        Stuck with expensive options when you seldom travel, or only travel during peak periods or long weekends, you'll soon find that airbnb are no cheaper than standard hotel and you have to spend your giftcard there whilst there're cheaper options for those occasions.

  • pharkurnell on 07/11/2022 - 11:09
    +1

    Get a place with a kitchen, and buy your own food and cook it.

    $30 is the new $20 in melb for food..

  • Shadowsfury on 07/11/2022 - 11:22
    +3

    Where do you plan on parking said car in the CBD if you staying in airbnb? Does it include parking? Overnight parking in Wilson type places is shockingly expensive.

    • dammit on 07/11/2022 - 15:41

      Only get the hire car for nights when we leave the city for short 2-3 day trip.

  • apple2016 on 07/11/2022 - 11:54
    +1

    These days Airbnb are overpriced ,less service provided and painfull to deal with. I would just ignore them.
    Try booking a serviced apartment like Pleasant City Stay on Collins as they generally come with kitchen. When booking I would say 2 adults but select a 2 bedroom just to keep prices low.
    This way you can stay in CBD, probably avoid the car rental for all days. have multiple options for food as well. Trams in CBD are free in Melbourne.

    • dammit on 07/11/2022 - 15:43

      Pleasant City Stay on Collins - can’t find a direct site for this- any ideas?

  • Donaldhump on 07/11/2022 - 12:07

    you lost me at need 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. Why???? Who goes on holiday to cook.
    how to save on eating out at restaurants. Yes don't eat at a restaurant, eat subway or something.

    if your going on holiday and not wanting to spend money don't spend it, share a bathroom. sh*t even share a hotel room and cop your mates farts all night for a few days.

    • pharkurnell on 07/11/2022 - 14:35

      eat subway

      You are cruel….

    • Gareth on 07/11/2022 - 14:48

      don't eat at a restaurant, eat subway or something.

      Know any good Colesworths for dumpster diving?

      cop your mates farts all night for a few days.

      This is starting to really sound like a holiday to remember.

      • Donaldhump on 07/11/2022 - 15:09

        pretty easy to eat basic food if you want to save coin. pretty simple to go into woolies by 2 bread rolls, some ham and shove it in.
        and not me complaining about the price its the OP. want to save money share a room with who ever else is on the trip. more than likely family anyway.

        i backpacked for 3 years, its amazing how frugal you can be to make your trip last longer.

    • dammit on 07/11/2022 - 15:37

      one of the family has a bowel problem so need a dedicated toilet - edited post as relevant info :) otherwise you are right 100% - one bath makes it heaps cheaper!

      • Donaldhump on 07/11/2022 - 15:43

        cheaper to buy some glen 20

  • dust on 07/11/2022 - 13:14

    Crashing on a mate's couch is my travel hack. Use the saved money for food, entertainment and experiences instead.

  • freefall101 on 07/11/2022 - 13:20

    Accommodation

    AirBNB in a suburb near a train line. Like everything though, prices have gone up.

    Car Hire

    Public transport and Uber. Unless your trip revolves around transport somehow (doing a lot of day trips outside of the city) or you have kids then it's more enjoyable anyway. Driving around Melbourne traffic sucks. Only downside is the trip from the airport though, you can thank Transurban for blocking a train line for decades.

    Flights

    You're 5 days out from your trip, flights have never been cheap right before travelling. There was also that whole covid thing that broke the airlines and they're trying to make as much money as possible now everyone is flying again.

    Eating

    IMO buy one get one free meals aren't very good, they're just factored into the price. This also really comes down to what kind of food you like. I'd load up on dumplings in Chinatown, grab a pita at Minzon, head to one of the markets, try some of the super cheap Thai/Malay/pizza places around, grab some lasagna at pelligrini's, etc. Googling "cheap eats Melbourne" is your friend.

  • GG57 on 07/11/2022 - 13:39

    Have you considered driving from Sydney? That would save on your airfares and hire car.

  • melbourne guy on 07/11/2022 - 13:46

    You might want to consider Car Next Door (Uber Carshare) once you lose your Car Hire corporate discount. I saved about 50% hiring a older, reliable car from the centre of town compared to a new flashy one from the airport on a leisure trip a few months back. Only downside is you will need airport transfers, but the savings are sometimes worth it.

  • pao2x on 07/11/2022 - 14:21

    Drive? It's not hard it is one road with no traffic lights for around 9 hours. Get an airbnb in the Northern burbs and you can cut that further.

    vs

    Going to airport and waiting for plane, getting out of airport ang getting a car hire? easily 3-4 hours there or more. Plus the risk of cancellations, lost baggage, car hire hassles or the doozy an accident with the hire car.

  • Seraphin7 on 07/11/2022 - 14:38

    T20 World Cup final on in Melbourne on Sunday night (13th) … no doubt that is driving up accommodation and likely flight costs. It doesn't help that you're booking late in the piece.

    Depending on various other parameters, consider driving to and from. By the time you leave home for the airport and end up getting to your location at the other end, it might only be another four or five hours each way.

  • Sweet3st on 07/11/2022 - 15:56

    I’m a bit confused by the need of kitchen if you’re dining out? There are apartments like Punthill, but as with flights, your biggest cost is booking at the last minute. I stayed at a boutique pub in Parkville just outside CBD for $130 for a large room with sitting room, Naughtons Hotel. And yes try The Fork, I think they still have a 30% off thing going. Trams are free in CBD :)

  • Sinnerator on 08/11/2022 - 08:32

    Go to Bali instead, much cheaper and you get to see Australians in their natural habitat.

  • ol mate on 10/11/2022 - 11:39
    +1

    maybe I can still use it after, given it's self-paid and probably doesn't get reported back on a per user basis and just some membership/perk offered to staff…

    I would advise against this. They usually don't check, but may ask for proof of eligibility where you've had an accident and void all insurance (especially if the company has negotiated to insure the vehicles, etc.)

    https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hertz-gold-plus-rewards/1780…

  • bluedufflecoat on 10/11/2022 - 12:56

    Food: try the liven app? Note: you also get a small bonus for using a referral code.

    Liven functions almost like the entertainment book. They also sell packages for some places, e.g spend $50 get $70 credit. If the place goes out of business before you use the credit, you can get a refund, which has been pretty ok so far,

  • mrtin on 14/11/2022 - 22:27

    Get some banh mi in footscray cheap and tasty (unless you get salmonella)

    • Rrpnothanx on 14/11/2022 - 22:40

      Aint cheap anymore. $6.50 nhu lan and need 2x for a meal. A sit down hit meal fells much better bang for buck.

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