Your OzBargain Holiday Planning Tips

thewiseone on 25/08/2023 - 16:22
Last edited 25/08/2023 - 17:45 by 1 other user

Hello fellow ozbargainers, hope you're all well!

I haven't taken time off work in a while and am in the midst of trying to plan a holiday and am in need of some OzBargain travel tips/tricks you may have.

I've been looking at luxury escapes and most of the seem to just have been overpriced and then discounted (I may just be out of touch with the price of tours/holidaying).

If you could share any potential holidaying tips/tricks/sites you recommend visiting to find some deals please do! P.S. I know I'm sorted for flights I see those deals on OzB all the time.

Appreciate your input, happy Friday!

edit: Purposely kept this pretty open as I'm not entirely sure what kind of holiday I'd like but as suggested it will probably just attract troll answers at the moment.

I'm considering between 2 main options:
1. A tour type of holiday to explore a new country with the missus, most likely in asia.
2. An all inclusive type of holiday, resort style stay to chill and relax for a week or two.

Travel

Comments

  • Moneyinthebank on 25/08/2023 - 16:31

    Catch bus to airport not train

  • pharkurnell on 25/08/2023 - 16:34

    Whats a holiday? isnt that those things the rich people take?

    • mapax on 26/08/2023 - 08:16

      I think you’re confusing a regular holiday (which poors can do) with either overseas or luxury holidays which them privileged types take…

  • sonicentropy on 25/08/2023 - 16:45
    +3

    Take your Holiday on Youtube, Much cheaper….

    • thewiseone on 25/08/2023 - 17:52
      +5

      At least recommend me some holidays on Youtube while you're here

  • KaTst3R on 25/08/2023 - 17:14
    +1

    Such an open ended question with no information to allow the community to narrow down the recommendation like what are you interested in doing, potential location, how many people, etc etc. You are going to get a lot of trolls answers.

    • thewiseone on 25/08/2023 - 17:48

      Fair point, I've added some more details. Thank you

  • MS Paint on 25/08/2023 - 17:20

    Don't forget the traveller's cheques

    • bazingaa on 25/08/2023 - 18:01
      +1

      ThomasCook

      • MS Paint on 25/08/2023 - 18:07

        Rookie travelling mistake. AMEX one's are more widely accepted.

    • johninmelb on 26/08/2023 - 15:46

      Who uses traveller's cheques?? They went out with button up boots. Last time I used traveller's cheques was 1988. They might have solved a problem way back when, but we have debit and credit cards now.

      • MS Paint on 26/08/2023 - 16:01
        +1

        That makes sense. Last time I traveled was in 1988. World expo '88. Bloody awesome week off work in Brisbane.

        • johninmelb on 26/08/2023 - 17:19
          +1

          EXPO 88, now there's a memory from the past. I had two trips up to Brissie from Melbourne to visit EXPO. Couldn't fit it all in on the one trip.

          My ex was able to organise special access (as Qantas frequent flyers) for us to get into the Australian pavillion and do the tour before they let the hordes in. He also managed to get invites to the Canadian pavillion for us, and invites to a reception at the Western Australian pavillion to watch the parade. One thing that Queensland really did well - even if it was Bjelke-Petersen's idea. Not quite on the scale of the big ones overseas, but fantastic for Australia.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/08/2023 - 17:32

    Ensure to secure home before you go

    classic video guide

  • Some Human on 25/08/2023 - 17:42
    +1

    Live somewhere where it always feels like you're on holiday.

    • thewiseone on 25/08/2023 - 17:46
      +1

      I'm a few million dollars shy of being able to do that anywhere near family and friends in NSW unfortunately. I like the idea though.

      • MS Paint on 25/08/2023 - 18:08
        +1

        I've been doing it for 11 years. It's bliss.

  • randomusername2017 on 25/08/2023 - 17:54

    luxury ~ overpriced

    Budget luxury holidays exist?

    • morse on 25/08/2023 - 18:21
      +1

      Not true ‘luxury’ but if you spend a bit more on the bits that are important to you and look out for deals holidays can feel luxury. Also some countries are much cheaper to travel in. Personally I go for nice accommodation, and just eat budget take away or cook (often do apartments).

      But for sure business class flights (unless you luck out with upgrades/reward flights), true 5 star hotels and fine dining will be expensive anywhere.

      • randomusername2017 on 25/08/2023 - 19:53

        Luxury by definition implies excess and expense. Sure look for good value, but pointless looking at luxury escapes seeking value.

        • morse on 25/08/2023 - 20:33

          True luxury is out of reach for most OzBargainers. 4 star hotels/apartments with decent reviews feels like luxury now compared to the shared dorm rooms I used to frequent in my early 20s.

  • morse on 25/08/2023 - 18:24
    +1

    What’s your budget, age group, fitness level, kids/grown up kids/no kids (planning to have/not have), destinations/activities you’re interested in?

    • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2023 - 18:31
      -1

      …. kids …

      Don't you mean "little ones"?

      • morse on 25/08/2023 - 18:51
        +2

        Baby goats? 🐐 I mean children, as in they haven’t had children but are planning to, or have grown up offspring that won’t be coming or have no children and aren’t planning any. This changes things. If no kids and planning to have later, I’d recommend some things that are good to do sans kids now that will be difficult later.

        • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2023 - 19:02

          Posts usually specify the no. of littlies & their ages, if any

    • thewiseone on 25/08/2023 - 19:39

      Haven't calculated a strict budget but would be happy with anywhere up to 10k.
      Age group is late 20's, average fitness level (we're not running marathons), no kids (planning to have eventually), like the beach, big love of food and prefer warmer climates.

      Appreciate the response!

      • morse on 25/08/2023 - 20:28
        +1

        Definitely get some of the travel done that will be a PITA with a baby or kids over the next few years. Eg long haul flights, city tours that might get boring for a tot, snorkelling, diving, hiking etc. All of these can work with kids, but realistically they are harder. I thought I’d travel with a baby under 2, but then pandemic hit, but realistically with feeding, sleep and nappy changes it would have most likely sucked anyway. Just getting back into it now with a 4yo but even then we’re thinking of kid friendly destinations, kids club etc.

        In the past I’ve really enjoyed Japan, Cambodia, Italy, Croatia - they’d probably be my top four, but I haven’t been to some countries like Vietnam and Thailand that I’d like to. Croatia would be my pick if you like water based activities of these, I went in early spring but summer would be the way to go.

        In terms of tips for bargains, things are just way more expensive than they used to be, and the Aussie $ doesn’t help. I like hotels.com which is part of Expedia but you get reward nights, prices seem to be on par with everything else. Airbnb has definitely lost its appeal. I tend to book everything myself though rather than going for tours. Back in the day a lot of people I know recommended intrepid for tours, but not sure if this still rates. In terms of hotels I go off reviews more than star rating - getting harder now though as there’s so many fake reviews.

        The other thing I’d like to try but haven’t is a cycling tour, where you go from town to town on bike, but very moderate fitness only required.

        Points and classic rewards flights or upgrades is also a good option. I just booked rewards flights, pretty much all flights from credit card deals, so a significant saving. You do have to look about 6 months in advance most of the time.

        The other thing that’s worth noting is that these days prices tend to go up closer to the time of travel, which is different to the past when there was a lot of last minute deals.

      • Dslrfirst on 26/08/2023 - 10:09
        +2

        Research Goa, India.

  • Almost Banned on 25/08/2023 - 18:53
    +4

    My holiday trip tips:
    1. Find cheap flights - generally on Ozb. Don't rule anywhere out - gives you more options and sometimes you are pleasantly surprised.
    2. Book cheap flights.
    3. Book your leave.
    4. Buy your travel insurance - use Ozb to find discount codes for travel insurance.
    5. Book your accomodation - use Ozb to find cheap hotels or discount codes, or boosted cashbacks.
    6. Research your destination for sights/activities.
    7. Book activities online using discount codes or boosted cashbacks found on Ozb.
    Enjoy holiday.

    • Thrawn on 25/08/2023 - 19:31
      +3

      Before booking cheap flights.. get an idea on how much accomodation will cost. Hurts if you book Hawaii without checking. Also check for visa requirements.

      Plan activities before the accommodation. You don't want to book a hotel and find out that there's a cool attraction that is annoyingly far from the accommodation you just booked.

      Also.. figure out that you can get leave before booking flights… I am lucky that I work in an area that pretty much never get leave denied… you might not be so lucky.

      • morse on 25/08/2023 - 20:29

        Very true - AUD makes anywhere in the US way too expensive at the moment.

  • MS Paint on 25/08/2023 - 20:17
    +2
    1. A tour type of holiday to explore a new country with the missus, most likely in asia.

    Do we have a deal for you

  • boomramada on 25/08/2023 - 22:53
    +2
    • Avoid travel insurance, relies on Australian high commission.
    • Book multi Airline flights with minimal connection time.
    • Book a flights first then ask Ozb for places to visit.
  • Pumpkin_rrr on 26/08/2023 - 05:49
    +1

    Looking at your age and group reminds me of a friend going on this
    Trip-a-Deal to Borneo seems cheap. Good if you can also get to climb the highest mountain in SEA, Mt Kinabalu!

  • Savas on 26/08/2023 - 06:57

    I search the TripAdvisor reviews for the word “discount”.

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