Over the past decade, technology has helped make our world more open and connected. With the touch of a screen, we can translate, search, book and pay for anything and everything involved in travel.
For students travelling on a budget, the rise in apps and websites that specialise in finding bargains means you’ve got the whole planet at your fingertips. Plus, the money you save means you can travel even more!
If you’re heading back home for the mid-year break or taking a trip around Australia or overseas, these travel tips will come in handy.
Be prepared
The easiest way to save money on your trip is to plan absolutely everything before you leave. Research accommodation, transport and any attractions you want to visit so you know the cheapest options in advance and can take advantage of special deals.
Once you’ve planned out your trip, make life easier for yourself by getting organised. TripIt is a useful way to save all your bookings and tickets, creating a master itinerary for the whole journey. You can store flight information, accommodation reservations, car bookings and more using the TripIt app.
Choose cheaper flights
When it comes to flights, there are a couple of apps that can help you get the best deal. Kiwi.com allows you to search for the absolute cheapest route, using different dates and stopover combinations to create your ideal journey. Once you’ve found it, Hopper can analyse existing data to predict whether the price will go up or down in the future. You can also set price alerts so you’ll never miss a chance to save money.
Hostel hacks
Staying in a hostel is a rite of passage for any budget traveller. With dorm rooms ranging from four to 16 or even 24 beds, hostels offer the cheapest accommodation in most parts of the world, as well as the chance to socialise with other travellers. The Hostelworld app is an easy way to book your stay and compare the most affordable options in each area. If you’re looking for a little more privacy, Airbnb can also be a low-cost way to experience the culture and lifestyle of your destination.
Roam free
We all need to keep in touch with family and friends while travelling, but expensive international roaming fees can become a sneaky extra cost that blows out your budget. If you already have a phone plan in Australia, check with your provider for their policy on overseas access.
Vodafone’s $5 Roaming is one of the best deals on the market, allowing you to use your phone, tablet or mobile broadband plan for $5 extra per day in 80 countries (just make sure to confirm your destination is one of them before you travel, as countries can vary). You will be covered throughout your holidays, as you can use $5 Roaming for up to 90 days in any calendar year. Plus, you don’t have to worry about complicated daily inclusions – you can use all your data, calls and text inclusions of your usual plan.
Change it up
If maths isn’t your strong suit, you might want to download the XE Currency Converter and Exchange Rate Calculator app for your travels. Whether you’re bargaining at the market or exchanging dollars for yen, this app will make sure you’re not getting overcharged or losing money due to an inaccurate exchange rate.
Transport tips
Once you’ve arrived in a new city, you’re going to need a map. Luckily, Maps.me allows you to find almost anything, including affordable accommodation, attractions, public transport services, health clinics, cheap dining options, and more. Then, when you’re ready to continue on your journey, check out Rome2Rio for the most affordable way to get from A to B by car, bus, train, ferry or train.
With Vodafone’s $5 Roaming, you can use all your inclusions such as unlimited text and all data for only $5 extra a day. For Plus Plans, only Your Max Speed data is included. Available in 80 countries including China, New Zealand, USA, UK, India and many more, this is one travel hack you won’t want to miss out on. For full T&C’s and to find out more on the Vodafone website.
