I'm a travel deal expert, here are 8 insider tips to get a cheap trip

Looking for ways to get more bang from your travel budget? Escape’s deals specialist reveals the expert-level thrifty tips those in the know love to use.

I love a big buffet breakfast at a five-star resort or hotel as much as the next person. But unless that luxury is included in your package, the cost can really dent your holiday budget.

So, on a recent trip to Tokyo I swapped my made-to-order omelette, perfectly sliced fruit and dainty pastries for something a little more authentic. I found a local hangout called Shinpachi Shokudo – an eatery so small, they only seat about 12 customers at a time – and ordered a traditional set menu breakfast.

That morning, I indulged in charcoal-grilled salmon which came with a bowl of rice, pickles and miso soup, all for just 460 yen (less than $5 at the time).

Whether your holiday hack is booking a cruise years in advance, hunting out a great all-inclusive package, using reward points effectively or opting for a destination with a favourable exchange rate, every dollar you save counts. These tips will inspire you.

1. Head for an up-and-coming destination

We’ve all been there – fighting for space on a Santorini beach or lining up for hours to catch a glimpse of the tiny Mona Lisa at the Louvre in Paris. But being able to pick a destination that has not peaked yet and isn’t flooded by tourists can make for a cheaper holiday as providers compete to attract the tourist dollar.

For example, get in ahead of the tourist boom in Wales – just over a two-hour drive from London and one-sixth the size of England. Plus, so many of the things that make Wales great are free, like beaches, stargazing, coastal views and hikes. But don’t leave it too long – 2025 marks the Year of Croeso (Year of Welcome) for Wales so the word will soon be out.

In the Baltics region of Europe, Lithuania is emerging as the continent’s green capital, with more than 60 per cent of it deemed a green space. An underrated destination, you can explore its forests, lakes and coastline for much less than tourist hotspots in Germany and Switzerland.

And in Asia, Laos will show you a much quieter alternative to popular Vietnam and Thailand yet still offer a cultural deep dive thanks to its beautiful temples, fresh and affordable food brimming with Southeast Asian flavours and a natural landscape filled with secret swimming spots and jungle hikes. And exploring the country is getting easier with the launch of the new high-speed rail service that cuts down travel time between key tourist spots.

The old town of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, one of Europe's emerging destinations.

2. Opt for 'second' cities

You don’t need an expert to tell you staying in London, Santorini or Madrid will cost you a pretty penny at any time of year. But you can save a considerable amount by staying outside these tourist drawcards. And, as an added bonus, you’ll avoid the crowds.

Expedia has even done the maths on it. Based on the predicted average daily accommodation rate, they estimate an overnight stay in London will set you back around $365, but you can stay in edgy Manchester four hours north for about $200 a night and save up to 50 per cent. It’s a similar story in Santorini, where the average daily hotel rate is about $544, but head to Paros instead and get lost in the little fishing villages and traditional tavernas for around $402 a night, saving around 30 per cent.

And while a night in Madrid comes in at around $295, consider nearby Seville for about $238, and put the 20 per cent saving on your tapas and sangria tab.

The Greek island of Paros is a more affordable alternative to Santorini.

3. Choose a city with competitive prices

It’s a simple case of economics – if demand is high, competition can help keep prices low. But the real beauty of visiting a city with a ton of accommodation – like Tokyo, Bangkok or Los Angeles – is that they cater to a wide range of budgets, helping you find accommodation to suit any holiday spend.

Bangkok has one of the highest hotel room concentrations in the world and a search on booking.com reveals hostel and guesthouse rooms there from under $20 a night through to private Thai villas for more than $7000 a night. It’s a similar story in Tokyo where hostel lodging goes for about $50 a night and a five-star stay can reach $5000 a night.

Bangkok's many hotels ensure competition keeps prices down.

4. Look for a good exchange rate

Australian travellers are well used to doing the fast maths of all but doubling the cost of everything in the UK and Europe. But with the Aussie dollar fluctuating, it can pay to set your travel radar to a destination that still offers us a favourable exchange rate.

The Aussie dollar has dropped a little against the NZ dollar in recent months to be close to parity, but trips across The Ditch are still a good financial option.

Bali remains a great choice for travellers, with the Aussie dollar doing slightly better against the Indonesian rupiah compared to the period before US President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements. A Finder comparison of travel costs found you would be $153 better off travelling to Bali now than in March and $44 better off heading to the USA.

Europe still proves a budget challenge though, with an average holiday there costing $279 more than it did in March. Our exchange rate love affair with Japan may also be on the rocks, with holidays there costing about $278 more than in March.

Bali offers better bang for buck following a drop in the Indonesian rupiah.

5. Pick a package

Planning a holiday is often half the fun, but putting together a trip that includes flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and activities can be daunting, especially if it involves multi-city travel. The benefits of bundling a trip into one package is not just convenience, it can save you money.

Package-providers often unlock access to exclusive rates that are not available to the public, says TravelOnline’s Sheri Adamson.

“By bundling flights, accommodation, transfers and extras like tours or resort credits, travellers receive a much better overall deal than booking each component individually,” she says.

“There’s also the added convenience of having everything co-ordinated in a single, seamless booking. This is particularly valuable in destinations like Fiji, where logistics can be more complex – when travelling to outer islands, not all flight times align neatly with boat transfers.”

There can also be benefits to booking a guided tour as a package. A Wendy Wu Tours classic itinerary includes flights, accommodation, meals, sightseeing, transport and even visas, and knowing what you are up for upfront can be a budget lifesaver.

“That means no hidden extras, no budgeting surprises and peace of mind knowing you’re protected from currency fluctuations and rising travel costs,” says Wendy Wu managing director Simon Bell.

Reaching Fiji's outer islands can be easier - and more affordable - as part of a holiday package.

6. Join travel loyalty programs

With so many providers fighting for your travel dollar, loyalty is handsomely rewarded. Hotel loyalty schemes are the easiest and cheapest way to save straight away; better still, they’re free to join.

IHG One Rewards members receive a five per cent discount automatically, which could save you up to $50 a night, and more if you combine it with a sale open to the public. Accumulate points and you can use them towards a night at one of more than 6600 hotels globally, including InterContinental and Crowne Plaza.

With Accor’s Live Limitless membership, members save 10 per cent at more than 5000 hotels worldwide, like Pullman, Peppers and Novotel, and benefit from private sales of up to 25 per cent off.

Hotel loyalty programs also offer returning guests bonuses such as free breakfast, room upgrades and late check-outs.

And when it comes to flights, frequent flyer points are like liquid gold to travellers, so you don’t want to waste them. Point Hacks’ Daniel Sciberras says the best value comes from redeeming points for long-haul, premium class seats in business or first class, rather than for upgrades, as the difference between an upgrade and outright flight is not much. You can also get great value in economy, he says, especially on routes with little to no competition, such as regional trips between Brisbane and Mt Isa or Sydney and Broome.

Joining IHG One Rewards could get you a discount at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort.

7. Book early

Some of the best early bird sales come from cruise lines which like to fill cabins early as it helps them effectively plan for demand. Many cruise lines have already opened bookings for 2027 and will reward eagerness to get in early with savings of up to 30 per cent or offers such as upgrades, drinks packages, on-board credit and free wi-fi.

According to online booking platform Cruise Guru, Holland America Line plans to fill cabins early for its 14-day Arctic and Northern Lights itinerary set to sail in November 2026 from $3402 a person by adding sweeteners like shore excursions, specialty dining, premium wi-fi, a beverage package upgrade and $400 on-board credit if you book before July 9, 2025.

Ponant has a 30 per cent saving on select 2026 Kimberley sailings, which Cruise Guru predicts will not be offered closer to departure.

Booking early is key for savings, particularly on seasonal experiences like the Northern Lights in the Arctic.

8. Go big with bonuses

You don’t have to look far to find travel providers offering bonuses bundled into holiday packages, from a welcome drink to free nights.

Companies including Flight Centre, MyHolidayCentre, Luxury Escapes and TravelOnline offer them regularly. For example, MyHolidayCentre has a seven-night escape to Siyam World Maldives that comes with $4700 worth of bonuses, including all meals with drinks, a sunset cruise or snorkelling safari, and more.

Cruise lines often include bonuses like cabin upgrades, wi-fi, dining and drinks packages and credits for shore excursions.

Originally published as I'm a travel deal expert, here are 8 insider tips to get a cheap trip