Skyscanner unveils cheapest places to travel in winter this year as cost of living crisis bites

As purse strings tighten, Aussies looking for a summer escape in the cooler months are opting to travel to these destinations where they can get the best bang for buck.

Travel hungry Australians aren’t letting cost-of living pressures kybosh their plans – they are just getting savvier.

Couch-surfing, opting for hostels, and staying further out from city centres are among the budget-wary’s new approach to vactions.

And rather than forgoe a trip, Aussies who may have headed overseas are instead travelling domestically this winter to save money.

New data from airfare site Skyscanner found 34 per cent of respondents were planning to a domestic trip, while 31 per cent were jetting off internationally.

Skyscanner travel expert Jarrod Kris said the cheapest domestic destination was Launceston in Tasmania, where an average economy return seat cost $177.

Gold Coast and Hamilton Island, costing $254 and $318 respectively, also featured on the

travel agency’s top cheapest winter destinations list, followed by Adelaide ($329) and Uluru ($640).

Those heading overseas are opting for destinations with the best bang for buck, Mr Kris said.

Skyscanner found the Aussie dollar stretched furthest in Vanuatu, Vietnam or the Philippines.

The cheapest international destinations were Krabi, Thailand ($548), Port Vila, Vanuatu ($594), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ($709), Guangzhou, China ($765) and Dumaguete, Phillippines ($796).

“For Aussies looking to maximise their ‘winter sun’ getaway, now is the best time to plan and book your adventure and winter offers some of the cheapest deals,” Mr Kris said.

“Whether you’re travelling domestically or internationally, there are a range of destinations that are affordable and allow for great memories.”

Those planning international travel such as Laura Tyler, are also cutting back on travel expenses, as purse strings tighten.

The 29-year-old from Brisbane said she would couch-surf, split accommodation with friends, use hostels, and stay further out from city centres in a bid to celebrate her 30th birthday in Europe in July.

“Daily necessities like groceries and petrol seem to get more expensive every other week and wages just aren’t keeping pace, which has made saving up for international travel more difficult than ever,” she said.

“With the cost of living crisis reaching fever pitch, I won’t be planning an encore to my Europe trip any time soon.

“These days I’m more inclined to book travel closer to home, as the airfares are much more affordable.”

Laura Tyler had to cut back on travel expenses to be able to head to Europe in July. Picture: Supplied

Meanwhile, Qantas said bookings for winter travel were up with an increase in international bookings, with Melbourne, Adelaide, and the Great Ocean Road the top domestic destinations.

Popular international destinations included New Zealand, Japan, Bali, Singapore, Paris, USA, Hong Kong, Fiji and Thailand.

Virgin said it was seeing strong demand across both its domestic and international network.

Qantas and Virgin says bookings are up for winter.

“Domestically, traditional winter favourites such as Cairns, Hamilton Island, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Darwin, Uluru, Broome, and Kununurra remain popular as travellers seek warmer weather,” a spokesperson said.

“Internationally, the winter school holidays are driving strong demand across our short-haul network for destinations like the Pacific Islands, Queenstown, and Bali.”

Virgin had added flights to Bali, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, and Queenstown, including a new Saturday daytime service between Denpasar and the Gold Coast between June 28 and July 26, and expanded Queenstown schedules throughout the ski season from June to September.

The carrier also added extra flights to and from Hobart in June to support demand for the popular Dark Mofo festival from Melbourne and Sydney.

Originally published as Skyscanner unveils cheapest places to travel in winter this year as cost of living crisis bites