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10 cheapest places to travel on the Australian dollar in 2017
The destinations where the Aussie dollar will go the furthest.
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It’s been a rocky 2016 economically with the flash crash of the pound that followed Brexit, leaving it at near parity with the Euro and then the short-lived weakening of the US dollar that followed Trump’s successful presidential campaign in the USA.
While the Trump election didn’t affect conversion prices astronomically, Britain took a big hit, making it our game-changer in terms of places we can finally visit without breaking the bank.
It’s not the only currency the Australian dollar is stronger against at the moment, either. We compared currencies around the world to see where the Aussie dollar has seen the biggest growth to determine where you can go to get more bang for your buck in 2017.
10 of the cheapest currencies for Australians in 2017
- Great British Pound: 20.41% more per dollar
- Argentine Peso: 65.21% more per dollar
- Mexican Peso: 27% more per dollar
- Kazakhstani Tenge: 11.74% more per dollar
- Chinese Yuan: 8.74% more per dollar
- Trinidad and Tobago Dollar: 8.3% more per dollar
- Swedish Krona: 7.54% more per dollar
- Iranian Rial: 7.29% more per dollar
- Malaysian Ringgit: 7.12% more per dollar
- Nepalese Rupee: 4% more per dollar
Did you know?
You’ll now get 20 extra British Pounds for every 100 that you would have gotten last year. That's equal to a bottle of champers or an extra round of pints at the pub.
1. Great Britain
It might not have seen the greatest decline against the Australian dollar in 2016 but the value of the pound certainly has plummeted following Britain’s exit from the European Union.
Travellers, take advantage of the moment to see this nation of medieval castles and ornate palaces for less because we’re not sure how long this beaut exchange rate will last.
- Top places to visit: London, Edinburgh, Isle of Skye, Belfast and Manchester.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? For every GBP100 pounds you would have gotten last year, you’ll get an extra GBP20 to play with, which can buy a ticket to see Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre or one ticket to a non-league football game.
2. Argentina
For the second year running we’re seeing the Argentine peso weaken against the dollar, making it a top pick to get your money’s worth in 2017.
Couple that with super cheap flights to South America on airlines like LATAM and Qantas and you’ll be eating Choripans and empanadas for next to nix for days.
- Top places to visit: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazu Falls and Patagonia.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? For every AUD$100 you’ll get an extra ARS460. That’s your admission fee into Iguazu Falls covered (ARS330) with enough left over for a cocktail in a downtown club (ARS130).
3. Mexico
The Australian dollar is 27% stronger against the peso than last year, so there’s never been a better time to say “arriba” to Meh-hi-co and its Aztec ruins and bountiful beaches.
And with flights to the neighbouring city of Los Angeles constantly dropping, why not double down and capture both cities in the one trip? Just a thought...
- Top places to visit: Cancun, Tulum, Mexico City and La Paz.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? AUD100 will get you MXN330 more than last year. That’s the average price of a taxi from Mexico Airport to Mexico City covered.
4. Kazakhstan
Brimming with architecture and culture, Kazakhstan is known as the most economically advanced of the “stan” nations.
This year you’re looking to get 11.74% more tenge in this unassuming Central Asian location. If a “stan” is on your bucket list, 2017 is looking like the year to tick this one off.
- Top places to visit: Almaty, Astana, Aktau and Atyrau.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? For every AUD$100 you’ll get KZT22,945. That’s equal to a night’s stay for two in a 4-star hotel like the Atyrau Dastan Hotel.
5. China
Over the past two years the value of the Chinese yuan has been falling due to policy adjustments, giving Aussies the chance to stretch their dollars in the vast nation.
On top being one of the cheapest places to travel for Australians, China is also one of the cheapest to fly to from Australia. This is thanks to budget airlines like AirAsia who have been offering flights to China for under $500 throughout 2016.
- Top places to visit: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Army and Yangtze River.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? You’ll get 41 more yuan for every AUD100 on last year, which is the cost of an average rice dish or a cheap hot pot for two.
6. Trinidad and Tobago
If you’ve been eyeing that Caribbean experience without the exotic price tag, Trinidad and Tobago has the relaxing island atmosphere at a relaxingly affordable price.
Island hopping to the tune of its calypso and soca music isn’t all you’ll be doing on these islands. You’ll be dancing too, since you’ll be getting 8.74% more for your dollar here this year.
- Top places to visit: Port of Spain, Buccoo, Scarborough and San Fernando.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? TTD30 more for every AUD$100 which is a return ferry fare between the Trinidad’s Port of Spain and San Fernando.
7. Sweden
This Scandinavian country might not be renowned as a budget destination - actually it’s the third most expensive in Europe - but with the dollar 7.5% stronger on last year it’s a good time to get your money’s worth.
It’s also a top place to go if you’re searching for that picture perfect white Christmas or to catch the elusive northern lights. Just sayin’.
- Top places to visit: Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmo and Swedish Lapland.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? With 48 more krona in your pocket when you exchange AUD100, you won’t be able to get a free beer with this, but you will be able to score a regular cappuccino in a swanky part of the city.
8. Iran
Tipped to become a trending destination for the coming years, Iran is a tourist-friendly nation of historical sites, exquisite mosques and enviable coastline.
Colour and culture abound in this diverse and beautiful country. Its booming tourism industry has seen an improvement to its infrastructure, increasing accessibility to the country’s highlights - which you can see for a touch less than last year with the strong Aussie dollar in hand.
- Top places to visit: Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan and Persepolis.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? You’ll get 161,700 more rial from $100 Aussie, which will cover your entrance fee into three mosques with a little left over.
9. Malaysia
Shopping, eating and sunbaking is what Malaysia is all about. Now, you can do all the above and still stay on budget.
That’s not just thanks to the attractive conversion rate either, as flight prices to the South East Asian country have been selling at under $500 return from cities like Perth on luxury carriers like Qantas.
- Top places to visit: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca, Genting Highlands and Langkawi.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? 22 bonus ringgit per AUD100 will fill your stomach with two bowls of laksa.
10. Nepalese Rupee
Gear up for a cheap pilgrimage to one of the most famous mountainous countries in the world.
Whether you’re here to pay worship in the country’s monasteries or pay homage to its mountainous treks, a trip to Nepal is a life-changing experience. Its people are as diverse as the landscape, drawing from many ethnic backgrounds with traditions that have been maintained due to the country having never been colonised.
- Top places to visit: Kathmandu, Sagarmatha National Park, Chitwan National Park and Pokhara.
- What does the stronger dollar get me? Your extra NPR310 will buy you a rice or lentil-based dinner.
How much has each currency increased over the year?
| Currency | 1 December 2015 exchange rate (equal to AUD$1) | 1 December 2016 exchange rate (equal to AUD$1) | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentine Peso | 7.1 | 11.73 | 65.21% |
| Mexican Peso | 12.1 | 15.4 | 27% |
| Great British Pound | 0.49 | 0.59 | 20.41% |
| Kazakhstani Tenge | 225.17 | 251.62 | 11.74% |
| Chinese Yuan | 4.69 | 5.1 | 8.74% |
| Trinidad Dollar | 4.69 | 4.99 | 8.30% |
| Swedish Krona | 6.37 | 6.85 | 7.54% |
| Iranian Rial | 22175 | 23792 | 7.29% |
| Malaysian Ringgit | 3.09 | 3.31 | 7.12% |
| Nepalese Rupee | 77.9 | 81 | 4% |
What are the cheapest places to travel from Australia to?
We understand costs incurred when on holiday can vary greatly from the cost to get to said holiday. So where can you go that won’t take your month’s pay cheque to fly to?
- China: Whether you’re flying AirAsia or China Southern, we’ve seen flights into China go on sale for as little as $389 return on 2017 departures.
- Malaysia: In August 2016, flights from Perth to Penang dropped to an affordable $488 return for departures throughout 2017.
- Hong Kong: We’ve seen Qantas slash prices to the island metropolis for 2017 down to $560 return.
- Los Angeles: Just when you thought flights to LA couldn’t get cheaper, they drop again. The last we heard, you could get from Perth to LA for $812 return. Crazy right?
- London: Think a pound drop was all you were getting out of Brexit? Think again. Return flights to London (and into Europe for that matter) have been selling for less than $1000 on carriers like Royal Brunei.
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