How Aussies can travel smarter in 2026: tips, budgeting hacks and more
Australia's passion for travel hasn't cooled off, it's just getting bigger.
Recent data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) revealed Aussie residents took 12.6 million international trips in 2025, an 1 million increase from 2024.
A separate survey conducted in April 2025 found that despite cost of living worries, around 23% of Australians have planned an overseas holiday within the next 12 months.
So if you're one of the lucky Australians heading abroad in 2026, getting savvy with your travel budget is essential.
To ensure you get the best value out of your next getaway, we've jotted down a few tips to help you see the world without breaking the bank.
Where your dollar still wins: best budget-friendly destinations for 2026
Not fussed with where you go? Travellers looking for value have plenty of choices where everyday expenses like food, accommodation and local transport cost far less than in Australia or Europe.
For instance, countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and parts of Indonesia remain classics for budget travellers, thanks to low daily costs and cheap local transport.
Places like the Balkans can also offer spectacular scenery, rich culture and affordable food and accommodation.
Planning trips during shoulder or off-peak seasons is also an option for Aussies craving a specific destination, as flights, accommodation and attractions can be significantly less expensive.
How to save on flights, accommodation and activities
Cutting costs wherever you can is one of the easiest ways to stretch your travel budget without sacrificing the experience.
If you are flexible with your dates, mid-week flights and non-peak travel dates can save you hundreds on airfare compared to weekend or school-holiday prices. Booking well ahead of time can also help you slash airfare expenses.
When putting together your itinerary, walking tours, museum free days, markets, beaches and self-guided city walks are often free or cheap ways to explore.
Heading abroad in 2026?
Get travel insurance
Don't forget your biggest essential: travel insurance
This might sound like an extra cost, but comprehensive travel insurance is one of the smartest financial protections you can buy.
Medical coverage overseas can run tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars if something goes wrong.
Not to mention other, more inconvenient events, like flight cancellations or delays may force you to change plans, which can seriously shake up your budget.
That's why it's important to treat travel insurance not as a luxury add-on but as risk protection that can save you far more than its upfront cost.
But we know the last thing you want to do during your travel planning is sifting through multiple travel insurance policies, which is why we've made it easy to compare policies.
All you need to do is share a few details about yourself and your trip and our search engine will do the rest.
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