Travel
Proven ways to reduce your travel costs – don't miss this list
Planning on travelling in retirement? Here’s how to hit everywhere on your list for the best possible price.
By Maddie Southall
You’ve worked hard your whole life and now you’re approaching retirement – or perhaps you’re already there? So now comes the fun part: choosing which parts of the world you want to see and enjoying the fruits of your labour.
If you're dreaming of your next getaway but want to avoid paying top dollar, a little insider knowledge can go a long way. With the rising cost of living putting pressure on budgets, many travellers are rethinking how they plan, book and enjoy their holidays.
The good news is that scoring a brilliant deal doesn’t mean compromising on quality. It just means locking in some of the basics at exactly the right time. Here’s how.
Order your trips wisely
As we move through different stages of life, the kind of travel that suits us best changes too. Planning your big-ticket trips in the right order can make them more enjoyable, and help you avoid missing out on experiences due to health, comfort or time.
50s-60s: Go big and adventurous
You’ve got the energy, so now’s the time for any physically active holidays you may have planned – like walking tours, safaris or exploring more remote corners of the globe. This can be great to do as part of a group or with a tour company.
“This is typically a great age to start looking at touring to add more ease to a holiday,” says Tayla Muhvic, senior travel consultant at Flight Centre. “If the fast-paced atmosphere is overwhelming then companies like Collette and BackRoads touring have great options as they can offer small group touring with less distance in between the areas they stay, meaning less hours on the road and more focus on the exploring.”
60s-70s: Multi-stop trips with maximum convenience
With more time and flexibility, this is your chance for bucket-list travel – think Europe, Southeast Asia, or longer trips. Cruises, in particular, are well-suited at this age thanks to their mix of adventure, comfort and convenience.
“It goes without saying that cruising is great for all ages,” says Tayla. “However this demographic is a large portion of cruisers particularly as retirement begins to kick in. The convenience of unpacking once and having all the entertainment at your fingertips is great.”
Don’t miss this: A CITRO GUIDE: Cruising for over 50s
70s-80s: Keep it shorter, but just as special
Train journeys, short guided tours, or a relaxing stay close to home can be perfect. At this stage, hassle-free travel is key.
“Train travel is a scenic and leisurely way to travel for this age range,” says Tayla. “For example, the company Journey Beyond will provide experiences as the Ghan, the Indian Pacific and much more with many inclusions and hassle free.”
She also adds that she has many 80-year-old clients who “travel like they are still on a Contiki!” For most of us, something gentler probably sounds more appealing.
Insider secrets to getting amazing holiday deals
The other important consideration for timing your travel just right is when to go in any given year. That’s because prices move according to when (and sometimes how) you book.
Travel during the shoulder seasons
The months of April-May and August-September are prime time for cheaper airfares, better hotel rates and smaller crowds – but it depends on the destination, says Tayla.
“If I were to look at Europe for example, the shoulder seasons of March to May and September to November, it would be cheaper; although cheap is not always best as some destinations run seasonally and may not have hospitality sites operating.”
More here: 10 tips to dodge the European summer tourist crush
Use your flexibility to your advantage
With the freedom to travel outside of school holidays, Tayla says you’re in a strong position to take advantage of lower prices – especially in family-friendly hotspots.
“Overall, if avoiding school holidays is an option then this is the first place to start, especially for domestic travel and family catered destinations like Fiji, Thailand and Indonesia.”
Book early, but not too early…
If you’re planning a trip during a peak time, it pays to know the booking timeline, but be cautious not to book too early.
“Airlines tend to release their dates approximately 10 months in advance,” says Tayla. “Though it's best to keep in mind that they may not initially drop the best price up front... my sweet spot would be 9 months, however this needs to be calculated from the return date not the departure date.”
She gives a real-world example about trying to book a Qantas flight 10 months in advance:
“Qantas’ initial [price offering] 10 months out was over $3,000 per person return... only two weeks later, they had dropped [the price] to $1,900 per person. This goes to show that in some instances being too organised can be a downfall.”
… But cruises work differently
“Cruises are released almost 2 years in advance and due to their popularity, this is something that you should consider booking as soon as possible,” Tayla suggests. “Some cruise lines will actually let you match sale prices even after booking (if the same category is available still) – this isn’t always guaranteed, however I have had some luck with cruise lines like Princess and Royal Caribbean in the past.”
Set up deal alerts and use cashback
Let technology work for you – apps like Google Flights, Skyscanner or Hopper can track prices on your behalf. Plus, cashback offers through Citro partners can put real money back in your pocket when you book travel through the Citro App.
Don’t forget package deals and tours
All-inclusive or bundled options can often save money, especially for flexible travellers. Keep your eye out for targeted promotions.
“You will generally find that The Travel Corporation, who owns Trafalgar, Insight and Luxury Gold, will generally have a ‘September Sale’ every year and provide offers on selected dates that are still to be sold out,” says Tayla.
Cash in on your airline’s points and loyalty programs
If you’ve built up frequent flyer points or credit card rewards, now’s the time to use them. Loyalty perks like seat upgrades, baggage allowance and lounge access can make your travel smoother, especially on long-haul flights.
How to avoid overpaying on holidays
Don’t get tricked into paying more
Ever noticed flight prices jump after you’ve looked once or twice? You’re not imagining it. Airline and booking websites use dynamic pricing, meaning the more interest they detect (yes, even from your own browsing), the more likely the price will creep up next time you check. Use incognito mode, clear your cookies, and compare platforms to make sure you’re not paying more than you should.
Be careful using third-party platforms too
“Using third party sites can also cause issues like overpaying. For example, as an agent I can secure the rate in AUD from the get-go whereas if you book on sites like Expedia.com or Booking.com, you are securing the rate at the local currency, and it is simply displayed in AUD,” Tayla explains. “This means that if the exchange rate in your destination were to crash closer to your departure, there is a chance you are in fact going to end up paying more than what you had anticipated initially.”
And always weigh value, not just price
“Comparing value to cost is also very important,” Tayla adds. Some companies may charge more upfront, but their inclusions mean you should be spending less at your destination. A lower cost upfront may mean you need to dig into your pocket far more during your trip, which can actually end up costing you more in the end.
Feature image: iStock/Drazen Zigic
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