Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 2 . PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA
2 The $50-a-Day Premise
Can’t believe you can really travel and
stay comfortably around this huge
country for as little as $50 a day? It
can be done. Australia’s abundance of
family-run motels, authentic country
pubs, friendly B&Bs, and inexpensive
ethnic restaurants offer a wide variety
of great eating, welcoming accommodations,
and some of the most amazing
sights you’ll ever see, without
sacrificing fun, comfort, and adventure
to a budget.
The “$50-a-day” premise is based on
the assumption of two adults traveling
together who, between the two of
them, have at least US$100, or US$50
per person, to spend per day on
accommodations and meals. (We used
a calculation of A$1 equals US65¢.)
But fluctuations in the value of the
Australian dollar against the U.S. dollar
in recent years may mean you will get
even more value for your money at the
time you travel. Sightseeing, entertainment,
and transport costs are extra, but
3 Fifty Money-Saving Tips
GENERAL TRAVEL
1. Even if you never set foot in a youth
hostel, an all-time great buy is
membership in the Australian
Youth Hostels Association (AYHA),
or its U.S. counterpart, Hostelling
International—American Youth
Hostels. It entitles you to a huge
array of discounts. See “Youth Hostels
& Backpacker Lodges” in “Tips
on Accommodations” later in this
chapter.
2. Try to buy a discounted ticket.
Many companies, particularly airline
ticket consolidators (“bucket
shops”) that buy tickets wholesale,
and some Australian tour companies,
offer discounts for booking
direct with them, rather than
through a travel agent, to whom
they must pay commission. Do
check with the travel agent, too,
we have unearthed loads of free and
next-to-free ways for you to see the
sights and get around without breaking
the bank. Because airfare is likely to be
the most expensive part of your trip, we
provide tips on finding low-cost deals
and packages.
But make no mistake: This isn’t a
backpacker’s guide to Oz. Although
the book includes the best backpackerstyle
accommodations and hostels, its
aim is to suggest the best places to stay
and dine at the best price. In fact, if
you frequent the places recommended
and follow our money-saving tips on
transportation and sightseeing, you’ll
be traveling the same way most average
Australians do. They would rather stay
in a mid-priced country guesthouse
that has a bit of charm, and eat at the
cheap, fabulous Thai nosh-house, than
pay a fortune to sit around a five-star
resort’s swimming pool eating $15
hamburgers.
to make sure you’re getting the
best deal, or if you have complex
traveling needs.
3. When booking a hotel room at a
major chain or renting a car from
a major agency, be sure to ask
whether you qualify for frequentflier
miles. If you have acquired a
load of frequent-flier miles, they
may be redeemable for award
travel, lodging, and other travel
needs.
4. If you are a senior or student, ask
about discounts at every chance—
when booking your airfare, hotel,
rental car, or sightseeing tour;
buying theater tickets; or visiting
museums or attractions.
5. Full-time students should arm
themselves with an International
Student Identity Card (ISIC),
which offers substantial savings on