Cheap Holidays and Where To Find Them

Overdue for a holiday? Itching for some time away from home with the family or just your significant other? We’ve all had the feeling of needing a getaway. But when finances are tight, it can be tricky to put some time and money aside for a “proper” holiday

By choosing the right place and booking at the right time, you can enjoy a fantastic getaway without forking out your entire savings account. These cheap holiday ideas will be sure to help your family unwind and bond.

Cheap Holiday Destinations from Australia

1. Indonesia

Mount Rinjani, Limbok - Cigno Loans

Pictured: Mount Rinjani, Lombok

For many Aussies, the first place that comes to mind for cheap places to go on holiday is Bali. If your dream holiday involves breathtaking beaches, bustling markets, vibrant nightlife and delicious seafood, Bali may indeed be the best cheap holiday destination for you.

But Indonesia has so much more to offer than this hyped tourist hub.

If you’re put off by Bali’s reputation or have been before and didn’t enjoy it, consider visiting one of these Indonesian alternatives:

  • Lombok – Bali’s less developed and less crowded sister island
  • Solo – a city brimming with authentic Javanese culture and traditional shopping centres
  • Bunaken – a tiny isle with amazing underwater views (ideal for experienced divers)
  • Bintan – an amazing island for golfers and water sports enthusiasts (great spas too!)
  • Yogyakarta – splendid temples, natural wonders, and plenty of shopping opportunities.

Find the Best Deals: Indonesia

TripAdvisor

Airbnb

Trivago

Skyscanner

2. Turkey

Pamukkale - Cigno Loans

Pictured: The white travertine pools and terraces in Pamukkale

Current economic struggles make Turkey a very affordable place to travel at the moment. There’s never been a better time to explore fascinating architecture and panoramas, witness the stunning white terraces of Pamukkale, visit ancient ruins, and cruise the Mediterranean in this beautiful country.

If paying your respects at Gallipoli is on your bucket list, now is a great time to book a holiday in Turkey.

Find the Best Deals: Turkey

TripAdvisor

Airbnb

Trivago

Skyscanner

3. New Zealand

Queenstown - Cigno Loans

Pictured: Jetboating in Queenstown

One of the best cheap holiday destinations from Australia is just across the ditch. While the culture and cost of living aren’t hugely different, the affordable flights make New Zealand a very attractive getaway for anyone who just needs some time away.

From the rich culture and revitalising thermal springs of Rotorua to the modern metropolis of Auckland, from the thrill-seeking paradise of Queenstown to the glorious national parks and scenery on every horizon, there’s something in New Zealand to delight anyone.

Find the Best Deals: New Zealand

TripAdvisor

Airbnb

Trivago

Skyscanner

4. Vietnam

Ninh Binh - Cigno Loans

Pictured: Ninh Binh

It may cost a little extra to get to Vietnam, but the cost of living during your trip will be incredibly low. Cheap yet delicious market meals and shopping bargains make it a dream destination for travellers on a budget.

This means you can save your holiday funds to truly enjoy all the attractions the country has to offer. Some of the most highly recommended things to see and do in Vietnam include:

  • The Cu Chi Tunnels
  • The Mekong River with its floating markets
  • Hoi Ann Ancient Town
  • The shops in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
  • The War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City
  • Bai Tu Long Bay
  • Lake of the Restored Sword
  • Ninh Binh
  • Hoi An Impression Theme Park
  • Son Doong Cave in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.

Find the Best Deals: Vietnam

TripAdvisor

Airbnb

Trivago

Skyscanner

5. Australia

Cheap Holiday Australia - Cigno Loans

One of the best cheap holiday destinations from Australia is… Australia.

Let’s face it: Our backyard is massive. It would take a lifetime of travelling to explore all the cultural and natural wonders our own country has to offer. So, if your budget is making it tricky to book overseas flights or a long-term stay in another country, why not take a holiday closer to home? You could:

Backyard Camp

Sometimes the best budget holiday ideas are hiding right under your nose (or right on your doorstep). This one is ideal for treating younger children to a holiday that’s barely beyond the backdoor. Find the furthest patch of grass in your backyard, set up the family tent, and pack all the gear you’d take on a real camping trip.

Apart from using the bathroom, restrict your family from going back in the house. Challenge the kids to see who can last the longest without their creature comforts. This is a great way to reconnect with nature while spending quality time with your family – without any screens.

Staycation with the Grandparents

They love seeing their grandkids. They don’t live too far away. And they have a spare room available (for free). If you’re looking for family holiday ideas on a budget, staying a few nights with nan and pop checks a lot of boxes.

If this is a viable option for your family, it’s well worth your consideration. You’ll still get some much-needed time away from your own home, and your children will get to connect with their grandparents.

Road Trip

You don’t need to leave the country – or even your state – to have an exciting adventure. In Australia, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to road trip options. No matter where you live, you can hit the road and be somewhere new and fascinating within hours. For example:

  • NSW – Conquer the Greater Blue Mountains Drive.
  • Queensland – Straddle the coastline from Cairns to Brisbane.
  • Victoria – Explore the iconic Great Ocean Road.
  • WA – Venture from Perth to Margaret River.
  • SA – Discover the Barossa Valley.
  • NT – Drive from Darwin to Kakadu.
  • Tasmania – Trek the east coast from Hobart to Launceston.

Find The Best Holiday Deals

You can search online for a range of cheap holiday packages. Check out the following travel apps and discover where to go with great deals that won’t hurt your pocket.

TripAdvisor

With the all-new TripAdvisor, you’ll discover helpful travel recommendations and advice from the people you follow and easily save and share ideas to plan and book your perfect getaway. There are millions of traveler reviews and photos, bookable tours and attractions, and recommended restaurants — it’s everything you need to know and go better, every time.

The TripAdvisor app uses your location to notify you on personalized hotel, attraction and vacation rental recommendations, restaurant, as well as remember the places you visited via Travel Timeline feature.

Airbnb

With Airbnb, you can now start your unforgettable travel experiences. Find travel adventures and new places to go near or far, and access vacation home rentals, places to visit all around the world, and new experiences.

Book everything for your trip, or start earning money as a host

For Travellers:

  • Search for last minute travel accommodations or long-term rentals.
  • Save your favourite rental homes, experiences, and places
  • Book vacation home rentals and travel experiences for your next solo journey, family vacation, or business trip.
  • Add experiences and events to your itinerary.
  • Message your host and get directions to your home.

For Hosts:

  • Share your extra space or lead experiences that showcase what makes your city great.
  • Update your listing and calendar availability.
  • Share what’s special about your neighbourhood with a host guidebook.
  • Message guests and manage their reservations.

Airbnb app

Trivago

Find hotels for your holiday or business trip, discover a last minute city break, or a winter sun weekend deal. With more than a million hotels to choose from and hundreds of worldwide booking sites to compare, plan your next trip stress-free!

  • Discover travel discounts, deals, and savings from hotels worldwide so you can travel cheaply
  • Compare and find hotels, motels, or B&B’s from hundreds of bookings sites worldwide
  • Keep your hotel search within budget, search by both location and price, and easily compare
  • Hotel search with the Trivago Rating Index® to see the combined online ratings of all available hotel review scores
  • Set a trip itinerary for that last minute getaway

Skyscanner

Whether you’re booking holiday, a city break, or a romantic trip, Skyscanner is the best travel planner to instantly search, compare, and book cheap flight tickets, hotels, and car hire deals anytime, anywhere for your next trip.

Skyscanner can find you the best holiday deals out there in seconds. Search over 1,200 travel sites at once to instantly get the best deal across Expedia, Wotif, Qantas, Emirates, Booking.com, Budget and more!

  • No booking fees or hidden charges
  • Get notified of any price changes with Skyscanner Price Alerts push notifications
  • Easily find and compare the cheapest days and months to fly with a colour-coded calendar and chart view
  • Filter results by airline, flight length, stopovers, cabin class, departure and arrival times
  • With the new Trips feature, you can keep track of your journeys and all your bookings in the one place
  • Search the world’s car hire deals in seconds from over 30,000 car hire airport or city locations
  • Skyscanner team is contactable 24/7
  • Earn frequent flyer points when you search for and book cheap flights.

If you’d like to spend a little more for a fancier holiday, a holiday loan might give you the extra budget for a nicer Airbnb or an extra night away.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Cigno Loans’ articles do not replace advice from an accountant or financial advisor. All information provided is intended to be used as a guide only, as it does not take into account your personal financial situation or needs. If you require assistance, it is recommended that you consult a licensed financial or tax advisor.

NOTIFICATION OF MISCONDUCT BY CIGNO AUSTRALIA

Ordered by the Federal Court of Australia

The Federal Court of Australia has found that Cigno Australia Pty Ltd (Cigno Australia) and BSF Solutions Pty Ltd (BSF Solutions) have breached the law by engaging in unlicensed credit activity and charging prohibited fees.

In the period from July 2022 to 3 October 2023, over 100,000 consumers have been lent a total of $34 million, and charged fees of over $70 million, under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’ operated by BSF Solutions and Cigno Australia. At no time has either BSF Solutions or Cigno Australia held an Australian Credit Licence.

The Court also found that Mark Swanepoel (director of Cigno Australia) and Brenton James Harrison (director of BSF Solutions) were involved in these breaches of the law.

With effect from 24 May 2024, the Court has granted permanent injunctions preventing Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions from:

  • demanding, receiving or accepting fees or charges, including amounts of loan principal, from consumers in relation to credit provided under the ‘No Upfront Charge Model’; and
  • engaging in further credit activity pursuant to the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’, including by entering into new agreements with consumers, for so long as they do not hold an Australian Credit Licence.

Cigno Australia was ordered by the Court to, by 5th July 2024, send written communications to consumers who between July 2022 and December 2022 entered into agreements with Cigno Australia and BSF Solutions under the ‘No Upfront Charge Loan Model’.

The Court will later determine whether (among other things) Cigno Australia and Mark Swanepoel ought to pay a pecuniary penalty in respect of this conduct, and whether Mark Swanepoel should be restrained from carrying on a business engaging in credit activity.

Cigno Australia, BSF Solutions, Mr Swanepoel and Mr Harrison intend to appeal the decision of the Court and have filed an application for leave to appeal. If the appeal is successful, some or all of the orders of the Federal Court of Australia may be set aside.

Where can you get more information?

Where to go for further support

You can access legal advice in your state at: Free legal advice – Moneysmart.gov.au.

If you are experiencing trouble with debt, or money worries in general, contact:

  • the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or online chat (9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday).

If you need someone to talk to, contact:

  • Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or their crisis support online chat or
  • Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 (24 hours) or their webchat