What countries are cheap to visit for Australians in 2018? Here’s a quick overview.
- Russia
- India
- Switzerland
- Indonesia
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Norway
1. Russia
Thanks to a Russian currency crisis brought about by sanctions imposed after its annexation of the Crimea and apparent support of Russian insurgents in Eastern Ukraine, the rouble has fallen dramatically against the Aussie dollar. In the past year alone it’s fallen by more than 11 per cent. Time to see the Kremlin perhaps, or take a stroll along St Petersburg’s Nevsky Prospect? Or take the plunge and head over to Russia to see the football World Cup, kicking off in June? It’s one of the best cheap international holiday destinations for Aussies in the world.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Book air tickets well in advance, and fly mid-week.
2. India
The Indian Rupee has plunged five per cent in the past year against the Australian dollar, so it’s pretty cheap to visit places like the Taj Mahal, the beaches of Goa, and the old British Raj hill stations of Shimla and Darjeeling. India is one of those cheap international tourism destinations that has cheap internal flights, and where food is cheap too. All in all, India can be one of the cheapest places in the world for the Aussie tourist.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Pay for things before you go to avoid unpleasant currency surprises.
3. Switzerland
Ok, Switzerland is not the cheapest holiday destination the world, but the Swiss Franc has fallen by more than three per cent in the past year against the Australian dollar. That means you can get cheaper deals on hotels, car hire and everything else. Skiing in St Moritz? Taking a gondola up into the Alps? Picking up a nice watch? It’s all better value than last year.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Avoid airport currency change outlets because these often have higher fees and commissions.
4. Indonesia
Over the past year, the Indonesian Rupiah has dropped by nearly six per cent against the dollar, which makes Indonesian one of the best cheap international destinations for Australians. You could go on a quick shopping spree in Surabaya or Jakarta, or visit some of our closest relatives on an orangutan tour. A cheap holiday in Bali sounds good too.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Find bargain flights, hotels and car hire by using Skyscanner Australia.
5. Brazil
In the past year the Brazilian Real has dropped by nearly 13 per cent against the Australian dollar. That means huge bargains. It’s the perfect time to play volleyball with the near-naked locals on Copacabana beach, or to start planning a visit to see the Rio Carnival.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Turn off global roaming on your phone and buy a local SIM card before you leave home, or when you arrive.
6. Argentina
You might start to call it a currency collapse, becasue the Argentine Peso has fallen in value by nearly 40 per cent against the Aussie dollar in the past year! The strength of the Australian dollar gives you the opportunity to explore the dramatic Iguazu falls, or to ride a horse across the grasslands of Patagonia.
Worldwide money-saving tip: Rent and return your hire car in the same country, crossing boarders can add hundreds of dollar to your bill.
7. Norway
The Scandinavian countries are usually pretty expensive for Aussie tourists and Norway is no exception. The good news is that the Aussie dollar has kept pace with the Norwegian Krone in the past year, so while it might not be a cheap place for a holiday, you aren’t going to feel you should have come here last year. That trip to the fjords, seeing the Northern Lights and basking in the midnight sun? It’s still possible!
Worldwide money-saving tip: Book train fares on the internet well in advance and you can save big time.
