How Do We Afford to Travel So Much?

We get asked this question All The Time.

So I’m going to cut straight to the chase.

We’re not millionaires and we don’t have an endless travel budget.

We’ve just learned a few tricks over the years.

After travelling to more than 80 countries, these are the lessons that have helped us travel more. We’ve learnt which websites are worth checking, when the best time is to book & how to make the most of airline points.

And honestly? Travelling is a lot more achievable than most people think.

So here goes...our best tips - That anyone can do!

Qantas Frequent Flyer Points (Our Biggest Money Saver)

I can already you saying...

"It's too late to start collecting points."

Honestly? It's not.

In fact, I've only just started collecting Flybuys. Do I wish I'd started 20 years ago? Absolutely!

But the important thing is... I've started.

The great thing about points is that they're basically a bonus. You're buying the groceries anyway. You're filling up the car with fuel anyway. You're shopping for things you need anyway.

All you have to do is remember to scan your card or app.

Here in Australia, there are plenty of ways to start collecting points.

We mainly use Everyday Rewards and now Flybuys, but Velocity Frequent Flyer points are also popular. You don't have to become an expert overnight—just pick one and start.

Every grocery shop, tank of fuel and everyday purchases slowly adds to your balance.

And trust me, those points really do add up.

Earlier this year with Qantas Points I purchased direct flights from Brisbane to the Philippines for just $34!!

Another time, we flew to the Cook Islands with the kids' flights costing around $50 each, while ours were about $100.

We have literally saved thousands by using points.

If there's one piece of advice I could give anyone who dreams of travelling more, it's this:

Start collecting points today.

Even if your dream trip is still a few years away, your future self will be incredibly grateful you started now.

If Points Aren't an Option, Compare Everything

Qantas Points are always my first choice, but sometimes there simply aren't reward seats available, or I don't have enough points for the trip.

That's when it's time to start comparing prices.

My Favourite website is Skyscanner because it's one of the easiest ways to compare airlines and get a good overview of what's available.

From there, I'll cross-check with my next favourite, Trip.com and Aviasales. Every now and then, one website finds a fare that another one doesn't, and those little differences can make a huge difference.

It only takes a few extra minutes, but especially when you're booking flights for a whole family, it's well worth the effort.

Next, Wait for the Sales

Every airline has sales and great fares pop up more often than you think!

If we're dreaming about Fiji, I'll sign up to Fiji Airways. If New Caledonia is calling, I'll subscribe to Aircalin. That way, when a birthday sale or flash sale lands in my inbox, I'm ready.

The best sale times are...

• Easter Week

• Black Friday

• Boxing Day

• Long weekends

• Airline birthday sales

As soon as we've booked our flights, I simply unsubscribe.

There will always be a sale & a little patience has taken us a very long way.

How to Save Money on Accommodation

When it comes to booking accommodation, Booking.com is almost always my first stop.

We've used it for years, love the flexibility, huge range of accommodation and Genius discounts.

However, whenever we're travelling through Asia, I always check Agoda. I've found that Agoda.com has some fantastic accommodation options throughout Asia that simply aren't listed on any other website.

We also loveeeee Airbnb! We've found some incredible apartments, cabins and unique homes over the years that have worked out cheaper than booking any hotel rooms.

How to Save Money on Car Hire

If we're planning a road trip, hiring a car is almost always the first thing I book. Getting in early gives you the best options of cars and prices.

Over the years we've hired cars in countries like Kyrgyzstan, America, New Caledonia, Samoa and all across Europe.

Most of the time, I've found the best deals through Booking.com Rentalcars

Before I book, though, I always compare with Discover Cars as well. They compare prices from a huge range of rental companies across hundreds of destinations, and sometimes they'll come up with a better deal depending on the country.

It’s worth spending an extra five minutes comparing both websites before booking—it can save you a surprising amount of money.

Don't Assume Flying Is the Only Option

Before you book a flight, take a few minutes to see if there's another way to get there.

Some of our favourite journeys haven't been flights at all.

We've caught ferries between islands in French Polynesia, travelled across Uzbekistan by train, crossed borders by bus and even taken detours through other countries!

Not only have these options often been cheaper than flying, but they've become some of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Sometimes a ferry, train or bus will cost a fraction of the price of a flight, and you'll get to see so much more of the country along the way.

So before you hit "Book", just double check, Is there another way to get there?

You might save money and end up with an even better travel experience.

Travel in Shoulder Season (If You Can)

If your circumstances allow, consider travelling during the shoulder season rather than peak holiday periods.

Not only can flights and accommodation be significantly cheaper, but we've found many destinations are simply more enjoyable in the off season. Shorter queues, quieter beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere. It makes a big difference—especially when travelling with kids.

Of course, this isn't always possible. We've travelled during peak season plenty of times too. But when we have the flexibility, we'll always choose shoulder season.

Book Early or Wait for a Deal?

This one really depends on how flexible you are.

If you know you have to be somewhere—whether it's a wedding, a family holiday, a cruise or a weekend away you've already committed to—I'd always recommend booking as early as you can.

In my experience, things like car hire, domestic flights and cruises generally get more expensive the closer you get to your travel date. Booking early usually gives you better prices, more choice and far less stress.

On the other hand, if you're flexible and you're happy to travel whenever a great deal comes along, then waiting can definitely pay off.

We've booked some amazing last-minute deals over the years simply because we were ready to go.

So my advice is pretty simple:

If your dates are fixed, book early.

If your dates are flexible, keep an eye out for bargains and be ready to jump on them.

Both approaches can save you money—it just depends on the type of trip you're planning.

We Don't Need Luxury to Have an Amazing Trip

Don't get me wrong—we love a beautiful hotel every now and then.

But our favourite travel memories haven't come from five-star resorts.

They've come from staying in apartments, cosy cabins, family-run guesthouses, homestays and yurts.

Sure, the beds aren't always as comfortable, and sometimes the showers are a bit of a walk away. But those places have given us something a luxury hotel often can't—a genuine glimpse into everyday life and the culture of the country we're visiting.

We've shared meals with local families in Fiji, woken up to horses grazing outside our yurt in Kyrgyzstan, stayed in family homes in Uzbekistan and found incredible little apartments in Europe and the Caribbean that felt like home for a few days.

Choosing simpler accommodation also means we can travel for longer and travel more often.

Instead of spending our entire budget on one luxury hotel, we'd rather stretch that money into another few nights exploring somewhere new.

For us, it's never been about how fancy the accommodation is. It's about the experiences waiting outside the front door.

Cruises

Cruises are one of the few things we almost always book well in advance.

Yes, you'll occasionally hear about incredible last-minute cruise deals, and they definitely exist. But in our experience, booking early usually gives you the best choice of cabins, sailing dates and often some fantastic early-bird prices.

If you've got your heart set on a particular cruise, I wouldn't wait around hoping for a last-minute bargain.

Before we book, we always compare prices on Oz Cruising, which often has some excellent specials and discounted fares for all cruise companies.

Just like flights and accommodation, it pays to compare.

A few extra minutes of research can save you hundreds of dollars, and you'll have a much better chance of getting the cabin and itinerary you actually want.

We Simply Prioritise Travel

At the end of the day, this is probably the biggest reason we're able to travel so often.

Everyone spends their money differently, and there's no right or wrong way to do it.

Some people love renovating their home, while others enjoy buying a new car every few years, eating out every weekend or treating themselves to the latest gadgets.

For us, it's travel.

That's what brings our family the most joy.

We'd rather spend our money making memories than collecting more possessions. We'd rather watch our girls experience different cultures, try new foods and see the world than have a few extra things sitting at home.

Travel isn't always cheap, but it's what we choose to prioritise.

And if there's one thing I hope you take away from this article, it's this:

You don't have to be rich to travel more.

You just need a plan...

Start collecting points.

Start watching for sales.

Start putting a little money aside.

Little by little, those small decisions really do add up.

Who knows… that dream trip you've been putting in the "one day" basket might be a whole lot closer than you think.

Looking for Affordable Travel Inspiration?

If you're ready to start planning your next adventure, these guides show just how far your travel budget can go:

• 🇫🇯 Fiji on a Budget – How we island-hopped through Fiji without spending a fortune.

  
  

• 🏝️ Bora Bora on a Budget – Yes, Bora Bora can be done without a luxury budget.

  
  

• 🌏 French Polynesia Island Hopping – How we travelled between islands while keeping costs down.

  
  

• 🕌 Uzbekistan with Kids –One of the best-value destinations we've ever visited.

  
  

• 🇵🇭 Philippines Itinerary with Kids – Our route, costs and money-saving tips for an affordable family adventure.

I hope you found this post helpful! Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. Every booking helps support Wanderers at Heart and allows us to keep creating free family travel guides. Thank you so much—it really means the world to us. ❤️