Don’t go to your travel agent to book your next trip because you can find the best holiday deals online.
I speak from experience. The last time I went to a travel agent, I had to wait in a queue outside the shop so I could book an appointment to come back another time. As a result, I looked online and found some excellent holiday deal sites, which made booking easy and left me with money for my trip.
On my first two bookings, I ran the special by a travel agent to check I wasn’t being ripped off and they were unable to compete with the prices. So I knew I had a great deal on my holiday, but was I booking a dud? To answer this question, I checked reviews for the travel website I was booking through, as well as the accommodation/flight/tour directly. If there were no reviews, I would probably not book them as they are my safety backup. Look for recent reviews only.
It helps to use a travel website you trust and there are a few biggies out there. Stay away from the smaller, lesser-known ones. This list contains my go-to websites for the best holiday deals online if you live in Australia.
Further reading: How to bag yourself a cheap family holiday even as travel costs rise.
Where to find holiday deals online if you live in Australia (Updated 2024)
Booking.com
Booking.com is one of the biggest travel marketplaces in Australia and offers accommodation, flights, packages, car rentals and attractions. You can also book airport taxis which I use as a stand-alone because I like to arrange transport from airport to hotel before arriving anywhere as it takes the stress off.
The accommodation section is extensive with everything from hotels to hostels and privately rented guest houses. Flight prices are comparable with others across the web, but occasionally, they have super cheap seat allocations, which beat everyone else hands down. For package holidays (flight + hotel), Booking.com teams up with Agoda, and you’ll save a healthy 25% on flights. In May 2022 they teamed up with the Eurovision Song Contest and created the Italian Music Retreat package, so whatever kind of holiday you’re after, you’ll find it here.
Handy tip: Check out our seasonal and holiday deals in a tiny font right at the bottom of the page. This shows the top active deals in several categories that aren’t displayed elsewhere.
Ways to save with Booking.com:
- Get online specials such as 15% off Late Escape Deals
- Join the Genius loyalty program for discount stays, free breakfasts and room upgrades and support via a live agent
- Become a Booking.com member and save 10% on accommodation
- Sign up for the newsletter for “secret specials”
Trivago
Trivago is a metasearch engine that compares prices from various online booking sites. Here, you can find the best prices on hotels, flights, and vacation rentals. You can also read real user reviews and ratings for hotels and accommodations. This is a deal breaker for me as it ensures that the place I book meets my standards and expectations.
The best thing about Trivago is the flexible booking options. Last year, I had to reschedule a trip due to a work emergency, and Trivago let me do it smoothly. With this feature, you can plan your holiday with peace of mind. Look for hotels and flights with free cancellation or flexible change policies so you can adapt your plans if needed without any extra stress.
Handy tip: Book through the app to get better deals on hotel rooms, including last-minute and up to 60% off.
Ways to save with Trivago:
- Keep an eye out for early booking discounts and seasonal promotions on Trivago.
- Sign up for their newsletter to receive notifications about limited-time offers, flash sales, and promo codes.
- The TripAdvisor Plus program provides members with deeply discounted hotel rates, special amenities, and deals on travel experiences.
Last Minute
I have to say that I’m more of an advanced than a last-minute trip planner, but there are times when you just need to find the cheapest deals online. And fast! LastMinute is not just for last-minute holidays. The name comes from the days when last-minute holiday bookings were always a win. This is no longer the case and LastMinute has the same date ranges to book as the other big travel sites alongside some great last-minute deals to honour their namesake.
No matter your budget, LastMinute has something for everyone. From quick weekend getaways to luxury stays at the best hotels, you can find great last-minute deals here. I particularly love their flash deals and specials on all-inclusive holidays. You can score last-minute flights plus hotel packages without breaking the bank with their lowest price guarantee. They match the lower price if you find a cheaper hotel or package within 24 hours of booking (terms apply).
Handy tip: According to the website, if you create a lastminute.com.au account and log into it before you search for hotels, you’ll see “Sneaky Saver” deals to access secret hotel deals for last-minute and even advanced bookings.
Ways to save with lastminute.com:
- Sign up for a lastminute.com account to see exclusive deals like Secret Hotels and save up to 50%
- Compare multiple deals on their website before booking anything. Filter by location, holiday, or activity to narrow down results.
- Sign up for Sneaky Saver emails to get 10% off hotels and be the first to hear about flash sales.
- Get bundle deals when you can. These are generally cheaper than separate bookings for flights, hotels, and activities.
Bonza
Bonza offers the best Aussie holiday packages among our picks. They also offer personalised recommendations based on your preferences and budget. Whether you're looking for a beach retreat, a city adventure, or a cosy countryside escape, Bonza has got your back. From budget-friendly hotels to all-inclusive resorts, I find plenty of affordable choices that suit my needs every time I book with Bonza.
Get this, finding family-friendly destinations has never been easier as well. Thanks to the app's child-friendly accommodation filters, kid-friendly activities, and family-oriented travel guides. I also appreciate that Bonza offers flexible payment options, as it lets me spread the cost of my holiday over time. It gives me the option to pay upfront or in instalments.
Handy tips: Utilise the Fly Bonza app for booking flights, managing reservations, and accessing exclusive deals.
Ways to save with Bonza:
- Sign up for Bonza's loyalty program to unlock exclusive deals, discounts, and rewards. Earn points for every booking and redeem them for future discounts or freebies.
- To save costs, opt for random seat assignments and minimal baggage. Choosing preferred seats and checked baggage incurs additional fees.
- You can purchase snacks, food, and drinks on board at reasonable prices. Bonza also offers a variety of options for in-flight entertainment.
Expedia
Another website that I always check when I’m looking for holiday deals online is Expedia. What I particularly love about Expedia is their frequent specials, bundle deals, and how super easy it is to find whatever I’m looking for to plan my dream vacation. I can also buy travel insurance here, and I earn points through their Rewards Program … points that I can use for future travel.
Make sure to check Expedia’s Holiday Deals page for specials on everything from five-star hotels to off-the-beaten-path accommodations. Expedia always has a sale, but the best way to save is by bundling or booking flights, hotels, and activities together instead of separately. You can still compare the cost of each line item with the prices on the company’s own website to see how much you are saving (sometimes booking directly is cheaper). I often set my search filters to “fully refundable” when I’m browsing to make sure can easily cancel bookings.
Handy tip: Sign up for Expedia Rewards to access members-only pricing and collect points for future travel.
Ways to save with Expedia:
- Sign up for an Expedia account to unlock exclusive deals.
- Book from the Expedia app to get 10% off on hotels, double your reward points, get travel alerts, and access other app-only specials.
- Bundle your flight and hotel together or book your hotel later to save up to 43%.
- Bookmark the Deals, Coupons, and Student Travel Discount pages.
TripADeal
TripADeal specialises in sourcing unbeatable deals on group tours, cruises, and holiday packages. It also provides access to hotel stays and experiences. We once got to stay at a 4-star hotel at an affordable rate! With discounts of up to 70% off retail prices, you can enjoy luxury getaways without the luxury price tag.
What I love most about TripADeal are their 2 for 1 Travel Deals. It is a travel bundle for two at the price of one! Talk about getting the most bang for your buck! I also prefer booking with the app as it allows me to browse hundreds of trips, save my favourite deals, and easily book later.
Handy tip: 2 for 1 Travel Deals are incredibly budget-friendly but sell out quickly, so I suggest booking early to take advantage of them.
Ways to save with TripADeal:
- Join the Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty program for free (save A$99.50) when you sign up as a TripADeal customer.
- Sign up as a Qantas Frequent Flyer to earn more points as you spend and book via TripADeal. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn 3 Qantas Points per A$1 spent or use Qantas Points to book their exciting travel products.
- Look for 'Book With Confidence' deals. These deals come with clear terms for date changes and the ability to Buy Now, Choose Dates Later.
- Subscribe to the TripADeal newsletter to be the first to know about their latest deals.
Skyscanner
Although I check directly with airlines and other sites like Kiwi and Kayak, Skyscanner is my go-to when booking flights. It’s designed to help you find the cheapest flights. They don’t cover all flights on the planet, but their huge database covers around 99%. And it’s not just for flights; you can also use Skyscanner to book hotels, activities, and travel insurance.
What I love best about Skyscanner is the price alert emails they send when prices drop for my destination. I’ve saved hundreds on flights with this! I also use their ‘Everywhere Search’ feature when I’m feeling spontaneous or whenever I want to check alternate routes and prices. This shows the cheapest destinations you can fly to based on your location. They also have a very helpful multi-city feature that shows the cheapest connections as well as the number of stops for each flight. You can really customise each flight with Skyscanner to save even more money.
Handy tip: When booking flights, choose “Whole Month” instead of individual dates to find the cheapest day to fly (if your dates are flexible).
Ways to save with Skyscanner:
- When booking, select “Whole Month” or “Whole Year” in the Depart box to see the best and cheapest days to fly.
- Select “Everywhere” as your destination to see the cheapest destinations you can fly to.
- Use “Everywhere” as your departure point to explore alternate and cheaper flights.
- Sign up for Skyscanner email notifications to get alerts when prices drop.
Best holiday deal sites in Australia
Wotif
I’ve used Expedia-owned Wotif a couple of times when comparing prices on flights and hotels and the website is an excellent starting point or guide, especially for local travellers wanting to discover the best the country has to offer. What I like best about Wotif is their neat hotel comparison feature and a decent amount of listings. While I’ve never actually booked a hotel here, my friend said their customer support was great when she had a refund issue.
If you live in Australia and want to DIY your vacations, Wotif offers plenty of deals on local hotels and activities. Wotif makes it easy peasy to organise your travels whether you’re a backpacker, a business traveller, or a honeymooner. Wotif was originally known for its great hotel deals but now they have thousands of offerings that include flights, car hire, activities, and even travel insurance. It’s really a one-stop travel planning website that has a special place in the heart of many Aussie travelers.
Handy tip: Create an account on Wotif.com to access exclusive deals like secret Mates Rates pricing.
Ways to save with Wotif:
- Sign up for Wotif account to unlock members-only pricing like secret Mates Rates and other exclusive deals.
- Download the Wotif app for real-time updates, free cancellation on select hotels, and easy booking changes.
- Bookmark the “Deals” page to see what’s currently on sale.
Luxury Escapes
Once in a while, I book a weekend getaway that’s over my usual travel budget just because, well, I want to experience something different. And pamper myself, of course! Aussie-owned and operated Luxury Escapes is one of the websites that I visited when I was researching a trip to Hawaii. They offer deals for (you guessed it) exclusive, swanky, and luxurious experiences all over the world.
Luxury Escapes aggregates the best hotels, resorts, tours & cruises, last-minute escapes, experiences, and flights in one place as curated by experts. They “negotiate the best prices so you don’t have to” and work directly with top global hotels and brands to give you the best deals. For my Hawaii trip, I found it cheaper and more convenient to book directly on the resort’s website, so I didn’t end up booking with Luxury Escapes. However, they do have heaps of deals, a referral program, and a price match guarantee if you happen to find a better deal elsewhere (terms apply).
Handy tip: Create an account with Luxury Escapes to unlock exclusive offers like VIP inclusions and the latest specials.
Ways to save with Luxury Escapes:
- Sign up to access members-only deals.
- If you find a better price for the same deal/package on another website, Luxury Escapes will match it (applies only to Limited Time Lux Exclusive packages).
- Refer a friend and earn rewards ($50/referral) when your friend books their first trip with Luxury Escapes.
Hello World
HelloWorld Travel is another Aussie-based travel company that offers great deals on flights and activities. What makes them different from other aggregator websites is their huge network of travel agents and specialists who will tailor the perfect travel itinerary or tour package based on your goals and budget. My friend, who has booked several trips with Helloworld, loves the custom holiday packages they created for her and her family.
Sometimes, it’s great to have someone else plan your entire trip for you. It’s one less thing you need to think about! If you’re this type of traveller, head to the HelloWorld Travel website and click on “Enquire” or “Find An Agency” to talk directly to a travel agent. However, if you’re a DIYer, you can plan an itinerary the usual way. They offer flights, hotels, cruises, tour packages, activities, and travel insurance. To see their specials on holiday deals online, head to the “Deals” section at the top of the page. You can search by keyword and price or browse by destination.
Handy tip: Sign up at HelloWorld Travel to be the first to hear about the latest deals on flights, hotels, and packages.
Ways to save with HelloWorld Travel:
- Head to the “Deals” section to see specials for that week.
- Create an account to get the latest deals and offers.
Summary: Best holiday deals online
Like most single mums, I don't always get to spend every holiday with my daughters, so finding the best deals is crucial. Aside from discounts, we aim to stretch every dollar while creating unique, lasting memories. Let's face it, organising a better vacation than your ex wouldn't hurt, am I right?
Start with thorough research. I usually spend hours scouring the internet for the best holiday deals online. But after planning numerous vacations over the years, I've narrowed everything down to my list above. It will help you choose efficiently. So, say goodbye to high rates and long waiting times at travel agencies!
If you haven’t decided on a destination yet, be open to different options or travel dates. This can lead to significant savings—as proven by yours truly! Utilising loyalty programs and credit card rewards can also help offset costs.
Consider alternative accommodations like vacation rentals or house swaps for a more affordable and comfortable stay. But no matter how much you want to lower costs, never compromise on comfort, especially when travelling with your kids.
Final tips for the road: Plan ahead and budget meticulously. This ensures that every expense is accounted for, from transportation to activities. If you’re lucky, you might even have some extra cash left for souvenirs! Travel safe and enjoy!
