Money saving tips for travel down under

We all know the Aussie dollar is high right now and the cost of living is going up but that doesn’t mean you should put your travel holiday of a lifetime on hold!

In fact this is one of the best times to go because it’s not as crowded as usual and with the winter season approaching it’s far more enjoyable for those not used to hot climates. And we’re keen to help you out so here’s some tips:

Book with VIP Backpackers
Become a VIP member and you instantly get a saving on your accommodation and tours. You also get a mobile SIM pack and 500km free travel with any Greyhound kilometre travel pass. Plus we frequently advertise good deals on our website so keep in touch with us and we’ll score you the deals!

Here’s a summary of member benefits for great savings:
QBE: Travel Insurance 40% Off
Greyhound: 15% bonus kms on kilometre passes! 10% off other tickets,
Adventure Tours Australia: up to 10% OFF selected tours,
Oz Experience: 5% OFF select national passes,
Mojo Surf: $10 OFF 5 day surf adventure,
Reef Encounters: 10% OFF,
Heading Bush: 5% OFF,
Bunyip Tours: 10% OFF Great Ocean Road Tour,
Mountain Designs: 10% OFF,
Taxback.com: 5% OFF (make getting an Australian income tax refund fast and easy!)
VIP: %1 OFF accommodation 1200 hostels worldwide,
Great Southern Railway: Up to 55% off,
Premier Coaches: 10% OFF,
Way Outback Desert Safaries: $30 OFF,
Traveller’s Autobarn: $49 OFF

6 top hostels from New Zealand

Should you wish to party, hunker down in luxury, experience the city or the countryside, New Zealand has some absolutely choice places to stay. Here are six of the coolest places to set up a base on the north and south islands.

NORTH ISLAND

Base Auckland

Welcome to the heart of Auckland! BASE Auckland is the largest hostel in New Zealand, boasting a fantastic central location right off Queen Street. Come and experience first hand the superior facilities and great services that have made BASE Auckland world famous. Room Types Cost Available Large Share from $20.80 BOOK Small Share from $22.34 BOOK Double/Twin from $55.46 BOOK Double/Twin (ens) from $70.87 BOOK Family (ens) from $100.14 BOOK MORE INFO

Attention-seeking airlines and what they offer

What do you want on your next flight? A shower, mini-bar, internet or draught beer?

Airlines are pulling out all stops to make them appeal to customers over other carriers.

Let’s take a look at some of these:
Emirates – showers for first class
Emirates and Etihad – mini-bars
Air New Zealand – Skycouch for families and induction ovens
Lufthansa – economy class bunk beds, noise-absorbent carpets and curtains for first class, angled lie-flat seats
All Nippon Airways – kegs and draught beer, private suites, private pools in airport lounges
Finnair – saunas in airport lounges, in-seat power outlets, full-flat seats
Virgin America – seatback digital shopping platform, satelitte TV, 3D games
KLM – free iPhone app
Singapore Airlines – private double suites
Southwest – free bags, free alcoholic beverages for special festivals
Cathay Pacific – onboard rice cookers, Internet, cellphone connectivity

The question remains though, are these things important to us as budget travelers or do we really just want the next cheapest flight? What do you look for when booking an airline – price, innovation or services?

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Hope you’re enjoying the VIP Backpacker’s Travel Blog. There will be a blog every other Friday, so keep tuning in to keep your travel dreams alive! If there are any travel topics you want covered feel free to contact me, Jo, at viplounge@vipbackpackers.com

6 great travel tours to do over Easter

Looking for something fun to do this Easter? Here are six fantastic tours we offer that will keep you laughing, happy and enthralled over the holiday season in Australia.

These take in Australia’s Great Ocean Road, fantastic surfing spots on the East Coast and plenty of reef and rainforest.

Groovy Grape Getaways – 3 Day Great Ocean Road & Grampians (Adelaide-Melbourne)
The grooviest coastal adventure around. One of the world`s best coastal routes blended with the beauty and history of the Grampians National Park, making this one of the best trips in Australia. MORE INFO