Seeing The Cost of Travel Clearly

Apr

Posted (Dan) in Articles, Saving for Travel on April-20-2008

I’ve been rolling my eyes lately at a lot of travel blogs. There have been a few articles lately written by Americans lamenting the value and instability of their dollar. Travel has become too expensive they say. Being an Australian though although our own currency has strengthened in recent years we are still worth about 10% less than our American friends in the global market, yet we still travel and we do it with far less whining. The truth of the matter is be we from Australia the US or just about any other western country we aren’t exactly doing it tough, if you are complaining about the cost of travel chances are you are amongst the richest people in the world, sure Europe isn’t cheap, but it’s not cheap for anyone who doesn’t live there. As for complaining about Australia, well just put the shoe on the other foot for a minute.

Both Australia and the US have on our doorsteps some of the cheapest places to travel to in the word. Australia has Asia and the US Central and South America, relatively here if you are complaining about the cost of travelling to an in these areas your being a spoiled little brat. Of course I am speaking of budget travel though, without too much trouble you could spend as much on packages in the cheapest places in the world as you could in far more expensive countries. Consider the relative cost of things and what you get for your time and money, travel still seems like a good deal to me.

I think I’ll stick to complaining about costs in my own country where although imports have become significantly cheaper the benefits are not being passed onto consumers. Purchasing items online and shipping them here is sometimes much cheaper. I know with books at Amazon I have a much bigger selection to buy from and can have them sent to my door at 1/3rd of the price of finding them in stock at a local book store. Maybe I could get into the import\export business on my travels and make a killing.

Traverus Travel on April 21st, 2008 at 10:11 pm #

I agree. Australia and US does have some of the cheapest places to travel in the world.

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Suz on April 22nd, 2008 at 2:50 am #

Wow, it’s interesting to me that imports are not getting cheaper for you! I would have thought that, like USA, your economy would have been mostly imports. Yes, perhaps you should ‘undercut’ the current standard and make a killing! We’ll be here to read all about it as you take over the world (or Australia).

irish shop on July 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am #

I’m from Ireland and I think that with the weaknesses of both dollars its a great time to go and explore USA & Australia (or anywhere for that matter, everything is so cheap!)

But with the experiences of my friends who have gone out to Australia to work raises another issue. If your looking to support your travels through working as my mate is currently doing, then you have to get a job which pays p1ss. Fine while you’re traveling and working in Australia but not much in comparison to what you could make over here.

Conversely Ozzys coming to Ireland get good money and the couple I’ve known took a nice wee lump back home.

Peg on September 5th, 2008 at 2:30 am #

At the high end, travelers are tasked to find ways to take the whole family to Europe on what used to be called a “luxury vacation” without have to pay 50 percent more than the identical trip would have cost two years ago. At the low end, the challenge is to economize enough at home so one has funds with which to travel, particularly as work visas become harder and harder to come by, at least for Americans, and particularly in the EU. For those Americans who seek good value and have let Australia and New Zealand hover at around Position Number Three on their “must see” list, it’s an excellent time to move them up.

Kevin Phoenix on December 28th, 2008 at 8:12 pm #

Whilst travel itself may be relatively “cheap” that value to be had from visiting the countries of Europe still provide amazing value… with the diverse cultures, it is hard to ignore.

Reiselaender on February 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 am #

With the fond memories of the places i’ve been through and the time I’ve spent with my family while on vacation, i can say that I would not whine on what i’ve spent on a vacation.

fractional airplane on April 11th, 2009 at 12:34 am #

Travel can always be inexpensive if one looks. Heard that London, New York, and Honolulu were expensive. Found them to be no more expensive than any other location with some planning and looking. After all, a dollar’s value is a dollar’s value wherever one goes, and the bourgeois have to eat and be entertained. Stay away from the Hiltons and Marriots, look for airfare specials (advance purchase or last minute fares), use public transit and things should be fine.

Plus, in a down world economy the travel industry is the first to offer discounting.

Jack on April 28th, 2009 at 1:53 am #

Its not good when you are getting paid in dollar!

Makes travel that more difficult..

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