travel

Where you could travel to for the price of your smashed avocado and other daily treats.

There are many tips and tricks when it comes to saving for a holiday, but Skyscanner Australia has found the ultimate hack. Cutting out just one indulgence could end up covering the cost of flights, hotels or an entire vacation.

We’re create an infographic below of a few of the nation’s favourite indulgences. Just pick one that’s relevant to you and find out how much you can supercharge your holiday savings and make your dream destination a reality. And if you were to ween yourself off all of the items we’ve listed below (which really isn’t that hard), you could save yourself a whopping $7,077.21.

Smashed avo on toast or Scandinavia?

Average price of smashed avocado on toast: $22**
Amount saved in a year: $1,144 (weekly brunch)
Flight to Helsinki: $968

Ah, the smashed avo zeitgeist - we’re all well versed in the brunch versus home ownership standoff. And while we agree that skimping on your weekly avocado fix won’t result in a house deposit, it can definitely get you a holiday. With airfares starting at $968, you can comfortably book a flight to Helsinki and immerse yourself in the quirks of the Finnish capital.

Munch on korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls) while browsing traditional handicraft stalls at Market Square, find your zen at the Kulttuurisauna (Helsinki’s newest sauna) and explore the archipelago via boat - making sure to stop at UNESCO protected sea fortress Suomenlinna. For culture vultures, Helsinki over delivers - between the Kiasma art museum and the Design District, there are over 200 galleries and boutiques styled in the enviable minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic. If visiting in the winter, head north for the Lapland trifecta - Aurora Borealis, igloos and huskies.

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Americanos or an All-American road trip?

Average price of coffee: $4.18*
Amount saved in a year: $1,525.70 (daily coffee)
Flight to Los Angeles: $1,001

West Coast best coast, or so the locals say! If you’d like to fact-check that statement, we’d recommend an epic road trip up the U.S. West Coast. The landscape between Los Angeles and Seattle makes for one jaw-dropping ride, featuring wide open roads interspersed by high deserts, redwood forests, wild river basins and volcanic ridges.

This one might hurt a little (apologies to all coffee snobs), but sacrificing your daily latte is a surefire way to make up the airfare to LA. Having said that, checking Crater Lake, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Big Sur (recently reopened to travellers) off the bucket list will provide a year’s worth of caffeine buzz anyway! With plane tickets starting at $1,001, you’ll have enough left to organise car hire as well so really, it’s a win-win.

Gym or a getaway to Sri Lanka?

Average monthly price of a gym membership: $63.48*
Amount saved in a year: $761.76
Flight to Colombo: $479

Sure, going to the gym takes discipline. But you know what takes even more discipline? Doing laps around your local oval and DIY workouts while saving for a Sri Lankan getaway. The myriad of experiences crammed into a single island will make it well worth it - try 2,000 years of history, UNESCO awarded sites, surf, safaris and tea plantations on for size!

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Start your holiday in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo - aeroplane ticket prices start at $479 meaning you'll likely have some spare cash left over to use for spending money. Venture into Hill Country, taking a scenic train ride to Kandy through lush, misty plantations. And obviously, save at least a couple days for secluded beachside bliss. With dozens of sandy coves dotting the coastline from Tangalle to Negombo, you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Social smoking or hiking Machu Picchu?

Average price of cigarettes: $30* per pack
Amount saved in a year: $1,560 (1 pack per week)
Flight to Lima: $1,503

You could partake in the occasional weekend smoke, or you could embark on a once in a lifetime trip to Machu Picchu. It’s a hard habit to crack, but walking amongst ancient stone walls constructed by the most powerful empire in the history of the Americas just might be inspiration enough!

Machu Picchu has always been, to some degree, shrouded in mystery. This is partly due the fact that getting to its base, Aguas Calientes, was (and still is) no easy feat. There are no roads to Machu Picchu, so travellers either hike the Inca Trails or journey via train. To see Machu Picchu on a budget, opt to fly into Lima and take a gruelling but inexpensive 21 hour bus ride to Cuzco. Flights to Lima start at $1,503, while flying directly to Cuzco adds approximately $200 to the price tag.

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Once in Cuzco, guided hikes are around $600, whereas taking the train to Machu Picchu would set you back about $96 and offers incredible views of rural Peru. Give yourself eight hours to fully take in the magnificent ruins, and don’t forget entry fees start at 50 USD ($66).

Eating out for lunch or savouring Thai street food?

Average price of lunch: $18*
Amount saved in a year: $936 (once a week)
Flight to Bangkok: $364

Bangkok is home to some of the finest street food in the world, so the shock announcement that street vendors would be banned from the bustling Thai capital has upset many travellers. The only silver lining here is that the changes kick in at the end of 2017. So if you hustle, you still might get to taste some delicious, authentic Thai delicacies.

The trade off? Taking leftovers to work instead of eating out. Doing it once a week could conceivably save you $936 in a year, so you’ll have to double down to make it to Bangkok before 2018! And even if you don’t, Bangkok has plenty of other attractions - from its notorious nightlife and glitzy megamalls to ancient golden temples lining the Chao Phraya River. You’ll definitely get more bang for your buck when it comes to hotels - a good many places fall under $100 a night. If there's room in your budget, splurge on a stay at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa. As the name suggests, it’s luxe riverside living with a hotel boat to ferry you to various sites.

Can of coke now or sun soaked Hawaii later?

Average price of a 330ml can of coke: $3.15*
Amount saved in a year: $1,149.75
Flight to Honolulu: $416

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Hold off on indulging your sweet tooth, because in less than a year you could be treating yo’self big time. With direct flights to Honolulu starting at $416, paradise might be more affordable than you think! Kick back in the tourist central, Waikiki, where it’s all sun, sand and surf. You’ll be in the birthplace of poke so trying the uber-trendy hawaiian sashimi salad is a must, as well as the classic shaved ice. Work off the food by hiking up a dormant volcano, Koko Head Crater, or head out to Oahu to spend a day snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

Like we mentioned at the start, if you follow all of the above suggestions, you could save a total of $7,077.21 a year! For that amount of money, you could take yourself on a grand tour of Europe… and then some. For more inspiration, check out four European itineraries by top travel bloggers here.

While you’re saving for your dream holiday, check out Skyscanner Australia for the best deals on flights, hotels and car hire - all without booking fees!

References used for average prices in Australia:

*Patterson Road Wholesalers
**ABC - Smashed avocado discounted in Australia cafes

Prices accurate as of 27th June 2017.

Meet the couple who saved well enough to retire in their 30s and travel the world.