Planning an overseas trip from Australia doesn't have to take years of saving. Long-haul flights to Europe or North America can swallow a budget fast, but nearby destinations in South-East Asia offer vibrant culture, tropical weather and fantastic street food for far less than many trips at home. As part of our broader guide to cheap international holidays from Australia, this article looks at the destinations where the Australian dollar stretches furthest.
At a glance: budget destinations from Australia (2026)
Daily budgets are rough Penny Holiday estimates for budget travellers (excluding flights) and will vary by season, area and travel style. Entry rules were checked against Smartraveller in October 2026 – always check again before you travel, as they can change at short notice.
| Country | Est. Daily Budget (AUD) | Visa / Entry Requirements (as of October 2026) | Example Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $45 – $70 | Visa required before travel; e-Visa allows stays of up to 90 days (single or multiple entry), applied for via the official e-Visa website | VietJet Air, Jetstar, Vietnam Airlines |
| Indonesia | $50 – $80 | Visa on Arrival / e-VoA for 30 days (IDR 500,000, about A$39) + Bali Tourist Levy (IDR 150,000, about A$12) + All Indonesia arrival card | AirAsia, Jetstar, Batik Air, Virgin Australia |
| Thailand | $50 – $80 | 30-day visa exemption for tourism + free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) | Jetstar, AirAsia, Scoot, Thai Airways |
| Philippines | $50 – $75 | Visa-free stays of up to 30 days + free eTravel registration | Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines |
| Malaysia | $50 – $85 | 90-day visa on arrival in most circumstances + Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) | AirAsia, Batik Air, Malaysia Airlines |
Quick answers
- What's the cheapest country to visit from Australia? Vietnam is often cited as one of the best-value destinations, with low prices for accommodation, food and domestic travel. Budget travellers can often get by on around $45–$70 a day.
- Which destination has the cheapest flights? Bali is usually one of the cheapest and easiest international trips from Australia, thanks to short flights from Perth and plenty of airline competition. Fares vary a lot by season and departure city.
- How far ahead should I book? Outside peak holidays, booking a month or two ahead and setting fare alerts is a sensible approach. For school holidays and Christmas, book earlier. See our guide on when the cheapest time to fly from Australia is.
What makes a destination truly affordable?
Working out the real cost of a holiday means looking beyond the airfare. A country might have cheap flights, but expensive accommodation, food and transport can quickly add up. Real affordability comes down to three things: distance from Australian airports, how much low-cost airline competition there is, and how far the Australian dollar goes locally.
On longer trips, daily ground costs often decide whether you stay on budget. In South-East Asia, public transport, local markets and affordable guesthouses help every dollar go further. Pair that with smart money habits – like avoiding foreign transaction fees and using genuine travel vouchers – and you'll keep costs down. For more on avoiding hidden fees and choosing insurance, see our practical budget travel tips for Australians.
Takeaway: Add up flights, visa fees and estimated daily costs before you choose a destination – don't decide on a flight sale alone.
Why is Indonesia such a popular budget escape for Australians?
Indonesia – Bali in particular – is one of the most accessible overseas destinations for Australians, thanks to relatively short flights and lots of services from both coasts. Perth to Denpasar is a short hop of roughly four hours or less, and east-coast sale fares can be very competitive outside peak periods.
On the ground, budget travellers can often get by on roughly $50 to $80 a day. Simple private guesthouse rooms and warung meals are still very affordable, though prices in popular areas like Canggu and Seminyak have crept up. Entry costs have also changed in recent years. According to Smartraveller, Australians can get a 30-day Visa on Arrival (including an online e-VoA) for IDR 500,000 – around A$39 as of October 2026. The Bali Provincial Government also charges a separate Bali Tourist Levy of IDR 150,000 (around A$12) per person, and Smartraveller advises completing the All Indonesia arrival card within 72 hours before you arrive.
For a line-by-line breakdown of accommodation, transport and food costs, read our Bali travel cost per day guide.
Takeaway: Apply for your e-VoA, pay the Bali levy and complete the All Indonesia arrival card on official government websites before you fly.
Why is Vietnam such good value for food and stays?
Vietnam regularly features on lists of the best-value destinations for Australians. Budget airlines including VietJet Air and Jetstar connect Australian cities with Vietnam, and onward domestic flights make it easy to reach the north, centre and south of the country.
Daily budgets of roughly $45 to $70 are realistic for many budget travellers. Hostels and simple guesthouses are widely available at low prices, and street food classics like pho and banh mi typically cost just a few dollars from local vendors. Sleeper trains and low-cost domestic flights help you cover long distances without big transport bills.
For entry, Smartraveller says Australians must have a visa before travelling to Vietnam and can't get a visa on arrival. You can apply for an eVisa for tourism or business, which may allow stays of up to 90 days with single or multiple entries. The government fee has been around US$25 for single entry and US$50 for multiple entry – check the official e-Visa website for the current fee. Smartraveller advises using only the official eVisa website, printing your approval, and double-checking that every detail matches your passport.
Takeaway: Spend your food budget at busy local street food stalls, where dishes are cooked fresh for just a few dollars.
What does Thailand offer budget travellers from Australia?
Thailand has long been a favourite low-cost tropical escape for Australians. Daily costs in places like Chiang Mai or Ayutthaya can sit around $50 to $80. Island resort areas like Phuket generally cost more, while northern Thailand often offers better value on accommodation and food.
Note the 2026 change: Smartraveller now says Australians can get a 30-day visa exemption (visa-free entry) for tourism and short-term business travel – shorter than the 60-day exemption that applied before. You may be limited to two visa-free entries per calendar year without a justifiable reason, and your passport must be valid for more than six months. You also need to complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within three days before you arrive – beware of fake websites that charge a fee. If you want to stay longer, check visa options with the Royal Thai Embassy.
If you're also considering destinations further north, our guide on how to travel Japan on a budget shows how rail passes and convenience-store dining can make a pricier destination affordable.
Takeaway: Spend more of your time in northern regions like Chiang Mai, where accommodation and food usually cost less than on the southern islands.
Can you visit Malaysia and the Philippines on a shoestring?
Both Malaysia and the Philippines offer great value, distinct cultures and widespread English, which makes getting around easier for Australians.
Malaysia is great for budget city breaks and food-focused trips. Kuala Lumpur is AirAsia's main hub, making connections across the region straightforward. Daily costs of roughly $50 to $85 are realistic, and hawker centres in Penang and Kuala Lumpur serve excellent cheap meals. Smartraveller says that in most circumstances Australians can get a 90-day tourist visa on arrival, and you must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive.
The Philippines offers more than 7,000 islands to explore. Budget travellers can often manage on roughly $50 to $75 a day, using local ferries and jeepneys. Airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly between Australia and the Philippines – check current routes for your city. Smartraveller says Australians can enter visa-free for stays of 30 days or less if they meet the requirements, including a passport valid for at least six months and an onward or return ticket. You'll also need to register on the free official eTravel portal before you travel.
Takeaway: Use Kuala Lumpur and Manila as budget hubs, connecting on regional low-cost airlines to reach smaller destinations.
How can Australians cut costs even further?
Choosing a budget destination is only half the job – how you book, pack and pay makes a big difference to your final bill.
To stretch your dollars: 1. Travel carry-on only where you can: Many Asian low-cost airlines have strict carry-on limits (often around 7kg), but skipping checked bags can noticeably lower your total fare. 2. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees: Many standard Australian bank cards charge around 3% on overseas purchases. 3. Travel outside peak periods: Avoiding Australian school holidays and major local holidays can unlock better prices on flights and accommodation. Check the destination's wet and dry seasons too. 4. Use local transport apps: Apps like Grab, available in much of South-East Asia, show prices up front so you don't have to haggle with taxis.
Combine these tips with our main guide to cheap international holidays from Australia and you'll be well on your way to an affordable overseas trip.
Takeaway: Take a card with no foreign transaction fees and skip airport currency exchange booths.
Plan your next affordable escape
Keep planning with our complete guide to scoring cheap flights from Australia and our guide to finding cheap flights to Asia from Australia.
Where these figures come from
Visa and entry requirements reflect Smartraveller (Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) advice for Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia as checked in October 2026, plus the official Love Bali levy portal, Indonesia's e-visa website, Malaysia's MDAC website and the Philippines eTravel portal. Daily budgets are Penny Holiday estimates and will vary. Rupiah conversions use roughly IDR 12,700 to A$1 (late October 2026). All figures are in Australian dollars unless noted otherwise.
Part of our guide: The Ultimate Guide to Cheap International Holidays from Australia
Sources
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/thailand
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/philippines
- https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/malaysia
- https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id
- https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id
- https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/egate
- https://www.etravel.gov.ph/
Facts were checked against the sources above in late October 2026. Prices, fees and exchange rates change, so confirm before you book.