Australia is a big country, but sparsely populated. The main international airports are Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. There are plenty of connections available to the USA. Flights are usually heavily booked, so plans have to be made well in advance to be assured of tickets at a discount.
Discounted airfares can be found easily if booked earlier and at slow travel times. Off peak times are during the middle of the week, i.e. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Cheap tickets are hard to come by during weekends, school holiday periods or at other times such as during major sporting events. Booking as far in advance as possible is wise because as planes fill, the prices go up. There is easily a difference of $200 when booked several months ahead. Ticket prices may range from $800 – $1500 depending on the dates of travel. It is advisable to be careful when dealing with cheap tickets. Some are tickets are non-refundable. There are some where the money is refundable when cancelled.
Discounts in different fares are available for students. Full time students need an ID card for proof of studentship. With the ID card they can get an International Student ID Card (ISIC, www.isiccard.com). Possessing this gives many benefits like discounts on airfare, rail and bus fares. There are also other discounts that can be availed like discounts at museums, theatres and other attractions. The card costs $22. Discounts are also available for the youth. People of the age of 26 or younger qualify for the International Youth Travel Card, which costs the same price and carries the same benefits. Teachers qualify for the International Teacher Card which costs the same price and gives the same benefits. All these cards are available in the US from Council Travel, STA, and Travel CUTS.
In Australia too, purchasing either an International YHA Card or Backpacker Resorts VIP Card gives discounts on not only hostel accommodation, but on other things like transport, tours, services, entry fees and sometimes meals.
There are a number of options with respect to staying in Australia. Here “hotel” generally means a pub or bar. Although hotels offer decent rooms, the majority of them are primarily places to drink, so the stay may not be pleasant. The rates are somewhere from $50 – $60. There are also a number of bed and breakfast places and farmsteads where you can join in with farm life. Some bed and breakfast places are very cheap costing around $30 per night. There are excellent hostels and caravan parks that offer accommodation in the form of permanent on-site vans, cabins, campervan facilities and tent spaces. There are also a number of self-catering apartments available in the city areas, and cabins and cottages in country areas.
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