Somewhere between the cost-of-living crisis, daylight savings ending, and the sudden winter cold snap, there’s one universal Australian experience: opening Skyscanner at 11:47pm and convincing yourself you absolutely need an international holiday immediately.
The good news is that these days, a week-long overseas escape doesn’t have to completely financially ruin you.
While Europe is increasingly feeling like a “sell a kidney to afford meals out” situation, there are still plenty of destinations close to Australia where your dollar stretches surprisingly far, especially across Asia. We’re talking beach hostels for under $30 a night, street food that costs less than your morning oat iced latte, and flights cheap enough to justify booking a trip to avoid a menty b.
Whether you want a chaotic Thailand girls trip, a spiritually transformative Bali reset, or seven straight days of eating your body weight in Vietnamese bánh mì, there are still ways to travel well without returning home to financial devastation.
Image source: Contiki
So if your bank account is saying “absolutely not” but your brain is saying “one little tropical getaway won’t hurt,” we’ve rounded up the best week-long getaways.
The cheapest week-long getaways for Australians
Indonesia
Estimated total (hostel style): $850-$1,500
With more than 200 weekly flights between Australia and Bali, airfare competition keeps prices relatively sane year-round, especially outside peak school holiday periods.
For Aussie travellers, Bali remains the easiest international holiday imaginable: beach clubs in Canggu, smoothie bowls in Ubud, surf or yoga mornings in Uluwatu and cheap massages to ease the stresses of life from your tense neck and shoulders.
Want to avoid the tourist traps? With Canggu only growing more popular by the day, try Lombok or Flores. The beaches are quieter, the crowds are smaller, and your holiday is less likely to involve sitting in scooter traffic and more about exploring the untouched areas of Indonesia.
Vietnam
Estimated total (hostel style): $950 – 1,600 for one week
Vietnam has become the new unofficial favourite among budget-conscious Aussie travellers and once you go, it’s pretty obvious why.
You can eat absurdly well for under $10, stay in boutique hostels that still give holiday vibes, and move between cities without spending half your savings. Vietnam also hits the perfect travel trifecta: good coffee, good nightlife and genuinely beautiful scenery.
Ho Chi Minh City feels fast and chaotic in the best way, while Da Nang and Hoi An deliver beaches and lantern-core energy without Bali-level pricing. Hanoi is ideal if you want your holiday to involve strong iced coffee and existential wandering.
Australian demand for Vietnam has surged in recent years thanks to affordable luxury and cheap day-to-day costs. One note though: if you’re a shopper, budget more money! It’ll be impossible to visit Hoi An without picking up some tailored goodies.
Thailand
Estimated total (hostel style): $1,000 – $1,700
Thailand has become slightly more expensive over the past few years, but for a social holiday, it still delivers better value than almost anywhere else.
Bangkok remains one of the world’s great budget cities, especially if your itinerary involves rooftop bars one night and 3am pad thai the next. Meanwhile, islands like Koh Samui and Phuket now sit at a more mid-range price point, while Chiang Mai continues to attract travellers looking for a calmer and cheaper experience.
Flight deals from Australia remain competitive in shoulder seasons, especially around May and September.
Image source: Contiki
Japan
Estimated total (hostel style): $1,400 – $2,200 for one week
A weaker yen has made accommodation, food and shopping far more affordable for international travellers, while cheaper airline competition from Australia continues to expand as Japan becomes a crowd favourite.
The biggest myth about Japan is that everything costs a fortune. But you can do things much cheaper: convenience store meals are affordable (and fun!), public transport is efficient, and hostel quality is often incredible compared to Europe.
Tokyo is obviously iconic, but Osaka is arguably better value for a one-week trip. It’s more relaxed, easier to navigate and has some of the best food in the country.
Malaysia
Estimated total (hostel style): $900 – $1,500
Malaysia somehow still flies under the radar despite being one of the easiest and best-value destinations in Southeast Asia.
Kuala Lumpur gives you modern-city energy without Singapore prices, Penang has arguably some of the best food in the region, and Langkawi is ideal if you want a beach holiday without Bali crowds.
Accommodation quality is also wildly good for the price. You can stay somewhere genuinely stylish for what would barely get you a hostel bunk in Europe.
South Korea
Estimated total (hostel style): $1,300 – $2000
If Japan feels slightly overdone on your TikTok feed, South Korea is fast becoming the next fave.
Seoul is a gal’s best friend: equal parts skincare shopping, late-night convenience store runs and impossibly stylish people. The country also manages to feel modern, safe and relatively affordable at the same time.
Flights aren’t as cheap as Bali or Thailand, but once you arrive, costs are far more manageable than most first-time travellers expect.
Image source: Contiki
Vanuatu
Estimated total (hostel style): Starting at approx $1,500
If you want to go beyond the norm of what your mates have done on Instagram, Vanuatu could be calling your name.
There are active volcanoes, blue lagoons, roadside kava bars and tiny islands that still feel genuinely remote, all just a few hours from Australia. For travellers chasing something less curated than Bali or Fiji, it’s one of the most interesting week-long escapes in the region.
The catch is that Vanuatu isn’t especially cheap once you land. Food prices can feel close to Australia’s, and inter-island flights or organised tours quickly push costs upward. But if you stay in guesthouses, use local minibuses and keep your itinerary relatively simple, it’s still possible to do a full week for around $1,500. If you’re after experiences over luxury, this is the trip for you!
Where are you heading next? Check out Contiki’s last minute deals and let us help you make your mind up.
