For anyone travelling to Perth, you’re in for a treat. It is a gorgeous, laid back city that Baz Dreisinger, a New York Times travel writer, waxed lyrical about in the article Catching Perth’s Wave in Western Australia. We are fast becoming a must-see travel destination, and with good reason too. Perth has idyllic weather, some of the best beaches in the world, and more festivals than you can poke a stick at.
But let’s best honest for a second. Perth isn’t the cheapest place on the planet. In fact, it is the 11th most expensive in the world, but that shouldn’t put you off visiting a place that Dreisinger described as ‘embodying all things right about cities.’ Below are some tips for those travelling to Perth on a budget, so you can enjoy what it has to offer without having to put a second mortgage on your home.
Public transport
Unless you need to get somewhere late at night (when there’s no public transport), there is absolutely no reason to take a taxi. Taxis in Perth are extremely expensive. For example, a quick 20 minute ride from the CBD to the airport will set you back a whooping $38 dollars. Instead, use public transport to help you get around. Perth has a well connected transport system that can get you where you want to go at the fraction of the cost of a taxi. Make use of Transperth’s Family Rider ticket, which gives unlimited travel to two adults and two children on the weekend for only $11.60.
Accommodation
A great option for the money conscious travel is to book budget accommodation. When you first start looking at hotels in Perth, you will probably have to pick up your jaw from the floor because of the inflated cost for a room. Hostels can be a great alternative to this. They are cheap as chips and are available throughout the city. However, that option is not suited to everyone, especially people with a family. This is where the team at Budget Apartments come in. they can offer all the facilities of an apartment at an affordable rate.
Shopping dockets
If you make a purchase from Woolworths or Coles, keep hold of your receipt. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, if you spend a certain amount at either supermarket, they will offer 4 cent per a litre off your next fuel purchase. That might not seem like much, but if you’re travelling around a lot, it will add up, especially if you buy it on the cheapest day of the week, which in Perth is Wednesday. Secondly, on the back of the receipt you will find a range of coupons offering deals on entertainment, food and drink. So have a look at the docket before you throw it away, as it can offer considerable savings.
Pack your lunch
Eating out in Perth can be quite pricey depending on where you are. Our short term apartments all have a kitchen, so you can easily cook and prepare your food before hand. Check out our top cheap places to eat. Even though food is an integral part of travelling, it doesn’t mean you have to go to a restaurant for every meal. Even at discounted prices, it will still cost you a lot. Make an effort to pack a lunch on some days. Perth has some terrific picnic areas, including Hyde Park and King’s Park, both of which are absolutely beautiful – thus turning what is an ordinary lunch into something extraordinary. In addition to this, Perth has many public water fountains, allowing you to fill up your water bottle instead of forking out $2.50 each time you get thirsty.
Leave your phone at home
We have all heard about people being smacked with chargers from their provider for roaming, data chargers, and third party carriers. The smart traveller will investigate this prior to leaving, so they know exactly what they will be charged for when they are aboard. But no one wants to risk getting hit with a massive bill, which is why you should consider using Wi-FI. Wi-Fi is offered for free in the Perth Cultural Centre and the Piazza in Northbridge. Another option is purchasing a PAYG (pay-as-you go) SIM card from one of the local phone providers. Both of these will reduce your phone bill. Unfortunately, the only full proof plan is to not take your phone at all. Ask yourself if you really need it? Yes, I know Google Maps is very helpful when travelling, but you can get a free city map from the tourist booth on Murray Street, right near the train station.
