The post Find The Best Way To Convert Currency – Compare FX Rates appeared first on Optimise Travel.

The post Flight Connection Tool – Will I Make My Connecting Flight? appeared first on Optimise Travel.

The post Best Way to Get from the Airport to the City (Any Major Hub) appeared first on Optimise Travel.

After several Airbnb stays I have found out what to look for when booking. It can be confusing as major cities can have hundreds or even thousands of homes for rent. Many places scattered all over the city, all offering different amenities and options.

Step 1: Where to Stay- City Dweller or Suburban Freedom?

Figure out what’s important to you and aim to stay in those areas. Some people like the busy, chaotic inner city streets while others prefer returning to quiet, peaceful suburban places to spend their evenings. Are restaurants and nightlife your priority or maybe it’s the major tourist attractions that you prefer to be close to?

If you have spent time in the city before then you may have an understanding of which areas you like. If you haven’t been before, simply google ‘best areas to stay in …….’ or ‘safest neighbourhoods in …….’. Alternatively, you can use the Airbnb guidebooks here.

By focusing on specific areas or suburbs in Airbnb searches, you narrow results and eliminate some of the indecision that comes with sifting through too many options.

Step 2:Basic Bits. What do you Require?

Which dates am I travelling?

I can’t help you with this 

What is my price range?

Don’t be too stringent with this initially, because prices and places in search areas can vary due to additional costs such as the cleaning and Airbnb fees. Also, depending on your length of your stay you may receive a discount. You can always ask the owner for their best offer before booking.

Lastly, do you want to rent an entire apartment, a private room from someone or even share a room?

This depends again on your situation. If you stay with an owner you can view their profile and even contact them beforehand to get a feel for their personality. Learn more about Airbnb stays in our previous article here

As you can see by my example in the image below, I have already narrowed search results in Hong Kong from over 1000 down to 54 by putting in my dates, the area I prefer to stay in, and specifying that I want a place to myself. It is noticeable that homes with high star ratings will now feature prominently.

Step 3: Filtering to Find the Diamonds

The above tabs will be on the Airbnb reviews page. Click on ‘Filters’ and a drop down menu will appear with many options.

This is where I typically add all those (un)necessities that I would like to have.

Some of the most common for me include:

• Wifi – it’s best to have wifi available, either for business or as a tourist.
• Air con/heating – if the weather is uncomfortable then a nice home can feel like a luxury.
• Washer – great for stays longer than 3-4 days.
• Iron – clothes generally need ironing after travel and especially if I have the need to wear more than a t-shirt.

You can tailor these settings to your needs. The cancellation policy can also be important if you’re in a situation where you think you may have to cancel. No-one wants to lose a large deposit just for cancelling a trip.

After filtering my example to include a washer, iron, air conditioning and wifi, , I am left with 13 options of 2 bedroom apartments. These vary in price and star rating with many having a full 5 star (excellent) Airbnb review rating.

Step 4: Make Sure it’s a Real Diamond

After narrowing your results, it’s time to deep dive into the properties one by one to explore their images, review their amenities, read comments from previous occupants and their overall rating.

I usually only book properties with a rating of 4.5 or 5 stars. The only exceptions I have to this are:

(a) if the property is new on the market with no Airbnb reviews, or

(b) if I am looking to get the cheapest possible deal and am prepared to sacrifice quality for price. This is where an Airbnb coupon comes in handy, I always make sure I take advantage of any Airbnb coupon codes that are available.

In my example above, many homes both have 4.5 or 5 star ratings.

Make sure you inspect all images closely, looking for anything positive and negative. Some things to remember when viewing images include:

• Wide angle cameras can make spaces look bigger than they actually are.
• Professional shots enhance a space compared to smart phone images.
• People will often put only 2-3 images of the accommodation, but many more of the surrounding suburbs. This is not ideal.
• Understand that photos taken by amateurs (the owner) may not showcase the property as well as professional shots.

When you’ve found a gem that fits your needs, it’s time read the Airbnb reviews thoroughly to see what others have said about staying at the property. Airbnb reviews will give you an insight into any possible problems that could arise. Take the time to read at least 5-10 reviews. If anything stands out that you think may be an issue, start your search again.

Step 5: Take the Leap and Book It!

If you are satisfied with the reviews then pull the trigger and book your Airbnb!
In my example, 3-4 places are similar in terms of price, size and rating. In that case go with you personal preference or even drop the price to narrow results further. Once completed, take the next step and make a booking. 

Procrastination is normal on your first Airbnb attempt, but trust us when we say it’s best to be smart, do your research and book quickly!

**the Airbnb accommodation options in the examples in this article may no longer be available for rent.

The post Airbnb Reviews – How Do I Book The Right Airbnb? appeared first on Optimise Travel.

This article will answer that question, and many more, including:

• How does Airbnb work?
• What is an Airbnb coupon code?
• Why is Airbnb so good?
• How do I book the right Airbnb?

So What is Airbnb ?

The concept is simple – you stay in someone’s home or apartment (or occasionally somewhere random like a boat). The owner may or may not be there during your stay. Whether they will be or not is listed in the accommodation description when searching airbnb.com, along with many other property details including amenities, the suburb location and Airbnb reviews.

Airbnb’s slogan is: ‘don’t just go there, live there’. Experiencing new places can be daunting, scary and stressful. Living and interacting with a local can make a world of difference, changing your perspective of a town, city or country.

Hosts are mostly welcoming and informative people who take pride in their homes and their city. The comforts of a home are at your fingertips. Kitchen and washing facilities, generally more space than a hotel and the feeling of living like a local combine to make Airbnb accommodation so popular.

How does Airbnb work?

Stays are usually short term, with the average being between 4 and 7 nights in most major cities. Stays can be for a longer period however, guests pay a nightly rate set by the property owner. Airbnb takes a small fixed fee when booking and usually a cleaning cost is applied by the owner.

What is an Airbnb coupon code?

Airbnb coupon codes are additional discounts available via special offers from time to time. If you redeem an eligible Airbnb coupon, it will appear as a travel credit on your next Airbnb transaction. Click on the Airbnb Images in this article to receive $45 Australian Dollars off your first stay or hosting experience with Airbnb. 

There are also many other alternatives to Airbnb.com. Optimise Travel has reviewed the other options in this market enabling travellers to get the best value for their money on their next journey. Click here to see our article on alternatives to Airbnb.

Where have I stayed and why was it so Good?

I have now stayed in Airbnb accommodation in Sydney (Australia), New York (US), Stockholm (Sweden), Nice (France), Ibiza (Spain) and Rapallo and Milan (Italy). Having also been a host in Australia, I feel comfortable using Airbnb from both perspectives.

In each place I have rented, the hosts have been welcoming and accommodating. In some cases, they have gone above and beyond in their attempts to make my stay a positive one. For example, in Stockholm and Rapallo the homeowners picked me up from the train station rather than meeting me at their place. A nice gesture when you’re travelling with large suitcases. In Nice, I was offered to be driven to the locals ‘best beach in the French Riviera’, which is difficult to access by public transport.

These simple touches helped create a positive initial vibe for my stay. Combine that with larger living space, the ability to buy and store food and drinks, wash and dry clothes, and often better check-in/check-out options, and the result is a great travelling experience.

Booking a hotel can seem like an overwhelming experience. There are many options available and rooms frequently change the price. Booking an Airbnb stay can also seem confusing and overwhelming initially. Optimise Travel has broken down the process to help readers. From the start to the finish, our next article is a step by step guide to an amazing home on your next holiday. Click Here to Learn More

The post What is Airbnb & Is It Better Than A Hotel? appeared first on Optimise Travel.

Here is our list of the top Australian Travel Apps

HotelTonight

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

https://www.hoteltonight.com

HotelTonight is targeted at travellers who are looking for a hotel last minute. Discounts of up to 50 per cent are available from a group of curated hotels. The later you wait to book, the better the price with guaranteed discounted rooms available for every night of the year. HotelTonight has grown to become a world-wide service with bookings available in more than 500 cities. The app categories hotels into basic, solid, hip or luxe. Once you land in a city, 20 to 30 minutes before you need a room, that’s the perfect time to make a booking using the HotelTonight app.

PackPoint

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

http://www.packpnt.com

PackPoint will help you to pack prior to heading off on your holiday. Input details such as your gender, length of travel, whether it’s for business or leisure, weather at the destination, any activities planned, and voila, a packing list will be created! Once the packing list has been created and saved, you can also share it with your friends and family to help them pack too. A checkbox can be ticked as you pack or you can delete any items that you may not want to include. Now packing will be painless thanks to the PackPoint app.

Wikicamps

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: $7.99

(there are no monthly subscription fees or fees for downloading additional content)

http://www.wikicamps.com.au

Wikicamps is a user generated app with content added, edited and shared by users in Australia. The database is growing rapidly and is constantly updated with the latest information about sites all across Australia. Over 21,000 listings are available including camp sites, caravan parks, backpacker hostels, points of interest and visitor information centres. Other helpful information include wifi hotspots, toilets, showers, swimming, fishing, pricing and more.  Wikicamps also has the ability to work offline so you can download high quality maps and site content without needing Internet access.

TravelSmart

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travelsmart.htm

TravelSmart is a beneficial app for Australian Travellers to have when travelling abroad. In the event of an emergency overseas, this app will provide travellers’ details for local hospitals, provides translations of the names of common over the counter and prescription drugs and first aid terms. A fully searchable first aid dictionary is available in different languages and helpful medical terms and tips are also provided. A full list of emergency contact telephone numbers, for the police, fire and ambulance service searchable by country is also listed in the TravelSmart app. It is operated by Allianz travel Insurance.

Wifi Finder

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

WiFi Finder – Android Apps on Google Play

Free Wi-Fi Finder on the App Store – iTunes – Apple

Wifi Finder is a useful app for Australian Travellers to assist in finding free or paid wifi hotspots both online and offline. The app features over 550,000 free and paid locations in 144 countries across the world. You can scan for wifi hotspots around you anywhere in the world, view the wifi hotspot details and obtain directions. Results are able to be filtered by location such as café, hotel etc or provider type. You also have the ability to compare the strength of the wifi hotspot from locations close to you. Now there’s no need to use your data download or be charged exorbitant prices for using your Internet data overseas!

TripIt

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

https://www.tripit.com

TripIt is a popular app which makes life easier for travellers as it creates a comprehensive itinerary by collating details from flights, accommodation bookings, rental car bookings and activities. Weather forecasts and destination maps are also available and can be accessed offline.  Instead of having separate details for each booking, it makes life easier by having the details all in one place so there is no need to search multiple places for your flight number or hotel reservation number.

Maps.me

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

http://maps.me

Maps.me provides travellers instant access to detailed maps of 345 countries in the world, even when offline. Find the quickest and most accurate way to your destination. A range of services including restaurants, tourist attractions, petrol stations, ATM machines, metro/ subway stations and more are also included. Maps can be downloaded for free.

Hipmunk

Platform: iOS, Google Android
Price: Free

https://www.hipmunk.com

Hipmunk is the fastest and easiest way to find the best flight and hotel deals. The app offers the most comprehensive travel search, from flights, trains, and charter flights to hotels and other accommodation options through Airbnb and HomeAway.  The unique feature of Hipmunk is how flights can be ranked by price and ‘agony’ factors including flight duration and the number of layovers. Hipmunk’s hotels can be compared through factors including price, reviews and an “ecstasy” rating. Travellers can also find on a map where exactly they would be staying and read TripAdvisor reviews.

Rome2Rio

Platform: iOS, Google Android

Price: Free

http://www.rome2rio.com

Planning a trip can involve more than one means of transport. Sometimes we need to fly, then train then bus to our destination. Rome2Rio brings all types of transport together in a collective process that allows thorough planning of travel times and costs.

LoungeBuddy

Platform: iOS, Google Android

Price: Free

www.loungebuddy.com/app/

Enjoying the comforts of an airline lounge are made easier with LoungeBuddy app. This is the only app that gives travellers the ability to discover, book, and access airport lounges around the world. Treat yourself on stopovers for long haul flights without having to be a top tier airline member.

We will be updating and adding new Australian travel apps as the year’s progress. If you are using any apps that you would recommend then please share them in the comments section below so that everyone can optimise their travel.

The post Top Australian Travel Apps: Updated For iOS, Google & Android Devices appeared first on Optimise Travel.

Australians have many choices when it comes to purchasing a Travel Money Card with each bank or institution offering different terms, conditions, fees and charges. It is, therefore, important that Australians compare and review travel money cards available on the market.

We have done this work for you by comparing Eight of the Best Travel Money Cards available in Australia. The two tables below give a clear summary of the different cards available and show how you can save on fees and charges.

Travel Money Card – Table 1

Travel Money Card –  Table 2

Westpac global Currency Card – It charges $10 for reloading card and its conversation rates stands at 3%. One can load five different currencies at ago and the maximum ATM withdrawal is $2,500.

Global Wallet (Velocity Frequent Flyer) – It does not charge any fee for purchasing initial card but charges monthly inactive fee of $1 after 12 dormant months. It also charges $15 for emergency transfer and the conversation rate is 3%.

ANZ Travel Card– The fee for acquiring initial card is $11 and the conversation rate is 3%. There is no monthly inactive fee and maximum number currencies loaded at ago are 10.

Load & Go (AUSTRALIA POST) – The conversation rate is at 3% and maximum currencies loaded at a point are 5. It does not charge fee for acquiring initial card.

Cash Passport – Monthly inactive fee of $4.00. There is 25% load balance and 24 hours customer service.

Nab Travel Card – Conversation rate is 4% and no charge for acquiring initial card. One can change pin and access funds online.

Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card – Fee for acquiring initial is $15 and the number of currencies available is 13. There is same day reloading and 24 hours customer service.

Cash MasterCard (Qantas Cash) – There is no linkage with bank account and one can lock the card in case of lose. There is 24 hours customer service and online account access.

Please Share your tips, tricks and stories regarding Travel Money Cards in the comments section so that others can benefit on their travels!

*We aim to provide up to date content and information but care should always be taken when purchasing products from retailers. If any information provided is no longer correct then please email us at optimisetravelaustralia@gmail.com or post in the comments section

The post How To Find Best Travel Money Card For Australian Travellers appeared first on Optimise Travel.

It is also important to note that at times it may be easier to simply purchase a prepaid sim card from one of the local mobile carriers in the country that you are visiting. This will likely cut down on costs.

However, if you do not want to lose the practical advantages of having your Australian Prepaid Sim Card with you, then our list below showcases the top mobile carriers and what they have to offer. It is also wise to remember that if your Smartphone is locked to one network it is likely that it will need to be unlocked to use most of these prepaid sims.

Mobile Phone Options for Travelling Abroad – Prepaid Sims

1) Vodafone

5 AUD daily plan For people headed overseas, there is little that could beat the amazing 5 dollars a day roaming plan that Vodafone has. This deal is available on all postpaid plans, including the month to month deals that it offers in Australia. This plan will let you use your plan’s data, voice and text allowance for a flat 5 dollars every day in close to 46 countries all over the world. Examples of countries covered include: New Zealand, The United States, The United Kingdom and other countries in Europe and Asia.

You will also get access to unlimited standard calls to the motherland as well as in the country that you are currently visiting. You will also enjoy free text messages.

For countries that are not in the 5 dollars a day flat rate, you will be charged a flat rate of 1$ per minute for all calls made and 1$ for every megabyte used on the internet. These plans are great for short trips up to 2 weeks. Travelling for long periods can get expensive on these plans if overused.

2) The Optus 10$ per day Travel Packs

Optus also has great travel packs that will make international roaming hassle free. For example, you will have access to unlimited standard calls and international calls and texts together with 50 MB of data for a flat rate of 10$ every day when in the following areas: New Zealand, The UK, The US, Canada, Asia and Europe.

When your travel pack runs out, charges will be as follows: 1$ per minute for calls, 50 cents for each SMS sent and 50 cents for data. These plans are great for short trips up to 2 weeks. Travelling for long periods can get expensive on these plans if overused.

3) Telstra Data Packs

Telstra has the reputation for having the greatest coverage and least black holes in Australia.However, its international roaming rates are not particularly good. For example, Telstra offers 100MB of data at 29$, 85$ for 300 MB and 600 MB for 160$ before topping out at 1GB for 350$. Each data pack is valid for 30 days from the day of activation and can be used in about 50 countries from New Zealand to Canada, Europe, Asia and The US. These plans are designed for longer term travel. When travelling for a minumum of 2-4 weeks these bundle packs become moreappealing and better value as they last for 30 days.

4) Truphone: Local Anywhere

Truphone adds a spanner to the works by allowing an Aussie traveler to view most of the world as a single roaming zone, all while using their local phone numbers. The Truphone World ‘300, plan features 300 voice minutes, 300 SMS and 300MB for 55$ every month. There are similar plans such as 500 plan, 1000 and 2000 plans that are priced at 71.50$, 104.50$ and 159.50$ per month respectively. Truphone is excellent for people who tend to travel to many countries all year round and especially business travelers as it offers local rates and phone numbers to users all on the one sim.

5) Woolworth’s Global Roaming Sim Card

For only 29$, you can get the Woolworth global roaming sim card, together with 10$ credit for making phone calls and purchasing data. The sim card is active in over 180 countries, and the fact that you can recharge online is a huge plus for weary travelers who would not want to start looking for scratch cards in the middle of the night. The company also has a page dedicated to comparing rates among all the major sim card companies offering global roaming sim card. As such, you can exercise your judgment in choosing the best card for your purposes. The global data only bundles are also competitive, with 250 MB going for 40$ with a 7-day expiry date, 500 MB for 60$ and 1GB for 90$ both with a 30-day expiry date. Despite being a well recognised brand in Australia and offering good rates there are many stories of the Woolies Sim card not working or being extremely difficult for travelers. Please post your experiences with all Sim cards in the comments below.

6) Gosim International Sim Card

Get the Gosim international sim card at only 19$ to have access to the following benefits:

a) Calls from 15 cents per minute

b) Have access to more than 195 countries worldwide

c) 10$ credit included, further reducing the cost of acquiring a sim card

d) Enjoy having no connection fees

e) Send text messages at 15 cents per text message

Data rates are competitively priced, starting from 35 cents per MB depending on the country that you are visiting. The company also offers bonus data depending on the type of bundle that you subscribe to. For example, the lite data bundle costing 49$ will give you 65$ value, while the medium data bundle going for 69$ gives you 140$ value and the heavy data bundle pack for 119$ unlocks 360$ worth of data bundles. This represents a credit bonus of 30%, 100% and 200% respectively.

7) Australia Post Prepaid Travel Sim

For 24.95$, the Australia Post Prepaid Travel sim will unlock the following for you:

a) One contact number to use in over 190 countries

b) No contract, no minimum spend requirements and no hidden charges

c) Unlimited free web-based SMS to your travel sim

d) 5$ call credit when you buy your travel sim

e) 0.50$ per MB while in Europe

f) 24/7 personal assistant services when you encounter difficulties

g) Loyalty program for airlines and hotels that rewards you with 1 mile for every minute

called.

My girlfriend and I used the option when travelling to America previously. It was easy to reload and reliable to use but the rates for calls, texts and data were not as competitive as other options.

8) TravelSIM

TravelSIM is a roaming service that will give you access to over 190 countries. It is interesting to note that with this sim card, your friends and family will be able to call you toll-free and also send you web-based SMSs. There are no hidden charges, connection charges and flag falls with the TravelSIM. The sim card is prepaid, meaning that you will not see any surprise bills at your front door at the end of the month.

There is a personal assistant service on standby 24/7 that you can call when you experience difficulties. The official website for TravelSIM has a page for frequent travelers to calculate and compare rates while using the prepaid sim card for overseas travel.

The TravelSIM starter pack goes for 49.95$, though it includes a 20$ call credit, which means that its true cost is about 29.95$.

9) Aussie Sim

The Aussie sim is for travelers visiting popular hotspots such as the UK, Europe, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The company also claims to have rates that are 95% cheaper than using your Australian mobile phone. It will cost you approximately 24.95$-39.95$ to purchase an Aussie sim card for global travel. This offer comes with free shipping. Being primarily focused on South East Asian countries and Europe this option is aimed at backpackers

The sim card will give you coverage in over 175 countries. The company has an interactive web page where you can calculate call, text and data rates in the country of your choice.

Please Share your tips, tricks, and stories in the comments section so that others can benefit on their travels!

*We aim to provide up to date content and information but care should always be taken when purchasing products from retailers. If any information provided is no longer correct then please email us at optimisetravelaustralia@gmail.com or post in the comments section

The post Mobile Phone Options for Travelling Abroad appeared first on Optimise Travel.