Cheapest places to travel in March

Summer may have ended in Australia, but there’s still plenty of places well worth a visit.

Luckily, being autumn in the southern hemisphere and spring in the northern makes March a shoulder-season travel month, which gives the winning combination of lower prices than peak season, but not as bad weather as the low season. Now, let’s get on with it! These are the cheapest places to travel in March.

The cheapest places to travel in March 2024

Cambodia

Just before the rains start to pour in Cambodia, you can sneak in a trip to the southeast Asian country for a bargain. We’re finding flights to both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, which is home to Angkor Wat, going for around $500 from Australia. If you wait until April, not only will it be much wetter, but you’ll also be paying more.

Once you’re there, you’ll find most things to be incredibly affordable.

How cheap will it be when I get to Cambodia?

• Hotels: You’ll be able to find a small, but modern hotel in Siem Reap for around $30 per night. Accommodation tends to be a bit more basic In Phnom Penh, so expect to pay $40-$50 for mid-range accommodation there.
• Tours: Day tours of Angkor Wat start at about $15 per person, and an entry ticket is US$37 per day.
• Food: Local meals are incredibly affordable, with most starting at well under $5 per dish.

Cambodia travel deals to book for March

• Flights to Cambodia from less than $500 return
• Save $690 on Southeast Asia tours visiting Cambodia

Egypt

So much more than just the pyramids, Egypt is an absolute treasure trove of history. Ancient temples, nile cruises and colourful markets are just some of the attractions of the North African country. Head to the East Coast, and you’ll come across picturesque turquoise waters and the colourful coral reefs of the Red Sea.

The easiest (and cheapest) way in from Australia is flying to Cairo and then joining a tour from there. Companies like Intrepid, G Adventures, Topdeck, Contiki and Trafalgar all offer them.

(While SmartTraveller does recommend Australians avoid most of Egypt’s borders with other countries, plenty of popular tour companies are still guiding intrepid travellers along the main tourist route.)

How cheap will it be when I get to Egypt?

• Hotels: While accommodation will be included in your tour, if you’re adding on a night or two beforehand, expect to pay less than $30 for a well-reviewed hotel near the pyramids in Cairo.
• Tours: Depending on which company you go with, your multi-day tour will probably start around $100 per day, like this 8-day option from G Adventures.
• Food: According to Numbeo, a meal in a moderate restaurant should be less than $10.

Egypy travel deals to book for March

• Flights to Cairo from Australia from $911 return
• $300 off Topdeck tours to Egypt

Far North Queensland

If you’ve never been to the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree Rainforest, March may just be the time. Flights to both Cairns and Townsville are cheap in March 2024. We’re finding fares to Cairns from $159 return, and Townsville from $184 return

While it’s technically still cyclone season up in northern Queensland, it is at the tail end of it. You’re likely to get much better weather in March than in December or January. You’ll also get fewer crowds as it’s outside of school holidays and the peak Christmas/New Year’s tourist season.

How cheap will it be when I get to Far North Queensland?

• Hotels: Basic Cairns hotels can be booked for around $100 per night.
• Tours: A day tour out to the Great Barrier Reef will cost about $240 for snorkelling (more if you want to dive) and a Daintree Rainforest tour is about $200.
• Food: According to Numbeo, a meal in a moderate restaurant should be less than $10.

Far North Queensland travel deals to book for March

• Book flights to Cairns from $159 return
• Up to 25% off early-bird bookings with Oaks Hotels in Cairns, Townsville and Port Douglas

More Cheaptrips.au travel deals