If it were up to most of us, we’d spend 365 days of the year chasing the sun, sailing through the skies, skiing through the snow and resting our heads on as many hotel pillows as humanly possible.
And while finances tend to put a hitch in those year-long travel plans, we can still look forward to those precious holidays and not break the bank.
Through a combination of cost-cutting techniques and selective use of annual leave, you can increase the number of holidays you go on in your lifetime without sending your miscellaneous bills through the roof.
Below, we’ve curated the low-stakes tips and high-reward ALDI Holidays deals to scoop up in 2025. Eight days in Phuket for less than $1,600? Sold.
Holiday Deals To Scoop Up This Month
- Eight Nights In Phuket From $1,599 PP
- Five Nights In Whitsundays From $999 PP
- Fifteen-Day Legends Of UK & Ireland Tour From $5,299 PP
- Eighteen Days Wonders Of Japan With Kyushu From $5,699 PP
- Ten-Night All-Inclusive Mediterranean Escape From $4,999 PP
Sort Your Snacks And Sips
Exactly five essentials are required for every holiday: passport (for overseas holidays), luggage, phone, wallet, and a water bottle.
You might have noticed the curious price of water and ready-made sandwiches tucked away in every airport convenience store, and that’s purely by design; few people think to pack an empty water bottle to make the most of the free—and occasionally fridge-temperature—water in most airports around the world.
And while a $7 bottle of water might seem like a small price to pay, these purchases can add up over days and weeks of adventuring. Packing an empty water bottle adds little to the weight limit, and it sets you up for a hydrated holiday—free of charge.
Additionally, half the fun of venturing to a new city is inspecting the snack situation at the local supermarket. Find a balance that works for you (and your wallet) between eating out at nice restaurants and trying the much more affordable cuisine that locals buy daily. You haven’t lived until you’ve watched a machine cut a loaf of bread for you at a German ALDI.
Calculate A Rough Budget And Stick To It
There are way more enjoyable aspects of a holiday than sitting down to crunch numbers, but future you will be thankful you did.
The upside of mapping out a budget and organising accommodation, transport, insurance, and flights with plenty of lead-up time is that you’ll be able to understand how much money you can spend on the fun, non-essential treats. Being prepared can be the difference between scooping up a $10 train ride or a $200 taxi to your hotel.
Ask around in your friendship group, and find who uses frequent-flyer points and everyday deals like their life depends on it. Once you’ve found them, get them to teach you everything they know so you can start spending and saving across everyday purchases for the next big adventure.
Get Your Baggage Sorted
Some of us pack the bare essentials for a holiday, while the remaining 95% of us pack 30 pairs of underwear and 17 jackets for a two-day interstate vacation.
An effective way to avoid overpacking (and therefore overpaying if your luggage exceeds the weight limit) is to start with luggage. Opt for a reasonably sized check-in bag and carry-on luggage that has been built to meet airport standards. From there, stick to your staples and craft a capsule wardrobe that’s both versatile and simple.
Play it smart, and you might just have room to bring back a few unexpected gems from a spontaneous New York thrift store haul. Skip the excess baggage fees by posting anything that won’t fit, and treat yourself to a little surprise delivery once you’re home.
Prepare To Be Flexible And Reactive
Travellers who are open to anything tend to find bargains upon bargains. Naturally, it’s not always possible to ‘go with the flow’ when it comes to destinations—you may be visiting your sister in London, and she simply won’t meet you halfway in Vietnam, for instance—but if you plan to simply get away for a retreat, keep your options open.
Keep your eyes on the flight and travel sites; new deals present themselves at every turn, so it’s simply a matter of reacting fast to these deals and being open-minded. Speaking of…
Holiday More For Less This Year
Put it in your calendar, outline your diary in red circles: the first of every month is your time to strike.
ALDI Holidays releases new travel deals on the first of every month through a wide range of flexible and customisable holiday packages. Whether you’re after laid-back relaxation or an adventure-packed escape, ALDI Holidays offers exclusive tours, getaways, and cruises—each bundled with extra perks to help you make the most of your vacay.
Here’s what to book before it's gone.
Eight Nights In Phuket
Spend your days feasting on next-level dinners and lunches against the backdrop of a shimmering ocean. Unwind with a 30-minute Thai massage for you and your partner to tease out the tension, and venture along Thailand’s sprawling landscape to your heart’s content. This package includes flights, a pool-view room, complimentary cocktails, breakfast, the choice of lunch or dinner daily and a day tour to Coral Racha Island.
THE DETAILS:
Package: Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort And Spa
Price: From $1,599 pp
Flights included? Yes
Dates: 1 June–31 October 2025
Head here for more details.
Five Nights In Whitsundays
Explore some of Australia's best beaches on a dreamy escape to the Whitsundays. Enjoy return hotel transfers and kick off your maxo relaxo vacay with a guaranteed sea-view apartment upgrade, a complimentary bottle of sparkling on arrival, and unlimited shuttle bus access—perfect for discovering the island's beaches, hiking trails, and natural beauty.
THE DETAILS:
Package: Whitsunday Apartments
Price: From $999 pp
Flights included? Yes
Dates: 1 June 2025 –31 March 2026
Head here for more details.
Fifteen-Day Legends Of UK & Ireland Tour
Prehistoric monoliths, the birthplace of Shakespeare, whisky tastings and mythological locals are on the menu with this five-country guided tour across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Plus, with return flights (checked luggage included), daily breakfast, two dinners, and all accommodation covered over the two weeks, all you need to do is pack your wardrobe and rally your globetrotting crew for the adventure.
THE DETAILS:
Package: Fifteen Day Legends Of UK & Ireland Tour
Price: From $5,299 pp
Flights included? Yes
Dates: 3 June 2025–4 November 2026
Head here for more details.
Eighteen Days Wonders Of Japan With Kyushu
Hand-selected hotels, colourful cityscapes, and historic castles await on this eighteen-day adventure through Japan. Begin in vibrant, buzzing Tokyo before zipping through landscapes on a bullet train and coach through Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Beppu.
Plus, with return flights (checked luggage included), daily breakfast, two lunches and a dinner, and transport all taken care of, you can sit back and enjoy the insightful anecdotes and facts shared by your English-speaking tour guide.
THE DETAILS:
Package: Wonders Of Japan Guided Tour With Kyushu
Price: From $5,699 pp
Flights included? Yes
Dates: 18 March–1 December 2026
Head here for more details.
Ten-Night All-Inclusive Mediterranean Escape
Spend two balmy nights feasting on stuffed olives and saganaki in the heart of Athens, before setting sail on an eight-night, all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise. Enjoy included beverages, entertainment, live music, and Wi-Fi as you cruise between Santorini, Mykonos, Thessaloniki, and more.
THE DETAILS:
Package: All-Inclusive Mediterranean Escape
Price: From $4,999 pp
Flights included? Yes
Dates: Sailing 22 May 2026
Head here for more details.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by ALDI Holidays and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Supplied.