Fashion Journal readers share how much they spent on their last holiday

Is everyone but me blessed with a family holiday home in Sardinia?

Looking for more thought-provoking lifestyle content? Head to our Life section.

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the European summer getaway (or, honestly, any overseas trip) is how people afford it. Is it a year of sacrifices and savings? Are people borrowing money to make it happen? Or is everyone apart from me blessed with a family holiday house in Sardinia?

To help shed some light (and because we’re nosey), we put the call out to Fashion Journal readers, asking people to share how much their most recent overseas holiday cost, and how they afforded it. From a $200,000 extended jaunt to Europe, to a week in Japan for under $4k, read all the responses below.

Rosa, 22, she/her

I travelled across Europe (Italy, France and Spain) for six weeks and spent around $17,000 – however, this was also including car hires for a total of 20 days. I afforded it purely by my savings, no support or Afterpay.

Lena, 29, she/her

My partner and I went to Spain and France, we were 25 days away from home in total and spent $12,300. We saved up for around eight months. We booked flights on Qantas points by using a credit card to pay our expenses throughout the year (like bills, weekly food shop etc). We also booked in advance and planned the cities we wanted to go to, that way we could book and pay for accomodation every two months leading up, so it didn’t feel like a lump sum in one go.

Alice, 24, she/her

I went to New York City for three weeks and spent $20,000 (the US dollar was bad when I went and I did alot of shopping). To afford it, I took out a personal loan and my work also put money towards it for my professional development.

Celine, 30, she/her

I went to Japan for eight days and spent $3,150. I gradually saved for about a year of consistent casual work. We went for a family wedding, so discounts organised by the bride and groom helped (we had a discounted rate at the hotel where the reception was held). There were also prepaid wedding events that took care of some meals.

Franca, 30, she/her

I went to Italy for three weeks – Rome, Naples and around Sicily. I probably spent 10K all up, including flights. It was a good year of saving – my partner and I budgeted pretty hard, sacrificing a things like going out with friends and buying concert tickets etc. It was manageable, although the last few months leading up to the trip I had to knuckle down and save $400 a week, plus I got a $6,000 credit card just in case. Rome was expensive but Sicily accommodation was cheap as we split an Airbnb with six friend.

Julia, 30, she/her

I went on a solo trip to Japan for a month and it cost me around $8-9k – 100 per cent of the money came from my savings.

Mikka, 25, she/her

I went to Europe last year for two months. It cost me around $16,000 all up (maybe a bit more with pre-travel purchases). I afforded it by saving, big time! Just working as much as I could and saving up. My philosophy: money comes and goes but memories in your twenties don’t, so go on the trip!

Lucy, 27, she/her

I went to Japan for four weeks in February/March, spent around $12,000 per person. This took about six to seven months of savings.

Georgia, 24, she/her

I went to Europe for a month and accidentally spent $200k. My parents sent me money but I did have to work really hard.

Lily, 29, she/her

I went to Vietnam for three weeks, all up including flights it cost around $2,500 to $3,000. I did a lot of research on where I could go with a low travel budget and no surprises, South East Asia came out on top. Then I monitored flight prices and pounced when they went down, specifically went in the off season, and I chose affordable accommodation and transport methods while I was there.

I only splurged once on a nice hotel at the end of the trip. I have no idea how people afford Europe or other more affluent countries with the price of flights alone being in the thousands. I have never been and honestly not sure if I ever will be able to with my wage and the general cost of living.

Fran, 28, she/her

I went for a three-week European frolic in July to Rome, Florence, Athens, Milos, Paris and Nice, which cost us per person just under $15k including flights. I put away $500 each week from my salary from December and also stayed with family in Paris and Nice which saved a lot of money, in terms of accommodation and of course we didn’t have to pay for meals or frivolous touristy things! It helps to have friends and family wherever you’re travelling.

Gina, 27, she/her

I spent eight weeks travelling all over Europe. Between my partner and I, it cost around $25,000. We afforded it by working and saving!

Keen to explore some budget-friendly travel destinations? Try this.