Research was commissioned by ING and undertaken online by YouGov between 26 September – 30 September 2024 with a nationally representative sample of 1,053 Australians aged 18 years and older. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates.
published 29 Oct 2024
Over 6 million Australians say they would spend more on their honeymoon than their wedding
- On average, Aussies say they would be willing to spend $10,613 on their honeymoon
- Outside of Australia, Bali is the top international spot Aussies believe is the most affordable as a honeymoon destination
- 72% of Aussies consider cost the most important factor when planning their ideal honeymoon
- One in ten (9%) Aussies would consider a “friendsmoon” so they can get away with their mates in tow, and almost a quarter (23%) would consider having a destination wedding to double as a honeymoon
New research from ING reveals Aussies are catching flights as well as feelings, with one third (33%) saying if they were to have a honeymoon in the next 12 months, they would do so overseas. And there’s good reason, too, as one in five (21%, the equivalent of approximately 4.2 million Aussies) reckon a honeymoon overseas is cheaper than within Australia.
For approximately 6.1 million Aussies, that first trip away as a married couple is more important than the wedding itself, with 30% of Aussies saying they would prefer to spend more on their honeymoon. But how much does a honeymoon cost?
According to the data, Aussies on average would be willing to splash $10,613 on their romantic getaway. Men are more likely than women to throw caution to the wind and have a slightly bigger budget for their honeymoon, admitting that on average, they would be willing to spend $12,108, while women would spend $9,189.
Southeast Asia the most cost-efficient destination
The ongoing effects of the cost-of-living crisis continue to impact Australians, with almost a third (31%) of Aussies who say if they were to have a honeymoon in the next 12 months, they would plan it on a strict budget. In fact, 63% don’t want to spend more than $10,000 on their honeymoon, while 36% don’t want to spend more than $5,000. Data shows that only one in ten (10%) would spend generously on their honeymoon with no regard for the cost.
As Aussies look to spend less, Southeast Asia (69%) has come out as the top destination they believe is more affordable as a honeymoon destination than Australia[i], with many seeing the appeal of the favourable exchange rate in Bali (54%) and Thailand (47%), where you can get dinner and drinks for two for less than $30 AUD.
The top 5 overseas destinations Aussies believe would be more affordable than domestically are[ii]:
- Bali (54%)
- Thailand (47%)
- Fiji (29%)
- New Zealand (28%)
- Pacific Islands (23%)
Navigating honeymoon hidden costs and budgets
How the Aussie honeymoon is changing
Some other ways Aussies are looking to honeymoon are:
- One in five (18%) would consider taking a sabbatical from work to travel on their honeymoon for an extended period of time
- 14% would consider working remotely whilst on their honeymoon to take an extended trip
- One in ten (9%) would consider a “friendsmoon”, where newlyweds invite friends and family on their honeymoon for one big holiday
Matt Bowen, Head of Consumer and Market Insights at ING Australia, comments on the report findings:
“The impact of the cost of living continues to affect Australians, and we’re finding that whilst people are still looking for ways to celebrate their marriage with a trip away, they’re doing it with careful consideration of costs. This means budget-friendly destinations such as Bali and Thailand are top of mind for Aussies’ as potential honeymoon locations, to find that balance of luxury and being cost-effective.
“When it comes to those hidden costs of a honeymoon, more than two in five (42%) Aussies said foreign exchange and/or international transaction fees were among the hidden costs they want to avoid the most, but thankfully, there are ways to save when honeymooning.
“ING’s Orange Everyday debit card offers international transaction fee rebates to hopefully help Aussies travel a little lighter when it comes to their finances. On average, eligible ING customers have saved an average of $87[iii] per year on ING international transaction fees, which is almost 44 Balinese meals in a warung or 29 bottles of Bintang beer!
“Couples should be able to feel comfortable indulging on their honeymoon, so having a bank that removes the stress of additional fees when travelling could be really helpful.”
Matt’s honeymoon budgeting tips for newlyweds
- Sign up to airline or travel agency newsletters so you’re the first to know about the deals for the destinations you’ve got your eye on
- Know the best time to book. Some airlines have ‘happy hour’ flight deals, and some travel search aggregators may be able to help with identifying the times of the day that flights are cheapest
- Pack light to minimise the chances of additional baggage fees
- Use a bank, like ING, that doesn’t charge international transaction fees (do your research first for one that is right for you and your situation, of course)
- Opt for free activities at your honeymoon destination
More information
Before making any decision in relation to an Orange Everyday, you should read the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions booklet and Everyday Banking Fees & Limits Schedule available at ing.com.au. Products are issued by ING, a business name of ING Bank (Australia) Limited ABN 24 000 893 292, AFSL 229823 and Australian Credit Licence 229823.
ING International Transaction Fee Rebate Offer for Orange Everyday Customers
The ING International Transaction Fee rebate offer will apply for the next calendar month when you meet the following eligibility criteria during the current calendar month:
- deposit at least $1,000 from an external source to any personal ING account in your name (excluding Living Super and Orange One), and
- also make at least 5 card purchases that are settled (and not at a ‘pending status’) using your ING debit or credit card (excluding ATM withdrawals, balance enquiries, cash advances and EFTPOS cash out only transactions).
Orange Everyday customers who hold an ING Home Loan are automatically eligible for this offer, and are not required to meet this monthly criteria.
Under this offer, each month that you’re eligible you’ll receive unlimited rebates on the ING International Transaction Fee.
Merchants may charge you a separate fee for their services (which is not rebated under this offer).
For full terms and conditions, see the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions, the Everyday Banking Fees and Limits Schedule, and Orange Everyday Benefits Schedule.
Subject to the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions, we may change or cancel Orange Everyday Benefits (including the ING International Transaction Fee Rebate Offer) at any time at our discretion.
[i] Aussies who believe a honeymoon overseas is cheaper than having it Australia, or are unsure whether having their honeymoon in Australia or overseas is cheaper
[ii] Aussies who believe a honeymoon overseas is cheaper than having it Australia, or are unsure whether having their honeymoon in Australia or overseas is cheaper
[iii] *This number is illustrative only and can change depending on your personal situation, like meeting eligibility for the international fee rebated and the value and number of international transactions you make. We used the median rebates received by Orange Everyday and Orange One customers who met eligibility and got rebates on the international transaction fee of 3% (the standard international transaction fee ING charges) between May 2023 and April 2024 when using their Orange Everyday or Orange One card. It doesn’t consider the frequency or value of individual transactions which varied between customers or the number of times each customer met eligibility conditions.
