Holiday Loans & Travel Loans

What we sort out for you

Travel is the kind of spending that is easy to regret paying off. We keep the loan sensible, the term short and every cost in plain sight.

Short and sharp

A term of one or two years means the trip is paid off before the photos get old. We show each option side by side.

Usually cheaper than a card

A personal loan rate is often well below a credit card rate, and the fixed end date stops the balance hanging around.

Borrow for the trip

We help you settle on an amount that covers the bookings and still leaves room in your budget when you get home.

Book with confidence

Approval before you book means you know the money is there when the fare or the deal comes up.

Fees in plain sight

Establishment and monthly fees matter more on a small loan. We put them right next to the rate.

Pay it off early

Back home with a tax refund or a bonus? Many loans let you clear the balance early. We check before you sign.

How a holiday loan works

A holiday loan is a personal loan used to pay for travel. You borrow a fixed amount, it is paid to you in one go, and you repay it over a set term, often one to three years. Most are unsecured, so nothing you own is tied to the loan.

The thing to weigh up is that the trip is over long before the loan is. That is not a reason to rule it out, but it is a reason to keep the amount sensible and the term short. A loan with a fixed end date is usually a better way to spread the cost than a credit card that never quite gets paid down.

What it can cover

Flights

Domestic or international, booked when the fare is right rather than when the savings catch up.

Accommodation

Hotels, resorts and holiday rentals, paid in full or with a deposit to lock in the dates.

Tours and cruises

Packaged trips that want full payment well before you leave.

Family trips

Flights and accommodation for the whole family, which add up quickly.

Seeing family overseas

The long-overdue trip home, or flying family out to see you.

Travelling for an event

A wedding, a milestone birthday or a reunion interstate or overseas.

What lenders look at

Income and how stable it is

The repayment needs to fit comfortably after living costs, rent or mortgage and any other debts.

Your credit file

Repayment history matters most. A clean file usually means a better rate.

What you already owe

Cards, car loans and buy now pay later accounts all count, including card limits you are not using.

The amount

Smaller loans are usually easier to approve, but fees can make them cost more in percentage terms.

Typical terms

Common ranges, not promises. Every lender sets its own policy.

Amount: from a few thousand dollars, with most travel loans well under $20,000.
Term: usually one to three years for travel, though longer terms are available.
Rate: fixed or variable, priced on your credit profile.
Fees: an establishment fee is common, and some loans add a monthly account fee.
Paying it off early: variable loans are usually flexible. Some fixed loans charge to pay out early.
Timing: once approved, funds are often paid within a few business days.

An example

Illustrative only. A $10,000 travel loan at an example rate of 13.00% p.a., fees not included.

Comparison rate 13.00% p.a., based on a $30,000 loan over 5 years with no fees.

WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate.

Term	Monthly repayment	Total interest
1 year	$893	$718
2 years	$475	$1,410
3 years	$337	$2,130

For comparison, putting the same $10,000 on a credit card at an example rate of 20.99% p.a. and paying the same $475 a month would take 27 months and cost about $2,578 in interest. That is roughly $1,170 more than the two-year loan, and it assumes nothing else goes on the card.

These figures are illustrative only. They are not a quote, a current rate or an offer of credit. Your rate, fees and terms depend on the lender and your circumstances.

Holiday loan, credit card or buy now pay later?

Holiday loan

One fixed amount, one repayment and a clear end date. Usually the cheaper way to spread a bigger trip.

Credit card

Handy for bookings you can clear before interest kicks in. Carry the balance and it gets expensive. See personal loan vs credit card.

Buy now pay later

Can work for small amounts paid on time. Late fees and several plans at once add up, and lenders see them on your statements.

What to have ready

Photo ID, such as a driver licence
Recent payslips or other proof of income
A few months of bank statements
A rough cost of the trip
A list of current debts and repayments

Holiday loan questions

Can I get a loan for a holiday?

Yes. A personal loan can be used for travel, from flights and accommodation to tours and cruises. You tell the lender what it is for and the money is paid to you.

How much can I borrow for travel?

That depends on your income, expenses and existing debts. Most travel loans are a few thousand to the low tens of thousands. We work out an amount that fits your budget.

Is a personal loan cheaper than a credit card for travel?

Often, yes. Personal loan rates are usually below card rates, and the fixed term means the balance actually goes to zero. If you can clear a card within its interest-free days, the card can be cheaper.

Can I use it for an overseas trip?

Yes. The loan is paid to your Australian account in dollars, and you can spend it on overseas bookings like any other money.

Should I take out travel insurance?

A lender will not usually ask for it. It is still worth thinking about how you would keep up the repayments if the trip were cancelled or cut short.

Can I pay it off early?

Many loans let you pay extra or clear the balance early. Some fixed loans charge for it, so check before you sign.

Will a holiday loan affect a future home loan?

A home loan lender counts your current repayments when working out what you can borrow. A short term that is cleared before you apply usually helps.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Comparing here does not touch your credit file. A formal application does involve a credit check, and we tell you before that happens.

Looking at something else? See wedding loans if the trip is part of a wedding, debt consolidation to clear old travel on cards, or personal loans for the full picture.

Related loans

Other finance we compare that often goes with this one.

Guides worth reading

Why Choose Us

Plan With Confidence

Enter Your Details

Tell us the loan amount, term, and rate you’re considering. It only takes a minute.

Free to use. No signup required.

Loan amount, term and rate.

Tap your credit score to fill the rate.

See Instant Estimates

Get an instant breakdown of repayments, interest, and total cost with no obligation.

Weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments.

Total interest shown up front.

Updated with current market rates.

Compare Scenarios

Adjust the numbers to compare different loan terms and rates side-by-side.

Try a shorter term to cut the interest.

Over 80 lenders compared in one place.

Change any number and it updates.

Apply When You're Ready

Once you’ve found the right numbers, apply directly with your chosen lender.

One quick application, the whole lender panel.

Takes about 3 minutes to apply.

No credit check to get a quote.

Holiday Loans With a Clear End Date