How to Find Cheap Hotels in Adelaide, Australia

Adelaide, located in southern Australia, offers a relaxed lifestyle with mild weather and pleasant sunshine year round. Beautiful beaches, superb shopping and a wide array of festivities keep tourism alive and well.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access to schedule reservations
• A visa, unless you're a New Zealand national

Know About Your Destination

1. Know that English is the national tongue of Australia, including Adelaide.

2. Realize that Australian currency and U.S. currency differ, even though both are called dollars. Be sure to convert Australian dollars to U.S. dollars for accurate pricing.

3. Expect to battle jet lag when you first arrive. The time difference between New York and Adelaide is more than 15 hours.

Travel from Place to Place in Adelaide, Australia

4. Know that Adelaide International Airport, Australia's sixth largest international airport, is located near the center of Adelaide. It handles daily flights to and from airports around the world.

5. Drive like an Australian, on the left side of the road, when you rent a car upon arrival.

Choose Affordable Lodging in Adelaide, Australia

6. Find cheap Adelaide, Australia accommodations by booking a two-star hotel or bed and breakfast. Prices for two-star accommodations begin at about $60 per night.

7. Know that most cheap accommodations in South Australia do not provide satellite or cable television.

8. Choose cheap accommodations near the city's center to enjoy many entertainment options and parks. Plenty of boutiques and restaurants are nearby.

9. Stay near the station. Sociable, inexpensive hostels and hotels can be found near the Adelaide train station. Some of these youth-friendly spots have in-house pubs. Bottoms up!

10. To book accommodations, contact South Australian Tourism Commission at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). (If calling outside the United States or Canada, call 00 ([phone]).

Enjoy Local Attractions

11. Take in the nightlife at one of the many bars and clubs. All levels of entertainment are available from holes-in-the-wall to strip clubs.

12. Feel lucky? Adelaide offers casinos with more than 70 tables and 750 gaming machines.

13. Give a standing ovation at one of the many theaters in Adelaide. The standard entertainment includes drama, dance and music presentations.

Tips & Warnings

• Know that most car rental companies require a minimum driver age of 25 years.
• Understand a credit card (not a debit card) in the driver's name is required before car rental is accepted.
• Take up to 3 months' worth of prescribed medications, but carry a doctor's prescription to avoid problems going through customs.
• Be advised that: tipping is not expected for most services in Adelaide, but taxi drivers, porters and waiters expect 10 percent for courteous service.
• Know there is a goods-and-services tax of 10 percent on most items bought in the city.
• Telephone country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Realize that smoking is banned in restaurants, sporting arenas, public buildings, public transportation and outdoor areas. Always ask before lighting up.