How to Get Cheap Flights to Australia

There are many ways to secure affordable flights to Australia. While it may seem like one of the most expensive destinations on the map, reaching the Land Down Under doesn’t have to cost a fortune. 

With smart timing, flexibility and a few expert tricks, you can fly halfway around the world without breaking the bank. Whether you are planning to surf at Bondi, wander through Melbourne’s laneways or snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, there are ways to make the journey far more affordable than you might expect.

How To Score A Great Deal On Flights To Australia

Here’s how experienced travellers and deal-hunters find the best flight prices, and how you can do the same too!

Be Flexible With Dates And Airports

If you remember one thing, make it this: flexibility saves money. The difference between flying on a Wednesday in March and a Saturday in July can easily be several hundred pounds. Australia’s high season runs from December to February, so choosing shoulder months from March to May or September to November, often means lower fares and fewer crowds once you land.

Don’t limit yourself to a single arrival point either. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are the major hubs with the most airline competition, which usually keeps prices competitive. You might even find that flying into Perth and adding a domestic hop to the east coast works out cheaper than booking a direct route.

Use Flight Alerts And Deal Clubs

Instead of spending hours refreshing airline websites, let the deals come to you. Set up fare alerts on platforms like Google Flights or Skyscanner which may track flash sales and mistake fares. These accidental discounts appear when airlines or booking systems misprice a ticket, often for just a few hours, so speed is key.

Some flight-deal communities report that the average saving on long haul offers like these is around 50% below standard fares. That kind of discount can turn a dream trip to Australia into a real possibility.

Consider Split Tickets And Stopovers

A direct flight from London to Sydney is convenient but rarely the cheapest option. You can often save by booking separate legs — for instance, flying from London to Singapore and then Singapore to Sydney. This approach can sometimes shave hundreds off your total fare.

Stopovers can also add value to your journey. Many Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad allow extended stopovers in Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi at little or no extra cost. It’s an opportunity to explore another destination en route and make a long haul journey more enjoyable and often cheaper.

Go Incognito And Compare Thoroughly

Airline pricing is dynamic, meaning it changes constantly based on demand, time and even your search behaviour. If you repeatedly look up the same route, some sites may show higher prices. Using your browser’s incognito mode or clearing cookies can help ensure you see the most accurate fares.

You can also try checking prices in different currencies. Occasionally, the same flight costs less when listed in Australian dollars instead of pounds. Comparison sites like Skyscanner make it easy to test multiple combinations quickly.

Book At The Right Time

For long haul destinations like Australia, booking three to five months in advance often gives you the best balance between availability and price. If you book too early, airlines may not have released their cheapest fare classes yet; too late, and prices usually climb as departure nears.

Keep an eye on flight trends around eight months before you plan to travel. That way, when a genuinely low fare appears, you’ll know to grab it immediately as the best deals rarely last more than a day.

Use Points, Miles And Loyalty Schemes

If you have been collecting air miles or travel rewards, Australia is a smart destination to use them on. Redeeming miles for long haul flights can result in huge savings, especially on premium airlines. Even if you don’t have a points balance now, joining a frequent flyer programme before you book is worthwhile.

Don’t Shy Away From Longer Routes

Everyone loves the idea of a quick, non-stop flight, but when it comes to value for money, indirect routes often win. Flights with one or two stops can be substantially cheaper than direct services. Connecting through Southeast Asia or the Middle East not only offers more airline options but can also reduce your overall fare considerably.

A few extra hours in the air might feel like a compromise, but when it saves you several hundred pounds, it is often worth it.

Keep An Eye On Seasonal Sales

Airlines regularly run sales during specific times of the year, such as Black Friday, New Year or mid-year periods that coincide with Australian carrier promotions. Signing up for alerts from major airlines and flight-deal services keeps you ahead of the crowd. When a sale drops, you will be among the first to know and ready to book before prices rise again.

Why Secret Flight Club Makes It Easier

If tracking every airline sale sounds overwhelming, that’s where Secret Flight Club comes in. Our team of flight experts monitors hundreds of airlines and booking sites every day to find genuine bargains, including error fares, flash sales and hidden discounts. 

Members receive alerts for long haul destinations like Australia the moment deals appear, meaning you can book the best prices before they disappear. It takes the guesswork out of finding affordable flights, so you can focus on planning your trip instead.

Ready To Book Your Cheap Flight?

Getting to Australia on a budget is absolutely achievable. By being flexible with your travel dates, open to stopovers, strategic about booking times and smart with loyalty schemes, you can secure fares that make a once-in-a-lifetime journey affordable.

And if you’d rather let someone else do the searching, signing up to Secret Flight Club makes it effortless. Our experts constantly scan for long haul discounts, error fares and exclusive deals to destinations like Australia — and send them straight to your inbox! With our help, you can swap wishful thinking for a boarding pass to the other side of the world, at a price that might just surprise you.