Everyone loves a great travel deal, but few things are more satisfying than finding cheap flight deals that make your holiday feel even sweeter. Whether you’re booking a last-minute domestic getaway or planning an overseas adventure, knowing how and where to find cheap flights can save you hundreds of dollars. From trusted tools to insider tricks, this guide will walk you through everything you need to score cheap flight deals from Australia.
What Are Cheap Flight Deals?
Cheap flight deals are discounted airfares offered by airlines, booking sites, or travel aggregators. They may be limited-time promotions, error fares, flash sales, or special discounts during low-demand seasons. These deals are often available for a short period and may sell out quickly, so staying alert and knowing where to look is key.
Where to Find the Best Cheap Flight Deals in Australia
Australians have access to a growing number of flight comparison websites and airline portals that make finding deals easier than ever.
1. EasyFlights.com.au
As a locally focused site, EasyFlights curates cheap flight deals departing from major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. You can browse flights by destination or budget and see real-time savings across domestic and international routes.
2. Skyscanner Australia
Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search feature is ideal for spontaneous travellers. Simply enter your departure city and select “Everywhere” as your destination you’ll see the cheapest options from your location.
3. Google Flights
Google Flights lets you explore an interactive map and track price trends over time. It also shows you how current prices compare to historical data, helping you know if it’s time to book.
4. Airline Websites
Many airlines, including Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Scoot, and AirAsia, run exclusive promotions on their websites or through email newsletters. Some of the best cheap flight deals never make it to aggregators—so it pays to check directly.
When to Book for the Best Deals
Book in Advance, But Not Too Early
Timing matters. For domestic Australian routes, aim to book 6 to 8 weeks in advance. For international trips, 2 to 4 months is typically the sweet spot.
Best Days to Find Deals
Flight prices often drop midweek especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This is when airlines release new sales or adjust prices to compete with other carriers.
Avoid Peak Periods
Travel during school holidays, public holidays, and major events is more expensive. To find cheap flight deals, try travelling during shoulder seasons like late February to April or August to early November.
Set Price Alerts to Catch Drops
Don’t have time to search every day? Use price alerts.
Tools for Alerts
- Google Flights: Tracks specific routes and sends email updates.
- Skyscanner: Sends daily or weekly alerts for your chosen dates and destinations.
- EasyFlights: Offers localised deal alerts and flash sale updates.
By setting alerts early, you can jump on cheap flight deals the moment prices dip.
Take Advantage of Flash Sales and Error Fares
Flash Sales
Airlines like Jetstar and Virgin Australia frequently run flash sales often on Tuesdays or Fridays. These promotions can offer massive discounts on popular routes but usually last less than 48 hours.
Error Fares
Sometimes airlines or booking systems mistakenly list prices far below average. These “error fares” may be honoured if booked quickly. Sites like Secret Flying and Airfare Watchdog often highlight these rare but valuable deals.
Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations
If you’re flexible with when and where you travel, your chances of finding cheap flights skyrocket.
Flex Dates
Use the “whole month” or “cheapest month” view on Skyscanner or Google Flights to see the lowest prices. A one-day shift in departure can reduce your fare dramatically.
Alternate Airports
Flying out of or into secondary airports like Avalon (Melbourne), Gold Coast (instead of Brisbane), or Newcastle (instead of Sydney) can reveal significantly cheaper deals.
One-Way or Multi-City Tickets
Sometimes booking two one-way tickets with different airlines or stopping over in a third city can be cheaper than a round trip.
Use Points and Rewards to Reduce Costs Further
Frequent flyer programs and travel rewards can help you unlock more cheap flight deals.
Popular Australian Programs
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Velocity Frequent Flyer (Virgin Australia)
How to Maximise Rewards
- Use a credit card that earns airline points
- Watch for promotions that offer bonus points
- Redeem points for free or discounted flights
- Use “points plus pay” to reduce cash outlay
Consider Budget Airlines for Big Savings
Flying with budget airlines can offer some of the best cheap flight deals, especially for short-haul or regional travel.
Top Budget Airlines in Australia
- Jetstar: Offers low fares across domestic and Asia-Pacific routes.
- Rex Airlines: Expanding affordable domestic services.
- AirAsia: Ideal for cheap flights to Southeast Asia.
- Scoot: Singapore-based and often cheaper than traditional carriers.
- Bonza: Australia’s new low-cost airline serving regional routes.
Be mindful of extra costs for baggage, food, and seat selection—budget airlines often unbundle services.
Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls When Booking Cheap Flights
Getting a great deal isn’t just about finding a low fare, it’s about making sure you don’t get hit with hidden fees later.
Watch Out For:
- Baggage Fees: Always check what’s included. Carry-on only fares can be limiting.
- Credit Card Fees: Some airlines charge a payment processing fee unless you use specific cards.
- Change & Cancellation Policies: Low-cost fares often come with strict terms, make sure your plans are firm.
- Overnight Layovers: Cheaper fares may include long or inconvenient stopovers.
Use Stopovers to Your Advantage
Some of the best cheap flight deals involve a stopover in another country. Instead of seeing this as a downside, treat it as a bonus mini-trip.
Stopover Examples
- Singapore: Fly Scoot or Singapore Airlines and explore the city for a day.
- Doha or Dubai: Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar Airways and Emirates often include free or discounted stopovers.
- Kuala Lumpur: AirAsia provides multi-city booking options that are both affordable and fun.
Real Examples of Cheap Flight Deals
Sydney to Bali
A recent Jetstar promotion offered return flights from Sydney to Bali for just $299. By booking during a Friday Fare Frenzy and travelling midweek, one Aussie family saved over $800.
Melbourne to London
By combining a Scoot flight to Singapore with a British Airways ticket to London, a solo traveller booked a round trip for just $1,150, saving over $400 compared to direct fares.
Brisbane to Queenstown
During a Virgin Australia sale, return tickets to Queenstown dropped to $289. Flexible travellers who booked early scored the deal and enjoyed a skiing holiday on a budget.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best cheap flight deals is part art, part science, but it’s absolutely achievable for every Australian traveller. By knowing where to look, staying flexible, setting alerts, and being strategic about booking, you can unlock major savings and travel more often. Whether you’re exploring the wonders of Australia or heading overseas, these tips will help you fly smarter, for less.