Travel

Which airlines fly to Australia

Australia overview

When is the best time to fly to Australia?

An incredibly diverse country with so many attractions, visitors will need to take more flights to Australia than just one to see everything. Coastal cities and towns offer stunning beaches, rainforest and reefs, fascinating wildlife and a laid back culture, while the red desert centre attracts visitors from all over the world for its remote and alluring beauty. Generally, peak season in Australia is the lead up to Christmas and the New Year period, running from the beginning of December through to the end of January. This is when Aussies go on their summer holidays and discount flight tickets are rare. Avoid travelling on public and school holiday dates throughout the year if you can as this is also an expensive time for booking flight tickets, tours and accommodation. Schoolies celebrations take place during November all around Australia, and you can guaranteed popular beach holiday spots such as the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast will be booked out months in advance.

The Far North’s wet season runs from November through to April, heralded by heat, humidity and sub-tropical downpours. Roads can become inaccessible due to flooding and there is a possibility of cyclones. People booking flights to Australia wait until the dry season (May to October) if visiting this region. Avoid The Red Centre in summer (December to February) if you don’t like uncomfortably hot temperatures, this region has a semi-arid climate that can produce on occasion temperatures of around 45C.

When is the best time to book a flight to Australia?

Climate plays a significant part in booking a flight to Australia, and getting this wrong can make for an uncomfortable holiday. Generally the northern half (and hottest part) of the country is best visited between April and September, while the cooler southern states, including Tasmania, are pleasant to visit during the summer. Book flight tickets well in advance if you’re travelling during peak periods and sign up to email alerts to take advantage of the cheapest flights to Australia on offer. Alternatively hold out for last minute flights if you have flexible dates.

How long are flights within Australia?

Which airlines operate flights in Australia?

Australia’s main domestic airlines are: Qantas. Virgin Australia. Jetstar and Tiger Airways. These four service the main cities and larger towns of Australia so you can usually find low-cost flight tickets at any time of year. Virgin Australia has regular services along the east coast between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Gold Coast. It also flies to Adelaide, Perth, Broome and Darwin. Melbourne-based Jetstar flies to 14 destinations including Adelaide, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth and the Sunshine Coast. Regional airline AirNorth operates flights in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia, and Rex operates services to New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, North Queensland and Tasmania.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

Major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth offer airport rail or bus services to reach the city centre quickly and conveniently. Taxis are available outside the arrivals terminal and car rental centres can get you on your way if you prefer independent transport. Some towns in the Far North such as Cairns, have courtesy hotel shuttles from the airport, so it pays to check when you book your accommodation if this service is offered.

Australia insider information