How to find cheap flights

Travel tips and tricks every Aussie should know

Tired of paying too much for flights? This guide is packed with smart tips to help you find cheap flights from Australia—whether you’re planning a quick domestic getaway, a tropical island break, or a big overseas adventure.

We’ll walk you through insider tips, booking hacks, and Skyscanner tools that can help you score the best fares. Let’s save some dollars and travel more this year.

Travel hacked to find cheap flights

Spend less, see more

From using budget airlines to staying flexible with your dates, there are plenty of ways to find great deals on flights from Australia. Here are some of the best strategies:

1. Check out budget airlines

Compare your options

Flying with a low-cost carrier can save you hundreds of dollars—especially for domestic or short-haul international trips. For travel within Australia, check airlines like Jetstar, and Virgin Australia.

Heading to Asia or the Pacific? AirAsia, Emirates, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines often offer great deals.

2. Be flexible with your dates

Shift your travel days to save

If you’ve got a destination in mind, being flexible with your travel dates can lead to big savings. Use Skyscanner’s “Whole Month” search to see which days are cheapest to fly.

3. Use the “Everywhere” search

Get inspired by deals

Don’t have a set destination? Type “Everywhere” into the destination field on Skyscanner to see the cheapest places you can fly to from your chosen departure city.

From hidden gems across Australia to tropical escapes in Bali or Fiji, this is a great way to discover your next trip—based on price first.

4. Book one-way flights separately

Mix and match airlines

Return flights aren’t always the cheapest option. Sometimes booking two one-way flights with different airlines can help you save or get more flexible flight times.

For example, fly out to Bali with Jetstar and return with Batik Air, or mix Qantas and Virgin to suit your schedule and budget.

5. Use multi-city search

Build a better itinerary

If you're heading to Europe or Asia and want to visit more than one city, try Skyscanner’s “Multi-city” search.

It lets you book several flights in one go—like flying into London, then heading to Paris and Rome before returning home. It’s often cheaper than booking separate one-way tickets.

6. Set up Price Alerts

Jump on deals when they drop

Skyscanner’s Price Alerts track fare changes for you. Just search for your preferred route and select “Get Price Alerts” to be notified as soon as prices go up or down.

Download the Skyscanner app so you can book quickly when a good deal pops up.

7. Travel with carry-on only

Avoid checked baggage fees

Many budget airlines charge extra for checked luggage. If you can pack light and travel with carry-on only, you’ll save both money and time at the airport.

Just check your airline’s size and weight limits to avoid any surprise fees at the gate.

How to find cheap flights FAQs

Prices can vary widely depending on the destination and time of year—but flexible travellers can still find solid deals.

Use Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search for flexible destinations, or keep Price Alerts on so you’re ready when a deal pops up.

Be flexible with your dates, set Price Alerts, fly carry-on only, and look at one-way ticket combinations. A bit of research can go a long way.

Ready to book a last-minute flight and head off on a spontaneous getaway? We hope our tips help you find the right flight at the best possible price.

Ready to find your next adventure? Try Skyscanner’s Everywhere Search today. Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deal for your next trip.

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