Cheapest Ways to Fly from Australia in 2026
Flying from Australia is expensive by default. But three strategies consistently save hundreds: budget carriers for Bali, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur; timing Abu Dhabi airline sales for London and Paris; and using booking aggregators to catch pricing errors.
We tracked flight prices from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth over six months and tested AirAsia, Etihad, and Klook.
AirAsia - Cheapest Flights to Bali, KL, and Bangkok
AirAsia is the budget leader for Australian travellers heading to Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and onward connections across various destinations, and the nearby countries. With 100 weekly flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide in 2026, they offer more low-cost options than any other carrier.
| Route | Frequency | Sale Price | Regular Price | |---|---|---|---| | Perth to Bali | 28x weekly | A$149 one way | A$250 | | Melbourne to Bali | 7x weekly (new 2026) | A$199 one way | A$350 | | Sydney to KL | Daily | A$249 one way | A$400 | | Adelaide to Bali | 7-10x weekly | A$179 one way | A$300 |
AirAsia runs major sales 4-5 times per year with fares as low as A$99 one way to Bali from Perth. Set alerts on their app.
Fly-Thru connections: Book a single ticket through Kuala Lumpur to reach 150+ destinations without separate bookings. Sydney to Tokyo via KL can be significantly cheaper than a direct Qantas or JAL flight.
Etihad - Best Value for London, Paris, and Abu Dhabi
Etihad flies from Sydney (10x weekly) and Melbourne (daily) to Abu Dhabi, with onward connections to London, Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Cairo, and 70+ other cities. Their recent 50% fare cuts make them currently the cheapest option for Australians flying to the United Kingdom and France.
| Route | Sale Price (return) | Regular Price | |---|---|---| | Sydney to London via Abu Dhabi | A$1,100 | A$2,200 | | Melbourne to Paris via Abu Dhabi | A$1,250 | A$2,400 | | Sydney to Cairo via Abu Dhabi | A$900 | A$1,800 |
Etihad's A350-1000 on the Sydney route offers 31-inch pitch in standard economy, 35-inch in Economy Space.
Abu Dhabi stopover: Etihad offers a free or discounted Abu Dhabi stopover package, turning a layover into a mini holiday. Australian travellers heading to London or Paris can break the journey with 2-3 nights in Abu Dhabi.
Klook - Best for Activity and Flight Bundles
Klook is not a flight search engine but saves money when you bundle flights with activities, transfers, and experiences. Book your Bali airport transfer, temple tours, and surfing lessons through Klook and combined savings often exceed separate bookings.
- Airport transfers in Bali, Bangkok, Tokyo, KL at fixed prices
- Theme park tickets (Universal Studios the region, Tokyo DisneySea) at 10-30% below gate prices
- WiFi and eSIM packages across all destinations
- Rail passes (Japan Rail Pass) at competitive rates with instant digital delivery
Australian Flight Booking Tips
Book Tuesday to Thursday: Fares are consistently cheapest when searched mid-week.
Sweet spot timing: Book 8-12 weeks before departure for international flights. Last-minute deals from Australia are rare.
Use incognito mode: Airlines track searches and can increase prices on repeated searches.
Consider positioning flights: If you live in Adelaide or Brisbane, check whether flying to Perth or Sydney first on a cheap domestic fare and catching a cheaper international flight saves money.
EOFY travel deals: Australian travel agencies and airlines run significant promotions during June.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to fly from Australia to London? Currently Etihad via Abu Dhabi offers the best value with return fares from A$1,100 during sales. AirAsia via KL is also competitive on their long-haul route.
How far in advance should I book flights from Australia? 8-12 weeks for international, 4-6 weeks for domestic. For peak periods (Christmas, school holidays), book 3-4 months ahead.
Is AirAsia safe to fly? Yes. AirAsia holds a 7/7 safety rating from Airlineratings.com and has been operating for over 20 years with modern Airbus A330neo aircraft.
Can I use Klook to book flights? Klook does not sell flight tickets directly but offers travel experiences, transfers, and packages that complement your flights.
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- AirAsia - Flights to Bali from A$149 | Get Deal
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