Cheapest and most expensive days for Aussies to fly in December 2024

Buying plane tickets on a slightly different day this December could save you hundreds of dollars.

The difference between flying on the cheapest and most expensive days this December could save you hundreds of dollars.

While last year, major Australian cities shared similar dates when it came to the most costly day to fly, this year, your one day to avoid will depend on where you are flying from.

Flights out of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to the rest of Australia’s major cities are on average cheapest between December 3 and 5, and then December 10 to 13, according to new research from travel insurance comparison site Compare the Market.

Unsurprisingly, flight prices peak a few days prior to and after Christmas on December 25, with the most expensive days to fly from those cities on average being December 20 to 22, and then December 26 to 29.

Aussies can save money and skip the biggest airport crowds in December by checking out different dates. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Seb Haggett

In support of the notion it pays to be flexible, the data showed a flight from Sydney to Perth could cost more than $300 more on December 21 compared to December 4, 6, 7 or 9.

It also found you could save almost $140 flying from Brisbane to Canberra on December 18 instead of three days later on December 21, or save almost $150 from Melbourne to the country’s capital on December 4 instead of three days earlier on December 1.

There were also only three days between the cheapest and most expensive flights from Melbourne to Hobart. Flying on December 18 instead of 21 could save about $130.

The most expensive days to fly between major airports

Using Skyscanner to search for one-way tickets, Compare the Market found flights from Sydney to Melbourne or Brisbane were most expensive on December 22 and 23, respectively. It could cost up to $200 more to fly to Brisbane on this day.

Just a day earlier, December 21, is the most expensive day to fly from Sydney to Hobart or Perth. Sydneysiders heading to Adelaide are best to avoid December 5, and for Darwin, December 30.

The most expensive day for Melburnians to fly to Sydney for the holiday season is December 30, while those heading to Brisbane will likely fork out the most for a flight on December 28. December 21 is again the most expensive day to fly from Melbourne to Hobart, Perth or Adelaide.

For those departing Brisbane Airport, December 21 will also be the most expensive day to fly to Hobart, Perth or Canberra.

Flights from Brisbane to Sydney are most expensive on December 28 and 29, and for Brisbane to Melbourne flights it is December 26 and 29.

Compare the Market’s Adrian Taylor said the good news was their analysis showed flight prices had generally dropped compared to last year.

The cheapest flights on average in December from Sydney to Melbourne were down 5.1 per cent, Melbourne to Sydney decreased 4 per cent, Melbourne to Brisbane fell 15.5 per cent, and Brisbane to Melbourne dropped 13.1 per cent.

“It’s great to see some sort of reprieve for cash-strapped families who may only see their family at Christmas,” Mr Taylor said.

“We are seeing some of the prices dip from last year, but without a doubt, we would expect prices to increase in the weeks leading up to the end of year break.”

Compare the Market gathered the data on the cost of one-way fares for December on October 17.

“The best option for people would be to book early, see if there is some flexibility in the days they’re flying, and search around for a deal, just like they would for car insurance or a better rate on their home loan,” Mr Taylor said.

There can be just days between the cheapest and most expensive flights in December. Picture: Daily Telegraph / Monique Harmer

Not all destinations were offering cheaper flights this year. Compare the Market found the average cheapest flights from Brisbane to Sydney were up 6.2 per cent compared to analysis of December 2023, and cheap Sydney to Brisbane flights increased 20.9 per cent.

Getaway host Catriona Rowntree, who is a Compare the Market travel expert, suggests travellers look into flying out during the day when it is less busy.

“You’ll hit peak traffic if you’re flying out after everyone is finished at school or commuting home from work and that can be stressful,” she said.

The cheapest days to fly between major airports

If you have flexibility and are looking for the cheapest day to fly, the analysis showed Sydneysiders heading to Melbourne should check out December 3, 17 and 31.

Those flying the other way should consider December 4 and 11 to score a more affordable fare.

The cheapest plane tickets from Melbourne to Brisbane were found on December 3 and 11, and from Sydney to Brisbane on December 3 and 4.

Brisbane to Sydney flights were cheapest on December 4, 10 and 11, and Brisbane to Melbourne on December 4 and 7.