Aussies facing a rabbit-sized hole in their travel budget this Easter have been urged to hop online to find cheaper airfares with Compare the Market research revealing a difference of hundreds of dollars between the cheapest and most expensive days to fly.
Using Skyscanner for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage, Compare the Market found that flights out of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to the rest of Australia’s major cities are cheapest between March 18th and 22nd and April 4th to 12th*.
Travellers who plan to see family over the Easter period or hope to take a quick domestic trip can still find great deals outside these periods, such as:
- A Brisbane to Melbourne flight on April 3 for $89
- A Sydney to Melbourne on March 26 for $46
- A Melbourne to Hobart trip on April 13 for as little as $62.
However, Compare the Market’s research also found a few days that travellers should try to avoid absolutely avoid the airport. In addition to domestic terminals being packed to the brim during the week before the Easter long weekend begins (March 25th to 28th), prices for flights will skyrocket during this time.
The cost of flights during this time can increase to $280 from the cheapest available seat in Brisbane to Adelaide, $254 from the least expensive flight in Sydney to Darwin and up to $338 from the lowest costed seat in Melbourne to Cairns.
The cheapest deals out of Brisbane for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Brisbane to | Cheapest day(s) | Cheapest price | Average cheapest price across March and April | Price difference cheapest vs ave. |
| Sydney | March 19 | $66 | $85.94 | $19.94 |
| Melbourne | March 25-26 April 3, 9 | $89 | $122.69 | $33.69 |
| Hobart | April 10 | $112 | $182.57 | $70.57 |
| Adelaide | March 13 | $127 | $172.11 | $43.11 |
| Perth | March 20 April 9 | $197 | $249.31 | $52.31 |
| Darwin | April 11 | $241 | $301.24 | $60.24 |
| Cairns | March 13, 18-19, 22 April 10 | $92 | $113.60 | $21.60 |
| Canberra | March 13 | $116 | $191.60 | $65.60 |
The most expensive deals out of Brisbane for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Brisbane to | Most expensive day(s) | Most expensive price | Price difference between cheapest and most expensive | Days in between cheapest and most expensive day |
| Sydney | April 1 | $129 | $62 | 6 days |
| Melbourne | March 22 | $212 | $123 | 12 days |
| Hobart | March 28 | $424 | $312 | 13 days |
| Adelaide | March 28 | $409 | $280 | 3 days |
| Perth | March 28 | $346 | $149 | 8 days |
| Darwin | March 18 | $427 | $186 | 24 days |
| Cairns | March 28 | $277 | $185 | 6 days |
| Canberra | April 1 | $321 | $195 | 19 days |
The cheapest deals out of Sydney for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Sydney to | Cheapest day(s) | Cheapest price | Average cheapest price across March and April | Price difference cheapest vs ave. |
| Brisbane | March 26 | $66 | $89.14 | $23.14 |
| Melbourne | March 26 | $46 | $75.89 | $29.89 |
| Hobart | March 13, 17, 19-21, 25-26 April 1-2, 6 | $74 | $99.31 | $25.31 |
| Adelaide | April 11 | $97 | $127.46 | $30.46 |
| Perth | April 6 | $241 | $310.03 | $69.03 |
| Darwin | March 22 | $182 | $279.91 | $97.91 |
| Cairns | March 20, 23 April 8-9 | $121 | $150.77 | $32.97 |
| Canberra | April 11 | $156 | $188.97 | $32.97 |
The most expensive deals out of Sydney for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Sydney to | Most expensive day(s) | Most expensive price | Price difference between cheapest and most expensive | Days in between cheapest and most expensive day |
| Brisbane | April 13 | $162 | $96 | 18 days |
| Melbourne | March 21 | $174 | $128 | 2 days |
| Hobart | March 29 | $256 | $182 | 3 days |
| Adelaide | March 28 | $266 | $169 | 14 days |
| Perth | March 28 | $446 | $205 | 9 days |
| Darwin | March 28 | $436 | $254 | 6 days |
| Cairns | March 28 | $302 | $181 | 5 days |
| Canberra | March 17 | $247 | $91 | 25 days |
The cheapest deals out of Melbourne (any airport) for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Melbourne (any airport) to | Cheapest day(s) | Cheapest price | Average cheapest price across March and April | Price difference cheapest vs ave. |
| Brisbane | March 16, 19-20 April 10-11 | $89 | $122.83 | $33.83 |
| Sydney | April 3, 9 | $46 | $70.63 | $24.63 |
| Hobart | April 13 | $62 | $109.11 | $47.11 |
| Adelaide | March 21 | $59 | $115.83 | $56.83 |
| Perth | March 15, 20 April 11 | $184 | $256.20 | $68.77 |
| Darwin | April 7, 9, 12 | $246 | $314.77 | $68.77 |
| Cairns | April 9 | $121 | $198.86 | $77.86 |
| Canberra | March 21 April 4, 9 | $77 | $135.43 | $58.43 |
The most expensive deals out of Melbourne (any airport) for a single one-way ticket with no checked baggage are*:
| Departing Melbourne (any airport) to | Most expensive day(s) | Most expensive price | Price difference between cheapest and most expensive | Days in between cheapest and most expensive day |
| Brisbane | March 25 | $222 | $133 | 5 days |
| Sydney | March 25 | $174 | $128 | 9 days |
| Hobart | March 28 | $331 | $269 | 8 days |
| Adelaide | March 25 | $247 | $188 | 4 days |
| Perth | March 25 | $421 | $237 | 5 days |
| Darwin | March 26 | $471 | $225 | 12 days |
| Cairns | March 28 | $459 | $338 | 12 days |
| Canberra | March 25 | $266 | $189 | 4 days |
Compare the Market’s travel expert, Catriona Rowntree, said the cost of living may be eating into holiday budgets this year but there are still plenty of ways to travel on the cheap.
“The cost of flights, accommodation and activities are a sizeable amount to give up in one go during this cost of living crisis, which is may be adding to stress for families who are in serious need of a holiday,” Ms Rowntree said.
“While Easter is a time for indulgence, the last thing you want is financial strife to ruin the whole experience.
“Remember, your kids don’t care about that fancy hotel – all they really want is to spend quality time with you and that could be anywhere.
“If you do some research you can avoid sky-high airfares and even snag some early-bird discounts on activities. Those are savings you could put towards your next holiday.”
But travel insurance is one expense Ms Rowntree says you shouldn’t skimp on.
“It’s also a misconception that you don’t need travel insurance while travelling domestically,” Ms Rowntree said.
“While Medicare could cover you for any medical emergencies that may arise, travel insurance could help you cover the cancellation costs that are out of your control.
“How many times have we seen travel dreams end in tears due to bad weather and flight delays? So, when it comes to safeguarding your holiday don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
*Disclaimer
Prices for a single one-way ticket without any checked baggage were gathered from Skyscanner on the 29th of February 2024, and all prices are subject to availability two weeks prior to- and after the Easter long weekend. Pricing shown on Skyscanner are the estimated lowest prices only and will change to reflect the individual’s needs at check out as well as when they book their flights.
Prices for flights from Melbourne are indicated from any of its three airports.
-ENDS-
For interviews and more information, please contact:
Noémi Hadnagy | m: 0433 377 252 | e: [email protected]
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