Everything you need to know about flying to Australia & NZ
Pick a route to see live fare trends, airlines, flight times and the best time to fly.
How much is a return flight from London to Australia & NZ?
Return flights from London to Australia & NZ typically cost between £1228 and £1642 in September, though fares move with demand, season and how early you book. The lowest fare our search found recently was £734 — a great price and well below the usual range, so a price near this is worth grabbing. Keeping your dates flexible and comparing nearby days is the easiest way to land at the cheaper end.
£734 is a great price
£1228£1642
What is the cheapest month to fly to Australia & NZ?
indicative
On average, February is the cheapest month to fly to Australia & NZ, with return fares around £1171, and May is another good-value option at about £1264. Prices peak in July, when return tickets average around £1792 because of higher demand. If your travel dates are flexible, shifting your trip into a cheaper month can save you a meaningful amount.
What is the cheapest day to fly to Australia & NZ?
The cheapest day to depart to Australia & NZ is usually Sunday, when fares start from around £1534 — midweek departures tend to be quieter and cheaper. Tuesday is typically the most expensive day to fly out (around £1863), as weekend travel is popular with leisure and business travellers alike. Where your plans allow, moving your outbound to a cheaper weekday can noticeably lower the total fare.
What is the cheapest time of day to fly to Australia & NZ?
Flights to Australia & NZ are generally cheapest departing in the evening, with fares from around £1175. Departures in the morning tend to cost more (about £1222), as those slots are more convenient and in higher demand. Picking an off-peak departure time is a simple way to trim the price without changing your dates.
What is the cheapest London airport to fly to Australia & NZ from?
The cheapest return flights to Australia & NZ depart from London Heathrow (LHR), from around £976. London has several airports serving this route and fares can vary between them — Stansted (STN) is often the priciest at around £1503. It's worth checking which London airport is both cheapest and most convenient for you before booking.
Can I save money by flying with a stopover to Australia & NZ?
Yes — for Australia & NZ you can often save by taking a stopover: 1-stop fares start from around £778, compared with about £821 to fly direct. The trade-off is a longer total journey with a connection, so weigh the saving against the extra travel time. If budget matters more to you than speed, a 1-stop option is worth considering.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Australia & NZ?
To get a below-average price to Australia & NZ, aim to book roughly 26 weeks before departure, when fares tend to dip to around £1207. Leaving it to the final week is usually the most expensive time to buy, costing about 20% more, as availability tightens. Booking extremely far ahead isn't always cheaper either, so a few weeks to a couple of months out is typically the sweet spot.
See what customers who have flown with Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and more to Australia & NZ have to say. Each airline is scored on boarding, crew, food, comfort and entertainment.
One thing I really appreciated about Oman Air was the peaceful onboard experience. The flight was not stressful, the crew were attentive, and the overall atmosphere was comfortable. A solid choice for long-distance travel.
Top 10 airlines flying from London to Australia & NZ
Cheapest and average return economy fares by carrier, from our sampled live searches. Fares change constantly — tap Search to see live prices for your dates.
Airline
Cheapest
Average
Flights
Search
China Eastern
£734
£1306
With stops
British Airways
£821
£1240
Direct available
China Southern
£824
£1018
With stops
Air India
£838
£1197
With stops
Malaysia Airlines
£874
£980
With stops
Etihad
£964
£1342
With stops
Royal Brunei
£965
£965
With stops
Emirates
£1098
£2326
With stops
Turkish Airlines
£1101
£1255
With stops
China Airlines
£1203
£1223
With stops
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About flights to Australia & NZ
Overview of flying to Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are among the UK's most sought-after long-haul destinations — a world of sun-drenched cities, stunning coastlines, outback adventure and dramatic scenery. Popular for holidays, visiting family and working travel, this corner of the world is reached by well-connected one-stop flights from the UK.
Best time to visit
Seasons are reversed from the UK. December to February is summer Down Under — ideal for beaches — while our spring and autumn (their autumn and spring) offer mild weather and lower crowds. Fares peak around the festive season; the price charts on this page show the cheapest dates.
Popular countries & cities
Sydney: the harbour, Opera House and famous beaches.
Melbourne: culture, coffee and laneways.
Brisbane & the Gold Coast: sunshine and surf.
Auckland: New Zealand's vibrant gateway city.
Queenstown: adventure capital amid the Southern Alps.
Airlines and routes
There are no non-stop flights from the UK, but excellent one-stop routes via a single hub. Qantas, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Etihad connect London and other UK airports to Australia and New Zealand, typically via the Gulf or Asia. Total journey time is around 22–24 hours.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Australia & New Zealand
Book 2–5 months ahead for the best long-haul value.
Avoid the December–January peak if your dates are flexible.
Compare hubs (Dubai, Doha, Singapore) for the best fare and stopover.
Consider a stopover to break the journey and see an extra city.
Travel essentials
UK travellers need an ETA/eVisitor for Australia and an NZeTA for New Zealand — apply online before you fly.
Currencies are the Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar.
Baggage
Baggage & hand-luggage allowance for flights to Australia & NZ
Your allowance to Australia & NZ depends on the airline and the fare you book. The table below shows typical long-haul allowances so you know roughly what to expect — always confirm the exact limits with your airline before you fly.
Typical hand and checked baggage allowance by fare type for flights to Australia & NZ.
Fare type
Hand baggage
Checked baggage
Basic / Light economy
1 small under-seat bag
Usually none — add for a fee
Standard economy
1 cabin bag + 1 personal item
Typically 1 × 23 kg
Premium economy
1–2 cabin bags + personal item
Typically 2 × 23 kg
Business / First
2 cabin bags + personal item
Typically 2 × 32 kg
Indicative only. Allowances vary by airline, route and fare — always check your airline's baggage policy.
Packing & baggage tips
Full-service carriers (e.g. British Airways, Turkish Airlines, KLM) usually include a checked bag on long-haul economy fares; basic/low-cost fares often don't.
Cabin (hand) bag size is commonly around 56 × 45 × 25 cm — confirm your airline's limit before you pack.
Liquids in hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, inside one clear resealable bag.
Weigh your bags at home — airport excess-baggage fees are far higher than pre-booked allowances.
Extra or heavier bags are almost always cheaper added online in advance than at the airport.
FAQs — booking Australia & NZ flights
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Cheapest countries to fly to in Australia & NZ
Return economy fares from London, cheapest first — a quick way to find where in Australia & NZ your money goes furthest.
