Why flying to Australia is easier than you think
For both first-time and returning visitors, these handy tips will help you plan a trip to Australia simply and smoothly.
Whether you're travelling for a holiday or visiting friends and family, a trip to Australia is sure to be memorable. And with such a wide range of flight options available between the UK and Australia, there are choices to suit all timelines and budgets.
Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales
Flight routes
It has never been easier to fly to Australia from the UK, with more carriers on offer – including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Etihad Airways and Emirates – providing around 1,000 weekly flights* between the two countries. The majority of flights have one stop over in either the Middle East or Asia, and there are endless options to connect to the Australian capital cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and Perth.
Visitors can even travel directly from the UK to Australia on a non-stop flight; Qantas' direct flight departs daily from London, and can have you in Perth in around 17 hours.
While most flights depart from London’s two main airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, you can also depart from other regional airports around the UK including Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
* Number based off flights with a connecting layover time of under five hours, and for connections on same carrier.
Connecting Further
Flying is an easy way to travel within Australia to experience more of the vast country. The extensive network of domestic and regional airlines – such as Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and Rex – connect the major cities and airports with regional towns and attractions such as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef.
Connecting onto the domestic network from an international flight is easy. Many international carriers have partnerships with the domestic airlines, getting you to where you want to be easily and quickly.
Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Tropical North Queensland
When to book
Whether you want to travel to Australia during the peak summer season (December to February) or in the winter season (June to August), it is always best to book well in advance. In order to get the best options, it's a good idea to start looking for flights six months ahead of travel, and even more if you'll be travelling in peak seasons. Being flexible with your travel dates will also allow you to take advantage of cheap flight deals and airline promotions.
When to visit
The best time to visit Australia depends on the region you want to visit, as the seasons vary across the country. Being in the Southern Hemisphere, seasons are opposite to those in the UK, with summer from December to February and winter from June to August. So if you're looking for some winter sunshine, travelling to Australia in November through to February will mean you can make the most of the sunny, warm days on some of Australia's best beaches.
In the northern and tropical areas of Australia, such as the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland, the climate is categorised into a wet season (November to April) and a dry season (May to October). If you are wanting a more tropical experience, consider visiting places like Broome and the untouched wilderness of the Kimberley region in Western Australia, Cairns and the ancient Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, or Darwin and the mighty Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.
