Cheap flights have changed the way Australians travel. A weekend in Melbourne, a quick hop to Bali or a long-haul trip broken up with a stopover in Asia is within reach for far more of us – as long as you know how to fly on a budget. The headline fare is only part of the story, though. Bags, seats, meals and payment fees can quickly turn a bargain into something much less appealing. Here’s how to keep the total cost down without making the journey miserable.
Be Flexible With Dates and Times
The biggest saving usually comes from flexibility. Fare calendars on Google Flights and Skyscanner show prices across a whole month, so you can see at a glance whether leaving a day earlier or later makes a difference. Midweek departures and the shoulder seasons either side of school holidays tend to be cheaper than Friday evenings and peak periods.
Set up price alerts for the routes you’re watching and book once a fare drops to a level you’re happy with. Holding out for the absolute lowest price is a gamble, and sale fares rarely last long.
Consider a Different Airport
It’s worth checking flights from more than one airport. In Sydney, Western Sydney International welcomed its first passengers on 25 October 2026, with Jetstar as the launch airline flying to Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and Air New Zealand flying to Auckland. Singapore Airlines is scheduled to start daily flights to Singapore from 23 November 2026, subject to approvals. For travellers in Western Sydney, it can mean a much shorter trip to the airport.
Wherever you fly from, factor in the cost of getting to and from the airport. A cheaper fare can easily be cancelled out by a long taxi ride or several days in an airport car park.
Know the Carry-On Rules Before You Pack
Low-cost carriers such as Jetstar, Scoot and AirAsia charge separately for extras like checked bags, so read the baggage rules before you pack. Jetstar currently allows 7kg of carry-on luggage. From 2 February 2027, the airline is moving to a size-based model: every booking will include one under-seat bag – a small backpack, handbag or laptop bag up to 40cm x 30cm x 20cm – and carry-on will no longer be weighed. To bring a larger bag of up to 10kg for the overhead locker, you’ll need to buy a Priority Carry-on pass, which also includes priority boarding. Prices announced at launch ranged from A$25 to A$52, depending on the route.
Whichever airline you choose, weigh your bag at home, wear your bulkiest layers on the plane and add checked luggage when you book – it’s usually much cheaper than paying at the airport.
Skip the Extras You Don’t Need
- Seats: Unless you’re on a long flight or need to sit next to someone, let the airline allocate your seat for free.
- Food: Pack snacks and an empty water bottle to refill after security. On international trips, check the biosecurity rules at your destination and finish or bin fresh food before you land.
- Entertainment: Many budget aircraft don’t have seatback screens, so download shows, podcasts and offline maps before you leave home.
- Bundles: Fare bundles that include bags, seats and meals only make sense if you’d buy most of those items anyway, so do the maths before you upgrade.
- Payment fees: Check the final screen before you pay, as some airlines add a fee depending on how you pay.
Turn a Stopover Into Part of the Trip
On long-haul journeys, the cheapest route often involves a connection. Rather than spending hours in a terminal, consider a longer stopover. A day or two in Singapore or Fiji breaks up the journey, helps with jet lag and can add a second destination without much change to the airfare.
Put Your Points to Work
Frequent flyer points and credit card rewards can cover some or all of a fare, or pay for extras such as checked bags. If you’re collecting points, it pays to understand how to get the most from them – our guide to travelling stylishly on points explains how.
Don’t Let a Cheap Fare Compromise Your Safety
For women travelling solo, the cheapest flight isn’t always the best value. A fare that lands at 2am can mean an expensive taxi, a night in the terminal or arriving somewhere unfamiliar in the dark. Consider your arrival time, keep a little extra in the budget for a safe transfer to your accommodation and take out travel insurance – it’s especially useful if a cancelled flight means rebooking at short notice. For more advice, see our solo female travel tips.
How to Fly on a Budget: The Bottom Line
Flying on a budget is less about finding the lowest fare than understanding the total cost of getting from A to B. Be flexible, read the fine print on bags and extras and decide in advance what’s worth paying for. Fares, fees and allowances change often, so always check the airline’s website before you book.
