Flight Ticketing for Australia Visit

Australia has some of the best and most modern airports in the world. It is, therefore, very easy to fly in and out of Australia, whether you are travelling for business or leisure. In this article, we talk about the various aspects of air travel to Australia and give you some handy tips on how to find the best deals when booking your flight tickets to this wonderful country. Take a look.

Is flight the best way to travel to/within Australia?

Did you know?

• There are many direct flights from major Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai to large Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The flying time is around 14 - 15 hours, but largely depends on the route you take.
• There are many hopping flights available too, with stopovers at Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, etc. There are some low-cost carriers that make halts and take a longer time, but help you save a lot of money.

Air travel is the quickest way to get to Australia. It is also the only way, except for the sea, to enter the country from any international location. This is because Australia is covered by water on all sides and no roadlines connect the country to any other nation. There are cruise ships available, though they take a much longer time than an aeroplane. Hence, a vast majority of the tourists entering Australia, do so while travelling by air.

A quick tip:

Apart from the international flights, you also have several domestic flights that take you from one city to another within Australia. Australia is a vast country and the distances between some cities are very long, so travelling by air makes sense, especially for tourists who are travelling with a fixed itinerary.

Visiting Australia via flight - Things to remember

Did you know?

Most cities like Sydney and Adelaide have more than one airport. However, Canberra, which is the capital of the country, is the only major city to have just one airport. There is no secondary airport in Canberra.

Here’s a list of things you should keep in mind when choosing flights for your Australia trip:

1. Budget:

Flights to Australia are quite expensive. Hence, you need to work out your budget and see what your travel allowance is. There are some luxury airlines such as Qantas that operate direct flights between India and Australia. However, these are more on the costlier side. If you want more affordable flights, check out the deals on low-cost carriers such as Air Asia or Jetstar.

2. Destination:

There are several airports in Australia. Choose your destination airport carefully so that the cost of travel within the country becomes lower. For example, if you want to go to Bondi Beach, book an air ticket to Sydney so that you don't have to spend additional money after you arrive in the country.

3. Ground transportation:

Most airports in Australia have excellent public transport connectivity. You can get airport express buses, taxis, etc easily from the airport. However, it is always better to stay prepared and book your tickets on the bus or book a taxi in advance. Not only will this fetch you a lot of mental peace, but it may also allow you to get some great deals and discounts.

A travel tip:

Choose the starting point of your Australian vacation with care and consideration. Choose a place that is well-connected to all the other places in the country so that moving from one city to the other is not a problem and is economical as well.

4. Customs and immigration:

Keep aside an ample amount of time for customs and immigration once you land in Australia. The Australian authorities are very strict with customs clearance. Carry all the required documents and patiently wait in line till it’s your turn. Get the clearance and start your holiday on a positive note.

A travel tip:

There are some unique customs rules in Australia. For example, you are not allowed to enter the country with any type of food or plant. If any such item is found on you, you may be even asked to return back from the airport itself, so be extra careful when packing.

5. Time criteria:

Direct flights take a much shorter time to reach. A direct Qantas flight from New Delhi to Melbourne takes around 12 hours. On the other hand, a hopping flight between the two cities can take more than 17 hours. While you do save time with a direct flight, the costs are always higher. So choose your flight based on how much time you can spare. If time is not a factor, opt for the hopping flights and make an affordable choice.

Tips for saving money when booking flights to Australia

Did you know:

Being flexible with your travel dates can help you save some money. Also, travelling during the off-season, especially on weekdays, helps you to stick to your budget.

Travel websites often have deals and discounts. Signing up for email alerts allows you to be aware of these deals.

Listed below are some of the best tips to save money when booking your flight tickets to Australia:

1. Consider budget flights:

As mentioned above, there are many low-cost budget airlines that operate regular flights to all the major Australian cities. Consider booking your tickets on any such carrier and save a large chunk of money.

2. Choose off-season travel:

During the off-season, the tourism industry is at a low. To lure customers, hotels, airlines, etc. lower their prices. Take full advantage of this and plan your Australian holiday during such a time. You will definitely pay less for your air tickets but you will still get to experience all the wonders of this beautiful country.

A quick tip:

June to August is considered to be an off-season in Australia. Try to plan your holiday at this time and you will be surprised at the savings you make!

3. Consider hopping flights:

Direct flights are expensive. Give up the idea of travelling on a direct flight and look for better options on hopping flights. This would surely help you to save some money.

A quick tip:

Compare the ticket prices by visiting various booking websites. Never buy your flight tickets from the first portal you come across, as you will surely find better deals somewhere else.

4. Book online:

These days a vast majority of people book their flight tickets online. This is a much better and more economical option than getting the reservation done through a travel agent. The agents charge their fees, which further hike up your overall travel costs.

Travel tip:

Try to use your credit card points when booking your flight tickets. Many credit cards allow you to redeem points on air travel.

5. Try booking in advance:

Last-minute flights can be very expensive. This is why you should always look to book your flights well in advance. Do not rely on any deals or discounts, rather book in advance. You will then be guaranteed to find the best deals.

6. Consider getting non-refundable tickets:

Non-refundable tickets are usually cheaper than the refundable tickets. If you are very sure of your dates and are completely certain of going on the holiday, get non-refundable tickets and save a lot of money.

How to book a flight to Australia?

Quick Note: Try getting an Australia holiday package. These packages include the domestic transfers and save you the effort of booking domestic tickets. You also get better deals and a lot of convenience.

The steps to book tickets online for Australia are very straightforward. Here’s a lowdown:

• Visit a flight booking portal of your choice.
• Choose the departure and arrival cities, as per your preferences.
• Select the class of travel and the travel date.
• Select a flight within your budget.
• Fill in your personal details.
• Make the payment.
• Receive an instant e-copy of your confirmed air ticket to Australia.

Pros and cons of travelling to Australia via flight

Did you know

Most cities in Australia have two airports. One is the bigger and more famous one and the other is a smaller airport. The primary airports are always more crowded and it takes a longer time with the customs and luggage. So, try to book a flight that arrives at the secondary airport and you will get done with the formalities at a quicker pace.

If you choose to visit Australia via a flight, you can come across the following pros and cons:

● Pros

1. Suitable for all -

Air travel suits everyone and this is one of its biggest advantages. No matter how old or young the passenger is, or what their preferences are, they will not have any problems taking a flight.

2. Saves time -

Air travel is much quicker than all other forms of travel and this proves to be extremely beneficial for all travellers.

3. Very convenient -

Travelling by air makes it very convenient for travellers. You don't have to chug your luggage around, haggle with porters, run from one place to the other, worry about arranging for food, etc. All you have to do is reach the airport on time, check-in and proceed to your flight.

4. Ease of access -

Flights are very accessible. You can easily find an air route between India and Australia, thereby making your journey very smooth and simple to complete.

Travel tip:

If you have a local friend or relative, ask them to pick you up from the airport. After travelling for a long duration and waiting additionally for immigration, you may not feel very enthused to wait further for a bus or a cab to show up.

● Cons

1. Expensive -

One of the biggest drawbacks of air travel is the cost. It is very expensive to travel by flight and this makes it unaffordable for some people. Thankfully, though, with the help of deals and discounts and other offers such as credit card points, these tickets become more affordable, so see what options you have.

2. Many restrictions -

There are several restrictions you have to pay heed to when you travel by air. From an extremely rigorous security check to bans on carrying certain items in your luggage, you are obligated to follow the rules and this proves to be restrictive for some travellers.

3. Time management -

You have to reach the airport 2 to 3 hours before the flight departs. After landing, you have to wait for some time to get your luggage, clear customs, etc. So, you need to manage your time properly in order to ensure you have a smooth journey.

Conclusion

Follow all the tips and guidelines mentioned above and you will have a smooth and uneventful Australian trip. It is very easy to travel to Australia by air and many flights are available from all the major Indian airports. Select the route of your choice and get set to have a fantastic holiday!

FAQs

1) Where are the primary international airports found in Australia?

The main international airports of Australia are found in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra. Except for Canberra, most other places have more than one airport serving the city.

2) What are some cheap domestic airlines in Australia?

There are some local low-cost airlines in Australia such as Tigerair and Regional Express Airlines (REX) that offer tickets at lower rates. There are international airlines such as Jetstar and Scoot that also have domestic flights in Australia and allow you to travel on a budget.

3) How far is Brisbane airport from Brisbane town?

The airport in Brisbane is quite close to the main city. You just have to travel about 11 km to reach the city centre. You can take a bus or a taxi and easily reach the city.

4) What is the cheapest season to fly to Australia?

If you want to make some big savings, consider flying to Australia during the off-season. The period between June and August is an off-season and the flight tickets are considerably lower. In addition to this, you also get hotels at a lower cost, making your holiday a lot less expensive as compared to peak-season travel.