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Experts reveal the best days to fly over Christmas to save money and stress

Travel during the Christmas 'sweet spot'.

Flying on Christmas day could lead to less cost and less stress. Picture by Shutterstock
Flying on Christmas day could lead to less cost and less stress. Picture by Shutterstock
Sarah Falson
Updated April 1, 2025, first published November 26, 2024

It may sound counterintuitive, but with domestic travel going crazy in the lead-up to Christmas, and international travel gearing up from Boxing Day, flying on December 25 is the "sweet spot".

RMIT Aviation Academy operations manager, and a former network controller for major airlines, Justin Brownjohn, said travelling on Christmas day was a "tried-and-true method" for getting the best deal.

"For example, a one-way flight from Melbourne to London on Christmas Day with one major airline costs $1684," Mr Brownjohn said.

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"The same fare is more expensive across the festive season, including on Boxing Day. If you were to book in the New Year, it would cost almost 70 per cent more."

It's not just money you'll save by flying when everyone else is socialising - you can also save yourself a whole lot of stress.

"People are in a festive mood and there's a shared sense of community at airports for those working and travelling. There's also a feeling of gratitude to staff who are working to keep airlines flying over Christmas," Mr Bronjohn said.

RMIT association professor in finance, Dr Angel Zhong, said dynamic pricing taps into "emergency and emotions of the holiday season", so if you want to get a good deal, it's wise to stick to your budget and avoid spur-of-the-moment decisions.

Melbourne Airport. Picture by Shutterstock
Melbourne Airport. Picture by Shutterstock

"For budget-conscious travellers, the unpredictability of airfare changes can be tough. Tools like price alerts and fare trackers can help manage costs and avoid surprises," Dr Zhong said.

"Planning ahead, being flexible with dates, and considering alternative airports can also make a big difference."

December 22 is the most expensive day to fly from Sydney to Melbourne in December 2024, according to Compare the Market.

Hundreds of dollars can separate the cheapest and most expensive days to fly in December, the company said.

If you're flying out of Sydney or Melbourne, the organisation advised flights are generally cheaper from December 3 to 5, and 10 to 13.

Sarah Falson
Words bySarah Falson
Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!.

My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me.

Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life.

My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. And make sure you check out what’s within a few blocks of your hotel - sometimes the best local food is found that way.