Cheap flights to Australia

Which airlines operate flights to Australia?

Jet Airways, British Airways, Air New Zealand, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas are amongst the major airlines that offer flights to the many destinations in Australia.

How long is the flight to Australia?

Flights from London to Sydney: 22 hours 00 minutes (1+ stop)

Flights from London to Melbourne: 21 hours 20 minutes (1+ stop)

Flights from London to Brisbane: 21 hours 25 minutes (1+ stop)

Flights from London to Adelaide: 21 hours 10 minutes (1+ stop)

Flights from London to Perth: 18 hours 50 minutes (1+ stop)

Australia’s top destinations and airports

Australia is a gigantic country with tourist destinations in abundance, so one thing you are never short of is choice. Here is a selection of the country’s most-visited destinations and their associated airport:

How to get from Sydney Airport (SYD) to the city centre

Sydney Airport (SYD), or Kingsford Smith Airport, is located five miles (8km) outside of Sydney’s city centre.

There are fantastic public transport options between the airport and the city, with Sydney Trains providing the quickest option to get between the two (a journey takes only 13 minutes). For those who want to take the bus, route 400 runs between Burwood and Bondi Junction railway stations and stops at the airport.

Tip: There is free WiFi in both T1 and T2 of Sydney Airport

How to get from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to the city centre

Melbourne Airport (MEL), or Tullamarine Airport, is located 14 miles (23km) outside of Melbourne’s city centre.

The easiest public transport connection between the airport and the city centre is the Skybus Super Shuttle. It takes around 20 minutes to get to the city and typically costs around $18 one-way and $30 return. You can buy your tickets electronically from the driver or from one of the ticket desks at T1 or T3. Alternatively, there are taxi ranks at T1 and between T2 and T3, but that will cost you more than the bus if you are travelling in a small group and not splitting the fare.

Tip: Give yourself more than an hour to travel between terminals if you are catching a connecting flight at MEL

How to get from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to the city centre

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is located 10 miles (16km) from the city centre.

Airtrain connects the airport with the city and runs on a regular schedule of every 15 minutes. It has a journey time of about half an hour from either the International terminal or the Domestic terminal to South Brisbane Station or Central Station in the Central Business District (CBD). Transfers between the terminals themselves are free on the Airtrain, too, and they take less than 10 minutes. A taxi will likely cost you A$50 from the airport.

Tip: You can save 15% on your Airtrain tickets if you book more than seven days in advance of your first travel date

How to get from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to the city centre

Adelaide Airport (ADL) is located 3.7 miles (6km) west of the city centre.

JetBus operates every 15 minutes on routes J1, J1X and J2 between the airport and the Central Business District (CBD); you can reach the city in about 20 minutes for around A$5. Alternatively, for around A$20, you can get a taxi from just outside the terminal, which is the perfect option if you’re travelling in a large group.

Tip: There are lockers to store your luggage in on the ground floor of the multi-storey carpark, near the car rental service desks

How to get from Perth Airport (PER) to the city centre

Perth Airport (PER) is located 7.5 miles (12km) east of Perth’s city centre.

The CONNECT shuttle service is the most prominent form of public transport for travellers looking to get from the airport to Perth CBD. T1 is the international terminal at Perth Airport and the CONNECT shuttle typically runs from T3, so you’ll need to take the 15-minute transfer between them when you arrive. You can get to the city from there for A$15 one-way, or you get a taxi for an approximate total fare of A$40 and it’ll take about half an hour. (Add link to the page with tickets and prices)

Tip: Plan your journey from the airport to the city in advance because Perth’s public transport system is not known for being particularly straightforward or punctual

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How long is the flight to Australia?

Flights from the UK to Australia tend to be quite long. When you are travelling out of London’s Heathrow Airport and are headed to Melbourne, the shortest flight time is 21h and 15m. The longest flight time will be 37h and 10m. If you are instead travelling from London to Sydney, you will find that the travel times will be similar. The shortest flight is 21h and 50m and the longest flight will be 36h and 45m. It is important to note that the number of stopovers on a flight and the length of the stopovers often add time to the flight.

Which cities offer direct flights to Australia?

You will not find any cities that are going to offer a direct flight to Australia. However, you can still find flights that have just one stop. When travelling from London to Sydney, Qantas offers a flight that will have a stopover in Dubai for 1h and 20m. Those who are travelling to Melbourne instead will find flights from Etihad Airways that have a single stopover in Abu Dhabi for 1h and 5m.

What is the best way to travel around Australia?

Australia is a very large country and that means you will need to have reliable ways to get around to the various areas you want to visit. Domestic airlines like Qantas, Tiger Airways, and Virgin Australia will have flights throughout the country. Airnorth offers flights through the Northern Territory, as well as Broome. Car rentals are available in major cities and towns throughout the country, but it is advised that travellers understand the distances between cities and plan their trips well. Greyhound Australia offers coach services throughout the county, and there are taxis available in the cities and large towns.

What are some things to do in Australia?

Australia has a number of things that visitors can experience and enjoy, but because it is a large country, what you can do will depend on where you are headed. You might want to head to Nitmiluk Gorge to take a canoe trip or even head out onto the Grea Barrier Reef to go diving. You can explore the large and modern cities of Melbourne and Syndey, which has museums, shows, and other attractions. You could head to the Outback to take a tour and visit Kakadu National Park. You might also simply want to find a beach where you can relax.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Australia?

British nationals who will be heading to Australia will need to have a valid passport. In addition, all travellers from the UK will need to have a visa. The only exception to this is if they are going to be travelling to a third country and they hold confirmation booking and documentation to enter that third country. They also need to be travelling to that country within eight hours of arriving in Australia.

Australia climate

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What is good to know if travelling to Australia?

If the thought of a banger on the barbie sounds delicious, remember that beef, rather than pork sausages in Australia are the norm. Read more on most popular Australian food.

Queensland is home to the Great Barrier Reef and averages 300 sunny days a year. Brisbane, political and art capital of Queensland, has a world-class cultural calendar, thriving nightlife, and perfect climate. When you’re not visiting the islands, take in the town’s sights: Queenslander cottages converted to cafes, restaurants, and shops; excellent cuisine; fine arts, Australian surfing spots and sporting events.

Also in Queensland, Cairns is the only place in the world with side-by-side World Heritage sites: the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. In the north, the rainforest touches the reef, and you can go from the beach to snorkeling in the reef. An international tourist destination, Cairns has a nightlife, shopping, and accommodation for all budgets.

Australia’s oldest city, Sydney, has international style, superb dining, and exuberance. The nightlife offers the renowned Sydney Opera House and theatres as well as trendy clubs, bars, and rowdy pubs. The Harbour Bridge is a must-see and must-climb, and beaches are around the harbour and along the oceanfront. A true cosmopolitan city, the shopping is excellent, especially for opals.

The sunniest Australian capital, Perth is a city of skyscrapers, yet great beaches are just a bus ride away. Rottnest Island has snorkelling, fishing, golfing, and hiking. Nearby Fremantle has heritage-listed buildings, restored warehouses, museums, and selections of crafts and Aboriginal souvenirs. Or head over to the Darling Range and bushwalk to the oldest rocks on Earth, waterfalls, and forests.

Melbourne is known for the good things in life: fashion, food, entertainment, nightlife, sports, and shopping. International festivals are held year-round, and sports venues include the Australian Open, Melbourne Cup, car racing, and Australian-rules football. A shoppers delight, there’s everything from high fashion to unique souvenirs and handcrafts. A cultural melting pot, Melbourne has old-world charm with its Victorian architecture and ethnic restaurants.

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