The cheapest day to book your Christmas holiday, according to Skyscanner

By Ceyda Erem · · 2 min read
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With Christmas less than 4 months away, many Aussies may have already begun thinking about their summer getaway.  

But according to new data by travel search company, Skyscanner, Aussies dreaming about a holiday away will have to move quickly in order to secure the best bargain on their Christmas vacation.

The data revealed that booking 17-18 weeks before Christmas can promise savings of an average 24% on airfares.

However, 84% of Aussies who intend to travel for Christmas admitted to still not having booked their flights and risk missing out on big savings.

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“To save the most at Christmas, planning is everything. The festive period is naturally a busy time as Aussies prepare to visit family, head on holiday or – for the unlucky – continue to work, but travellers can bag a good deal if they plan smartly,” said Michael Grierson, Travel Expert at Skyscanner Australia.

The research found that majority of Aussies plan to fly out on December 21 and return on January 5. And it’s no surprise that this was also the priciest time of the year to fly, with airfares up by 12% for the month.

“While it’s not surprising that fares are a little higher during the festive season, we’d encourage Aussie travellers to consider travelling outside these key dates, and if possible avoid peak times,” says Grierson.

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And when it came down to the number one travel destination, Bali still remains as one of the most popular booked travel hot spots, followed by Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and London.

The best dates to book your festive flights 

By analysing historic booking data, Skyscanner have determined the best dates to book for Aussie travellers across the nation, as well as the potential savings up for grabs.

“The Christmas period is already expensive without having to worry about actually getting away, but it’s not too late to score some serious savings. Our research has pointed to some excellent opportunities to save some cash and we’re hopeful that Aussies will be able to keep a few extra dollars in their pocket by booking at the right time,” encouraged Grierson.

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And if you are an Aussie planning to travel at Christmas, here are Skyscanner’s top tips to saving a few bucks even before you’ve packed your bags:

  • Avoid booking your flight within the last week before your departure, otherwise you’re likely to be charged a premium.
  • Choosing other Australian destinations to depart from could be cheaper, as domestic travel offers in the lead up to Christmas may provide serious savings
  • If nothing is set in stone, consider other destinations outside popular routes - less congested flights may offer cheaper fares.

And if you’d like more help tips and tricks for a money-savvy holiday, check out our travel hub!

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