Key Takeaways
The best time to book most international flights is 1–6 months before departure, with a sweet spot around 2–4 months for Europe and 1–3 months for Asia-Pacific routes.
The best day to book or fly internationally can vary, but Thursdays are often the cheapest day to fly, while Sundays tend to be the most expensive.
Flying in the cheapest month, such as January–March and late October–early December, can cut prices by 10–25% compared to peak periods.
Setting price alerts, exploring flexible flight booking options from your departure city, and considering one-stop routes are quick ways to find cheap flights from Australia.
Tracking flight prices over time is essential to maximize savings on international flights.
The “book on Tuesday” myth is outdated—focus on when you fly rather than when you book.
Finding cheap international flights in 2026 requires understanding how airline tickets are priced, when to book, and which tools actually work.
What Counts As a “Cheap” International Flight?
“Cheap” varies by route. Airfare benchmarks are determined by analyzing historical price trends and comparing plane tickets across multiple booking platforms, which helps travelers find the most affordable options. For Australian travellers, a cheap return flight to Europe is typically under AUD 1,400 in shoulder season, while flights to Asia are attractive under AUD 900 return. For US travellers, sub-USD 600 round-trips to Europe or under USD 700 to Japan are considered good deals.
Here are some benchmarks for return flights (airfare for one-way and return flights can differ, so comparing both can reveal the best deals):
Sydney–Singapore: considered cheap for this route
Melbourne–London: regarded as an affordable option
Los Angeles–Tokyo: seen as a budget-friendly flight
New York–Lisbon: typically classified as a cheap flight
London–New York: often found at attractive rates
Cheapest Months and Seasons for International Travel
The cheapest month to fly internationally is a key factor in finding cheap international flights. Flying during shoulder seasons and off-peak months usually offers the best prices and more opportunities for international flight deals. The following information will be helpful, especially for the ones who are going for the first time international travel Australia.
Europe: January, February, early March, and November are the cheapest months; June–August and Christmas–New Year holidays are most expensive. Traveling outside of holiday periods can lead to significant savings and better flight deals.
Asia: February (post-Lunar New Year), May–early June, and mid-October–early December offer good value; peak pricing occurs during holidays like Lunar New Year and Golden Week. Avoiding these holiday times can help you secure more savings and access special flight deals.
United States & Canada: November (excluding Thanksgiving holiday), early December, January, and early February are the cheapest months; mid-June through August are peak. Traveling outside of major holidays increases your chances of finding flight deals and maximizing savings.
Australia & South Pacific: Late February–March, May (outside school holidays), and late October–November are best; school holidays and December–January are peak. Planning your trip outside of holiday periods can result in greater savings and more affordable international airfare deals Australia-wide.
Best Time to Book Cheap International Flights
Booking timing impacts price more than booking day. Airlines adjust fares based on demand and inventory. Choosing the right time to book a flight can unlock discount opportunities and lead to greater savings on low cost international flights Australia travelers seek.
Recommended booking windows for 2026:
Australia to Asia: 30–90 days before departure
Australia to Europe: 60–180 days ahead, sweet spot near 90–130 days
US to Europe: 45–150 days ahead
US to Asia: 60–180 days before departure
Note: Flight prices can vary depending on the day of the week you book flights. Monitoring these fluctuations can help you secure the best international airfare deals Australia offers.
Booking too early or too late often results in higher prices.
Cheapest Days to Fly
Departure day affects price more than booking day: the day of the week is a key factor influencing flight prices.
Cheapest international flying days: Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Most expensive: Friday and Sunday
Flying midweek can save significant amounts compared to weekend departures, maximizing your savings by choosing the right day of the week.
How to Find Cheap International Flights
Step 1: Use flexible dates on flight search tools to identify cheapest days. Adjusting your travel dates can help you find flight deals that fit your budget, as prices often vary depending on the day you choose to fly.
Step 2: Check nearby airports at both ends to find better deals.
Step 3: Compare prices across different sites—including airline websites and online travel agencies—to find the best deals. Filter search results for specific airlines to see options from your preferred carriers or to compare all available choices.
Step 4: Consider one-stop flights which can be cheaper than nonstop.
Step 5: Use multiple services and search engines like Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Kayak for comprehensive results. Reviewing search results from several services can help you identify the most affordable options.
Tip: On most sites, you can simply enter your travel details and simply select filters like flexible dates, specific airlines, or no change fees to streamline your search for cheap international flights.
Leveraging Alerts and Fare Rules
Sign up for price alerts on your favorite site or booking services—many of which are completely free—3–8 months ahead to track fare trends. Use flexible destination tools to discover cheap routes worldwide. Redeem frequent flyer points strategically, especially during peak fare periods. Always check baggage, change fees, and refund policies before booking.
Flying Off-Peak and Alternative Airports
Off-peak travel means fewer crowds and lower prices. Fly midweek and avoid major holidays to save. When searching for cheap overseas flights from Australia, consider your departing airport and whether using an alternative airport could lower your fare—even if it means arranging car hire or booking a hotel stay to accommodate the extra travel.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Don’t rely on last-minute deals for long-haul flights.
Avoid ultra-tight connections that risk missed flights.
Factor in total journey time and layover costs.
Check visa and transit requirements carefully.
Calculate total cost on budget carriers including fees.
Review change and cancellation policies to avoid costly fees, as you may need to pay additional charges if you don’t check the fare rules.
Cheap International Flight Ideas by Region
While domestic flights can offer affordable options for domestic travellers looking to explore their own country, international flights open up a world of possibilities for those seeking global adventures and diverse destinations.
From Australia:
Sydney–Bali: under AUD 500 return in shoulder seasons.
Melbourne–Bangkok: sub-AUD 700 returns in September–October.
Brisbane–Auckland: under AUD 400 return in May or October.
Virgin Australia operates select international routes, providing options like Economy X for added comfort.
From the United States:
Los Angeles–Tokyo: sub-USD 700 return in Jan–Feb or Oct–Nov.
New York–Lisbon: sub-USD 500 return in Jan–Mar.
Look out for business class deals, especially during off-peak seasons, to combine comfort and savings for business or leisure trips.
From the UK and Europe:
London–Marrakesh: under GBP 100 return Nov–Feb.
Dublin–New York: under EUR 400 return in Jan–Mar.
Business class promotions are sometimes available on transatlantic routes, offering premium travel at reduced rates.
Before booking, always review your full itinerary for connections, airline rules, and potential fees. Consider searching for deals around the world to maximize your savings and travel options. Also, explore the best time to book cheap flights for better deals.
How BookMyTrip Helps You Find Cheap International Flights
BookMyTrip is an easy-to-use online travel platform that helps travelers find the best flight deals quickly and efficiently. It aggregates prices from multiple airlines and booking sites, offering tools that simplify the search for cheap international flights.
Key features of BookMyTrip include:
Aggregates flight prices from various airlines and booking platforms for comprehensive comparison.
Offers flexible date searches to identify the cheapest travel days.
Provides price alerts to notify users of fare drops and special deals.
Includes filters for specific airlines, nonstop flights, and other preferences.
Grants access to exclusive discounts and special offers.
Ensures transparent fare rules and clear booking policies.
Supports a smooth booking process with reliable customer support.
Helps travelers save money by finding the best available flight deals worldwide.
Finding cheap international flights in 2026 is about timing, flexibility, and the right tools. Start tracking prices early, use flexible date searches, consider alternative airports and routes, and always check fare rules before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to recent studies, Sundays tend to be the cheapest day to book international flights, offering savings of up to 20%. However, the exact savings can vary depending on the route and airline.
For most international flights, booking 1 to 6 months in advance is recommended. Specifically, booking around 2 to 4 months ahead for Europe and 1 to 3 months for Asia-Pacific routes often yields the best prices.
Yes, one-stop or connecting flights can often be cheaper than nonstop flights. Considering flights with a stopover can help you find better deals, especially on long-haul international routes.
Using price alert tools on flight comparison sites like BookMyTrip, Google Flights, or Skyscanner allows you to monitor fare changes and book when prices drop. Signing up for free alerts 3 to 8 months ahead of your travel date is a smart strategy.
Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays is generally cheaper than flying on weekends. Midweek departures can save you significant amounts compared to Fridays and Sundays, which tend to be the most expensive days to fly.
