The 12 cheapest international destinations to fly from Australia

The bond between Aussies and Kiwis is always friendly, especially when the rest of the world keeps mixing up our accents. Auckland has the most popular airport in New Zealand, and some of the cheapest flights, making it a great landing pad to explore the north island. You can also nab cheap flights to Wellington, but Queenstown is your best bet for venturing to the South Island. 

Cheapest time to fly: June. The cheapest one-way flights sit at around $300 from Australia's east coast.

There’s a reason Bali has become the home away from home for many Aussies. Well, many reasons actually. It’s beautiful, it’s cheap, and if you so choose to stray from the packed beach bars and shopping hot spots, it’s a wonderland of vibrant culture. If tropical relaxation is your goal, Bali’s airport in Denpasar is your best bet, but for cheap flights to Indonesia’s bustling capital, head to Jakarta.

Cheapest time to fly: Flights stay pretty cheap year-round from all of Australia's major airports, however, prices do surge during the December and January school holidays. Instead, have a look from May to October when the climate is best. 

Korea has taken the international stage by storm in recent years, thanks to the global rise of K-Pop, Oscar-winning films, Korean barbecue and world-leading skincare. Whether you want to cosy up in tiny teahouses, hunt for vintage treasures or get lost in vast forests, this vibrant city has something for everyone.

Cheapest time to fly: Australia's major airlines are always slinging deals on flights to Seoul, so it's worth holding out for the next sale. After the peak travel period ends in February, prices tend to drop even further, with return flights often going as low as $600.

It’s just over a two-hour flight from Seoul to Tokyo, so we say kill two birds with one stone and tick them both off. In recent years, Japan has risen to become one of the trendiest destinations for Australians year-round. Thanks to the strong Aussie dollar against the Japanese yen, you can explore Japan’s rich cultural and culinary scene – think temples, gardens, theme parks and exhibitions – without breaking the bank. Even indulging in a fine-dining omakase or fancy onsen experience won’t feel like too much of a splurge.

Cheapest time to fly: As much as we’d love to experience the magic of cherry blossom season in Japan, flight prices significantly drop after the sakura season ends in April – so expect to snag the cheapest flights in May and June. Watch out for regular flight sales to Japan throughout the year, with most of Australia’s budget airlines flying to Tokyo and Osaka too.

Despite being slightly further than Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, flights to Hong Kong are generally pretty affordable and frequent from Australia’s major airports. As a bustling international hub and popular home for Aussie expats, this tightly-packed region offers the perfect mix of familiarity and cultural curiosity for English speakers. Eat your way through the vibrant street food scene, take a ride on the iconic Star Ferry, marvel at ancient temples and be dazzled by the magic of Hong Kong Disneyland.

Cheapest time to fly: March to June, with return flights from Australia going for $400 to $500. As a general rule, avoid travelling during the summer rush or around major holidays, like Chinese New Year.

Bula! Get ready for island time. Once your plane lands in Nadi, forget about a watch. Fijians are all about kicking back and enjoying the beauty of their country and culture. The mainland has incredible marketplaces and beyond friendly locals. If you choose to cross water, the islands are your most beautiful screensaver, come to life. 

Cheapest time to fly: You can snag flights to Fiji in October for about $450. Bonus: this is the best time to visit because of the pleasant dry season weather. 

Singapore is usually overstepped as the layover on route to Europe, but this pristine country is worth exploring in its own right. From rooftop bars that overlook sparkling city lights to futuristic bayside gardens, Singapore feels like one of those utopian experiments straight off a movie set.

Cheapest time to fly: March to October, when tickets are just under $300 each way from Australia's major capital cities.

If you thought you struck gold with cheap flights to Vietnam, you’ll be beaming when you see the price of the food. Banh mi’s are already the go-to cheap lunch for office workers in Australia, but in Vietnam, you'll quite literally only pay a couple of dollars for jam-packed sandwich rolls, and that’s not to mention all the other incredible national dishes.

Cheapest time to fly: September to November tends to be the cheapest time of year to grab one-way tickets around the $350 mark. 

In addition to Qantas’ trips to this tropical French paradise, you can also catch a flight with New Caledonia’s national carrier Aircalin. They’re known to do a pretty mean deal if you’re organised, and the island’s short distance from Australia makes it an incredibly scenic (and underrated) escape.

Cheapest time to fly: Around June, you can grab one-way tickets for about $400 from Sydney or Brisbane. But keep your eyes peeled for regular deals that slash that price almost in half. 

Whether you’re temple hopping, pad thai-sampling, pristine water kayaking or nightlife partying, you’re never short of things to do in Thailand. It’s a beloved destination for Aussies and a great holiday destination for when you want to get away and not blow the budget while doing so. 

Cheapest time to fly: November is the best time to visit Thailand, for the best deals and the best weather. The cheapest plane tickets go for around $300 a pop from Perth, with other good deals from Melbourne and Sydney.

Often passed up for its tropical Asian neighbours, like Indonesia and Vietnam, the Philippines' natural scenery is truly breathtaking. Here the pristine blue waters of Australia’s Whitsundays meet staggering cliff faces, underwater rivers and lush green jungles. You also can’t go by the local cuisine with all its salty-sweet combinations, like sticky adobo chicken and crunchy lechon pork belly. 

Cheapest time to fly: It’s relatively cheap to fly to the Philippines year-round, where prices sit pretty stable at around $450 one way.

For Aussies dreaming of going on safari, one small roadblock is the time it takes to reach the African continent, plus the price to get there. Your best bet is likely a flight from Perth, and even then you’ll encounter a layover or two. Travel time is absolutely worth it for the one-of-a-kind wildlife experiences, and Nairobi is one of the cheapest countries to fly to in Africa. 

Cheapest time to fly: March and April, when you can one-way tickets hover around the $450 price point.