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Cheap Christmas holiday travel deals for 2021
You can still bag a last-minute Christmas bargain with these travel deals.
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With the kids on holidays and two public holidays to take advantage of you shouldn't let the last-minute rush stand between you and your holiday.
There are still ways to have a cheap Christmas getaway. Scroll down to find out how:
Don't need to travel over Christmas? You may save even more by checking out other December travel deals and January travel deals.
Luxury Escapes
Luxury Escapes
Up to 50% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 50% off: Flights from $55 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Hobart, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Perth and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Launceston. T&Cs apply.
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JUCY
Campervans from $99/day or less
Pick up a campervan in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Christchurch or Queenstown before until 20 September 2021.
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Cheap Flights
New Zealand flights from $353 return
Available until December 2021 to Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch and more with Jetstar, Air New Zealand and Qantas. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Jetstar sale: Australia-wide flights from $32 each way
Available on flights from April - September 2021 to Launceston, Gold Coast, Hobart, Adelaide, Whitsundays, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Darwin, Uluru and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Adelaide. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Up to 50% off Australia flights
Available on Qantas flights from April - September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Launceston, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and more. T&Cs apply.
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Wotif
Up to 53% off Australia-wide getaways
Available on select travel dates in 2021. Destinations include Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast, Sydney, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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DiDi
Exclusive
Get $20 credit
Get $5 off each of your first four rides in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong, Perth and Newcastle. Valid on all dates for new users. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Exclusive
Get $5 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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RedBalloon
Exclusive
Get $10 off activities with code
Available on experiences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $300 required. Activities include hot air balloon flights, hop-on hop-off bus tours, whale watching cruises, skydives, high teas, quad biking experiences and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
Exclusive
$15 off all Australian activities with code
Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $100. Activities include hot air balloon flights, tandem skydives and attraction passes. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and more. Exclusive for new members. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Australia-wide flights from $64 each way + Extra $30 off with code
Available on flights until 31 December 2021when you spend a minimum of $250. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra, Sunshine Coast and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Melbourne with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Trip.com
Up to 46% off Australia stays + Extra $50 off with code
Available on stays until 31 December 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Cairns, Darwin, Canberra and more. Minimum spend of $250 required. T&Cs apply.
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HotelsCombined
Up to 33% off Sea World Resort and Water Park stays with park entry
Available for stays until 30 April 2021 with packages available to include entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast and Paradise Country during your stay.
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DriveNow
Campervan hire from $5/day
Available on select routes, dates and locations in Australia, including Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns and Brisbane, and New Zealand.
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Qatar Airways
Up to 10% off international flights with code
Available for Mastercard holders on flights from 1 November 2020 - 30 June 2021. Valid on flights departing from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra. T&Cs apply.
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Rentalcars.com
Up to 20% off car hire
Compare car hire prices on Rentalcars.com and save up to 20% compared to booking direct.
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Virgin Australia
Flights to Auckland from $100 each way
Available on select travel dates. Sample fare departs from Brisbane. Other flights depart from Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Hamilton Island
Get 1 night free at Hamilton Island with 5-night stays
Available on stays from June - August 2021 and includes breakfast, transfers and more. Plus receive $150 resort credit with select stay dates. Must stay for a minimum of 5 consecutive nights. T&Cs apply.
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Agoda
Melbourne hotels from $12 per night
Available on select travel dates. Includes free cancellation and more. Sample price is for a stay at Base Backpackers in St Kilda.
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Agoda
Up to 71% off Sydney hotels
Available on select travel dates. Includes free cancellation and more.
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Skydive Australia
$30 off 15,000ft tandem skydives
Available on weekday jumps until 31 August 2021. Destination includes Cairns and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skydive Australia
$60 off tandem skydives with code
Available on weekday jumps until 31 August 2021. Destinations include Byron Bay and Great Ocean Road. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 38% off last-minute Australia escapes
Available on stays within the next 14 days. Destinations include Sydney, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Canberra and more. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Up to 33% off Australia stays + free cancellations
Available on select travel dates to Broome, Mackay, Launceston, Darwin, Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
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Destination International
6-day Adelaide getaway with flights from $399
Available for travel on select dates from 1 May - 10 September 2021. Package includes return airfare and 5 nights stay at Grosvenor Hotel, BreakFree Directors Studio or Adelaide Paringa Hotel. Sample rate departs from Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off Australia adventures
Available on select travel dates until 30 June 2022. Destinations included Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne, Uluru, Brisbane and more. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off New Zealand tours
Available on select travel dates until 30 June 2022. Destinations included Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Jetstar sale: Auckland flights from $165 each way
Available on flights from July - September 2021 departing from Sydney, Melbourne and more. Sample fare departs from Gold Coast.
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Contiki
Up to 10% off New Zealand tours
Available on select trips from 19 April 2021 onward. Destinations include Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and more. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Domestic flights from $55 each way
Available on Rex Airline flights from April - September 2021 to Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Burnie and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Gold Coast. T&Cs apply.
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G Adventures
Up to 15% off classic tours and My Own Room
Available on select trips until 30 June 2022 to Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Alaska, India, Thailand, Peru, South Africa, Japan, Maldives, Canada and more. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Ayers Rock flights from $188 return
Available on select flight until June 2021. Sample fare departs from Brisbane with Jetstar. Other flights depart from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Sixth day free + free upgrade on car hires
Available on 6+ day rentals from 15 July - 15 September 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Avis
Third day free on Australia car rentals
Available on 3+ days rentals, including a Saturday night from 22 April - 21 June 2021. Destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. T&Cs apply.
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Cheap Flights
Australia flights from $64 return
Available on select 2021 flights to Ballina, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Launceston, Sydney and more. Sample fares are Melbourne-Adelaide with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Flights to New Zealand from $321 return
Available on flights from July - September 2021 to Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Auckland with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Fiji flights from $590 return
Available on flights from June - August 2021. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Fiji Airways. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Brisbane flights from $55 each way
Available on flights until July 20210 departing from Adelaide, Cairns, Melbourne, Brisbane and more. Sample fare departs from Sydney with Jetstar. T&Cs apply.
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Kayak
Melbourne flights from $39 each way
Available on flights until June 20210 departing from Hobart, Gold Coast and more. Sample fare departs from Adelaide with Virgin Australia. Other airlines include Rex, Jetstar and more. T&Cs apply.
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Tick Travel Insurance
Exclusive
Get 7% off all Tick travel insurance policies
Only on Finder. Use this code to get a 7% discount. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 50% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Luxury Escapes
Up to 50% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Klook
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
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Klook
7% off Bali tours and attractions
Save on snorkelling tours, Waterbom entry, whitewater rafting, Mount Batur hiking tours especially on holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more. Sample discount is for a day tour in Bali. T&Cs apply.
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Luxury Escapes
Up to 50% off Australia holiday packages
Available on select dates until December 2021, including over Christmas and New Year's Eve. Destinations include Adelaide, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra, Hunter Valley and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Klook
Up to 60% off activities, experiences and things to do
Valid on select dates including holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more depending on the destination. Destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Osaka, Taipei, Dubai, Sydney, Melbourne, London, Paris, New York and more. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Klook
7% off Bali tours and attractions
Save on snorkelling tours, Waterbom entry, whitewater rafting, Mount Batur hiking tours especially on holidays like Christmas, New Year's and more. Sample discount is for a day tour in Bali. T&Cs apply.
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Looking for more travel deals over Christmas? Check out all of our promo codes and discounts.
11 tips to get the cheapest Christmas flights and holidays
1. Fly on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and/or New Year’s Day
Flights during the week before Christmas Day tend to be the most expensive for the month as everyone who's searching for a Christmas getaway will want to be at their destination on the 25th. If you’re not that picky, fly ON Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
If you're travelling somewhere that's only an hour or two away, you may still be able to get to your celebrations before lunch.
It may not be the best thing celebration-wise but it could save you hundreds.
Just be wary of transport to your hotel when you arrive as some cities shut down or limit public transport on Christmas Day (eg, London) or charge a public holiday surcharge.
2. Fly back mid-January
Those people flying out before Christmas Day will most likely be flying back just after New Year’s.
So try to avoid flights in the week following New Year’s Day to cash in on the cheaper fares that follow.
3. Holiday in a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas
Where there will be Christmas celebrations, tourists will flock, so choose places that don't really celebrate such as China, Cambodia, Japan and Morocco and you might find less of a fluctuation in airfares compared to other destinations.
4. Pick destinations that are generally more affordable
Shave costs by choosing destinations that are either closer to home or are more affordable.
While places like Southeast Asia are cheap anytime and will be a bit more expensive during the holidays, prices won't bloat as much as big cities or pricier destinations.
5. Stay in destinations that have price drops over the silly season
We know what you're thinking: nowhere has price drops over Christmas!
Contrary to popular belief there are some destinations where you can score a bargain over Christmas. According to Expedia, last year Belfast in Ireland was almost 30% cheaper to stay in over the peak season (20 December 2018 - 8 January 2019), based on the average daily room rate, compared to the average for the year. This was followed by Toronto and Seattle, which were both 25% cheaper.
For somewhere more local, Expedia found Broome in Western Australia 20% cheaper over Christmas, Wellington and El Nido, Philippines 10% cheaper and Adelaide 5% cheaper.
Bear in mind that weather conditions may be playing a part in these drops with Belfast, Toronto and Seattle experiencing cold winters and Broome a hot summer. However, December in El Nido is the start of the dry season and Adelaide is typically quite pleasant running temperatures in the mid-20s.
6. Keep it local
Don't rule out short flights within your own country for a Christmas break. It's still a break after all and you won’t have to worry about passports, visas and currency exchanges to boot.
We took a look to see how much a return flight over the holiday period using Skyscanner's fly everywhere tool. We chose flights departing Tuesday 24 December and returning 2 January 2020 and here are some sample fares we found:
- Sydney t0 Melbourne for $170 return (Jetstar)
- Gold Coast to Newcastle for $209 return (Jetstar)
- Gold Coast to Sydney for $250 return (Jetstar and Virgin Australia)
- Townsville to Brisbane return for $270 return (Jetstar)
These prices are accurate as at 18 November 2019.
Check out what other flights are available here.
7. Ditch the flight altogether and take a road trip
If you're keeping it local, why not make it a road trip instead? Big families can benefit from this most as you’ll only have to pay a set price for the car hire instead of purchasing separate seats for each member of the brood on the plane.
According to our car hire tool, hiring a car from Sydney CBD for 24 December 2019 to 2 January 2020 (9-day trip) starts at $878.74, which is less than $88 a day.
You can cheapen this by picking up your vehicle from a less central local. For example car hire from Croydon for the same dates starts at $356.04.
Key in your dates below for a quote.
8. Once you arrive, don't stay in hotels
We don't have to tell you twice that booking through a short term or vacation rental service like Airbnb or Vrbo can save you heaps.
Christmas is no exception.
Prices are set by the renters and accommodation can vary from anything from a room in an apartment to a whole house. If in doubt, you can compare it against current hotel prices via Hotels Finder below.
9. Camp it
Bring down the holiday splurge a little more by opting to go camp instead of booking accommodation. Family tents can be found for less than $300 and can be reused on your next trip.
Sites are much cheaper than hotels or Airbnb-style accommodation and are sometimes even free if you're willing to forfeit facilities.
For an idea of where to go, check out our top picks of campervan sites in Australia.
10. Opt for a package
Bundled packages which include flights, accommodation and sometimes activities can be a godsend during the peak period. To be fair, prices per package do go up according to the season but with everything sorted for you it's a time-saver – especially for the budget savvy of us who have to research and compare every different option.
Check out the packages sections of sites like Flight Centre or My Queensland to see just how much you can save on your holiday.
11. Fly without extras
If you're not having any luck with the price of your actual flight, consider forgoing extras like checked baggage (or share luggage to cut costs in half), in-flight meals and drinks.
We find these perks on budget airlines significantly increase the price of your flight - sometimes even doubling it. It may not seem like much, but if you're travelling with a family of four, these extras can easily add up to an extra night's hotel stay. Think of it as bonus vacation.
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