Why take a flight to Australia?

Australia delivers a travel experience like no other. It's packed with unique natural wonders, exotic wildlife and opportunities for off-road adventures, with plenty of outback to explore. Since it's sunny for much of the year, you can book flights to Australia and be confident of the weather. And there's plenty to see and do, with the country home to some of the best beaches in the world, popular with surfers and families alike.

Whether you want to bask on sun-drenched beaches, dive the Great Barrier Reef, or simply visit friends and family, there are plenty of budget flights to Australia from UK to speed you to your destination.

When to book flights to Australia?

Australia experiences summer during Europe's winter months, so it's no surprise that many UK travellers fly to Australia at this time of year to escape the chill. Australia's southern states get a little cooler from June to August, making this a good time to find cheap flights to Australia. If the Australian summer sun is too hot for you, plan a trip for the spring or autumn in the UK, when temperatures are more acceptable.

How to find cheap flights to Australia?

It's easy to track down cheap flights to Australia from £534* using Expedia's search engine. Simply enter your desired departure point and destination, and we'll search through all the available flights to find you some of the cheapest flights to Australia. If you aren't fussy about your exact dates of travel you can use the advanced search options to compare flights on different days at different times of day. Choosing a morning departure, for example, is often less expensive than booking an evening flight to Australia, while midweek flights often work out cheaper too.

It may be worth booking your flight in advance since last-minute flights tend to incur a higher cost. And since high season equals the winter months in the UK, you're more likely to get cheaper flights (plus more moderate temperatures) by booking a flight to Australia in March, April or May.

Flights to Australia from UK

While it is possible to get direct flights to Australia, most involve at least one stopover. Here's a rundown of flights from London to Australia with average travel times:

• Flights from London to Sydney – 22 hours and 43 minutes (one stop)
• Flights from London to Melbourne – 21 hours and 32 minutes (one stop)
• Flights from London to Brisbane – 21 hours and 57 minutes (one stop)
• Flights from London to Perth – 18 hours and 16 minutes (one stop)
• Flights from London to Adelaide - approximately 20 hours (one stop)
• Flights from London to Gold Coast – 20 hours and 57 minutes (one stop)

You can use Expedia to find flights to Australia from other parts of the UK too, for example from Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, East Midlands, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Main Australia airports

Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth are some of Australia's busiest airports and are the destinations for most UK flights to Australia. If you're looking for inter-connecting flights within the country, you'll find a number of smaller cities with domestic air terminals.

What airlines fly to Australia?

Airlines offering flights to Australia include:

• Lufthansa
• China Eastern
• Cathay Pacific
• Emirates
• British Airways

Get around in Australia

Australia is one of the biggest countries on the planet, so the best way to cover the vast distances between one city and another is by air. Since there are so many budget airlines, competition is fierce so you can often get domestic Australia plane tickets at great prices. Another option is to take the bus, since they run regularly between Australia's main cities, or you could consider hiring a car in Australia, with car hire companies situated at most major airports and city centres.

All the states have their own transport options. When you're sightseeing, hop-on-hop-off tourist buses are a great way to visit the attractions, while you can take a free tram to get around Melbourne.

Must-see attractions in Australia

Many travellers fly to Australia simply to visit The Great Barrier Reef, a true wonder of the world, while Ayers Rock and Sydney Bridge are other iconic attractions. Daintree Rainforest in Queensland is highly recommended a visit, and Port Douglas provides another highlight of a trip.

Tips for travelling in Australia

Firstly, choose the right season. If you're planning a trip to northern Australia then summer is the best time to go. Australia experiences very high levels of UV rays, so balance your time in the sun and make sure to apply sunscreen regularly. Look into your visa requirements before all flights to Australia and make sure to organise your documentation well ahead of time.

*Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.