Cheap Flights in December

Find the best places to visit in December, flight deals and affordable destinations.

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Best Places to Travel in December

Discover popular destinations in December for your next trip. Explore seasonal travel ideas and find latest flight deals.

Phuket

Sydney → Phuket

US$ 622

Sanya

Sydney → Sanya

Nha Trang

Sydney → Nha Trang

Dubai

Sydney → Dubai

US$ 962

Hurghada

Sydney → Hurghada

Antalya

Sydney → Antalya

Istanbul

Sydney → Istanbul

Yerevan

Sydney → Yerevan

Sochi

Sydney → Sochi

Lowest price this month, based on Trip.com data

December Flight Tips & Travel Information

Travel Requirements & Entry Tips

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months before departure
Prepare any required travel documents, such as arrival cards or health declarations if applicable
Keep digital copies of important documents for a smoother journey
Check the latest entry requirements before booking your flight

Weather & Baggage

Southeast Asia: One of the best times for beach holidays and tropical escapes
Japan and South Korea: Winter begins, offering seasonal experiences such as snow activities and festive city events
China: Cooler weather makes southern cities and cultural destinations great options for year-end trips
Pack according to your destination’s climate and check baggage allowances

When to Book Flights for December?

December is a peak travel month due to Christmas and New Year holidays, so booking early can help secure better fares
For year-end trips, consider travelling in early December or comparing flexible dates to find better prices
Flights during holiday periods can sell out quickly, so plan ahead for popular destinations

Cheap Flights in December

Looking for cheap flights in December? December offers distinct travel windows for Australians, with budget-friendly fares available during the first half of the month before peak Christmas and New Year demand surges.

Where to Travel in December?

Early-December Tropical Escapes: Early December is great for quiet beach breaks in Bali, Fiji, and Thailand.
Winter Wonderland & Festive Trips: Mid-to-late December is a top choice for snow and festive holiday experiences in Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America.

Discounted Flights in December

December flight deals are easiest to find for travel dates completed before December 15. If traveling during peak Christmas week, flying directly on Christmas Day can often yield surprisingly lower rates.

Travel & Booking Tips

Book Holiday Travel Early: Book Christmas and Boxing Day travel as early as August or September to avoid extreme price surges.
Fly Before Dec 15: Travel in early December to secure lower off-peak rates and avoid heavy airport crowds.
Fly on Christmas Day: Consider flying on Christmas Day itself to take advantage of lower demand on the day.
Review Holiday Luggage Rules: Check luggage allowances in advance if traveling with Christmas gifts or winter gear.

Other Popular Routes

Domestic

International

FAQs about Flights in December

What is the cheapest date to fly in December?

Christmas Day (25 December) is often one of the cheapest days to fly in December, as many travellers prefer to be at their destination by then. The dates immediately after New Year (2–5 January) also tend to see lower fares. The most expensive periods are typically 20–24 December and 28–31 December. Mid-week departures on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally cheaper than Friday and Sunday flights. Use Trip.com's flexible date search to compare fares across the entire month and pinpoint your cheapest travel window.
Where is it cheapest to fly in December from Australia?

Southeast Asia consistently offers the best value for international December flights from Australia. Destinations like Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Phuket are affordable, close in flight time, and offer warm weather — making them ideal for the Aussie summer holiday. Domestically, flights to secondary cities like Hobart and Adelaide on mid-week dates tend to be cheaper than trunk routes like Sydney–Melbourne. For those dreaming of Europe, early December travel to Budapest or Vienna for the Christmas markets can be surprisingly affordable if booked well in advance.
When can you book flights for December?

Most major full-service airlines — including Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific — open their booking schedules approximately 11–12 months in advance. Budget carriers like Jetstar and AirAsia tend to release schedules 6–9 months out. For peak December dates around Christmas and New Year, it's strongly recommended to book as soon as fares are released. Set a price alert on Trip.com to be notified the moment December fares become available.
Is December a cheap month to fly from Australia?

December is generally one of Australia's most expensive months to fly due to the convergence of school summer holidays, Christmas, and New Year demand. However, 'cheap' is relative — early December (1–15 December) before the holiday rush, and Christmas Day itself, can offer lower fares. International destinations like Southeast Asia and parts of Europe remain affordable in December compared to domestic travel. The key is booking early, using flexible date tools, and watching for airline sale events. Trip.com's price alerts help you secure the best available December fares as soon as they drop.
How far in advance should I book December flights from Australia?

For domestic December flights, book at least 6–8 weeks in advance — and 3 months or more ahead if travelling over Christmas or school holidays. For international December flights, aim to book 4–6 months in advance to secure competitive fares. The earlier you book, the more airline and fare class options you'll have. For popular routes to Bali, Tokyo, or London over Christmas-New Year, seats in desirable fare classes can sell out very quickly. As a general rule, December is not a month to leave to last-minute chance.
Do December flight deals include checked baggage?

It depends on the airline and fare class. Budget carriers like Jetstar, AirAsia, and Scoot typically charge extra for checked baggage even on sale fares — always check the fare inclusions before booking. Full-service airlines like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates generally include checked baggage in their standard economy and business class fares. When comparing December flight deals, factor in the total cost including any baggage fees to get a true price comparison. Trip.com clearly displays fare inclusions so you can see exactly what's included at the time of booking.
Can I change or cancel my December flight if plans change?

Change and cancellation policies vary depending on the fare type you've booked. Flexi or fully-flexible fares allow you to change or cancel with minimal or no fees — ideal for December travel when plans can shift. Standard sale or saver fares often have strict no-change or no-refund conditions. Some bookings can be cancelled free of charge within 24 hours. For high-stakes Christmas travel, consider paying a small premium for a flexible fare or taking out travel insurance for added protection. Trip.com surfaces fare flexibility information clearly on the booking page so you can choose with confidence.
How can I find discounted December flights on Trip.com?
Can I book December flights with a credit or debit card on Trip.com?
When does the ski season start in December?

Popular Flights

Recommended for you

Cheap Flights in December

Best Places to Travel in December

Phuket

Sanya

Nha Trang

Dubai

Hurghada

Antalya

Istanbul

Yerevan

Sochi

Phuket

Sanya

Nha Trang

Dubai

Sharm El Sheikh

Antalya

Istanbul

Tbilisi

Sochi

Beijing

Shanghai

Sanya

Bangkok

Nha Trang

Seoul

Tokyo

Harbin

Sochi

Bangkok

Phuket

Sanya

Dubai

Antalya

Istanbul

Almaty

Tashkent

Sochi

December Flight Tips & Travel Information

Travel Requirements & Entry Tips

Weather & Baggage

When to Book Flights for December?

Cheap Flights in December

Where to Travel in December?

Discounted Flights in December

Travel & Booking Tips

Other Popular Routes

Domestic

International

FAQs about Flights in December

What is the cheapest date to fly in December?

Where is it cheapest to fly in December from Australia?

When can you book flights for December?

Is December a cheap month to fly from Australia?

How far in advance should I book December flights from Australia?

Do December flight deals include checked baggage?

Can I change or cancel my December flight if plans change?

How can I find discounted December flights on Trip.com?

Can I book December flights with a credit or debit card on Trip.com?

When does the ski season start in December?

Popular Flights