When it comes to booking flights to Europe, there is no single rule that guarantees the best deal. As each route is shaped by its own fluctuating factors, planning your trip can feel like navigating an ever-changing landscape.
Whether you dream of a summer In Paris or a beach getaway in Portugal, timing is everything – but it's far from simple. From peak months to overlooked off-season gems, the key to getting the perfect airfare lies in understanding market rhythms and making strategic decisions about when and where to fly. To help you make sense of it all, we've tapped travel expert Mark Trim to share his top travel tips and answer the essential questions for getting the best deals to Europe in 2025.
Why isn't there just one “rule” when it comes to booking flights to get the best price? What should travelers keep in mind?
The international airfare market is incredibly complex and dynamic. Each route has its own market conditions based on supply and demand. For example, a route such as Sydney in Los Angeles will have different market conditions than something like Melbourne to Hong Kong or from Perth to Dubai. To say there is a best time to book is to grossly oversimplify the aviation industry, which is nuanced and constantly evolving.
When is the best time to book flights to Europe in 2025 for summer and winter, based on:
Generally for Europe we can divide the year into two halves, northern summer (April to October) and northern winter (November to March). Outside of Christmas vacationyou can book much less in advance for the northern winter months and still get a good deal. The busiest demand periods for Australians wishing to travel to Europe are concentrated around the peak summer months (mid-June to mid-September), as well as during school holidays, including April, late September to mid-October and of course during the December school holidays, from mid-December to the end. January.
Generally speaking, we recommend a booking lead time of 8-11 months for peak season months, with 6-9 months being acceptable, but you may need to be more flexible to get a good deal. Booking with 6 months notice or less for peak season bookings would almost always result in more expensive airfares, or more sacrifices/concessions to obtain a reasonable airfare.
For off-season months, such as mid-October to late November and late January to mid-March, you may want to book much closer to departure due to lower demand. Generally, something like 3-6 months is fine for these dates. However, you can never be sure that one-off factors will influence the flight market. These could be sports tournaments, major conferences or vacations abroad. For example, although February is generally a low season month, it is arguably the best month of the year for skiing in the northern hemisphere and there may be “mid term” holidays in some markets. Easter is another variable that can impact booking patterns from late March to late April depending on the year and the impact of other holidays, both domestically and in overseas markets.
Are there specific months or weeks in 2025 that historically offer the best deals on flights to Europe from Australia (throughout summer then winter)?
Typically, the best deals are where the fewest people want to travel, and many people looking for flights may be frustrated by expecting a base price for the busiest time of year. It is important to balance expectations and prices in order to find the best solution for each individual situation. Right now, the ideal travel times to balance a good deal, either side of the peak months, would be late April to early June and mid/late July to late August. We saw much of European demand from mid-July to late August pushed back to September, which “flattened” the peak season for Europe and eroded the traditional September shoulder season. If you are traveling in winter and plan to leave from mid-January, after Christmas rushing with a return no later than mid-March can lead to better rates.
Are there particular days of the week or times of day that tend to guarantee better flight deals to Europe from Australia?
Leaving Australia Tuesday to Thursday and returning from Europe Sunday to Wednesday will usually save a lot of money or result in peak availability, another case of demand and supply, with many looking to travel on weekends due to work, annual leave, etc. Some airlines, including Qantas/Emirates and Qatar, also apply day-of-week specific fare surcharges that differ for outbound and return flights, while other airlines manage this dynamically with availability restrictions .
Which European cities are generally considered the most economical destinations to travel to from Australia in 2025? Can you share your top five cities that you would recommend travelers visit?
The most popular destinations, including London, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona, generally command higher fares despite high demand. To get a better deal, we recommend a central hub which is still an interesting destination to add to your trip but from where you can take a cheap train, car rental or flight to other ports. My top 5 include…
- Milan
- Frankfurt
- Zurich
- Helsinki
- Munich
What are your top five routes/carriers to Europe that offer the best experience (break them down by class if that's better)?
Economy + Premium Economy:
Business Class:
What are your best tips for Australians looking to book flights to Europe?
Use an experienced agent who can guide you through the complexities of an ever-changing market. There are still so many pitfalls and when you book directly or through an offshore website, you may find yourself facing troubleshooting or no one to ask for help. Otherwise, you risk ending up with restrictive tickets, unexpected paid seat assignments, or even business class fares without lounge access. Many agents now avoid airfares, focusing only on lodging and cruises/excursions, so seek out an airfare expert and ask questions. You are looking for an agent with at least 5 years of experience and a high volume of airline ticket bookings (at least $2 million per year) who can help you with the best airlines, connections, seats and advice for frequent travelers, while also being a point of contact when things change.
Need more inspiration? Check what 'RUSSH' editors say are their European summer essentials.
