The best days for flights over Christmas to save money

RMIT Aviation Academy operations manager, and a former network controller for major airlines, Justin Brownjohn, said travelling on Christmas day was a "tried-and-true method" for getting the best deal.

"For example, a one-way flight from Melbourne to London on Christmas Day with one major airline costs $1684," Mr Brownjohn said.

"The same fare is more expensive across the festive season, including on Boxing Day. If you were to book in the New Year, it would cost almost 70 per cent more."

It's not just money you'll save by flying when everyone else is socialising - you can also save yourself a whole lot of stress.

"People are in a festive mood and there's a shared sense of community at airports for those working and travelling. There's also a feeling of gratitude to staff who are working to keep airlines flying over Christmas," Mr Bronjohn said.

RMIT association professor in finance, Dr Angel Zhong, said dynamic pricing taps into "emergency and emotions of the holiday season", so if you want to get a good deal, it's wise to stick to your budget and avoid spur-of-the-moment decisions.

"For budget-conscious travellers, the unpredictability of airfare changes can be tough. Tools like price alerts and fare trackers can help manage costs and avoid surprises," Dr Zhong said.

"Planning ahead, being flexible with dates, and considering alternative airports can also make a big difference."

December 22 is the most expensive day to fly from Sydney to Melbourne in December 2024, according to Compare the Market.

Hundreds of dollars can separate the cheapest and most expensive days to fly in December, the company said.

If you're flying out of Sydney or Melbourne, the organisation advised flights are generally cheaper from December 3 to 5, and 10 to 13.