Cheapest flights in 2026: the secret dates and hotspots every Aussie needs to know

We've all been there: staring at a flight checkout screen, wondering if the price will drop if we wait just one more day.

For most, it's a gamble, but for Melburnian Josh Nedelkov, it's a science.

By trading rigid itineraries for a bit of calculated flexibility, the savvy 28-year-old has turned holiday hunting into a high-reward hobby.

By planning ahead and locking in deals, Mr Nedelkov reckons he saves up to 20 per cent off his holidays.

As new data from Skyscanner reveals that 72 per cent of Australians view cost as their biggest travel hurdle, Mr Nedelkov is sharing the tools and tactics he uses to keep his wanderlust alive without breaking the bank.

"When booking, I've found that flexibility is key, being open to different dates or even alternative destinations can make a huge difference in price," Mr Nedelkov told Explore.

Mr Nedelkov, a project manager in the construction industry, says one of the best tricks he's found is using online comparison tools so he can see all his options at once.

He also takes advantage of reward points and loyalty programs where possible to save even more.

"For trips with multiple stops, I use multi-city searches and don't shy away from budget airlines, though I make sure to check for any extra fees," he said.

"Most importantly, I set a clear budget before I start searching and stick to it, which helps me focus on the deals that really make sense and avoid spending more than I intended."

Comparing flights on the Skyscanner website and app help Mr Nedelkov stay across airlines and dates, and he also likes to keep up to date with deals on socials - @savvynotstingy being one of his favourite accounts.

"On top of that, I stay connected to my frequent flyer programs, which notify me of special promotions, bonus points opportunities, or discounted fares, so I can act quickly when a good deal comes up," he said.

A Skyscanner survey of 2000 Australians found flights were the first thing 47 per cent of people book, followed by accommodation at 41 per cent. Over half of people were happy to fly at odd times to save cash, while two-thirds were open to exploring lesser-known, cheaper destinations.

The organisation's travel expert, Jarrod Kris, said the way Australians are approaching travel is shifting.

"Instead of waiting for the perfect moment, Aussies are ready to embrace the now, choosing to travel with purpose and make meaningful memories," he said.

A new Skyscanner widget called Cheapest Destination Planner allows travellers to see the best-value destinations for every month of the year.

If you're looking to travel in February, the cheapest Australian destination (average price from every other airport) is Launceston, with an average return airfare of $230, and the cheapest day to travel there is on a Monday.

The cheapest overseas destinations are Nadi in Fiji ($610 average return fare) and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam ($703).

For those heading off in March, Sunshine Coast is your cheapest option if you want to stay within Australia, but those who want to go overseas would do well to consider Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia ($479 average return; cheapest on a Sunday) or Phuket, Thailand ($754).

In April, Singapore ($1115, cheapest on a Wednesday), and Seoul in South Korea ($1230) are good options.

May is a good time for domestic travel, with Hobart ($258 average return price) and Uluru ($422) providing good value.

June and July are also good options for domestic travel, with the Gold Coast coming in at $253 on average (cheapest on Tuesday in June), while the Sunshine Coast costs $331 on average in July. You'll likely find good deals to Queenstown and Auckland in New Zealand in these months, too.

Manila in the Philippines ($777 average return) is a good option for August while Sydney, Cairns and Uluru all provide value in September.

October and November are top months price-wise to visit Hanoi in Vietnam and Denpasar (Bali) in Indonesia respectively.

December is showing top value for Jakarta in Indonesia ($1099, cheapest on a Monday) and Taipei in Taiwan ($1478).