5 cheapest places to visit when Australia’s international borders reopen
See which overseas destinations have the cheapest flights in January.
Picture this: it's January 2022 and Australia's international borders have reopened to the world.
This might sound fanciful, but Australia's Minister for Tourism Dan Tehan MP has said we're on track to open the borders "at this rate, by Christmas at the latest".
For most frequent travellers, the travel bug hasn't grown any smaller during this nearly 2 year hiatus. We're itching to hop on a plane and take-off for foreign lands.
One hiccup, other Aussies are starting to feel the same itch. Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker shows the number of Australians planning international travel within the next 12 months is now 17%, up from just 11% in June.
When the international border opens demand will be high and tickets to London and New York are going to start looking pricey.
Assuming Qantas' dates are correct and Aussies can start flying from 18 December, let's take a look at which countries are cheapest to fly to in January once the initial buzz has calmed down.
1. New Zealand
New Zealand contains multitudes of natural beauty between its North and South Islands. The number of thrills to be had cements it as the de facto adventure capital of the world.
As if it could get any better, January is one of the best times to visit.
Possibility of travelling:
High. If you could be confident travelling to any country it would have to be travelling to New Zealand. The New Zealand government has paused the travel bubble until at least November and with vaccination rates both here and there on their way up. Things are looking sunny.
Prices:
- Fly Melbourne to Auckland from $340 return
- Fly Melbourne to Christchurch from $398 return
- Fly Sydney to Auckland from $414 return
- Fly Gold Coast to Auckland from $418 return
- Fly Sydney to Queenstown from $482 return
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is one of those countries that's perfect for both travellers who love chasing adventure and those who love to relax. Bali (the "Island of the Gods") alone used to attract nearly a million Australians to its shores each year.
Once you've visited the island's amazing temples and enjoyed thrilling adventures you'll understand why it's so popular.
Possibility of travelling:
High. Indonesia recently recorded its lowest number of daily COVID-19 cases in over a year and the Indonesian government has announced plans for the border to open to foreigners by November.
Prices:
- Fly Perth to Denpasar from $435 return
- Fly Perth to Jakarta from $484 return
- Fly Sydney to Denpasar from $824 return
3. Fiji
What better place to unwind and forget the troubles of the past 2 years than Fiji. Whether it's spending time at a luxury resort or taking a private island getaway, you'll slowly cross the threshold from normal time into "Fiji time".
Fill your days with snorkelling, hiking, and firewalking or simply enjoy one of Fiji's perfect beaches.
Possibility of travelling:
High. The number of new COVID-19 cases in Fiji is trending lower after an outbreak in July. Qantas is confident it will resume flying to Fiji from 19 December. Fiji has announced it will allow travellers from Australia to enter by November.
Prices: from $482 return
- Fly Sydney to Nadi from $482 return
- Fly Brisbane to Nadi from $544 return
- Fly Melbourne to Nadi from $617 return
4. Singapore
If you're looking for a holiday with endless things to do you can't look past the tropical island-nation of Singapore. From its iconic Merlion statue to the spectacular Marina Bay Sands Hotel, Singapore city is an architectural feast to the eyes of new travellers.
It's the perfect destination for a change of scene but rarely a change of pace, it's a city that's always on the cutting edge and its hawker food markets are a foodie's dream.
Possibility of travelling:
High. Qantas is confident Aussies will be able to travel to Singapore this year. The airline has set the date on flights from Sydney and Melbourne resuming from 18 December.
Singapore has high vaccination rates and the Australian and Singapore governments have been in talks to open a travel bubble between the two countries. If all goes well, travel to Singapore from Australia should be good to go.
Prices:
- Fly Perth to Singapore from $586 return
- Fly Sydney to Singapore from $693 return
- Fly Melbourne to Singapore from $772 return
5. New Caledonia
Located nearly 17,000 kilometres from France, the overseas territory is just a fraction of that away from Australia. It's the closest Aussies can get to the feel of France without enduring an 18-hour flight. Far removed from the cities of Europe the island paradise is home to crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches.
Possibility of travelling:
Low. Unfortunately, New Caledonia is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. If things don't improve it might not be an ideal place to visit in January. You might consider postponing plans to travel there until September when the weather is best.
Prices:
- Fly Sydney to Noumea from $651 return
- Fly Melbourne to Noumea from $766 return
- Fly Adelaide to Noumea from $833 return
How do you make sure you're covered if things go wrong?
Before you book make sure to check the COVID-19 refund/credit rules on the site you're booking with and try to book directly with the airline where possible.
Finder travel insurance expert James Martin commented:
"Travel insurance policies won't cover you for the most common reasons your trip could be affected by COVID-19. Unfortunately, that means you won't be able to claim if you need to miss or cut short your holiday due to snap border closures or lockdowns.
However, it can cover you for medical expenses if you actually get COVID while you're abroad. The right policy can also insure you for lost or stolen luggage, medical repatriation to Australia as well as trip cancellations unrelated to COVID.
To know what you'll be insured for, make sure you read the PDS for your policy before signing up."
What will travel look like?
It's not clear just yet how exactly Australia's international borders will work once they reopen. In April this year, Australians were finally able to travel quarantine free to New Zealand thanks to the trans-Tasman travel bubble.
Unfortunately in July, the COVID-19 Delta variant came along and the bubble burst with New Zealand once again shutting its doors to all Australian states and territories. It's currently suspended until mid-November after the New Zealand government extended the pause by 8 weeks earlier this month.
The federal government is working to ensure Australians will be able to travel overseas with a vaccine passport.
Speaking at his National Press Club address Tehan said "We continue to do all that preparatory work to make sure that when those international borders open... Australians will be able to travel with a QR code linked to their passport, which will be able to show proof of vaccination."
The federal government first unveiled its roadmap for getting the country back on track in July. It's called "The National Plan to Transition Australia's National COVID Response".
Part of the plan includes allowing Aussies to head overseas again without restrictions once 80% of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of Australians over the age of 16 that are fully vaccinated is 49.3% at the time of publication.
Don't miss out on flight deals when the international borders open! Check out our full list of all the latest flight sales.
