Exactly how long Aussies are waiting to book overseas trips
Updated . First published
Planning and booking a holiday is almost as exciting as going away. And while some Aussies are dreaming of trips years ahead, others are more last-minute planners.
In fact, new data shared with nine.com.au has revealed most travellers are actually cutting things much closer than you’d think.
Our booking habits are changing according to new data. iStock
Booking site Trip.com said nearly half of all domestic flights are only booked within a month of departure. That, of course, also accounts for business trips, as well as holidays.
But when it comes to flying internationally, the result was more surprising.
Aussies are only booking international flights an average of around six weeks, or 43 days in advance.
And while for many that might seem like far too close to the date, it’s actually got slightly longer, increasing from an average 39 nights ahead in previous data.
That’s in stark contrast to the recommended six-month booking window many try to stick to when planning.
However, it does depend on where you are going.
For trips to Asian hotspots, as well as other long-haul destinations, Aussies plan slightly further ahead.
Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Manila and Osaka topped the list for planning, with average booking times of 60 to 66 days out – that’s a couple of months.
Auckland in New Zealand has one of the rightest booking windows. Fiona Goodall/Getty Images
However, Xiamen and Jinan in China, and Auckland in New Zealand see the shortest booking windows, with travellers securing flights an average about a month before departure.
With so many Chinese and Kiwi expats in Australia, that could also be skewed by Aussie-based expats making last-minute trips home.
China is also seeing a surge of interest for holidays, too.
On the other end of the scale, travel to regional and remote parts of Australia has Aussies planning further in advance.
Learmonth near Exmouth in Western Australia, and Alice Springs and Uluru in the Northern Territory see the longest advance bookings at around 50 days, according to Trip.com.
Trips to remote Australia has people planning further in advance. iStock
Kalgoorlie and Port Hedland in Western Australia and Emerald (QLD), require the least planning, with flights typically reserved less than two weeks out.
With those areas all big mining hubs, FI-FO workers could also have an impact on those bookings.
As for securing somewhere to stay, hotel bookings skew much closer to travel dates compared to flights, the travel site found.
Initials, middle names or surnames that start with an “O’” or “Mc” can cause problems for travellers. iStock
Over the past year, international hotel lead times averaged 31 days. Domestic hotels are being booked an average of 17 days ahead.
However, if the figures make you feel a little anxious you’d be right.
Many Aussies are booking further ahead, anecdotes revealed.
In an exclusive Nine reader survey, over a third of respondents (31 per cent) said six months was how much time they gave themselves to plan and book a holiday.
Plus one airline expert said the best chance of getting the cheapest price was to book ahead, as soon as the flights are released just under a year out.
