Australians are gearing up for a busy Christmas and New Year travel period, with new booking data from Webjet showing strong demand for both domestic and international getaways.
Of all flight bookings made between 13 January and 4 December 2025 for the upcoming festive season (13 December 2025 – 24 January 2026), 64 per cent are for domestic trips, 27 per cent for international, and 9 per cent for Trans-Tasman travel.
Asia dominates international festive escapes
Among those heading overseas, Aussies are overwhelmingly favouring Asia, with nine of the top 10 international destinations sitting in the region. For festive-season travel, the most-booked international hotspots are:
- Bali
- Tokyo
- Manila
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Nadi
- Bangkok
- London
- Singapore
- Los Angeles
Apia – a newcomer to the list, signalling Samoa’s rise as an emerging Aussie Christmas favourite.
Domestic movers: Melbourne on top
On the home front, major cities and summer classics continue to lead demand. The top domestic destinations are:
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Sydney
- Gold Coast
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Hobart
- Cairns
- Maroochydore
- Launceston
Australians travelling further – and for longer
Katrina Barry, Webjet Group CEO and Managing Director, said the appetite for travel is strong across the board.
“Aussies are eager to go somewhere for the festive season, and we’re seeing strong demand both at home and overseas,” Barry said.
“Domestically, travellers are heading to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney as the top three destinations, while internationally, Asian spots like Bali, Tokyo and Manila are leading the charge. Long-haul hotspots like London and LA remain popular, but we’re also seeing growing love for the Pacific Islands. Nadi remains high on the list, this year joined by Apia, Samoa, which is gaining popularity. What we’re seeing overall is Australians expanding their horizons and adding more destinations to their holiday travel wish lists.”
Travellers heading abroad (excluding Trans-Tasman routes) are also taking longer breaks – averaging 16 days – compared with 7 days for domestic holidays.
Solo travellers lead the surge
Across all bookings, solo travellers are the biggest movers this festive season, making up 47 per cent of flight bookings to date. Couples account for 27 per cent, families 14 per cent, and groups 12 per cent.
Webjet launches domestic flight sale
To help gift-givers (or last-minute planners) lock in a festive deal, Webjet has launched a limited-time domestic flight sale beginning today, offering discounts on select one-way and return fares within Australia.
