Quick answer: Flying to Europe from Australia typically takes 20–24 hours with one stopover, from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth. Most travellers connect through Singapore, Dubai, or Doha, while Perth offers a nonstop option to London. Book three to six months ahead for the best fares, and check the current ETIAS status before you travel — it has not yet come into force.
What to expect when flying to Europe from Australia
Flying to Europe from Australia takes around 20 to 24 hours including one stopover. Updated for 2026, this guide covers all your questions about have about routes, costs, and paperwork, whether you’re heading off on a long-awaited holiday, making a big move, or taking a trip to visit family you haven’t seen in years. It’s one of the longest regular flight routes in the world, but with the right planning, the journey doesn’t have to be daunting.
When to book for the best price
Most fares are at their best when you book three to six months before you fly. According to Flight Centre, economy return fares from Sydney to London start from around AUD $1,250, with fares to other major hubs such as Rome and Frankfurt often sitting a little higher — though prices vary by season, airline, and how far ahead you book, so treat this as a guide rather than a guarantee. All prices on tickets out of Australia include a Passenger Movement Charge of AUD $70.
- Best value: February, March, and November, when demand eases and fares tend to soften.
- Higher fares: December and January, driven by the Australian summer holiday rush.
- Also busy: June through August, as European summer draws large numbers of visitors.
Setting up a price alert on Google Flights or Skyscanner AU can help you catch a fare drop before it disappears.
Choosing the right airline
Several full-service carriers fly the Australia–Europe route, each with a different hub. Skytrax’s World Airline Awards have repeatedly ranked several of them among the world’s best:
- Emirates — hub in Dubai, extensive European network, strong Skytrax ratings.
- Qatar Airways — hub in Doha, regular Skytrax airline-of-the-year contender, wide onward European connections.
- Singapore Airlines — hub in Singapore, consistently strong service, one of the shortest convenient stopovers to Europe.
- Etihad Airways — hub in Abu Dhabi, competitive fares, comfortable stopover option.
- Qantas — one-stop routes between many major cities, non-stop routes between Perth and Rome/Paris), Frequent Flyer points and Classic Rewards seats work for Europe flights, including oneworld partners.
- Cathay Pacific — hub in Hong Kong, a shorter first leg before the long haul onward.
Flying Qantas or a Velocity partner such as Virgin Australia or Etihad? Consider checking your points balance before you book — combining cash and points can sometimes stretch further than paying outright.
Direct versus one-stop flights
One-stop flights offer the best balance between cost and comfort for most travellers. Qantas currently offers a non-stop Perth to Rome route and has confirmed that its long-planned Project Sunrise service will add a nonstop Sydney–London route in 2027, flown on a custom-built Airbus A350-1000ULR. Turkish Airlines also plans to launch non-stop routes from Sydney to Istanbul in 2027. Until then, one or two stops remains the reality for most Australian departure cities.
- Nonstop (Perth–Rome only): around 17 hours in the air with no layover — the fastest option, but only available from Perth. Previous non-stop routes including Perth-London and Perth-Paris are currently suspended due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East.
- One-stop: typically 20–24 hours door-to-door, including a single connection through a hub such as Singapore, Dubai, or Doha — usually the best value.
- Two-stop: can add several extra hours, but sometimes brings the fare down further, which may suit travellers with more flexible schedules.
Common routes from each Australian city
London, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Madrid, and Rome are among the most common entry points for Australians flying into Europe. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane travellers typically connect through Singapore, Doha, or Dubai on the way to these cities. Perth stands out as the only Australian city with a nonstop option to Europe, cutting hours off the journey for travellers in Western Australia. Once you’ve landed, getting to a second European destination is usually straightforward — high-speed rail and budget carriers connect most major cities quickly and affordably. If you’re planning to visit family in Germany, our guide to travelling and living in Germany covers what to expect once you land in Frankfurt or Munich.
In the case of delays on your journey, you may be entitled to compensation from your airline under Australian Consumer Law or the EU261 passenger rights regulation. Reasons and amounts are dependent on your specific situation but the ACCC and Your Europe can provide helpful guidance.
Choosing your stopover wisely
Singapore’s Changi Airport, Dubai International, and Doha’s Hamad International are the three hubs most Australians pass through on the way to Europe, and each has its own character. Changi is known for its gardens, cinema, and swimming pool, which can make a longer layover genuinely enjoyable — our guide to visiting Singapore has more on what to see if you extend your stopover into a proper stop. Dubai and Doha both offer extensive duty-free shopping and comfortable lounges, with Hamad International often rated among the best airports in the world for transiting passengers. Longer stopovers can be a good opportunity to stretch your legs, grab a shower, or simply recover before the next leg of the journey. As a general rule, allow at least two hours to connect, and if you’re travelling with children or checked bags, three hours or more gives you a more comfortable buffer. Australian passport holders generally don’t need a transit visa at these hubs for a same-day connection, but it’s worth checking your specific itinerary against the airport’s transit rules before you fly.
Baggage allowances on Australia–Europe routes
Carry-on allowances on full-service airlines are typically 7–10 kg, with checked baggage allowances usually ranging from 23–30 kg. If your itinerary includes a budget European carrier such as Ryanair or easyJet, allowances shrink considerably and are enforced strictly, sometimes down to the centimetre at the gate, with excess baggage fees charged on the spot. Weigh and measure your bags at home before you leave, and double-check your fare type’s allowance on the airline’s website, since budget carriers often charge extra even for a standard-sized carry-on.
Choosing a travel class for a 20-plus-hour journey
Premium economy offers noticeably more legroom, comfier seating, and often an improved dining experience compared to economy. Business class typically includes lie-flat beds, priority check-in and boarding, lounge access, and considerably more space to stretch out. One strategy worth considering on a route this long is mixing cabins rather than booking one class for the whole trip. On a Qantas itinerary from Melbourne to London via Perth, for example, some travellers book business class for the long Perth–London leg and economy for the shorter domestic connection, getting a lie-flat seat for the longest stretch without paying for business the whole way. Business fares on this route generally run several times the economy price, so it’s worth comparing the mixed-cabin total against a straight business fare before you decide.
What to pack in your carry-on
A 20-plus-hour journey is easier with a carry-on packed with comfort and convenience in mind. Prioritise:
- Passport, boarding passes, and any prescription medication in its original packaging — if you’re travelling with medication, the Australian Border Force has guidance on what needs to be declared.
- A portable charger and universal adapter, since not every seat has accessible power.
- Compression socks — reducing time spent sitting still on long flights is one of the ways health authorities, including Smart Traveller, suggest lowering the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- A warm layer and an eye mask, since cabin temperatures can vary a lot over 20-plus hours.
- Noise-cancelling headphones and a refillable water bottle to fill up after security.
Managing stopovers
Beyond the basics, a few lesser-known options can make a long layover more comfortable. Some airlines, including Emirates, offer complimentary transit hotel stays for passengers with a long enough connection — rules and minimum layover times vary. Shower facilities and rest areas are available at Changi, Dubai, and Doha, though some are limited to lounge members or a paid day pass.
Managing jet lag
In the three days before you fly, try shifting your sleep and meal times by 30 to 60 minutes a day towards your destination’s time zone — a small adjustment that can make the first few days abroad noticeably easier. Once you board, set your phone and watch to your destination’s time zone straight away, and avoid alcohol during the flight, since it worsens dehydration and disrupted sleep. On arrival, getting outside for natural light helps reset your body clock faster than staying indoors. The Sleep Health Foundation notes flying east, as you do from Australia to Europe, tends to be harder to adjust to than flying west, so be patient with yourself for the first day or two.
Entry requirements for Australians travelling to Europe in 2026
Australian passport holders can travel visa-free through most Schengen countries for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This covers most of the destinations Australians fly into for a holiday or a family visit, including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Do Australians need a visa for Europe? Not for a short Schengen stay — but a separate travel authorisation called ETIAS has been planned for several years and, as of this guide’s last review, still hasn’t come into force. When it launches, it will apply an authorisation, not a visa, to Australians and other visa-exempt travellers visiting the Schengen area. The timeline has shifted more than once, so check the official ETIAS website or the Smart Traveller (smartraveller.gov.au) page for your destination(s) before you book.
What about the UK? The United Kingdom sits outside the Schengen area and runs its own system: Australians need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying to the UK, separate from any Schengen requirement, applied for online ahead of travel. Remitly’s guide to how to get a UK visa for Australians walks through when an ETA is enough and when you’d need a full visa instead — for a working holiday, for example.
Passport validity requirement: minimum 6 months beyond travel dates is still the common recommendation from carriers and border agencies, so it’s a good idea to check your passport well before you book and confirming current requirements with Smart Traveller (smartraveller.gov.au).
Getting around Europe after you land
Once you land, options like airport trains, metro lines, buses, taxis, and rideshare apps can get you to your final destination — it pays to plan ahead if you’re arriving late at night. At major hubs like London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, and Frankfurt, express rail links usually get you into the city centre faster than a taxi. Seeing several countries? A Eurail pass can work out cheaper than separate tickets, and budget airlines cover longer distances fast — just book them well ahead, since fares climb quickly closer to departure. Europe doesn’t use a single currency: the euro covers most countries you’ll visit, but the UK uses the pound and Switzerland the Swiss franc, so check which currency applies to each leg. Our guide to currency in Europe breaks down what to expect country by country, and Remitly can help if you need to move money between Australia and family or accounts overseas while you’re travelling.
FAQ: Flying to Europe from Australia
How long does the flight from Australia to Europe take?
Most journeys take between 20 and 24 hours, including one stopover, though this varies by route and airport connection. Perth is the exception: Qantas flies nonstop to London in around 17 hours. From Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, expect a connection through a hub such as Singapore, Dubai, or Doha.
Do Australians need a visa to travel to Europe?
Australians can travel visa-free through most Schengen countries for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. A separate authorisation called ETIAS has been planned for several years but had not come into force at the time of writing — check smartraveller.gov.au for the current status before you fly.
When is the cheapest time to fly from Australia to Europe?
Fares tend to be lowest in February, March, and November, when demand eases outside school holidays and the European summer. December, January, and June through August are typically the most expensive, so booking three to six months ahead in a quieter month can help.
Which airlines fly from Australia to Europe?
Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific all operate Australia–Europe routes, each connecting through their own hub. Qantas is the only carrier offering a nonstop leg, flying Perth to Rome directly, with a Sydney–London nonstop service planned for 2027.
What’s the best stopover city for Australia–Europe flights?
Singapore’s Changi Airport is a popular choice for its amenities and shorter overall flight time, while Dubai and Doha both offer strong lounges and duty-free shopping. The best stopover depends on your airline and layover length — allow at least two hours to connect, more if you’re travelling with children.
How much does a flight from Australia to Europe cost?
According to Flight Centre, economy return fares from Sydney to London start from around AUD $1,220, though prices vary by season, airline, and booking timing. Business class fares run considerably higher; mixing cabins across different legs of a multi-stop itinerary can help manage the overall cost.
Do I need ETIAS to fly to Europe from Australia?
Not yet. ETIAS is a planned travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen area, but it has not launched as of this guide’s last review despite earlier target dates. Check the official ETIAS website or smartraveller.gov.au before you travel, since the timeline has shifted more than once.
Key takeaways
- Flying from Australia to Europe generally takes 20–24 hours with one stopover; Perth is the only city with a nonstop option, flying direct to Rome with Qantas.
- Booking three to six months ahead, and travelling in February, March, or November, tends to bring the best fares.
- Australians can enter most Schengen countries visa-free for up to 90 days, though the ETIAS authorisation has still not come into force — check the current status before you fly.
- Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific cover the main routes, each through a different hub.
- Budget European carriers like Ryanair and easyJet enforce carry-on limits strictly, so weigh and measure your bags before your onward flight.
Conclusion
Whether you’re planning a long-awaited holiday or heading back to see family, flying to Europe from Australia comes down to the same few decisions: when you book, which hub you connect through, and how you prepare for a long day of travel. Book ahead, choose your stopover with some care, and check your entry requirements before you fly. If London is on your itinerary, our guide to living in the United Kingdom is a good next stop, and Remitly can help you send money home or support family across Australia and Europe along the way.
Last reviewed: September 2026
