Any Suggestions for Travel in December

Optimusprimetime on 06/10/2025 - 00:57

Hi OzBargain community. Need tips (if any).

I have two kids under 10 and haven’t ever been overseas with the whole family and looking to go to Europe (anywhere is fine) to visit my wife’s ailing grandma. Unfortunately the only time I can travel due to work is mid December to end of January - which is probably the worst time of year to travel.

Had a look and the only flights that get me there without having to do multiple unnecessary stops or a 10hr+ layover which will be impossible with the kids, cost $3,000+.

Conscious this is on-peak travel prices but wondering is there anything I can do to avoid paying $12,000+ for flights, or do I just have to accept that travelling over Christmas is my only option.

Thanks

Travel

Comments

  • freefall101 on 06/10/2025 - 01:23
    +3

    Might not want to with little kids, but flying on/over Christmas day can result in cheaper flights.

    I flew out of Canada late on Christmas eve one year, landed in Australia on Boxing Day. Flight was mostly empty and pretty cheap, we got champagne (or something close to it) for the minimal couple of hours that were actually Christmas before crossing over the date line too.

    • 6079 Smith on 06/10/2025 - 15:10

      Ditto New Years Day, nobody wants to fly hungover it seems.

  • Stewardo on 06/10/2025 - 01:44
    +1

    Long layovers are good, short connections are brutal in economy. Push a long layover out and get 8hrs sleep in an airport hotel.

    • ryefig on 06/10/2025 - 20:53

      Agreed. If you can get a layover somewhere good like Singapore, getting off the plane and stretching your legs with the kids will make a big difference. If you can pay for a lounge access to use the showers and have something to eat - even better! (even a hotel room if the budget allows).

      On the other hand, really don't know how families will survive the gruelling 20+ hour project sunrise flights to Europe that Qantas will start soon.

  • HamBoi69 on 06/10/2025 - 06:54

    You’ve left it late to book hence the 3k price tag. If you’re going book asap and lock it in.

  • samyall on 06/10/2025 - 08:09

    Can you push it later? Should be a bit cheaper to leave in Jan but you will miss the nice European lead up to Christmas.

    • jv on 06/10/2025 - 09:33
      +2

      Can you push it later?

      Check with the ailing grandma…

  • jv on 06/10/2025 - 09:32

    which is probably the worst time of year to travel.

    🎅

  • foxmulder on 06/10/2025 - 09:32

    Monitor deals in Oz, like recent one return to Prague?

  • Ocker on 06/10/2025 - 09:34
    +1

    Look for separate bookings, Australia to somewhere is Asia and the another booking from the latter to your destination.
    If doing this then also look at the possibility/option of making the booking in local currency and have the FX conversion effected by your card issuer - provided of course the conversion is fee free.

    • jv on 06/10/2025 - 09:36
      -4

      "without having to do multiple unnecessary stops or a 10hr+ layover which"

      • Ocker on 06/10/2025 - 09:49
        +6

        So I tried to be helpful in suggesting a potentially viable alternative !!

        But thankyou for your usual non-contributory comments.

        • Stealtho on 06/10/2025 - 15:39

          they probs have never left Melbourne lol

  • bargaino on 06/10/2025 - 16:47
    +1

    A quick look at Scoot has Vienna return for $1998 with short connection in Changai, which is one of the best airports on Earth.

    They also fly to Athens, which will have better weather and more sun.

    • ryefig on 06/10/2025 - 20:55

      Not a bad one, but do note that you need to pay extra for checked bags, and seat selection with Scoot. Otherwise they allow 10kg carry on which might be sufficient for the kids depending on their ages.

      • bargaino on 06/10/2025 - 21:13

        I should have mentioned. But I only ever travel with carry-on these days, and 10kg plus a few more in your jacket pockets is more than enough for a month in Europe :-)
        Kids need 5kg each for clothes, an iPad and toiletries. 40kg plus pockets is plenty for a family of 4, surely?
        Unless camping - unlikely in December!

        Scoot also charges for power outlet, penny-pinching, but then who goes on holiday without a powerbank?

  • joka on 07/10/2025 - 05:26
    -1

    Surely the grandmother is somewhere and you can’t just go to a random place in europe only for her to be there. This is blowing my mind.

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