There’s something about an island at the end of the world that sparks the imagination, and Tasmania has been pulling in Irish travellers with surprisingly affordable fares. With return flights dipping under $106 on some booking platforms and Gordon Ramsay calling it one of his favourite destinations, the case for packing a bag and heading south has never been stronger.
Cheapest return flight (Skyscanner): From $106 ·
Direct flights per week to Hobart (Virgin Australia): 49 ·
Direct flights per week to Launceston (Virgin Australia): 30
Quick snapshot
- Virgin Australia – 49 flights/week to Hobart, 30 to Launceston (Virgin Australia)
- Jetstar – flights to Hobart and Launceston (Jetstar)
- Other carriers connect via mainland cities (Expedia.ie)
- Cheapest return from $106 (Skyscanner)
- Expedia round-trip from €216 (Expedia.ie)
- One-way from €147 (Expedia.ie)
- Hobart (HBA), Launceston (LST), Devonport, Burnie (Tasmania.com)
- Hobart cheapest to fly into from Dublin (Skyscanner)
- Best time: summer (Dec–Feb) (Tasmania.com)
- 2-week road trip is a popular choice (Tasmania.com)
The snapshot above shows the core facts: prices, airlines, and airports. But the real question is timing — knowing when to book and which airline to choose makes the difference between a bargain and a budget-buster.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Cheapest return flight (Skyscanner) | $106 (Skyscanner) |
| Direct Hobart flights per week (Virgin Australia) | 49 (Virgin Australia) |
| Direct Launceston flights per week (Virgin Australia) | 30 (Virgin Australia) |
| Airports with scheduled flights | Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Burnie (Tasmania.com) |
| Popular departure cities for direct flights | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane (Ebookers.ie) |
What is the cheapest month to fly to Tasmania?
Squeezing the most out of your budget starts with picking the right month. According to Skyscanner (flight aggregator), the cheapest month to fly from Dublin to Hobart Airport is usually January. For Burnie Airport, it’s also January, and for Devonport Airport, February delivers the lowest fares. If Launceston is your target, March tends to be the cheapest. The data points to a clear pattern: the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere (January through March) offer the most affordable window for Irish travellers.
What are the best deals from Skyscanner and Expedia?
Two major booking platforms regularly show competitive prices. Skyscanner (flight aggregator) lists the cheapest return fare at $106, with an average Tasmania ticket price of £939 in its current results. The cheapest date identified is Wednesday, 28 January 2026, for Dublin to Tasmania, with the best return fare at £870. Meanwhile, Expedia.ie (travel booking platform) shows one-way flights starting at €147 and round-trip flights starting at €216 in its current prices, and notes that within the past 7 days it had prices from €134 one-way and €209 round trip.
How can I find low fares?
Flexibility is your best tool. Booking mid-week (Wednesday, specifically) and travelling in January or February gives you the statistical edge. Using price comparison tools like Skyscanner to set alerts for price drops on routes to Hobart and Launceston can also help catch deals early.
The pattern: January is the cheapest month for flights from Dublin to Hobart and Burnie, while February and March are cheapest for Devonport and Launceston respectively. The window is tight — booking outside these Northern Hemisphere winter months can push prices significantly higher.
Irish travellers who can fly in January or March face the best prices, with mid-week departures the cheapest option. Wait until the Australian summer (December–February) and prices jump as the island fills with visitors.
Which airline flies direct to Tasmania?
No airline flies directly to Tasmania from Europe, but once you reach mainland Australia, getting there is straightforward. Two carriers dominate the direct routes from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.
What does Virgin Australia offer?
Virgin Australia (Australian airline) operates 49 direct flights per week to Hobart and 30 direct flights per week to Launceston. That’s roughly seven flights a day into Hobart and four into Launceston, making it the most frequent carrier. Most depart from Melbourne, with options from Sydney and Brisbane as well.
What routes does Jetstar serve?
Jetstar (budget airline) also flies to Hobart and Launceston from mainland cities, often with lower base fares but stricter luggage policies. You’ll find Jetstar competing on the same routes as Virgin Australia, which keeps prices honest on the Melbourne–Hobart and Melbourne–Launceston corridors.
Are there other direct carriers?
Expedia.ie (travel booking platform) lists Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines as popular carriers for international legs, though none fly direct to Tasmania from overseas. These airlines connect you to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, where you’d then switch to a domestic flight.
The trade-off: Virgin Australia offers the most frequency, but Jetstar can undercut on price if you travel light. For Irish travellers, the longer the international leg is the bigger cost driver — the domestic hop is the cheaper part.
Budget carriers like Jetstar charge extra for checked luggage, food, and seat selection. Factor an extra €30–€60 for a bag on the domestic leg, which can wipe out the fare saving over Virgin Australia.
How far is it from Ireland to Tasmania?
Distance isn’t just a number — it shapes how long you’ll be in the air and how many connections you’ll need. The reality for anyone flying from Ireland to Tasmania is that there’s no shortcut.
What are the flight options from Dublin?
According to Skyscanner (flight aggregator), the route from Dublin to Tasmania typically requires at least one stopover. Skyscanner (flight aggregator) notes that from Ireland you can fly to 162 places in Australia, and Tasmania is one of them — but it’s a multi-leg journey.
How many connections are typical?
Most itineraries involve two flights: Dublin to a hub like Dubai, Doha, or Singapore, then onward to Melbourne or Sydney, and finally a domestic flight to Hobart or Launceston. Total travel time typically exceeds 24 hours. Ebookers.ie (travel booking platform) lists the lowest prices within the past 7 days at €786 one-way and €1,274 return, reflecting the distance premium.
Why this matters: The multi-stop reality means flight cost is heavily driven by the intercontinental leg. Irish travellers can save by routing through a budget hub like Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, but the trade-off is a longer travel day.
No direct flights to Tasmania from Europe means layover hotels, meal costs, and potential visa paperwork for transit countries. Budget an extra €100–€200 for a 24+ hour journey beyond the ticket price.
What is the best time to visit Tasmania?
Weather and crowds are the two factors that define when you should go. Tasmania’s seasons are the reverse of Ireland’s, and its climate is more temperate than the rest of Australia.
What month is the best time to visit Tasmania?
Tasmania.com (destination guide) recommends the summer months of December to February as the most popular time for visitors. This is when the island’s national parks, coastal walks, and food festivals are at their best. For Irish travellers, this coincides with the depths of winter at home — a warm escape with temperatures typically between 17°C and 23°C.
What is the rainiest month in Tasmania?
Rainfall varies by region. The Overland Track weather guide indicates that the central highlands and west coast receive higher rainfall in winter (June–August), while Hobart is comparatively dry year-round. The rainiest month in Hobart is typically October, though the island averages far less rain than Ireland — Dublin gets about 730mm annually, while Hobart gets around 615mm.
Is 2 weeks in Tasmania too long?
Not at all. A two-week road trip around the island is a well-established recommendation from Tasmania.com (destination guide). You can cover Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, and the Bay of Fires in that timeframe without rushing. Two weeks also allows for a day trip to MONA (Museum of Old and New Art) and a few short walks in the national parks.
The pattern: Summer (December–February) offers the best weather and peak events, but prices are higher. Shoulder months — November and March — balance decent weather with lower flight costs. Winter (June–August) is quiet and cheap but cooler and wetter in the highlands.
The cheapest time to fly (January) is also Tasmania’s peak tourist season. You save on the flight but pay more for accommodation. Book your accommodation before your flight if you’re travelling in January — it’s the constraint that pinches hardest.
What did Gordon Ramsay say about Tasmania?
When a celebrity chef with taste buds worth millions calls a destination a favourite, people listen. Gordon Ramsay’s endorsement has given Tasmania a serious tourism boost.
Why did Ramsay praise Tasmania?
According to search results, Tasmania.com (destination guide) reports that celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has named Tasmania among his favourite destinations. His praise centres on the island’s food scene — fresh seafood, world-class wine, and produce that rivals anywhere in the world. The chef’s comments surfaced in a travel segment where he highlighted the quality of ingredients and the natural beauty of the island.
How does this affect travel interest?
Ramsay’s endorsement has a real effect on booking behaviour. When a globally recognised personality praises a less-obvious destination, it shifts perception from “too far” to “worth the trip.” For Irish travellers, his seal of approval adds reassurance that Tasmania isn’t just a wild island — it’s a culinary destination that can stand beside anything in Europe. Combined with the affordable flight options, the result is that more people are starting to look at Tasmania as a serious contender for their annual holiday.
The implication: Celebrity endorsements don’t change geography or flight prices, but they do change how people prioritise destinations. For Tasmania, Ramsay’s voice cuts through the noise and makes the long journey feel worthwhile.
Related reading: **Best Time to Visit Sri Lanka**
For travelers looking to extend their journey beyond Tasmania, compare flights from the UK to Australia to plan a broader Australian itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly direct to Tasmania from the UK?
No direct flights exist from the UK to Tasmania. You’ll need to fly to a mainland Australian city (Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane) and then take a domestic flight to Hobart or Launceston with Virgin Australia or Jetstar.
What is the cheapest airline for flights to Tasmania?
For domestic flights within Australia, Jetstar often offers lower base fares, but Virgin Australia provides more frequency. For the international leg, prices vary, but Expedia.ie lists Qantas, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines as popular carriers to the region.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Hobart?
The direct flight from Sydney to Hobart takes approximately 2 hours. Flights from Melbourne to Hobart are shorter, around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Do I need a visa to visit Tasmania from Ireland?
Yes. Irish passport holders need an Australian visa to visit Tasmania. The most common option is the eVisitor visa (subclass 651), which allows stays up to 3 months for tourism or business. Processing is typically online and takes 1–7 days.
What are the best airlines for carrying luggage to Tasmania?
If you’re travelling with checked luggage, Virgin Australia offers a more inclusive fare structure. Jetstar charges extra for checked bags, which can add €30–€60 to the ticket cost. Factor that into your price comparison.
Is it cheaper to book flights to Tasmania in advance?
Generally, yes. Booking 4–6 months ahead increases availability and often lowers prices. The cheapest window from Dublin to Hobart is January, so booking in late summer/early autumn for the following January tends to yield the best rates.
What seasonal events in Tasmania affect flight prices?
The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (late December), the Taste of Tasmania festival (late December–early January), and the MONA FOMA arts festival (January) create demand spikes. If you’re flexible, avoid these windows for lower fares.
Ethan Morrison is Senior Reporter at Aussie Wire Hub, covering breaking stories and explainers.