Fly home from Japan and South Korea for $0 with Jetstar

Your 2027 holiday just got a whole lot cheaper.

Travellers dreaming of Japan or South Korea in 2027 can save big on flights, as Jetstar releases 14,000 return flights for free as part of a major three-day sale.

The Aussie carrier’s Return for Free Sale is back, covering flights from Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul on selected travel dates next year.

How it works

The premise is simple: Jetstar is giving you the chance to stretch your holiday budget that little bit further, with the cost of the journey home taken out of the equation. That means more cash to splash on things like good food, comfortable accommodation and memorable experiences.

Jetstar Return for Free Sale — Jetstar’s Return for Free Sale runs for just 72 hours. (Credit: Getty/Janice Chen)

Starting October 6, customers who purchase an eligible outbound fare to Japan or South Korea will score their return fare for $0. That’s right, your flight home won’t cost you a cent.

“Japan and South Korea are two of our customers’ most-loved international holiday spots, and with the return flight free, travellers can make their holiday go a lot further," says Jetstar Executive Manager of Customer and Digital, Prue McKenzie.

“We’re committed to helping more people take-off more for less, and this sale makes those bucket-list trips to Asia even easier to say yes to."

Tokyo, Japan — Travellers can choose from three of Asia’s most popular cities, including Tokyo in Japan. (Credit: Getty/Somchaij)

The sale officially opens to the public at midnight tonight, when up to 14,000 fares will be up for grabs across Australia. But for some lucky travellers, the sale has already begun.

Club Jetstar members have been given a 12-hour head start, with exclusive early access from midday today. The best part? If you’re not already signed up, membership costs just $65 for the first year, then drops to $55 for subsequent annual renewals.

Beyond early access to all Jetstar sales, your membership unlocks a suite of additional perks, which extend to as many as four companions travelling on the same booking.

Think flight discounts across both economy and business class, reduced baggage and seat selection prices, and exclusive partner perks like hotel vouchers, car hire discounts and 20 per cent off travel insurance.

Where to go

Flying out of major Aussie cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns, Jetstar’s return sale includes three of Japan and South Korea’s most popular destinations – Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul – with fares starting as low as $449.

Fly from Cairns to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport from just $479, with the return fare thrown in for free. Pairing neon-lit neighbourhoods and soaring skyscrapers with peaceful temples and historic streetscapes, Japan’s electric capital offers the best of both worlds.

Spend your days exploring pretty prefectures like Shibuya and Harajuku, feasting on ramen, scouring vintage stores or unleashing your inner child at the city’s famous theme park, Tokyo Disneyland.

Osaka, Japan — Discover Osaka’s bountiful restaurants and street food scene. (Credit: Getty/Vincent_St_Thomas)

Flights from Sydney to Kansai International Airport in Osaka start as low as $569 – and this is one destination worth arriving hungry for.

Known for its incredible foodie scene, Osaka serves up local favourites like takoyaki and okonomiyaki alongside the dazzling streets of Dotonbori. Beyond the food, explore Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower and Kuromon Ichiba Market.

Seoul, South Korea — Past and present blend seamlessly in the South Korean capital of Seoul. (Credit: Unsplash/Zero Take)

Those travelling from Brisbane can make a beeline for Seoul, flying into Incheon International Airport from just $469. The South Korean capital blends old and new, where centuries-old palaces and traditional teahouses meet buzzy neighbourhoods, K-pop culture and a vibrant nightlife.

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The details

Lasting for just 72 hours, Jetstar’s limited-time Return for Free Sale is available from midnight tonight (6 October) for select dates across May, June and July 2027.

To score the deal, all you need to do is select an eligible route and travel dates before searching for flights as usual. After choosing your outbound journey, simply look for a return flight priced at $0 and labelled ‘sale’ to lock in the free fare. It’s as easy as that!

Eligible Starter (economy) fares include one under-seat carry-on bag, with checked baggage and Priority Carry-on purchased separately at an additional cost.

The sale wraps up at 11:59pm on Friday 9 October, unless sold out prior. Bookings can be made directly via Jetstar, either online or via the airline’s app. For the full list of dates, routes and departure cities, head to Jetstar’s website.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Fly home from Japan and South Korea for $0 with Jetstar’s 72-hour sale

Your 2027 holiday just got a whole lot cheaper.

How it works

Where to go

The details

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