Australia's most trusted BNPL providers are available at Laters.com checkout for flights connecting to Heard Island and McDonald Islands expeditions. Approval is instant, your e-ticket arrives immediately, and you can spread the cost of one of the world's most extraordinary journeys across manageable instalments.
Available in Australia, New Zealand, United States
Afterpay splits your fare into four equal fortnightly payments with zero interest, provided you pay on schedule. For the long-haul flights from Australian cities to the gateway ports for Heard Island expeditions, that means a significant upfront cost becomes four manageable chunks. No credit check required for most applicants, and approval takes seconds at checkout.
Available in Australia, New Zealand, United States
Compare 2+ airlines to Heard Island and McDonald Islands and split your fare with Afterpay, Zip, or Klarna.
2+ airlines to Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HM) · BNPL at checkout · Instant e-ticket delivery
Zip lets you spread your expedition gateway flight over four payments, with the flexibility to pay ahead of schedule without penalty. Given that Heard Island access requires significant advance planning, Zip's structure suits travellers who book months out and want costs to land gradually. A small account fee applies; check current terms at checkout.
Available in Australia, UK, Europe, United States
Klarna's pay-in-3 option divides your fare into three equal instalments collected over six weeks, interest-free. For international travellers routing through London or European hubs on their way to Perth before an expedition, Klarna covers the full booking in one checkout. Soft credit check only; approval is typically instant.
Available in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom
Laybuy spreads your fare across six weekly payments, making it one of the most granular instalment options for travellers booking from New Zealand. For NZ-based researchers or wildlife photographers planning the long route south, six smaller weekly deductions are far easier to absorb than a single large charge. Interest-free when paid on time.
From search to e-ticket in under three minutes.
Enter your origin city, select Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HM) as destination, pick your travel dates and passenger count, and compare airlines side by side.
Scored by our editorial team using booking data, traveller feedback, and independent research. No destination pays to be rated.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands · HM · HM
Value for Money
2/10
Flight Frequency
1/10
BNPL Availability
4/10
Airport Experience
2/10
Visa Ease
3/10
Destination Appeal
9/10
Editorial snapshot
Flying to Heard Island is not a trip you book on a whim. Access is restricted, vessels depart rarely, and the Southern Ocean crossing is genuinely demanding. But for the wildlife photographer, the polar researcher, or the traveller who has run out of ordinary destinations, this UNESCO World Heritage site delivers something most people will never witness. Book the gateway flights to Perth as early as possible, because expedition slots go first.
Score based on Laters booking data and editorial review, 2026
The Southern Ocean does not have a tourist season, but the austral summer window of November through February offers the most stable weather and the best wildlife viewing, including elephant seal breeding and penguin activity. Expedition vessels rarely depart outside this window. Gateway flights from Perth are cheapest in March and April when summer demand drops.
| Month | Price Band | Demand | Travel note |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Peak | High | Peak austral summer; elephant seal pups visible on beaches. |
| February | Peak | High | Best penguin and seal activity; most expedition slots taken. |
| March | Mid | Medium | Season winding down; weather deteriorating rapidly. |
| April | Budget | Low | Cheapest gateway fares; no expeditions typically departing. |
| May | Budget | Low | Southern Ocean winter approaching; access extremely limited. |
| June | Budget | Low | Midwinter; islands essentially inaccessible to visitors. |
| July | Budget | Low | No expedition activity; gateway flights at annual low. |
| August | Budget | Low | Still deep winter; planning season begins for next summer. |
| September | Mid | Low | Spring arrives; expedition logistics ramp up. |
| October | Mid | Medium | Expedition preparations finalize; gateway fares start rising. |
| November | Peak | High | Season opens; seabirds nesting, elephant seals arriving. |
| December | Peak | High | Prime summer window; book gateway flights 6-12 months ahead. |
Cheapest month
July — average fares around $180 one-way
Peak season warning
November to February: gateway fares from Perth rise 30-50% above average. Expedition berths sell out first.
Fares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
IATA: PER · Gateway city for Heard Island expeditions · approximately 4,000 km northeast of the islands
Perth Airport is the practical gateway for Heard Island and McDonald Islands, with the Australian Antarctic Division coordinating vessel departures from Fremantle Port, roughly 20 km from the terminal. The airport handles international and domestic arrivals across four terminals, with Qantas, Virgin Australia, and international carriers serving the hub. Travellers joining expeditions typically overnight in Perth before the multi-day Southern Ocean crossing.
| Transport | Cost (approx) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi or rideshare | AUD 45-65 | 25-40 min to Perth CBD |
| Transperth Bus (Route 380) | AUD 3.20-5.10 | 45-55 min to Perth CBD |
| Car hire | AUD 60-120/day | 20-30 min to Fremantle Port |
Check-in tips
Split the cost of seat upgrades, extra baggage allowance for expedition gear, or lounge access on your Perth gateway flight at Laters.com checkout using Afterpay or Zip. Approval is instant and your booking is confirmed immediately.
Make every part of the journey south work harder for your budget.
Choose a window seat for the Southern Ocean approach to Fremantle on your Perth leg.
Available with Afterpay, ZipExpedition gear, camera equipment, and cold-weather clothing add up fast.
Split over 4 paymentsSouthern Ocean expeditions require comprehensive polar-specific coverage; don't skip it.
Available with KlarnaBook your pre-expedition Perth overnight stay bundled with your gateway flight.
Available with AfterpayPre-book a transfer from Perth Airport to Fremantle Port for your vessel departure.
Split over 3 paymentsStay connected in Perth and during any Australian mainland transit before departure.
Available with ZipAlmost all travellers reach the Heard Island gateway via Perth, flying in from Australian capital cities or international hubs. The routes below cover the most common gateway legs used by expedition participants.
Sydney to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Qantas, Virgin Australia · 4h 10m · Direct
Pay in 4 from $55/instalmentMelbourne to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Qantas, Virgin Australia, Rex Airlines · 3h 30m · Direct
Pay in 4 from $48/instalmentBrisbane to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Qantas, Virgin Australia · 4h 45m · Direct
Pay in 4 from $60/instalmentAdelaide to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Qantas, Rex Airlines · 2h 40m · Direct
Pay in 3 from $57/instalmentLondon to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Qantas, British Airways · 17h 30m · Via Singapore or Dubai
Pay in 4 from $263/instalmentAuckland to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Air New Zealand, Qantas · 5h 20m · Direct
Pay in 4 from $78/instalmentSingapore to Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Singapore Airlines, Qantas · 5h 10m · Direct
Pay in 4 from $120/instalmentFares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
No airline flies directly to Heard Island or McDonald Islands. These carriers operate the best-connected gateway routes into Perth, the standard departure point for authorized Southern Ocean expeditions.
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Fares are estimates based on typical prices and may vary by date and availability.
Everything you need to know before booking your Heard Island and McDonald Islands flight on Laters.
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