We are hoping to arrange a family get-together in Victoria, Australia around Christmas/New Year. I have heard that it's possible to get especially cheap flights if one is prepared to travel on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Is this true? Sandy Varley, Ware

A Sunday Times travel expert responds: I get asked this question a lot, and although it is possible to make a saving by flying on big holiday days, like Christmas Day or New Year's Day, it's rarely quite the bargain that you might have heard it to be.

Of course there's the compromise of missing out on the celebrations, and still being faced with "chicken or fish?" for you Christmas dinner, but you should also check that public transport is running at both ends of your journey. There's little point in saving on the flight, and then having to pre book expensive taxi trips because buses and trains aren't running, and family friends are likely to be too merry to help you out with a lift.

While no-frills and short haul flights tend not to operate on Christmas day or New Year's Day, but most long-haul airlines do.

Looking at flying to Melbourne this Christmas, and Travelocity (0870 273 3273) has fares from departing on flights from December the 20th to the 23rd from £1,400 with British Airways and Qantas, or about £1,300 with other carriers like Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, or Malaysia Airlines.

This drops for flights leaving on the 24th, 25th, and 26th to BA/Qantas for between £1,050 to £1,176, and a selection of other airlines from about £1,000. The same is true flying over New Year's Eve, where you can also save up to £300 each.

Times recommends

• Are you serious? Hitchhiking in Russia
• The 50 best beaches in the UK
• Revealed: the first naturist B&B in Europe