Hawthorn and Gold Coast will be among up to four AFL clubs travelling early this week because of the volcanic ash crisis.

The league will decide on Thursday whether Fremantle and Port Adelaide also change their flights.

Seven clubs - an unusually large number - are playing interstate this weekend, but Adelaide, Richmond and Sydney will not be affected.

The plume from the volcanic eruption in Chile has thrown Australian air travel into chaos this week.

Richmond had a bus trip back from their Sunday loss to Sydney at the SCG because of the problem.

The Hawks and Suns will clash in Launceston on Saturday, while Sunday's games include Melbourne at home to the Dockers and West Coast hosting the Power.

"At this stage, we won't envisage any games being affected," said AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.

"There's no doubt it will probably disrupt supporters travelling, which may have an effect on attendances.

"But we're in constant dialogue with Virgin.

"It's a big issue this week because it's unusual we have seven teams travelling on one particular weekend."

The cost of the extra night's accommodation for the affected travelling teams will be about $30,000.

Demetriou did not expect the teams' return travel to be affected.

"According to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, they expect the wind to blow (the plume) over by the next few days," he said.

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans said their schedule would not be "overly disrupted" by the travel change.

Dockers' coach Mark Harvey's tongue was in his cheek, as he discussed potential travel arrangements.

"(We are) concerned about when we are going over and, as important, is when we get back," he said.

"But I know the club and the AFL are liaising at the moment to try to work through that situation.

"We've got some plans put in place if we can't get a plane - submarine, camel train, hitchhiking.

"So we've got a few options there, haven't we?"

Suns' coach Guy McKenna suggested his biggest problem would be keeping the players occupied with an extra day on the road.

"It's probably no different to what you would do travelling to Perth, going that extra day, so it's not a massive upheaval," McKenna said.

"It's entertaining the boys in Tassie that's the greatest challenge.

"You'd prefer not to do it, just play the game and get home.

"But safety is first and playing a game of footy is second."

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