Whichever way you travel, it’s a long way from the UK to Australia. And while Qantas is proposing a direct 19-hour flight from London to Perth in the next two years, for now you’ve got to stop somewhere. So make that journey count by squeezing in a second mini-holiday en route.
And while the traditional stopover destinations – Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Dubai – are popular for a reason, there’s no need to limit yourself to the classics. Cathy Winston of 101 Holidays selects seven of her favourite alternative routes. Don’t forget, you can see all your flight and stopover options on the Cheapflights website, which lets you search thousands of airlines and travel agents all in one place.
Mauritius
Who doesn’t fancy the chance to chill out by the Indian Ocean – especially when it breaks up a long journey crammed into a plane? As well as those tropical beaches and the great marine life on the world’s third largest coral reef, Mauritius has so much else to offer. It is one of the best islands in the world for kite surfing, you can walk with lions plus there’s a unique mix of African, Chinese, Indian and European cultures to discover. Then fly direct to Perth to start your Australian adventure on the west coast.
China
One of the big bonuses of a stopover in Beijing or Shanghai on the way to Sydney or Melbourne – apart from getting to explore these fascinating Chinese cities – is that you don’t need to bother getting a visa if you’re staying for 72 hours or less. Although you can’t normally leave your arrival city, you won’t be short of things to do while you’re there: how about the Forbidden City, historic hutongs and the Great Wall in Beijing, or wander the Bund and French Concession in Shanghai before seeing the famous Jade Buddha?
India
If you’ve always fancied visiting India but can’t decide where to start on the subcontinent – or are nervous about just how overwhelming that famous culture shock might be – a stopover is a great way to test the waters. Fly direct from London to Delhi (and then on to Sydney) where you can discover the labyrinthine medieval alleys of Old Delhi to the city’s colonial hotels, Mughal tombs and the Red Fort. Don’t miss the street food either.
Japan
Can’t decide if you fancy some quirky culture, historic temples, something ultra-modern or a foodie break with a twist on your stopover? Problem solved if you head to Tokyo, which packs all of them in to one destination. As a bonus, it splits your trip almost exactly in half before hopping on to one of Australia’s major cities – plus a short break in this famously pricey country won’t blow your entire holiday budget.
The Philippines
With direct flights from London to Manila then some bargain fares onwards to Sydney, it’s tempting to seize the chance to explore The Philippines on your way Down Under. Although the busy bustling capital itself isn’t the number one draw for most travellers, a short domestic flight can also whisk you to one of the 7,000 islands for the same kind of price as a tour of Sydney Opera House. With everything from big beach resorts to unspoiled stretches of sand, there’s something for every budget and timetable.
Brunei
You get two stopovers for the price of one if you fly Royal Brunei airlines from London to Melbourne – but forget the first touchdown in Dubai and seize the chance to discover the Sultanate itself, with a stopover in capital, Bandar Seri Bagawan. The airline has even created several short packages to have a quick look around between planes, including a two-hour boat tour of the world’s largest water village, plus various city tours, while the states making up Malaysian Borneo – including Sabah and Sarawak – are just across the border.
Texas, USA
It’s a leg numbing 17 hours from Dallas Fort-Worth to Sydney but break your journey in Texas and you’ll get to say you’ve been on one of the world’s longest flights and get a taste of cowboy country too. The airport itself is around half an hour from either Fort Worth or Dallas – depending whether you fancy the National Cowgirl Museum or exploring the Arts District.
What you waiting for? Start searching for flights to Australia – via somewhere equally amazing, of course…
