Bali, Thailand, Japan, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific Holidays from the UK — Complete Travel Guide 2026

August 3, 2026 George 0 Comments

Asia-Pacific remains the most sought-after long-haul holiday region for British travellers — Bali’s rice terraces and beach clubs, Thailand’s temples and street food, Japan’s ancient culture and bullet trains, Hawaii’s volcanic landscapes, and the beaches of the Philippines and Malaysia draw millions of UK visitors every year. This guide covers everything British travellers need to plan an Asia-Pacific holiday: flight times and routes from London, best times to visit, approximate costs in pounds, visa requirements, and the top reasons each destination belongs on your travel list.

For Porto city breaks, Africa safari holidays, Kathmandu flights, Mexico, Brazil, USA road trips, and European city breaks from the UK, see our article on Porto, Safari, Kathmandu, Mexico, and city breaks from the UK.

Bali Holidays from the UK — Complete Guide

Bali is consistently one of the most popular long-haul holiday destinations for British travellers, offering a compelling combination of tropical beaches, ancient Hindu temples, terraced rice paddies, world-class surf, vibrant food scene, and outstanding value for money. Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu, and Nusa Dua each offer a distinct Bali experience — from spiritual retreats to beach clubs to surf breaks.

London to Bali Flights — What to Expect

Route Detail	Information	Notes
Departure airport	London Heathrow (LHR)	Most flights to Bali (DPS) depart from LHR
Flight time	Approximately 15-17 hours	Depending on connection and stopover length
Direct flights	No direct London to Bali	All flights require at least one stop
Common stopovers	Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Kuala Lumpur	Singapore (SIA) and Dubai (Emirates) most popular
Budget return (economy)	From approximately £500-700	Book 4-6 months ahead for best fares
Mid-range return	£700-1,200	Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways

Best Time to Visit Bali

Dry season (April-October): Best time for beaches and outdoor activities — low humidity, clear skies, good surf on the west coast (Uluwatu, Canggu)
Peak season (July-August): Most crowded and expensive — book flights and accommodation well in advance
Shoulder season (April-June, September-October): Excellent conditions with fewer crowds and better prices
Wet season (November-March): Cheaper prices and fewer tourists — sporadic rain that usually clears quickly; still very warm

Bali Holiday Highlights for British Travellers

Ubud: Spiritual centre of Bali — Monkey Forest, rice terrace walks, traditional dance performances, cooking classes
Seminyak and Canggu: Bali’s trendiest beach areas — beach clubs (Ku De Ta, Finns, Atlas), boutique hotels, excellent restaurants
Uluwatu: Clifftop temple and world-class surf breaks — Kecak fire dance at sunset
Nusa Dua: Luxury resort area with calm lagoon beaches — ideal for families
Mount Batur: Pre-dawn volcano hike for sunrise views — one of Bali’s most memorable experiences
Tegallalang Rice Terraces: UNESCO-listed terraced rice paddies near Ubud

Visa Requirements for Bali — British Travellers

British passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali. The VOA costs IDR 500,000 (approximately £25) and allows a 30-day stay, extendable once for a further 30 days. Alternatively, an e-visa can be obtained in advance through the Indonesian government website. Ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity beyond your travel dates.

Thailand Flights and Holidays from the UK

Thailand remains one of Britain’s most beloved long-haul holiday destinations — consistently in the top five most popular long-haul destinations for UK travellers. The combination of tropical beaches, ancient Buddhist temples, extraordinary street food, warm hospitality, and exceptional value makes Thailand compelling for every type of traveller.

London to Thailand Flights

Route Detail	Information	Notes
Main destination	Bangkok (BKK/DMK)	Suvarnabhumi (BKK) is the main international airport
Flight time to Bangkok	Approximately 11-12 hours	Some direct options available
Direct flights	Yes — some direct options	Thai Airways, British Airways occasionally
Via connection	Most flights connect	Via Dubai, Doha, Singapore, or Abu Dhabi
Budget return from UK	From approximately £400-600	Book 3-6 months ahead
Islands	Fly to Phuket (HKT), Koh Samui (USM), or ferry from Bangkok

Best Time to Visit Thailand

Cool season (November-February): Best overall — pleasant temperatures (25-30°C), low humidity, minimal rain; peak season for most of Thailand
Hot season (March-May): Very hot (35°C+) but manageable; good for the south and islands
Wet season (June-October): Monsoon — cheaper prices and dramatic scenery; avoid west coast (Phuket, Krabi) during peak monsoon (May-October); Koh Samui’s wet season is October-December

Top Thailand Destinations for UK Travellers

Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Sukhumvit nightlife, rooftop bars
Chiang Mai: Northern Thailand’s cultural capital — temples, elephant sanctuaries, night markets, hill tribe trekking
Phuket: Thailand’s largest island — Patong Beach, Phi Phi Islands day trips, luxury resorts
Krabi: Dramatic limestone karsts — Railay Beach (accessible only by boat), rock climbing, snorkelling
Koh Samui: Upmarket island — luxury resorts, Full Moon Party nearby on Koh Phangan

Japan Holidays from the UK

Japan has surged to the top of British bucket lists in recent years — and for excellent reasons. A Japan holiday from the UK offers a genuinely unique cultural experience unlike any other: the blend of ultra-modern technology with centuries-old tradition, extraordinary food culture, impeccable service, and stunning natural scenery from cherry blossoms to mountain onsen.

Flights to Japan from the UK

Flight time London to Tokyo: Approximately 11-12 hours direct (Japan Airlines, British Airways, All Nippon Airways direct from Heathrow)
Japan main airports: Tokyo Narita (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) — Haneda is closer to central Tokyo
Return fares: From approximately £600-900 economy; business class from £2,000+
Best booking window: 3-6 months ahead for peak cherry blossom season (late March-April); book earlier for November autumn colour season

Best Time to Visit Japan

Cherry blossom season (late March-April): Japan’s most popular travel time — extraordinarily beautiful but very crowded; book everything months in advance
Autumn (mid-October-mid-November): Stunning maple foliage; comfortable temperatures; slightly fewer crowds than spring
Summer (June-August): Hot and humid in cities; rainy season in June-July; excellent for mountain regions and Hokkaido
Winter (December-February): Snow in many regions — Hokkaido skiing, onsen bathing; Tokyo quieter and colder

Top Japan Experiences for British Travellers

Tokyo: Shibuya crossing, Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, teamLab digital art museums, Tsukiji outer market, Shinjuku
Kyoto: Fushimi Inari shrine (thousands of torii gates), Arashiyama bamboo grove, Geisha district Gion
Osaka: Best food city in Japan — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen; Dotonbori entertainment district
Hiroshima and Miyajima: Peace Memorial Park; the floating torii gate at Itsukushima
Hokkaido: Skiing at Niseko (world-class powder snow); Sapporo’s food and beer scene
Japan Rail Pass: Essential for travelling between cities — buy before leaving the UK

Hawaii Holidays from the UK

Hawaii is one of the more distant long-haul destinations for British travellers — but one of the most spectacular. The American state’s volcanic landscapes, world-class surfing, marine life, and laid-back aloha culture make it genuinely unlike anywhere else. Hawaii is technically a domestic US destination for Americans but a classic long-haul for UK travellers.

Flights to Hawaii from the UK

Route Detail	Information	Notes
Main island airport	Honolulu, Oahu (HNL)	Most direct flights land at Honolulu
Flight time from UK	Approximately 16-18 hours	All require at least one connection
Common connections	Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO)	Connect at a US West Coast hub
Budget return	From approximately £700-1,000	Book 4-6 months ahead
Inter-island flights	Hawaiian Airlines	Short flights between islands (30-60 min)

Best Hawaiian Islands for British Travellers

Oahu: Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, North Shore surfing — most tourist infrastructure
Maui: Road to Hana, Haleakala volcano sunrise, whale watching (December-April), luxurious resorts
Big Island (Hawaii): Active volcanoes at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, black sand beaches, manta ray night dives
Kauai: The most dramatic scenery — Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, helicopter tours

Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore Holidays from the UK

Malaysia Holidays

Malaysia is an underrated destination for British travellers — it offers outstanding diversity: the modern skyscrapers and street food of Kuala Lumpur, the UNESCO-listed George Town in Penang, the colonial heritage of Melaka, and some of Asia’s finest diving at Sipadan. Malaysian Airlines and partner airlines fly direct or via connection from London. Return fares start from approximately £450-700. Malaysia requires no visa for British passport holders for stays of up to 90 days.

Philippines Holidays

The Philippines offers some of Southeast Asia’s most spectacular island scenery — the rice terraces of Banaue, the chocolate hills of Bohol, the pristine beaches of Palawan (El Nido and Coron are consistently rated among the world’s best), and the vibrant capital Manila. Flight time from London is approximately 14-16 hours via a connection in the Middle East or Singapore. Return fares start from approximately £550-800. No visa is required for British passport holders for stays up to 30 days.

Singapore Holidays

Singapore makes an excellent base for an Asian holiday — it is one of the world’s most connected air hubs with immaculate infrastructure, extraordinary food, Gardens by the Bay, the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the legendary hawker centres. Singapore Airlines operates non-stop flights from Heathrow (approximately 12 hours 45 minutes), widely considered among the best long-haul flying experiences available. Singapore is also a popular stopover on the way to Bali, Thailand, or Australia. No visa is required for British passport holders.

Australia Holidays from the UK

A holiday to Australia from the UK is the quintessential long-haul trip — approximately 21-24 hours of flying (the world’s longest commercial flight, Perth to London on Qantas, takes 17 hours nonstop). Most British travellers fly via Singapore, Dubai, or Hong Kong. The east coast route — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Great Barrier Reef, and Cairns — is the most popular itinerary. Return economy fares from the UK to Australia start from approximately £700-1,100. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa is required and can be obtained online in minutes for a small fee. Best time to visit depends on the region — Australia’s seasons are reversed from the UK, making December-February summer and June-August winter.

For Porto, Africa safari, Kathmandu Nepal flights, Mexico, Brazil, Caribbean, USA road trips, and European city breaks from the UK, see our article on Porto, Africa safari, Kathmandu, Mexico, USA road trip, and city breaks from the UK.

For official FCO travel advice and entry requirements for all destinations, see UK Government Foreign Travel Advice — gov.uk. For flight comparison and booking, see Skyscanner — compare flights from the UK.

For more UK lifestyle and travel guides, see our UK lifestyle and travel section on MetroInsight.

Cheap Long-Haul Holidays from the UK — Getting the Best Value to Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is one of the most rewarding long-haul holiday regions for British travellers in terms of value for money — the combination of a relatively strong pound against many Asian currencies and the low cost of food, transport, and accommodation once you arrive means your holiday budget goes further than in Western Europe or the USA. For cheap long-haul holidays to Asia-Pacific: Bali and Thailand consistently offer the best value for beach holidays — £1,500-2,500 per person for two weeks including flights, accommodation, food, and activities is realistic if you book in advance and choose mid-range options. Japan is more expensive once you arrive (particularly accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto) but direct flight competition has made airfares more accessible — a 10-day Japan holiday including flights and mid-range accommodation averages £2,500-4,000 per person. Australia is the most expensive Asia-Pacific destination for UK travellers given flight length and the relatively high cost of living. Adventure holidays for adults looking for the best Asia-Pacific value should consider Nepal trekking (covered in our companion guide) or a Thailand island-hopping itinerary combining Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and southern islands — excellent value and enormous variety in 2-3 weeks.

Bottom Line


Best time for Bali	April-October (dry season); peak July-August
London to Bali flight	~15-17 hrs; from £500 return; via Singapore or Dubai
Best time for Thailand	November-February (cool season); avoid west coast June-October
London to Bangkok	~11-12 hrs; some direct flights; from £400 return
Best time for Japan	Late March-April (cherry blossom) or October-November (autumn)
London to Tokyo	~11-12 hrs direct (BA, JAL, ANA); from £600 return
Flights to Hawaii from UK	~16-18 hrs via LA/SF; from £700 return
Visa: Bali	Visa on Arrival — £25, 30 days
Visa: Thailand	30 days visa-free for UK passport holders
Visa: Japan	90 days visa-free for UK passport holders
Visa: Australia	ETA required — apply online

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the flight from London to Bali?

The flight from London to Bali (Ngurah Rai International Airport, DPS) takes approximately 15-17 hours including a stopover — there are no direct flights from London to Bali. The most popular connections are via Singapore (Singapore Airlines, approximately 13 hours 30 minutes total flying) and via Dubai (Emirates, approximately 14 hours 30 minutes total). Total journey time including transit is typically 17-20 hours depending on the stopover length. Book well in advance for the best fares — economy class returns start from approximately £500-700.

What is the best time to visit Bali from the UK?

The best time to visit Bali from the UK is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. The sweet spots are April-June and September-October — you get excellent beach weather without the peak July-August crowds and prices. July and August are Bali’s busiest months when prices are highest and popular areas like Seminyak and Canggu feel very crowded. The wet season (November-March) brings lower prices and fewer tourists — rainfall is typically in heavy but brief afternoon showers, and the rice paddies are at their most lush and green.

Do I need a visa for Japan as a British citizen?

No — British passport holders can visit Japan visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. Japan does not require a tourist visa for UK citizens — you simply arrive, receive an entry stamp, and can stay for up to 90 days. Japan has recently introduced a Japan Tourism Agency registration system for high-season visitors to popular destinations, so check the latest entry requirements before travelling. An e-visa system has been introduced for some circumstances — check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan for current requirements.

How do I fly to Hawaii from the UK?

There are no direct flights from the UK to Hawaii. Most British travellers fly to Honolulu (HNL) or Maui (OGG) via a connection at a US West Coast airport — Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) are the most common connection points. The total journey time from London to Hawaii is approximately 17-20 hours including the connection. Return economy fares start from approximately £700-1,000 when booked 4-6 months in advance. You will need to complete an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) before travel to Hawaii, as it is a US state.