Best Stopover Cities Between the UK and Australia or New Zealand (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026. Airline schedules, routes, stopover offers and entry requirements can change. Check the latest official information before booking and again before you travel.

For most UK travellers heading to Australia or New Zealand, choosing where to stop matters almost as much as choosing the airline. Your connecting city affects the total journey time, the number of flights, the destinations you can reach and whether you can turn a long journey into a short city break.

Singapore, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok are among the main hubs worth comparing. Perth is another option for Australia because of its London connection with Qantas. For New Zealand, you can also consider routings through North America.

There is no single best stopover for every itinerary. The right choice depends on your UK departure airport, your final destination, your travel dates and whether you want a quick connection or several nights in another city.

To compare the airlines themselves, see our Qatar vs Emirates vs Singapore Airlines business class comparison.

What Is the Best Stopover Between the UK and Australia?

Quick answer: Singapore is a strong all-round option, thanks to its connections to Australia and New Zealand and its appeal as a place to stay. Dubai and Doha are worth comparing if you want a wide choice of UK departure airports. Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok can also work well, depending on your destination and preferred schedule.

Before choosing a hub, consider four things:

• Where are you flying from? London offers the widest choice of long-haul itineraries. If you are starting in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow or elsewhere, compare the complete journey rather than assuming you need to travel to Heathrow first.
• Where are you going? Onward connections vary. A route that works well for Sydney may be less convenient for Adelaide, Cairns or Christchurch.
• How do you want to split the journey? Routes through Gulf hubs generally pair a shorter first flight with a longer sector to Australia or New Zealand. Routes through Asian hubs often involve a longer first flight and a shorter onward leg.
• Do you want a transit or a proper stopover? A short connection prioritises speed. Staying overnight or for several days gives you time to explore another city, but it lengthens the overall journey and may add hotel and transport costs.

UK to Australia and New Zealand Stopover Cities Compared

Use this table as a starting point, not a substitute for a live flight search. Airlines can change routes, operating days, aircraft and schedules, so confirm that the complete itinerary is available for your dates before you decide.

Singapore: A Strong All-Round Stopover

Quick answer: Singapore is worth considering if you want a well-connected hub with plenty to do during a stopover. Singapore Airlines links the UK with Singapore and serves a range of Australian and New Zealand destinations from there. Qantas also operates a London–Sydney service via Singapore.

The main advantage is flexibility. Depending on your final destination and dates, you may be able to find an itinerary that avoids an extra connection within Australia or New Zealand.

London–Singapore is a long first sector, followed by a shorter flight to many Australian destinations. That pattern can suit travellers who would rather get most of the long-haul flying done in one stretch.

Singapore is also an easy city for a stopover. You can explore its food scene, waterfront, gardens and neighbourhoods without planning an elaborate itinerary. How long you stay is up to you: a short overnight break feels very different from three or four nights in the city.

Singapore Airlines publishes stopover-related offers and benefits. The inclusions and booking conditions can change, so check the airline’s official offer details before assuming that a hotel, attraction or transport benefit is included in your fare.

British citizens should check the latest Singapore entry requirements before travel. If you are entering Singapore, rather than transiting or transferring without clearing immigration, you will generally need to submit the SG Arrival Card before arrival. Passengers transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance are not required to submit it. Visa arrangements, permitted stays and arrival formalities are separate matters, so consult the official guidance that applies to your circumstances.

For a more detailed comparison, read our guide to Singapore vs Hong Kong, or browse business class flights to Singapore.

Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi: Comparing the Gulf Hubs

Quick answer: Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are worth comparing if their airline networks suit your UK departure airport and your Australian or New Zealand destination. They can offer convenient connections, but the best option depends on the specific itinerary and current operating conditions.

Dubai with Emirates

Emirates connects the UK through Dubai with onward services to major Australian destinations. It also offers connections to Auckland, as well as itineraries to other destinations across its network.

If you want to break up the journey, Emirates promotes Dubai stopover packages. What is available, and what is included, depends on your booking and the applicable terms. Check the current offer rather than assuming that accommodation, a visa or transfers will be included automatically.

Dubai can suit travellers looking for a modern city break, with shopping, restaurants and major attractions. It can also be a practical choice when the flight times fit well with the rest of the journey.

Even so, compare the total travel time, connection length and onward flight before choosing Dubai simply because the first sector is shorter.

Doha with Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways flies from the UK through Doha and offers connections to major Australian destinations. Onward options depend on the route and travel date, so confirm the complete itinerary when you search.

Qatar Airways also promotes hotel packages through its stopover programme, which is run by Discover Qatar. Its published stopover terms specify a minimum transit time of 12 hours in Doha for confirmed Qatar Airways and codeshare ticket holders. All stopover bookings are subject to availability, a valid visa may be required to enter Qatar, and entry is at the discretion of the immigration authorities. Hotel options and prices can also vary, so read the full conditions before building a trip around a particular offer.

Doha is worth comparing with Dubai if you are considering a Gulf connection. The better option may simply be the one with the more convenient departure time, the shorter overall journey or the better connection to your final destination.

Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways

Etihad connects the UK through Abu Dhabi and offers onward services to selected Australian destinations. Check the operating schedule for your dates rather than relying on a general route list.

Etihad runs an Abu Dhabi stopover programme for passengers who book a return Etihad flight connecting in Abu Dhabi. Eligible travellers may qualify for up to two complimentary hotel nights at selected hotels in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain. The offer is not available to every passenger. Hotel availability and the programme terms apply, and Etihad states that flights booked through a travel agent are not eligible, so the booking channel matters. You will also need a pre-arranged UAE visa or be eligible for a visa on arrival.

Confirm your eligibility and the current conditions before counting on a complimentary hotel stay in your travel budget.

Abu Dhabi can be an attractive alternative if the schedule and destination fit. Compare it with Dubai and Doha on the full itinerary, not just the first flight.

Check Current Operating Conditions

Airline schedules and regional travel conditions can change, and the Middle East in particular has experienced periods of disruption. The UK government’s travel advice for the UAE and travel advice for Qatar both describe the regional context as unpredictable and warn that flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption are possible.

Before booking a Gulf connection, review the latest official guidance and your airline’s operational updates. Check both again before departure, particularly if your itinerary has tight connections or depends on a specific route operating as scheduled.

If you would rather avoid a Gulf connection, compare options through Asian hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. These may involve different flight times, prices and connection arrangements.

Hong Kong: An Alternative for Australia and New Zealand

Quick answer: Hong Kong is worth considering if Cathay Pacific’s schedule suits your destination. The hub offers onward connections to several Australian cities and Auckland, although some New Zealand and Australian services may operate seasonally.

A Hong Kong connection splits the journey differently from a Gulf routing. Whether that helps depends on your preferred departure time, connection length and final destination.

The city itself makes a stopover appealing. You can explore its waterfront, markets, food scene and neighbourhoods, with as much or as little sightseeing as your stay allows.

Cathay Pacific has offered stopover-related arrangements and partner deals. Confirm the current booking options, permitted stopover length and eligibility before making plans around a particular hotel or experience.

Seasonal routes need particular care. A destination on an airline’s route map does not necessarily have a nonstop flight every day or all year round. Cathay Pacific has announced seasonal Hong Kong–Christchurch and Hong Kong–Adelaide services for part of the 2026/27 season, but seasonal services operate only during specified periods and schedules can change. Confirm the exact dates and current availability directly with the airline or through the airport’s published timetable before building your itinerary around a particular route.

British citizens can generally visit Hong Kong for up to six months without a visa, subject to the applicable entry requirements. Check the UK government’s Hong Kong entry guidance before travelling.

To compare available itineraries, see business class flights to Hong Kong.

Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok: Two More Hubs to Compare

Quick answer: Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok are useful alternatives when their schedules and onward connections suit your dates. Compare the whole journey before deciding that either is more convenient or better value.

Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines connects London with Kuala Lumpur and offers onward services to a number of Australian destinations and Auckland. The best route depends on the operating schedule and your final destination.

Kuala Lumpur may appeal if you want to spend a few days in another city before continuing to Australia or New Zealand. When comparing a stopover with a straightforward connection, include accommodation, airport transfers and any other extra costs.

Do not assume that an airline-run stopover package is available. Confirm any current offer directly with the airline, or plan the stay independently.

Explore business class flights to Kuala Lumpur.

Bangkok with Thai Airways

Bangkok is another hub to consider for itineraries between London and Australia. Whether it suits you depends on your travel dates, onward destination and the connections available.

If you plan to stay for a night or longer, weigh the cost of accommodation and transport against the benefit of breaking up the journey. Check, too, that your ticket permits the stopover you want and that your entry arrangements allow you to leave the airport.

For both Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, use current airline schedules to confirm routes and operating days before booking.

Perth: A Nonstop Gateway to Australia

Perth deserves separate consideration because Qantas operates a nonstop London–Perth service. If your destination is Perth or Western Australia, flying straight there may be simpler than connecting through another international hub.

If you are travelling on to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or another Australian city, compare the cost and timing of a domestic connection from Perth with other international itineraries.

Perth can also work as a genuine stopover within Australia. A few days in Western Australia may fit naturally into a longer holiday before you continue east.

Take care when comparing outbound and return schedules. Services may operate differently in each direction, and temporary changes can affect the routing. Check the current Qantas timetable for your travel dates rather than assuming the return flight follows the same pattern as the outbound one.

Our guide to London to Perth nonstop vs one-stop explains the main considerations.

Best Stopover on the Way to New Zealand

Quick answer: Singapore and Dubai are both worth comparing for Auckland because each offers onward connections. Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur may also suit particular itineraries. For Christchurch, check the available services carefully, especially where a route is seasonal or needs a further connection.

Singapore

Singapore Airlines offers connections from Singapore to Auckland and Christchurch. Check the schedule for your dates and compare the complete itinerary, including any onward travel within New Zealand.

Dubai

Emirates offers a Dubai–Auckland service. For Christchurch and other destinations, your itinerary may involve an additional connection. Compare the total journey time rather than assuming the most obvious hub gives you the simplest route.

Doha

Qatar Airways offers connections to New Zealand, but the routing can depend on the current schedule. If an itinerary transits another country, confirm whether you need to meet that country’s entry or transit requirements. Do not assume that a connection sold as one journey removes every visa requirement.

Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur

Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines are worth comparing for Auckland, subject to their schedules. Christchurch options may be more limited or seasonal, so check the exact route before choosing a stopover.

North America

Routing via North America may suit travellers who want to fly west or combine destinations. However, it can mean a longer overall journey and additional immigration or transit requirements.

If you connect through the United States or Canada, for example, check the entry or transit authorisation rules that apply to your nationality and circumstances. Do this before booking, even if you plan to stay in the airport.

New Zealand Entry Requirements

The rules for New Zealand depend on whether you are visiting or only transiting. Eligible UK passport holders visiting New Zealand can generally travel on an NZeTA rather than applying for a visa first, and may be allowed to stay for up to six months at a time. Entry is still granted at the border, and you must meet the requirements that apply to you.

Transit rules are different. Auckland International Airport is the only New Zealand airport with a transit area, and transit passengers must stay in that area for no longer than 24 hours. If your journey takes you through any other New Zealand airport, or you need to leave the airport, you will be treated as visiting rather than transiting.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy applies only where relevant. It is charged with most NZeTAs and many visitor visas, but not, for example, to transit passengers arriving at and leaving from Auckland International Airport. Check the official New Zealand rules for your own circumstances before departure.

For a broader airline comparison, read our guide to the best airline to fly business class to New Zealand from the UK, or browse business class flights to Auckland.

Transit or Overnight Stopover?

A short transit is usually the better choice if your priority is reaching Australia or New Zealand as quickly as possible. An overnight or multi-night stopover takes longer, but it gives you the chance to rest and explore somewhere new.

A Straight Transit May Suit You If:

• You need to arrive by a particular date.
• You want to keep the total journey time to a minimum.
• You would rather avoid the extra cost of hotels and local transport.
• Your connection leaves enough time to transfer comfortably.

A Longer Stopover May Suit You If:

• You find a journey of more than 20 hours tiring, even in business class.
• You want to explore another destination along the way.
• Your holiday has enough flexibility for extra travel days.
• The stopover city is somewhere you genuinely want to visit.

Practical Points Before You Book

• Keep the itinerary on one ticket where practical. A through-ticketed journey may give you better protection if a delay causes you to miss a connection, subject to the ticket conditions and the airline’s rules. With separate tickets, you may have to arrange and pay for a replacement flight yourself if something goes wrong.
• Check the connection and stopover rules. Remaining airside during a transit is different from a stopover that requires you to pass through immigration. Check the relevant entry requirements before making plans.
• Confirm baggage arrangements. On some itineraries, baggage may be checked through to your final destination, but arrangements vary. If you are staying overnight, confirm where your checked bags will go and what you can access during the stopover.
• Read the airline’s stopover terms. A hotel promotion may come with minimum transit times, booking-channel restrictions or other eligibility rules. Not every passenger qualifies.
• Compare the full cost. A cheaper fare can look less attractive once you add a hotel, meals, airport transfers and extra travel days. On the other hand, a stopover can be good value if you already want to visit that city.
• Check the business class cabin on every sector. If you are paying for business class, check the aircraft and seat on each flight. The experience can differ between sectors, even when the whole itinerary is sold under one airline’s name.

How to Choose the Right Stopover

Choose Singapore if you want a strong all-round option with connections to a broad range of Australian and New Zealand destinations, plus the chance to explore a compact, easy-to-navigate city.

Choose Dubai or Doha if the schedules suit your UK departure airport and final destination. Compare the total journey time, connection arrangements and current operating conditions before deciding.

Consider Abu Dhabi if Etihad’s route and timetable fit your trip, and check whether your booking meets the conditions of its current stopover offer.

Choose Hong Kong if its schedule suits your Australian or New Zealand destination, particularly once you have checked any seasonal services.

Compare Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok if their schedules, prices or appeal as places to stay make them attractive alternatives.

Consider Perth if you are heading to Western Australia or want to compare a nonstop arrival with an itinerary that connects elsewhere in Australia.

Explore North America carefully if you are travelling to New Zealand and prefer a westbound route. Factor in the total journey time and every relevant transit requirement.

If certainty of travel matters most to you, pay close attention to the current schedule, connection time and official travel advice. No hub is automatically the best choice for every date.

Our Verdict

There is no universally best stopover between the UK and Australia or New Zealand. Singapore is a strong starting point for many travellers, thanks to its onward connections and appeal as a city break. Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi can be practical alternatives when their schedules suit the journey. Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok also deserve a look, while Perth offers a different approach if you are heading to Australia.

The best decision comes from comparing the whole itinerary: your departure airport, destination, total travel time, connection arrangements, cabin on each sector and the cost of any extra nights.

For more guidance, read our guide to business class to Australia from the UK.

If you would like help comparing routes, stopover lengths and schedules for your dates, send us your trip details.