ABOUT THIS GUIDE
- Patrick Hughes | Ireland-based flight reviewer | 200+ flights reviewed since 2006
- Australia experience: 5 visits (2010, 2017, plus Dec/Jan, May, Sept trips)
- Flown: Cathay Pacific HKG route, Qantas Perth direct, AirNZ LAX-AUK-SYD + researched all major Middle East options
- Family uses Qatar DUB-DOH-SYD regularly
Pricing: Quick Guide (UK Departures)
Route
Current Price Range (Jan 2026)
Airlines
Time
Direct LHR-PER
£1,200-£1,800
Qantas
17h
Dubai (DXB)
£700-£1,100
Emirates/BA
20-24h
Singapore (SIN)
£750-£1,200
SIA/BA
22-26h
Doha (DOH)
£650-£1,000
Qatar (DUB direct for Ireland)
21-25h
Pricing: Quick Guide to Ireland Departures
Airport
Best Option
Price
Time
Dublin (DUB)
Qatar DOH
€650+
22h
Cork/Shannon
Emirates DXB (1-stop)
€1,000+
24h+
The Main Stopover Routes
Stopover City
Airlines
Price Range
Journey Time
Best For
Dubai
Emirates, British Airways
£480-£800
20-24 hours
Most travelers
Singapore
Singapore Airlines, BA
£500-£850
22-26 hours
Premium experience
Doha
Qatar Airways
£490-£750
21-25 hours
Irish departures
Bangkok
Thai Airways, EVA Air
£480-£700
25-28 hours
Budget + culture
Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific
£520-£800
24-26 hours
Asian food lovers
What’s the best way to fly to Australia from the UK or Ireland in 2026? After five trips Down Under since 2010, including what I thought would be the “perfect” jetlag-beating Perth direct route in February 2017, here’s my honest answer: it depends entirely on whether you value time over money, and crucially, how long you’re staying.
For most of us, making a connection in Dubai, Singapore, or Doha combines better pricing with the option to properly break the journey. I learned this the hard way. Despite flying the Qantas Perth direct specifically to reduce jetlag (after a brutal week-long adjustment on my 2010 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong routing), I still felt wrecked for days. What actually works better? Taking 2-3 days in Singapore or the Middle East en route to properly reset your body clock. Australia deserves more than a two-week turnaround anyway.
The good news is that prices have dropped significantly since my first trip in 2010, when I paid £3,000 for Cathay Pacific business class London-Hong Kong-Sydney. Return flights now start from around £650 in May 2026, though you’ll be looking at longer layovers for that price. Expect at least £1,000 for late 2026 travel.
Direct Flights: The Qantas Monopoly
A Qantas Dreamliner
There’s still only one direct flight from the UK to Australia, and it’s eye-wateringly expensive. Qantas flies from London Heathrow to Perth daily, taking around 17 hours to cover the 14,500km journey. I took that flight in February 2017 on a month-long personal holiday, specifically choosing it over my previous Hong Kong stopover route because I’d spent more than a week battling jetlag on that 2010 trip.
Did the Perth direct reduce jetlag? Yes, somewhat. Was it worth the premium I paid? Honestly, probably not, especially since I booked too close to departure (about a month out) and likely overpaid as a result. If I’d booked 2-3 months ahead, I reckon I could’ve saved £200-300.
Patrick’s Take: Qantas knows they have a monopoly on this route and prices accordingly. Rather than adding capacity to meet demand, they’ve simply cranked up the fares. It feels punitive, even if the business reality is more complex. You can read my full QF10 review here.
What About Project Sunrise?
Qantas was supposed to launch Project Sunrise (direct flights from London to Sydney) by early 2026, but there’s no sign of them yet. The target has shifted to late 2026. As someone who’s flown the Perth route, would I pay the inevitable premium for Sydney direct? Probably yes, but only because I review flights professionally. If I weren’t writing about it, I’d absolutely take the stopover option and enjoy a couple of days in Abu Dhabi or Singapore instead.
Qantas LHR-PER Flight Details:
- Route: London Heathrow to Perth
- Flight time: 16 hours 45 minutes
- Frequency: Daily departure
- Price range: £1,200 - £1,800 return
- Best for: Time-conscious fliers, the wealthy, Perth/Western Australia visitors
The Irish Positioning Problem
For Irish passengers wanting the Perth flight, you’ll need a positioning flight to Heathrow. I flew Belfast-Heathrow the evening before my 2017 trip and stayed at the Premier Inn at Terminal 4. I’ve also used the Sofitel ahead of other long-haul flights. Missing that Qantas departure because of a delayed Dublin connection is not a situation you want to find yourself in.
Horror Story: On a completely different Middle East routing to Bangkok, I was coming from the City of London for an evening departure when the Heathrow Express went down unexpectedly. This was just before the Elizabeth Line launched, so getting to the airport via the Tube with everyone else was chaos. I arrived with barely an hour before departure instead of my planned three hours: still made check-in, but had no time for the lounge. That experience taught me: always position the night before for critical long-haul connections.
Stopover Options: Where the Real Value Lives
This is where your options open up dramatically, and frankly, where I now think the smart money is. Stopover flights offer better value, let you experience another destination, and provide more departure choices across the UK and Ireland.
Dubai: The Popular Choice
Emirates has turned Dubai into stopover central. I’ve stopped here multiple times heading to Southeast Asia (stayed at the Crowne Plaza in Dubai Marina), though not specifically en route to Australia. The frequency and connectivity are excellent, particularly for UK regional airports.
Why Dubai works:
- Multiple daily flights from UK cities and Dublin
- Easy visa-free entry for UK/Irish passport holders
- World-class shopping, dining, attractions
- Quality hotel options at various price points
- Easy to rent a car for exploring beyond the city
Recommended stopover length: 2-3 days
Don’t forget to sort out connectivity. An eSIM covering UAE and Australia will save you from bill shock throughout your journey.
Singapore: The Premium Experience
I’ve stopped in Singapore en route to Australia and stayed at the Shangri-La, it’s genuinely one of the best stopover cities for breaking a long journey. Changi Airport is pleasant enough that you could happily spend a long layover there, and the city itself is compact and efficient for a 2-4 day break.
Singapore highlights:
- Top-tier airline and airport experience
- Compact city perfect for short visits with some of the best hotels in the world.
- Incredible food scene
- Excellent public transport (though many prefer car rental for island exploration)
Recommended stopover length: 2-4 days
Doha: The Irish Connection
This is the route my sister and brother use regularly to visit their sons in Sydney and Brisbane. They fly economy from Dublin and have found it generally quite good, it’s the most cost-efficient direct option from Ireland via the Middle East.
I haven’t flown Qatar to Australia specifically, but I did take Doha-Dublin in business class (not the Qsuite, sadly) and found it really good. My siblings mentioned that on their second journey into Sydney, the aircraft seemed to be an older product that wasn’t as comfortable: I’ve read similar reports elsewhere, so it’s worth checking what equipment is scheduled for your specific flight.
Doha advantages:
- Direct flights from Dublin (no London positioning faff)
- Competitive pricing
- Growing route network to Australia
- Enhanced Virgin Australia partnership from June 2025
I’ve stopped in Doha for other trips (stayed at both the DoubleTree and Premier Inn near the airport) and found it perfectly serviceable for a night or two, though it’s not as compelling a stopover destination as Singapore or Dubai.
Hong Kong: My 2010 Route
My first Australia trip in 2010 was Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong. It was business class, cost around £3,000, and left me jetlagged for a week. Hong Kong itself is a brilliant stopover city, but I’d now lean toward the Middle East options for better value and more frequent connections.
The Budget Touchdown Option
Let me be brutally honest about the cheapest options. You can find returns for under £500, but there’s always a catch, usually punishing journey times or multiple stops.
I’m not averse to Chinese carriers generally, but some of the lowest-price routings to Australia involve two layovers or absurdly long connections. I’ve seen China Eastern itineraries clocking in at 40+ hours total journey time. Air India and IndiGo have particularly poor reputations for economy comfort on these ultra-long routes.
My research shows: Pay £50-100 more and you’ll often get a much tighter, more reasonable connection. The absolute cheapest price is rarely worth the time penalty.
Typical budget touchdown routes:
- Via Mumbai (Air India): From £480, but 30+ hour journey times. I wouldn’t recommend it.
- Via Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines): From £520, and Malaysia Airlines is growing on me.
- Via multiple Asian cities: Various Chinese airlines, 25-35 hour total journey
The reality: You’ll save money but pay with comfort and time. Fine if you’re young, budget-conscious, and can sleep anywhere. I’m sad to say I’ve gone past that!
Seasonal Pricing and Booking Strategy
I’ve traveled to Australia in December/January (for Mardi Gras), May, and September. Based on that experience plus ongoing research:
Best Value Months
- May-June: From £650 (Australian winter, lowest demand)
- I found May particularly good: lowest pricing I’ve seen, and crowds were manageable once outside Sydney/Melbourne city centres
- September: From £700 (shoulder season)
- February-March: From £700 (end of Australian summer)
- I flew in February 2017 and found it busy but not overwhelming
Expensive Periods
- December-January: £1,000+ (Australian summer peak)
- I’ve traveled in Jan: crowds in Sydney/Melbourne were significant, but manageable once you leave the central city areas to head to the Blue Mountains or 12 Apostles.
- July-August: £850+ (UK summer holidays)
- Easter period: £750+ (school holidays)
Booking Timeline Strategy
- Sweet spot: 8-12 weeks ahead
- When I booked my Perth flight just a month out, I definitely overpaid. Book earlier if possible.
- BUT…. for peak season: Book 4-5 months ahead
- Last-minute deals: Possible 2-3 weeks out in shoulder seasons but don’t bank on it
- Day of week: Tuesday/Wednesday departures typically cheapest
Other Departure Options (including regional UK)
One major advantage of stopover flights is escaping the Heathrow monopoly. That’s something I prioritise as an Ireland-based flier.
Dublin
- Qatar Airways: Direct to Doha, excellent Australia and New Zealand connections (my family’s choice)
- Emirates: Direct to Dubai, great connections to ANZ
- Etihad: newer to me (I’m testing Economy out of Dublin in 2026 via Abu Dhabi)
- Turkish Airlines: requires two stops (Istanbul and another SE Asia).
Manchester
- Emirates: Direct to Dubai
- Qatar Airways: Direct to Doha
- Turkish Airlines: Via Istanbul (but requires two stops)
Birmingham/Edinburgh
- Emirates: Direct to Dubai and connects to Australia/New Zealand
- Turkish Airlines: Via Istanbul (but requires two stops)
Getting Around Australia
Australia’s scale means domestic transport planning is crucial. Car rental often provides the best value and flexibility, particularly for exploring beyond major cities.
Essential Car Rental Regions
Perth & Western Australia
- Perth car rental essential for Pinnacles, Margaret River, coastal drives
- Distances are vast, public transport limited outside Perth city
Melbourne & Victoria
- Melbourne car rental crucial for Great Ocean Road
- One of the world’s great coastal drives, impossible to appreciate properly by tour bus
Sydney & NSW
- Sydney car rental useful for Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley
- City itself has excellent public transport
Practical Preparation Checklist
Getting ready for Australia and New Zealand involves more than just booking flights. Here’s what always catches people out:
Essential Requirements
- Visa: ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) required, apply online
- Passport: Minimum 6 months validity remaining
- Travel insurance: Often required for visa approval
Connectivity Solutions
- Get an eSIM covering stopover destinations and Australia/New Zealand
- Download offline maps before departure
- Consider roaming costs - they can be brutal
Accommodation Strategy
- Book stopover city hotels in advance, especially peak seasons
- Australia & NZ accommodation - book first few nights minimum
- Consider location carefully - Australian cities are sprawling
What’s New for 2026
Several developments are reshaping the UK-Australia flight landscape, one of which I’ve already mentioned (Project Sunrise):
Route Developments:
- Project Sunrise: Qantas London-Sydney direct flights now targeting late 2026 (repeatedly delayed)
- Virgin Australia/Qatar Airways partnership: Expanding from June 2025 onwards: good news for my family’s Dublin-Sydney route
- Increased Middle East capacity: Particularly Etihad from Dublin
Airport Changes:
- Western Sydney Airport: Opening 2026, should increase competition
- Enhanced facilities at major stopover hubs
The Bottom Line
After five Australia trips using different routes (Cathay via Hong Kong in 2010, Qantas Perth direct in 2017, plus visits in May, September, and December/January), here’s what I’ve learned:
For most travelers: A Middle East or Singapore stopover combines better pricing with a chance to properly break the journey and reset your body clock. That 2-3 day stopover genuinely helps more than shaving a few hours off total flight time.
For Irish travelers: Direct from Dublin to Doha/Dubai/Abu Dhabi beats positioning to London every time. My family uses Qatar and I’m increasingly convinced Etihad is the one to watch.
If money’s no object and you’re Perth-bound: The Qantas direct flight is unbeatable for convenience, though outrageously expensive.
Avoid the absolute cheapest routes with multiple stops or 30+ hour journey times unless you’re truly budget-constrained. That £50 saving isn’t worth the misery.
Whatever route you choose, Australia rewards the effort every single time. I’ve racked up five visits and I’m already planning number six. The country delivers.
Safe travels, and enjoy every moment Down Under.
Planning your stopover city? Read my next article: the top places to stopover en route to Australia or New Zealand.