WHILE the idea of white sand beaches and hot weather can be tempting, they can often come with a downside – the jet lag.
But long haul doesn’t have to be stressful, nor expensive.
In fact, you can book a luxurious long haul holiday for much less than you think with these underrated destinations.
We’ve rounded up our top 5 long haul destinations to book for 2026 – with everything from penguin beaches to lavish beach clubs.
Zanzibar, Tanzania
If you’re dreaming of sugar-white beaches, turquoise waters and palm tree-lined sunsets, Zanzibar is your new best friend.
The region in Tanzania makes for a heavenly beach holiday – without the price tag of the Maldives or Mauritius.
You can laze on luxurious beaches with glass waters like Kendwa or Bwejuu Beach, explore the historic Stone Town, or even meet giant tortoises on Changuu Island.
Direct flights from the UK mean that you can swap British cold drizzly weather for island paradise in under ten hours.
Plus, Zanzibar is only three hours ahead of UK time – meaning that you can enjoy your time away without wasting your days catching up on sleep.
In fact, this tropical archipelago in the Indian Ocean makes for one of the most affordable luxury-style holidays.
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TUI have some affordable all-inclusive options, with a 7-night stay at the 5-star LUX* Marijani Zanzibar from £1,319 per person.
It’s the kind of exotic escape you’ll want to experience yourself before everyone else catches on.
Cape Verde
If you want long-haul vibes without a hugely long-haul flight, Cape Verde nails it.
It’s a six hour flight from the UK to Cape Verde, and the islands are only one hour ahead of GMT.
Cape Verde is known for its sweeping golden sands and dramatic volcano backdrops.
Days melt away with ocean dips, rum cocktails and beachside barbeques.
And if you’re into something more energetic, there’s plenty of kite surfing, scuba diving and sandboarding spots dotted around the islands.
Spend your days dolphin-spotting, snorkelling, or exploring the Blue Eye of Buracona for neon blue water that doesn’t look real.
Sal is the go-to spot for beach bars, swimming bays and watersports galore.
Whilst laid back Boa Vista and Maio are where you’ll find chilled all-inclusive resorts.
Long-haul flights to Cape Verde are pretty affordable – with easyJet offering return flights from £130.
Doha, Qatar
If you’re looking for 5-star style hospitality without blowing your holiday budget, Qatar is the ultimate choice.
Just over 6 hours from the UK, this Middle Eastern hotspot has skyscraper cityscapes and glam hotels at a price that’ll make you do a double-take.
There’s sleek beach clubs like Bagatelle and Doha Sands if you want to live out your best life on Instagram.
Or there’s desert safaris, quad-biking and camel rides from £17 on sites like Get Your Guide.
Mornings here are best spent wandering the souks for traditional souvenirs, and evenings are for dining under the glittering skyline.
But the best part are the luxury-feel hotels that come with signature Qatari hospitality, for prices that won’t dent your bank account like in Dubai.
Loveholidays stay at Hampton By Hilton Doha Old Town for £499 per person for 7 nights – with flights, hotel and breakfast included.
Cape Town, South Africa
Picture an affordable long-haul getaway and Cape Town might not immediately come to mind – but this iconic city will seriously surprise you.
Once you land from the 11 hour flight, Cape Town is only 2 hours ahead of time from the UK.
And the South African city is packed with affordable things to do.
You can pack your days with activities like hiking Table Mountain or penguin-spotting at Boulders Beach.
Plus the Malay neighbourhood Bo-Kaap is well worth a visit with its cobbled streets, colourful houses and mountain backdrop.
At dinner time, take your pick from fine-dining Waterfront restaurants that won’t break the bank, and sip on world-class wine for the price of a latte in London.
Lastminute.com offer a 6-night stay at Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel in Cape Town from £925pp inc. flights.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Egypt‘s Sharm El Sheikh is one of the greats when it comes to affordable long-haul all inclusives.
Sharm El Sheikh is only 2 hours ahead of GMT, meaning that you’ll get the far-flung holiday feel without the jet lag.
Just over five hours from the UK, this Red Sea resort city offers year-round sun, warm waters and impressive hotels.
Think palm-lined pools, private beaches and spa days that feel 5-star for the price of a short-haul stay.
And if you can drag yourself away from your poolside lounger, there’s reef snorkelling, lantern-lit markets and plenty of boat rides to enjoy.
Naama Bay is lively with bars and waterfront buzz, whilst Habada and Sharks Bay offer calmer stays with powder-soft sands on your doorstep.
On The Beach offers a week’s holiday at the family-friendly, 5-star rated Parrotel Lagoon Resort in Sharm El Sheikh for £460 per person.