longhaul

WHEN booking a holiday on a budget, it’s easy to think of short-haul as the most affordable option.

But in recent years, the opposite has often proved true as long-haul flights are nearly the same price as short-haul ones from the UK.

Once you factor in that hotels are likely to be cheaper in far-flung destinations than ever-popular European spots, travelling further for your annual break looks increasingly appealing.

So why not branch out in 2026, and pick somewhere you’ve never been before?

Sun Travel has found six long haul destinations to travel to this year, with affordable prices.

Prices were correct at time of publication.

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Toronto, Canada

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to Toronto, the cheapest Sun Travel found was April 20 or 23 from London, costing just £119 for one way.

The return flight would cost you the same if you flew back on April 28, with the round trip setting you back £238.

There is no shortage of hotels in Toronto and the good news is that many are under £100 per night.

For example, you could stay at the four-star Pantages Hotel Downtown Toronto for as little as £71 or the Best Western Parkway Hotel Toronto North from £69.

For those heading to Toronto there is a vast variety of things to do depending on your interests.

Top sights in the city include the CN Tower and Kensington Market – a lively area with vintage shops and independent restaurants.

The city is also the ideal spot to stay in if you want to head to Niagara Falls.

New Delhi, India

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to New Delhi, the cheapest Sun Travel found was March 12 from Manchester, costing just £154 for one way.

The return flight exactly one week later would set you back £153, with the round trip setting you back £307.

A mid-range hotel in New Delhi is likely to set you back around £42 a night.

But there are also three-star hotels available for as little as £8 a night, such as the Hotel Sun International.

For something a little more glamourous, like The Royal Plaza or Radisson Blu, you can expect to pay between £68 and £105 per night.

New Delhi is the ideal destination for those who love a blend of culture and urban life.

The city is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as bustling markets.

For example, you could head to Humayun’s Tomb, which is built out of red sandstone and marble and set in a symmetrical garden inspired by the Taj Mahal.

As for the markets in the city, Chandni Chowk is one of India‘s oldest and busiest markets and is known for specialising in spices and jewellery.

Boston, USA

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to Boston, the cheapest Sun Travel found was for various dates in March, April, May and October from London, costing just £127 for one way.

Returns tend to be between six and eight days after your outbound flight or two weeks after your outbound flight, with prices as low as £126, making a round trip £253.

Admittedly, Boston is a bit more spenny to stay in than the other destinations on this list, with a three-star hotel likely to set you back around £164.

There are some cheaper options like The Verb Hotel, costing around £100 a night or The Bostonian Hotel for £94 a night.

There is even a DoubleTree by Hilton at Boston Bayside costing around £69 a night.

But if you are struggling to find somewhere on a budget, opt to stay in Somerville or Cambridge (where Harvard University is) just outside of Boston.

Both destinations are well worth exploring and hotels, such as a Holiday Inn, can usually be found for around £60 to £80 a night.

Other than exploring the world famous university, make sure to walk the Freedom Trail, which is a 2.5 mile red brick path that connects 16 significant Revolutionary War sites, such as the Old State House and the Paul Revere House.

Cape Town, South Africa

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to Cape Town, the cheapest Sun Travel found was for May 14 from London, costing just £174 for one way.

Returning exactly one week later you can expect to pay another £174, making a round trip £348.

In Cape Town, you can expect to pay around £66 per night for a three-star hotel or £174 for a four-star hotel per night.

For example, the four-star hotel Hawksmoor House would set you back around £95 a night and DoubleTree by Hilton Cape Town would cost you around £111 per night.

The port city’s main attractions include Table Mountain Nature Reserve, which is home to an aerial cableway and the V&A Waterfront – a former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.

Visitors can even catch a glimpse of penguins at Boulders Beach.

Or head to Muizenberg Beach to learn to surf and see pretty, colourful beach huts.

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to Abu Dhabi, the cheapest Sun Travel found was for March 1 from London, costing just £136 for one way.

Returning either five or nine days later and you can expect to pay another £142, making a round trip £278.

Hotel prices in Abu Dhabi vary greatly, but the good news is that the city has a lot of them.

For example, you could stay at the Corinche three-star hotel from £78 a night, or the Novel Hotel in the city centre from £56 a night.

When in the city make sure to explore the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, made from white marble – it is one of the largest mosques in the world and is free to enter.

Abu Dhabi also has its own Louvre, which is home to global artworks.

Of course, there is also Yas Island, which is the ideal destination for families as it features a number of theme parks such as Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld and Warner Bros. World.

Los Angeles, USA

Looking at flights throughout the year from the UK to Los Angeles, the cheapest Sun Travel found was for various dates in January, February and March from London, costing just £160 for one way.

Return prices a week later are similar, but cost as low as £159.

It is worth noting that throughout the year there are flights every month around the £165 to £180 mark, for one way, too.

Of course, Los Angeles isn’t the cheapest of destinations but thanks to its huge size there a plenty of different areas to choose from when it comes to looking for somewhere to stay.

If you don’t mind being in a hostel, then head to Samesun Venice Beach – it costs from £50 a night but is practically on the sand of Venice Beach.

If you would prefer to stay near Hollywood, then head to the Hollywood hotel costing from just £70 a night.

Chain hotels such as Hotel Indigo and DoubleTree by Hilton then can cost as little as between £100 and £130 a night.

Los Angeles is a huge city to explore, with famous spots including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and the Griffith Observatory.

Though the city is known for its high prices, lots can be done on the cheap – it doesn’t cost a penny to walk the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or head to Venice Beach or Santa Monica.

For more holiday inspiration, these are the bucket list 2026 holidays you should go on for every month of the year.

Plus, our top picks for ‘fun under £5’ across all £9.50 Holiday destinations in the UK.

A flight attendant with over five years of experience has shared the ideal seats to book on long-haul flights for maximum comfort – and which rows you should avoid at all costs.

Few experiences test human endurance quite like a marathon economy flight.

Squeezing into those minuscule seats with barely any legroom whilst the journey drags into double-digit hours can push anyone to their limits, yet several strategies can help make the ordeal more bearable.

When embarking on a distant adventure, ensuring your experience is as comfortable as can be is paramount, and industry insiders have shared exactly how to achieve this.

Travel medical insurance specialists at AllClear have collaborated with a seasoned Virgin Atlantic flight attendant to unveil optimal seating choices, areas to steer clear of, and crucially, techniques for snatching some shut-eye during those marathon journeys.

The crew member, boasting over half a decade of flying experience, revealed that nervous flyers should prioritise booking seats positioned above the aircraft’s wings.

They explained: “Seats over the wings usually offer the smoothest ride during turbulence, and the further forward you sit on the aircraft, the less you’ll feel the impact of it.

“Likewise, sitting over the wing is often one of the smoother spots on the plane. Being closest to the aircraft’s centre of gravity, you tend to feel less movement and vibration compared with seats further back.”

Regarding securing some rest during extended flights, striking the right balance proves particularly challenging.

Finding a peaceful spot for slumber becomes essential, though this can prove elusive, the aviation professional warned.

They explained to the Express.: “You can never truly predict the quietest spot on a plane, as it depends on the passengers around you. But the aft [rear] of the plane can be a bit noisy because toilet flushes are quite loud.

“The seats at the back on all our aircraft recline, so that’s not a problem, but sometimes light catches through the galley curtains on a night flight, and it can be noisy as the crew are working. So, I also wouldn’t choose back row seats.”

For the ultimate in-flight experience, the cabin crew member suggested one particular area to aim for when selecting your seat: “The ideal seat would be around five rows from the back, or five rows from the front.

“Crew work front to back simultaneously, or two carts from the front of economy to the back. So, five seats from the front is best as you’ll get your first meal choice.

“It’s also closer to the front for turbulence, as if you’re five from the back you’ll feel it more, and being closer at the front means you’ll get off quicker.”

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.

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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.

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.