Long haul holidays

Often travelling across continents or oceans, a long haul holiday simply means your flight time is over six hours from the UK - perfect for faraway adventures and sunshine escapes.

Long haul flights closer to home: Taking around 6 hours from the UK, you can reach unforgettable destinations in North Africa and the Middle East like Cape Verde or Dubai.

Distant long haul flights: Taking around 17 hours from the UK, including stopovers. Escape to the furthest corners of the world for bucket-list breaks in Asia and Indonesia, such as Vietnam or Bali.

It’s usually best to book long haul holidays 6-8 months before your departure date if you want to spread the cost.

You can also try using our filtered search to see if things like departure airport make a difference to the overall cost of your trip.

If you’re able to travel at short notice, a last-minute long haul deal is another great way to keep the cost down. If you have the funds to hand and you’re willing to wait until the last minute, you’ll often find some great savings in the winter too.

There's a good choice of cheap long haul holidays, even if you do have to pay a little bit more to get there. Thailand, Vietnam and India are all wallet-friendly options if you’re looking for exotic holiday destinations that won’t break the bank, with plenty of affordable places to stay, eat and drink.

If you’re looking to hit the Caribbean on a budget, exotic holidays in the Dominican Republic offer fantastic value for money with plenty of reasonably priced packages.

🏝️ Best exotic holiday destinations for two? Picture luxurious overwater bungalows in the Maldives (✈️11 hours), sun-drenched tranquillity on Thailand’s hidden islands (✈️12 hours), or the untouched beauty of Bali’s pristine beaches (✈️17 hours).

👪 Memorable long haul holidays for families? For a budget-friendly long-haul escape rich in activities and culture, Mexico (✈️10.5 hours) offers a wide range of all-inclusive resorts that deliver great value.

Looking for more family-friendly excitement? Packed with world-famous theme parks and attractions, Florida (✈️8 hours) is a firm favourite with adventure-loving families.

Treating the whole fam to a luxury long haul holiday? Dubai (✈️7 hours) boasts pristine beaches, exceptional family attractions, and a unique blend of tradition and cosmopolitan glamour you won’t find anywhere else.

🧳 Craving independence and the freedom to explore new cultures at your own pace? From ancient temples to cutting-edge cities, for a perfect blend of history, heritage, and adventure, Japan (✈️12 hours) is a top pick for solo travel.

Prefer an English-speaking environment? Singapore (✈️13 hours) is a fantastic alternative. Compact and easy to navigate, it lets you pack more into your itinerary in less time - just right for a fast-paced adventure that's full of energy.

Thailand (✈️ 12 hours) continues to be a top choice for solo travellers and backpackers, thanks to its affordability, warm hospitality, diverse cultural experiences, and excellent public transport.

Plan to spend most of your time unwinding at the resort? An all-inclusive package keeps everything in one place - meals, drinks, and entertainment - making it super convenient and easier to manage your budget. Prefer to get out and explore the local culture, sights, and cuisine? A room-only option offers more freedom and flexibility, giving you the chance to discover hidden gems and often better control over your spending.

All-Inclusive vs Room-only

All-Inclusive packages

• ✔️ More control over your total holiday budget
• ✔️ Meals, drinks, and snacks included
• ✔️ Complete relaxation - everything’s taken care of
• ✔️ Activities and entertainment often included
• ✔️ Bundled savings on food, drinks and activities
• ✔️ Ideal for families and group travel
   

Room-only packages

• ✔️ Lower upfront cost
• ✔️ Pay-as-you-go for food and drinks
• ✔️ More immersive local experiences
• ✔️ Customise your itinerary on your terms
• ✔️ Only pay for what matters to you
• ✔️ Great for couples and solo travellers

Check out our easy board basis guide to what’s included.

At Thomas Cook, we’ve partnered with a top selection of long-haul airlines - including TUI, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways - all handpicked for their excellent value, service, and safety standards. Whether you're heading to the Caribbean, the USA, or Asia, our growing network of long-haul flights offers more flexibility, comfort, and competitive pricing than ever before.

And when you book through Thomas Cook, we’ll help with whatever you need. Whether that's choosing your dream faraway destination (how about Mexico holidays?), finding the cheapest long haul destinations to suit your budget, deciding which hotel to book or picking the best long haul airline for you. You can even get in touch with us while you’re out there if you need a hand!

With trusted OTA support and tailor-made packages to suit your budget, long haul travel has never been easier or more affordable. Don’t just book it. Thomas Cook it.

Absolutely! Our long haul deals start from £549 per person and, depending on the time of year and specific deals, it's possible to find all-inclusive holidays under £1000 pp in Cape Verde, Cuba and Dubai. Timing and flexibility are crucial though. The best long haul deals are often available during off-peak times like spring and autumn. Being flexible with your departure airport can also lead to cheaper long haul packages.

As well as filtering long haul holidays by dates, board types, child deals, and ratings, with Thomas Cook you can easily filter by budget too. Simply enter your preferences (destination, airport, when, how long for, rooms & guests), hit search and then apply the budget filter by adjusting the slider - in the “Budget” section, just below the “Popular filters” section. As you adjust the slider, holidays in your price range will appear. It's that simple!

👉 From Mexico to the Dominican Republic and Indonesia to Asia, check out our latest all inclusive holidays for the best long haul holiday deals under £1,000. You can also sign up for email alerts and download the Thomas Cook Mobile App to get the latest long haul package deals straight to your phone as soon as they land.

Absolutely! Last-minute long-haul deals from the UK often include Cancun (Mexico), Koh Samui (Thailand), the Dominican Republic (Caribbean), Bali (Indonesia), and New York. Whether you're dreaming of a tropical beach escape or an exciting city adventure, you can still find fantastic last-minute offers.

Look out for all-inclusive holiday packages, discounted flights, and free child places to maximise your savings. Being flexible with your travel dates, departure airport, and destination can also help you snag the best deals.

👉 Find inspiration with a range of popular long haul destinations, from glamorous holidays to Dubai to laid-back Thailand escapes. Explore our latest last-minute holiday deals and book your perfect long-haul getaway before it's gone.

Good question! Hidden costs to consider when planning long haul holidays include:

• • Visas
• • Tourist taxes
• • VAT and Sales Tax
• • Resort fees - often compulsory in destinations like the US, Mexico, and the Caribbean
• • Peak season premiums
• • Booking fees
• • Baggage fees
• • Airport transfers

At Thomas Cook, we're committed to your consumer rights and complete transparency. So, whether it’s long-haul or short-haul, when you book with us you’ll never have to worry about hidden fees - with any additional costs clearly disclosed at every step of the booking process.

> Thomas Cook Booking Terms and Conditions

Rest better and arrive less jet-lagged with these long haul flight essentials:

📋 Important Documents & Health

• • Visa documents + Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), if required
• • Proof of vaccinations, if needed
• • Travel insurance details
• • Face mask

💤 Comfort & Sleep

• • Travel pillow
• • Eye mask
• • Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones for restful in-flight naps
• • Comfortable clothing (layered for changing cabin temperatures)
• • Slip-on shoes for easy airport security checks
• • Compression socks to promote circulation

✈️ In-Flight Care Kit

• • Mini refresh kit: including moisturiser, lip balm, face wipes, and hand sanitiser (great for arrival selfies too!)

📱 Tech & Entertainment

• • Bluetooth adapters for in-flight entertainment
• • Portable chargers (preferably GaN chargers with multiple USB-C ports - efficient, safe, and airline-approved*)
• • Downloaded entertainment: books, magazines, games, films, TV shows, podcasts, etc
• • Set your devices to dual time zones before boarding to start adjusting your sleep schedule early

*Emirates has introduced a new policy banning the use of power banks during flights, effective from the 1st October 2025. So, always double check your airline's portable charger policy to avoid delays.

🍵 Snacks & Hydration

• • Healthy snacks to keep hunger at bay
• • Reusable water bottle (empty through security, refill after)

💛 Additional Tips

• • Use jet lag apps to help your body adjust smarter and faster
• • Choose your seat during check-in to avoid locations near toilets or with bad window views
• • Consider AI packing assistants or travel apps that tailor your packing list based on your destination, airline, and preferences for a stress-free packing experience