Australia: Stopovers in Asia and the Middle East

Flying to Australia takes an exhausting 22 hours, so it’s wise to make a stopover – Janine Kelso looks at Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Singapore and more…

Kuala Lumpur

Flight time from London: Twelve hours, 30 minutes

Why stop there? Glitzy tower blocks sit alongside colonial mansions in this cosmopolitan city. Visit the Friday Mosque and haggle for arts and crafts in the art deco central market. Its balmy temperatures are broken up by the odd thunderstorm. 

Who flies there? Malaysia Airlines. Air Asia X is planning to launch a route from Stansted to Kuala Lumpur in early 2009. The airline already has established routes between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Hong Kong

Flight time from London: Twelve hours, 50 minutes

Why stop there? East meets west in this buzzing metropolis, alive with bustling markets, stylish architecture and delicious cuisine.

For great photo opportunities, take a walk along Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, offering great views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Head to Stanley for beaches and waterfront restaurants. 
  
Who flies there? Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic.

Singapore

Flight time from London: Thirteen hours

Why stop there? The cosmopolitan city of Singapore is great for shopping with 120 malls, many of which are dedicated to electronic goods, such as computers and cameras. Explore Chinatown’s maze of streets and alleyways selling jewellery and clothes. For top nosh, choose from street stalls to swanky restaurants.
 
Who flies there? Singapore Airlines

Bangkok

Flight time from London: Eleven hours

Why stop there? Frenetic Bangkok is an unstoppable hive of activity, its busy roads are alive with tuk tuks and thick smog.

Visit Wat Pho to feast your eyes on a giant gold-plated Buddha and then head 50 miles outside of the city to see a colourful floating market, where locals sell fruit and vegetables from canoes. Nightlife is centred around the Red Light Districts of Patpong and Soi Cowboy.

Who flies there? Thai Airways

Dubai

Flight time from London: Six hours, 35 minutes

Why stop there? Travellers seeking bling will love Dubai for its gold souks and showy hotels. Year-round sunshine and sandy beaches make it an ideal spot to get a base tan before heading to Australia.

Who flies there? Emirates

San Francisco

Flight time from London: Eleven  hours, 30 minutes

Why stop there? This cultural and arty town is easy to navigate, by strolling around its steep and winding streets or by taking a tram.

Visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and eat top tucker in Chinatown. From the lively Fisherman’s Wharf, lined with shops and restaurants, take a boat over to Alcatraz, the former site of the maximum security jail that housed notorious criminals such as Al Capone and the birdman Robert Stroud, who wrote several books about canaries while serving time.

If you want to go to Alcatraz, book tickets in advance.

Who flies there? Virgin Atlantic, British Airways