travelling uk to australia

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Fitness & Wellbeing
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance Deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Australia travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go

Cooler than cool cities like sydney and melbourne, sublime surfing beaches, the great barrier reef, the red centre and the outback – australia’s diverse charms make for a trip like no other, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

Australia has considerable urban energy and an increasingly great food and drink scene, but where it excels is the happy go lucky outdoor lifestyle. It’s a place for public barbecues by the beach and watching surfers ride the waves.

It’s also a country that embraces nature, with extensive reef systems, coastal reserves and a vast network of forested national parks. Kangaroos hang out in campgrounds, koalas sleep in trees along walking trails and dolphins frolic in the bays.

Australia also excels in epic. Endless blue skies stretch over rumpled outback scenes – and hugely rewarding road trips lace through seemingly untouched landscapes.

Current travel restrictions and entry requirements

Visitors to Australia need a visa. For the vast majority of people coming from the UK, this will be the sub-class 651 eVisitor , which is free and can be completed online.

Best time to go

Weather-wise, the best time to visit varies massively by geography. Aim for May to October in the tropical north, and the opposite in the south. Spring (September to November) is a sweet spot with less rain than autumn. Prices and crowds ramp up in January, the main school holiday period. It can also be excruciatingly hot at this time.

New Year’s Eve in Sydney is popular and truly memorable but violently expensive for accommodation. Other events to throw yourself into include the Melbourne Cup horse race (in early November), Adelaide Festival (March) and Anzac Day (25 April).

Top cities and regions

Indisputably one of the greatest cities on earth, Sydney offers natural beauty around the harbour, a legion of envy-inducing beaches along the coast, plus hip urban energy in inner suburbs such as Surry Hills and Chippendale. It genuinely works as a beach holiday destination and a city break, with big ticket activities such as climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge offset by cost-free days in oceanside rock pools. The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley wine region are within day-trip distance.

• Read our Sydney city guide

With an emphasis on culture rather than looks, Melbourne crams in the galleries, museums and arts venues. But the real joy comes from the laneway culture, where specialist bars and globe-spanning restaurants cram together in small alleys, surrounded by world class street art. The Victorian capital is also the launchpad for the coastal scenery-packed Great Ocean Road and penguin-watching on Phillip Island.

• Melbourne city guide

One of several gateways for snorkelling and diving cruises to the Great Barrier Reef ’s aquatic wonderland, Cairns has the bonus of being surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest. Reef trips can be mixed in with tasting tropical produce in the Atherton Tableland, Aboriginal-guided tours in the Daintree Rainforest and a panoply of adrenalin activities.

The Red Centre

The 6.2 mile walk around Uluru, with its strange bulges, caves and Indigenous cultural sites, is the quintessential outback experience. What most visitors don’t realise, however, is that there’s a wealth of other experiences on the Red Centre menu. Dot painting workshops, dune-top dinners, helicopter flights and camel rides are among the options at Uluru – and that’s before you factor in side trips to the smoothed rock domes of Kata Tjuta and the craggy gorge-side hikes at Kings Canyon.

• Why there’s more to Australia’s Red Centre than Uluru
• The most spectacular ways to explore Uluru – without climbing it

Perth and the South West

The South West is a perfect Australia for beginners. Perth offers Indian Ocean beaches, a buzzy bar and restaurant scene, plus cutesy encounters with inquisitive quokkas on Rottnest Island.

A short road trip around the southwestern corner from the western Australian capital, meanwhile, brings premium quality wine-tasting in Margaret River, glorious surf beaches, whale-watching cruises from Dunsborough, tall forests and easily explorable caves.

• Perth city guide

Best under the radar destinations

The ningaloo reef.

On the remote, outback-flanked west coast, the Ningaloo is best known for its whale shark swims. Watching the biggest fish on earth swim past is genuinely exhilarating. At different times of the year, there’s also the chance to swim with humpback whales and manta rays.

But the Ningaloo’s understated glory is in how close it runs to the shore. A short swim from white sand beaches such as Osprey Bay brings you among the waving coral and colourful fish shoals. At Turquoise Bay, you can drift snorkel, letting the current take you across the reef from one end of the beach to the other.

• Why you should book a holiday to Ningaloo, Australia’s ‘other reef’

The Top End

The severely underrated Northern Territory capital, Darwin, offers a curious mix of outback outpost attitude, Asian culture and bohemian quirk. It’s the hub for exploring the Top End’s majestic national parks. Litchfield National Park brings giant termite mounds, picture-perfect waterfalls and natural swimming holes. Nitmiluk hosts cruises and kayak trips through the soaring sandstone walls of Katherine Gorge. Meanwhile, the biggest of them all, Kakadu National Park, brings crocodile-watching cruises, ancient Aboriginal rock art and epic views over sweeping green floodplains.

McLaren Vale

In truth, there’s a fabulously indulgent time to be had in any of the wine regions near Adelaide. The Barossa Valley, Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills are world class wine-tasting and dining destinations.

But the McLaren Vale, aside from being arguably the best place in Australia for those big, beefy Australian Shirazes, has the advantage of being next to the hugely undersold, dune-backed beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Some of these, such as the highly photogenic Sellicks Beach, are so big you can drive a 4WD vehicle along them.

Then, a short ferry hop from Cape Jervis at the end of the peninsula, there’s koala, echidna and sea lion-dotted Kangaroo Island, one of Australia’s great wildlife havens.

Best things to do

Wine tasting.

It’s a bold claim, but Australia does wine-tasting better than anywhere else in the world. Many winery cellar doors offer free tastings, several have excellent restaurants, and staff are usually happy to switch between easy-going sipping sessions and nerdy note-taking, depending on guests’ preferences.

Most regions have operators offering full or half-day wine tours, often with visits to cheese and chocolate factories thrown in. Convenient regions include the Hunter Valley near Sydney, Barossa Valley near Adelaide, Mornington Peninsula near Melbourne and Swan Valley near Perth.

Marine encounters

Australia’s massive array of aquatic experiences goes well beyond the Great Barrier Reef. Dozens of places offer dolphin-watching cruises with some, such as those in Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne or Bunbury near Perth, allowing guests to swim with the wild dolphins.

• How a floating hotel on the Great Barrier Reef is helping protect this delicate ecosystem

Whale-watching is big around the country, too, with Hervey Bay in Queensland and Eden in New South Wales notable hotspots.

You can also snorkel with weedy sea dragons in Port Phillip Bay, kayak with dolphins in Byron Bay, NSW, and swim with sea lions in Baird Bay, South Australia.

Aboriginal cultural experiences

Indigenous cultural tours explaining the local Aboriginal perspective on the local landscape, history and wildlife are growing in both number and quality. Tourism Australia has collated 185 top Aboriginal experiences around the country, including guided walks, art workshops and bush food tastings.

Getting around

Distances between the big cities are huge, and most travel between them on (relatively cheap) domestic flights.

Self-driving is an attractive, freedom-boosting way to see the country. Distances are longer, but fuel is cheaper than in the UK. Highways are well-maintained and traffic stress-reducing low outside of the big cities.

Long distance train services run by NSW Trainlink and Queensland Rail Travel are perfunctory, fairly slow and miss out the most appealing coastal towns. Coach services such as Greyhound tend to have better stops and handy multi-destination passes, but you need to plan around the timetables.

How to get there

Quickest: The only direct flight to Australia is Qantas’ service from Heathrow to Perth. This takes 16 hours and 45 minutes.

Cheapest: Otherwise, expect to change planes somewhere. The likes of Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways offer regional departures from outside London, and no single airline is reliably cheapest. Much depends on which airline has a promotional offer at the time. Minimum one-stop flight times are 19 hours and 20 minutes with Qatar Airways to Perth, and 22 hours and 30 minutes with Singapore Airlines to Sydney.

Money saving tip

Australia’s best things – wildlife encounters and beaches – are usually free. Budget-friendly cabin accommodation in coastal holiday parks often combines both. Generally aimed at Aussie families travelling by caravan, these parks usually provide a few relatively spacious, kitchen-equipped, multi-bedroom units, occasionally with kangaroos hopping outside.

What’s the weather like?

Hot summers and mostly mild winters in the south, wet season and dry season in the north.

What time zone is it in?

Time zones vary by state, but go from GMT+8 in Perth to GMT+11 during summer in Sydney.

What currency do I need?

Australian dollars.

What language is spoken?

How much do i tip.

Tipping is not expected in Australia, but some choose to round up the bill or leave 10 per cent.

Which side of the road do I drive on?

Australia drives on the left.

David Whitley runs Australia travel advice site Australia Travel Questions

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

Australia Recommends 2024

Come and Say G'day

G'day, the short film

Discover your Australia

Travel videos

Deals and offers

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Northern Territory

South Australia

Western Australia

External Territories

The Whitsundays

Mornington Peninsula

Port Douglas

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach

Kangaroo Island

Rottnest Island

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Islands

Phillip Island

Bruny Island

Margaret River

Barossa Valley

The Grampians

Hunter Valley

Yarra Valley

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains

Alice Springs

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley

Flinders Ranges

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula

Karijini National Park

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains

Daintree Rainforest

Great Ocean Road

Purnululu National Park

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Litchfield National Park

Aboriginal experiences

Arts and culture

Festivals and events

Food and drink

Adventure and sports

Walks and hikes

Road trips and drives

Beaches and islands

Nature and national parks

Eco-friendly travel

Health and wellness

Family travel

Family destinations

Family road trips

Backpacking

Work and holiday

Beginner's guide

Accessible travel

Planning tips

Trip planner

Australian budget guide

Itinerary planner

Find a travel agent

Find accommodation

Find transport

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Customs and biosecurity

Working Holiday Maker visas

Facts about Australia

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

People and culture

Health and safety FAQ

Cities, states & territories

Iconic places and attractions

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Seasonal travel

Events and festivals

School holidays

Public holidays

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

How to travel around Australia

Guide to driving in Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

How to plan a family road trip

How to plan an outback road trip

Uluru Aboriginal Tours, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT © Tourism Australia

Beginner's guide to travelling Australia

Are you ready for endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, dramatic deserts and ancient cultures? Start planning your trip with our first-timer's guide to visiting Australia.

Know before you go

Tips to start planning your trip

When is the best time to visit?

How long do I need for my trip?

Find your perfect destination.

Australian states, territories and capital cities

The complete guide to accommodation and hotels in Australia

10 Australian destinations you simply can't miss

Planning essentials.

Getting here: find cruises and flights to Australia

Travelling to Australia from the UK: Visa and Entry Requirements FAQs

Getting around

Why Australia is the best place to visit

Endless sunshine, sandy beaches and stunning landscapes. discover the reasons why australia should be at the top of your bucket list., experience australia like a local.

A handy guide to the Australian lifestyle

Australia's bucket list food experiences

Make a booking.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

• International (English)
• New Zealand (English)
• United States (English)
• Canada (English)
• India (English)
• Malaysia (English)
• Singapore (English)
• Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
• Deutschland (Deutsch)
• France (Français)
• Italia (Italiano)
• 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

• Company History
• Mission Statement
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Canary Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Cook Islands
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• Easter Island
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Liechtenstein
• Madeira Islands
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestinian Territories
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of the Congo
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Helena
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin
• Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Sint Eustatius
• Solomon Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Wake Island
• Western Sahara
• Travel Vaccines
• Travel Health Consultations
• Travellers’ Diarrhea Kits
• Dengue Fever Prevention
• Malaria Prevention
• Chikungunya Prevention
• Zika Prevention
• Ebola Virus
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Hepatitis B
• Tickborne Encephalitis (TBE)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella
• Influenza (Flu)
• Blood Tests
• Vitamin Injections
• Physician Referral Program
• London Bridge Clinic
• London – Euston Travel Clinic

Travel Vaccines and Advice for Australia

Australia is a country of lush wildlife and large, modern cities. It offers peculiar opportunities for travellers all across the globe. Australia’s size and endless opportunities make it a popular tourist destination.

If you love nature, want an adventure or if you’re looking to relax in a beautiful city, Australia is a destination that can meet any of your holiday needs.

On This Page: Do I Need Vaccines For Australia? Should I Have a Passport or Visa for Australia? What Is The Climate Like In Australia? How Safe is Australia? Touring the Australian Outback Hiking Tips While in Australia What Should I Pack for Australia? Embassy of the United Kingdom in Australia

Do I Need Vaccines for Australia?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Australia. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Australia: COVID-19 , hepatitis B , yellow fever , Japanese encephalitis , rabies and tetanus .

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunisations:

• COVID-19 – Airborne – Recommended for all travellers
• Hepatitis B – Blood & Body Fluids – Accelerated schedule available
• Tetanus – Wounds or Breaks in Skin – Recommended for travelers to most regions, especially if not previously vaccinated.
• Yellow Fever – Mosquito – Required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Excludes the Galapagos in Ecuador and Misiones in Argentina.
• Japanese Encephalitis – Mosquito – Recommended depending on itinerary and activities. Recommended for extended travel, recurrent travellers and travel to rural areas. Present in Outer Torres Strait Islands. All human cases reported from February to April.
• Rabies – Saliva of Infected Animals – Vaccine recommended for long-stay travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.

See the tables below for more information:

There is a risk of contracting Japanese encephalitis in Australia. The infection is mosquito-borne, meaning all it takes is one bite to become infected. The infection is most common in rural areas.

Dengue is another mosquito-borne disease found in the country. Use of mosquito repellents or netting is highly recommended, especially in urban or residential areas.

Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now .

Should I Have a Passport or Visa for Australia?

A visa is required for entry to Australia. An Electronic Travel Authority visa can be obtained online before arrival. Passports should be valid for the duration of stay.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required if you are travelling from a region where yellow fever is present.

Sources: Embassy of Australia and GOV.UK

What Is The Climate Like In Australia?

The climate in Australia varies by region. It can range from hot and dry in the centre of the continent, to cooler, more temperate weather in the south. Precipitation is sparse throughout the country.

• Sydney – This popular tourist destination has a warmer, drier climate. The summers can be quite brutal on some days, with temperatures reaching the high-30’s. Average summer temperatures are in the mid-20’s and winters going below zero. At the end of autumn and in the winter, Sydney often experiences high levels of rainfall.
• Melbourne – The second largest city in Australia, Melbourne experiences a variety of different weather patterns. Temperatures in the summer have grown warmer, with the hottest day on record at a scorching 45 degrees. Winters in Melbourne are wet and chilly. But, whilst the region experience frost and fog, there is rarely snowfall. Winter temperatures are generally in the high-teens.
• Perth – While summers in this city are dry, there are frequent downpours and thunderstorms in winter months. On average in the summer, temperatures are about in the 20’s. The winter months range do vary, but stay near zero. The average annual rainfall in Perth is about 90 centimeters, and is mostly spread through the winter.

How Safe Is Australia?

One of biggest security and safety concerns in Australia centers on terrorism. The UK government reports that international and internal terrorists and terror organisations have targeted Australia in the past.

The nation does have a terrorist alert system in place which is accessible through the Australian National Security website . The system assesses the likelihood of an act of terror occurring in the country. The threat level is on a scale from “not expected,” all the way up to “certain.” If you are planning to visit Australia, you can monitor the terrorist alert system on their website or by calling the Australian National Security Hotline at 61-1-800-123-400.

UK citizens are not usually targets of criminal activity in Australia. But, robberies, theft and assaults are still common in many of the larger cities.

In popular tourist areas, foreigners are at risk of having purses snatched, pick-pocketing and petty theft. Travellers should also exercise caution when visiting clubs or bars, as bar brawls and fights are fairly common.

If you are not observant or cautious, there is also a risk of having your drink spiked. Always watch your drink and be careful of your surroundings.

Touring the Australian Outback

Australia is revered for ample animal life and abundant nature throughout the country. Many tourists find themselves in Australia to see the diverse wildlife or by hiking through the untouched brush. If you are a nature lover, this is the destination for you.

Before running out into untamed, wild lands, travellers should take the necessary steps to ensure their safety. If you are planning to embark on a tour, ensure you do all your research before jumping behind the wheel of a truck. Consider using a reputable tour service that will take you out themselves.

If you do want to motor on your own, remember that the paths you will take are filled with animals. Some of them may even be dangerous. Creatures such as emus often run alongside the cars and swerve at the last minute. Kangaroos are unpredictable and can jump right in front of your vehicle.

Motoring at night is also not advised, as most accidents occur at this time as it is harder to see.

You should never feed or interact with the animals, as they are wild and can be provoked.

Hiking Tips While in Australia

If you are planning to hike through the wilderness, be careful. Do not interact with any animals. Spider and snake bites can happen, and if they do, seek immediate medical attention. Wearing the protective footwear is the best form of protection.

Ensure you have a hat, sun cream, insect repellent, maps and plenty of water. On hot summer days when the sun is burning and intense, avoid going on a walk. Ensure you know about the trails you plan to hike, as some are more difficult than others. If a walk is more challenging, consider going with a guide and never embark on a hike that is far beyond your ability. Always follow your map and the signs, and stay clear of cliff edges and anything beyond safety barriers.

There is limited mobile service in the outback and other parts of the wilderness. Whether you are going on a tour and taking on a new hiking trail, always ensure someone knows where you will be. It may be difficult to ring anyone in case of an emergency, so someone should always be aware of your location.

What Should I Pack for Australia?

With its wide range of options, preparing for a trip to Australia or the outback can require some extra packing. Consider including these items in your luggage:

• Insect Repellent – Australia has an abundant wildlife population, and that includes many types of insects. Certain mosquitoes may also spread the Japanese encephalitis virus . Packing a repellent with at least 20%-30% DEET will help ward off any potential pests. Pack neutral-colored and loose-fitting clothing that cover your arms and legs for extra protection.
• Tweezers – If you will be out in the wilderness in Australia, you may be at risk for tick bites. Having a pair of tweezers on hand allows you to remove any ticks from your skin. If you are bitten, you should still seek medical attention. But, having tweezers gives you the chance to remove these pests as soon as you find them.
• Sun Cream – The Australian sun can burn easily. Be sure to pack plenty of sun cream to protect yourself from sunburn and to avoid skin damage. To maximise your protection, ensure all your sun cream has at least 30 SPF.
• Sunnies and Hat – The heat in Australia is often harsh. Bring a wide-brimmed hat if you are planning to spend a lot of time outside. You should also pack sunnies to shield your eyes from the bright sunlight.

Embassy of the United Kingdom in Australia

If you are in Australia and have an emergency (for example, been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the nearest consular services. Contact the embassy before arrival if you have additional questions on entry requirements, safety concerns or are in need of assistance.

British High Commission Canberra Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla Canberra ACT 2600 Australia Telephone: +61 (0)2 6270 6666 Fax: +61 (0)2 6273 3236

Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Ring or book online now and start travelling safely today!

• Privacy Policy
• Automatic Data Collection Statement

The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train & ship

From the uk to australia.

• Buy train tickets
• Buy ferry tickets
• Book a hotel
• Privacy & cookies
•   Home

Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, europe to australia without flying....

It's a long way to Oz.  There are two options to get there from the UK without flying:

Option 1, Europe to Australia via the Trans-Siberian Railway .  You can travel by train from London to Moscow, then by Trans-Siberian Railway to China & the Far East, then catch a passenger-carrying freighter (if you can find one!) or cruise ship to Australia.  This is a real adventure, and a popular choice with lots to see on the way.  Not currently feasible because of the war in Ukraine & Russia being off limits .

Option 2, Europe to Australia by sea .  You can go all the way from the UK to Australia or New Zealand by sea, either a leisurely direct voyage by infrequent round-the-world cruise, or by one of the few remaining passenger-carrying freighters, sometimes with the need to switch ships in either the USA or SE Asia.  Expect Europe to Australia by sea to take at least 32-40 days and cost at least £4,000+ one-way by freighter including cabin & meals, much more if you use a cruise.

This page outlines the journey and how to go about putting such a trip together, with links to other pages for more detailed information about each part of the journey.  Please remember this is not a tour or a package, just some guidance in putting your own independent trip together using scheduled train services across Europe and Asia.

Europe to Australia by sea

By freighter or cruise ship.

If you'd been going to Australia in the first half of the 20th century, you could have caught the fortnightly P&O liner from Southampton to Sydney, taking several weeks.  These days there are no regular passenger ships from the UK or Europe to Australia, and your choice is limited to one of these, if currently operating:

There are occasional round-the-world cruises from Europe to Australia, stopping at various places on the way.  Some sail westward around the world via the Panama Canal, others sail eastwards via either the Suez Canal or South Africa and the Cape of Good Hope.  This is the most comfortable but expensive option.

There are freighters which take a limited number of passengers although they are now getting very thin on the ground.  There are a mere handful of direct Europe-Australia freighters which carry a few passengers, or there are freighters from Europe to SE Asia where you can change onto another freighter or a cruise ship from SE Asia to Australia.

You can take the Queen Mary 2 from Europe to New York (or use a passenger-carrying freighter), take a train from coast to coast across the United States , then take a passenger-carrying freighter to Australia from the Pacific seaboard of the USA. 

To find out more, and to book a cruise or freighter passage to Australia, try the following sites:

Europe to Australia by Trans-Siberian Railway

Overland to the far east by train.

It's possible to travel most of the way from London to Australia by train via the Trans-Siberian Railway.  In fact, quite a number people travel this way.  Time-wise, we're talking 4-5 weeks one-way, minimum.  But it's a journey of a lifetime.

Update 2024:  There is a war in Ukraine, travel to Russia is inadvisable, there are currently no international trains to Moscow and no Moscow-Beijing trains.

Route, timetable & costs

Travel tickets alone costs only £750 or so from London as far as Singapore, but you must add food, hotels, and tours along the way.  The links below cover travel in either direction, from London to Australia or Australia to London, follow the links to see details of prices and timetables for each section.

Step 1:  London to Moscow by train .  Daily departures taking 2 nights.  Spend at least 1 night in Moscow.

Step 2:  Moscow to Beijing by Trans-Siberian Railway   Two direct trains every week each taking 6 nights.  Spend at least 1 night in Beijing.

Step 3:  Beijing to Hanoi by train A train runs twice a week taking 2 nights, or you can travel any day with a change of train at Nanning.  Spend at least 1 night in Hanoi.

Step 4:  Hanoi to Saigon by train   Several trains daily, 2 nights.  Why not stop off to see Hue or Hoi An?  Spend at least 1 night in Saigon.

Step 5:  Saigon-Phnom Penh by bus Daily, 1 day.  Spend at least 1 night in PP.

Step 6:  Phnom Penh-Bangkok by bus to the border at Poiphet, then local train from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok .

Step 7:  Bangkok to Singapore by train .  Daily, 2 nights.

Step 8:  The final sea voyage from Asia to Australia is the problem:

You can get from Singapore as far as Bali in Indonesia by scheduled ferry, train, ferry & bus using the ferries from Singapore to Jakarta , see the Indonesia page .  But there are no regular passenger ships to Australia from Singapore or Indonesia or anywhere in the Far East .  And don't bother trying to island hop down to Dili in East Timor, it may look the closest land to Darwin, but there are absolutely no ferries of any kind from there to Australia.

You therefore need an infrequent passenger-carrying freighter for the last leg from Southeast Asia to Australia.  There are one or two Asia-Australia freighters that will carry passengers.  They have very very few passenger places and get booked up, so book early.  Freighter travel is not cheap, with limited places in high demand.  Also bear in mind that schedules can change according to freight requirements, a ship can easily leave a day or two earlier than originally scheduled, so build in plenty of leeway!

Option 1 , shipping company CMA CGM have freight ships which carry a limited number of passengers between Port Klang in Malaysia & Fremantle near Perth in Australia every 46 days or so.  The voyage takes 7-10 days and costs around €1,300 for one person in a private cabin with meals included.  CMA CGM also have ships between Singapore & Brisbane roughly once a month taking 14 days.  Contact them directly via their website, www.voyagesencargo.com .  Various agencies can also book this freighter route for you, presumably with an added fee or mark-up, such as thecruisepeople.wordpress.com & www.traveltips.com .

Option 2 , try German agency www.slowtravel-experience.com who can offer infrequent sailings between Singapore & Fremantle near Perth on the ship MOL Guardian .

Option 3 , talk to Swiss company www.shipntrain.ch .  They have twice-monthly freighter sailings from Singapore to Fremantle (Perth) taking 7 days.  Their website is in German, so use Google language tools to translate it.  They also have a monthly Singapore-Melbourne freighter taking 15 days.

Feedback on freighter booking & travel would be appreciated.

How to plan & arrange this trip

There aren't any travel agencies who can arrange the whole trip from Europe to Australia, so you will need to plan and arrange each stage of the journey yourself.  It's an exercise in project management, and I use a simple spreadsheet technique like this to plan an itinerary and budget.  Unless time is absolutely no object, you should book the key sections in advance through various travel agencies, for example, book London-Moscow as shown on the London to Russia page , then book Moscow-Beijing & Beijing-Hanoi through a local Russian agency such as Svezhy Veter.  You also need to pre-book the freighter from Asia to Australia, as places are limited.  Tickets for other parts of the trip, for example, Hanoi-Saigon-Phnom Penh-Bangkok can all be bought locally, as you go along.  The place to start is the sea section from Asia to Australia, as that will determine the dates for the rest of the trip.

You'll need to pre-arrange visas for Belarus, Russia, possibly Mongolia, China & Vietnam.  Cambodian visas can be obtained at the frontier.  In many ways, complying with the various visa requirements (and in some cases, requirements for confirmed onward tickets to be held) is actually the biggest hassle, not buying the tickets for the trains, so check this out carefully using the relevant embassy websites.

So where do you start?

First, read through the seat61 pages linked above, as these explain the options for each stage of the journey.

Then sketch out your itinerary using a simple spreadsheet like this , deciding where and for how long you want to stop off.

Next, check out the visa situation for each country.

Finally, follow the advice on each seat61 page to buy tickets for each train journey that you want to pre-book.

Request for more information

If anyone has any more information, an account of this journey, photos or travel reports that would be useful for this page, please e-mail me !

Back to 'Rail travel to Europe' general page

Back to home page

Honest tourism information about Australia

Distance from UK to Australia: How far is Australia from the UK?

• David Whitley
• Practicalities

The distance from the UK to Australia depends on which Australian city you pick. The London to Sydney distance is 16,993km. The London to Darwin distance is 13,854km.

The distance from the UK to Australia is predictably huge. Australia is on the other side of the world, albeit not exactly on the other side – the precise opposite is somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. It still takes the best part of a day to get there by plane, however.

But if you’re trying to work of the UK to Australia distance, you need to define where in the UK and – particularly – where in Australia.

Distance from UK to Australia: London to Sydney or Canberra

So, how far is Australia from the UK if we use the capital cities – London and Canberra. According to Distance.to , which calculates the shortest possible route between two points on the earth, the London to Canberra distance is 16,993km. That’s 10,559 miles in old money.

Of course, most people travelling to Australia don’t fly into Canberra . Sydney is the biggest entry point, and the distance from the UK to Australia when flying to Sydney is… 16,993km. It’s exactly the same, which may come as a surprise given Sydney is further east than Canberra. It is also further north, however, and that makes the difference.

Both Canberra and Sydney are in eastern Australia, however. There are entry points further west that are considerably closer to the UK.

Distance from UK to Australia: London to Perth or Darwin

The direct Qantas flights from London landed in Perth in Western Australia pre-Covid, and were switched to Darwin in the Northern Territory during the pandemic.

So how far is Australia from the UK if flying into Perth or Darwin? Well, the distance from the UK to Australia when flying from London to Perth is 14,481km. The London to Darwin distance is 13,854km.

None of the Australian cities are close to the UK, but some are much closer than others…

How Long Is A Flight To Australia From The UK?

This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps me to keep my site up and running! Read my disclaimer for more information.

Visiting Australia is on the bucket list of millions of people and for good reason, it’s an extraordinary country.

If you are from the UK like me, you might wonder how long a flight to Australia from the UK takes.

Luckily for you, as a full-time traveller, I have a complete guide to answer your burning question along with more information about flying from the UK to Down Under.

How Long Flight to Australia from the UK?

A flight to Australia from the UK is one of the longest flights you can take from the UK, it’s an incredibly long flight.

It can take anywhere from about 16 hours to anywhere near 30 hours. I would say a fair average would be about 20-22 hours . Of course, the time depends on whether you fly direct or whether you take a layover somewhere in between.

Flights with layovers to Australia are much cheaper than direct flights. Particularly those with multiple stops. Some people take 3 flights to reach Australia from the UK.

The flight times can also vary depending on the time of year, as this affects which direction the wind blows amongst other factors.

Generally speaking, your flight time depends on: the airline, route, time of year, and which airport you are flying into. Australia has many international airports such as Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Depending on which you fly to, it could add a few hours to your journey.

To summarise, a flight will take an average of 20-22 hours to reach Australia from the UK, including the stopover time. So it’s a pretty long time to travel! Make sure you have plenty of sleep beforehand as you won’t want to sleep too much on the plane unless you fly during the night Australia time. You need to adjust to the new timezone.

Oh and also- many people think Australia is part of the UK …it’s not.

Can You Get A Direct Flight From The UK to Australia?

Yes, it is possible to get a direct flight from the UK to London.

Qantas fly from London Heathrow direct to Perth. It takes around 16 and a half hours but costs about £1500+ for return flights. Direct flights are a lot more expensive than those with layovers.

To find the cheapest flights, I recommend using SkyScanner . It’s a flight search engine which you can use to find the best prices for the dates you want to travel. If you are flexible with your dates, you can often find even better prices.

➡️Use SkyScanner to find the best prices for your flights to Australia or anywhere else around the world you plan to fly to.

This applies to non-direct flights too. Using SkyScanner you can put together the cheapest route to save money on your flights. It’s worth saying that the longer the travel takes, the cheaper it is. And with that, let’s get into some options for flying from the UK to Australia.

UK To Australia Flight Options

There are lots of flight options to get from the UK to Australia by taking a layover. Taking a layover makes a flight much cheaper and therefore more affordable.

Most of these are interchangeable. So you can mix and match your stopover with your end destination.

Here are some options you can take to reach Australia from the UK:

London Heathrow – Kuala Lumpur – Perth

All of these leave from London Heathrow, it’s the easiest way to get from the UK. London Heathrow to Perth via Kuala Lumpur takes just under 21 hours. But it’s definitely one of the cheapest options. You can expect a return flight to cost about £800-900 if you use SkyScanner .

London Heathrow – Singapore – Perth

As you may begin to notice, Southeast Asia is a popular place for layovers to Australia since it is between the UK and Australia. That’s why so many people who backpack Australia spend a few months backpacking Southeast Asia first. Heathrow to Singapore to Perth takes just over 20 hours but costs slightly more than Kuala Lumpur, at about £1200 for a return flight.

London Heathrow – Doha – Perth

Another popular stopover is Doha, which makes for a really great layover as the airport is top-class. Heathrow to Perth with a Doha layover is a slightly more expensive option but a quicker one, taking only 19 hours but costing about £1700 for a return.

London Heathrow – Dubai – Perth

A stopover in Dubai brings similar flight times and prices as Doha, but similarly, the quality of the experience will be extremely high again.

London Heathrow – Kuala Lumpur – Sydney

Your other option for flying into Australia is to have your connecting flight to Sydney rather than Perth. Once again, Kuala Lumpur is the cheapest option coming in at around £950-1000 for return flights. Usually, it takes about 25 hours though, as Sydney is on the east coast.

London Heathrow – Taipei – Sydney

Getting to Sydney has more or less the same layover options as Perth but there are a few extras which you can stopover at such as Taipei in Taiwan. Going from Heathrow to Sydney via Taipei takes about 26 hours and costs about £1200 for return flights.

London Heathrow – Ho Chi Minh City – Sydney

A final option for reaching Australia from the UK is to fly to Sydney from London Heathrow via Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It’s the longest option on this list as it usually takes around 30 hours. But it is pretty cheap and costs about £1200 (return flights) also.

UK To Australia Flight Price

As you can see from the flight options above, flight price depends on which city you take a stopover in and how long the total journey is.

As I have said throughout this article, make sure to use SkyScanner to find the cheapest flights possible. If you can be flexible with your dates, you can find flights for much cheaper than if you have set dates.

Flights can vary from £800 to £3000 for return flights. If you can find the right dates as well as a good stopover, you can get to and from Australia for really cheap. It’s just a case of being patient and having the persistence to find the best price.

How long flight to Australia from UK: FAQ

Below are some questions related to “ How long flight to Australia from UK? ” along with my answers.

A direct flight from the UK to Australia takes just over 16 hours to get from London to Perth.

A flight to Australia from the UK can be anywhere from 16 hours to 30 hours depending on how long your stopover is or whether you get a direct flight or not. The average is about 20-22 hours.

Yes, a direct flight between London Heathrow and Perth exists with Qantas. The flight takes about 16 hours direct and is the only direct option between the UK and Australia.

A direct flight from London Heathrow to Perth takes about 16 hours. It is the only direct flight from the UK to Australia and it is with the airline Qantas.

How long flight to Australia from UK: Conclusion

And there you have it, a complete guide to “ How long flight to Australia from UK? ” along with other information about flying between the two countries.

The average time it takes is between 20-22 hours including stopovers. I definitely recommend taking stopovers as it makes the flights much cheaper.

Enjoy your trip to Australia, it’ll be the trip of a lifetime! 🙂

Josh Band is the founder of A Backpacker's World. He is a full-time traveller currently on a mission to visit every country in the world. As a full-time traveller, Josh knows exactly how to make the most of any trip and shares these tips with his readers. Josh mostly travels as a backpacker on a budget, so he is also an expert when it comes to getting the most of your money while travelling.

Can You Travel by Boat from UK to Australia? Here’s What You Need To Know

Dreaming of a voyage to Australia? Picture yourself on a boat, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the open sea in front of you.

While it may seem like a far-fetched fantasy, it’s possible to travel by boat from the UK to Australia.

The journey may require a bit of preparation, but we’ve got all the information you need to make your voyage a reality.

From the types of vessels to the necessary documents, we’ll show you what you need to know before setting sail.

So, let’s get started on your adventure!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Yes, it is possible to travel by boat from the United Kingdom to Australia.

It is a long journey that can take several weeks or even months depending on the boat and the route taken.

There are several ferry services operating routes between the UK and Australia, or you can charter a private boat for the journey.

It is also possible to participate in a sailing race across the world to Australia, which generally takes anywhere from 4-9 months depending on the route and the type of boat used.

Types of Vessels

When it comes to taking a boat from the United Kingdom to Australia, there are a variety of vessels available for the journey.

Depending on your budget, preferences, and the duration of the trip, you can choose from a wide range of vessels.

For cost-conscious travelers, cargo ships are the most economical option.

Cargo ships are designed for the transport of goods and are usually the fastest and cheapest way to get from the UK to Australia.

While you wont have the same amenities as you would on a luxury cruise liner, youll still be able to experience the beauty of the open ocean.

For those looking for a more luxurious experience, there are several luxury cruise liners that offer voyages from the UK to Australia.

These trips can take up to a month, but the amenities are well worth it.

From on-board entertainment and activities, to gourmet meals and comfortable cabins, a luxury cruise is the perfect way to travel in style.

If youre looking for a more adventurous journey, you can also charter a private vessel for your trip.

This can be a great option for those with the budget and time to spare.

Private vessels allow for more flexibility in terms of destinations, activities, and timelines.

You can customize your journey to your exact specifications and have a truly unique experience.

No matter which vessel you choose, its important to do plenty of research before making a decision.

Be sure to read reviews, speak to other travelers, and compare prices to ensure you get the best deal for your voyage.

UK Ports of Departure

When planning a voyage from the UK to Australia, there are several ports of departure from which to choose.

The most popular ports of departure for boats traveling to Australia from the UK include Dover, Poole, Portsmouth, and other British ports.

Dover is located on the English Channel and is the closest port to the continent, making it a natural choice for those looking to get to Australia quickly.

Poole is located on the south coast of England and is a major port for commercial shipping.

Portsmouth is located on the south eastern coast of England and is the UKs second busiest port.

Other ports of departure may be available depending on the type of vessel and route, so its important to do research and compare options before booking a voyage.

Voyage Duration

The duration of a voyage from the United Kingdom to Australia by boat will depend on the type of vessel chosen and the route taken.

A cargo ship typically takes two weeks to reach its destination, while a luxury cruise liner can take up to a month for the same journey.

For those seeking a faster voyage, there are a few options available.

Sailboats, which are powered by the wind, can make the journey in a few weeks, while faster motor vessels can reach Australia in as little as two weeks.

However, these vessels can be expensive and may not be suitable for all budgets.

Smaller boats, such as yachts, can also be used for the journey, but they can take longer than larger vessels due to their limited speed.

On average, the journey by yacht can take three to four weeks, depending on the route and weather conditions.

The length of the journey also depends on the route taken.

The most direct route is to sail south from the United Kingdom and through the Mediterranean Sea before heading east across the Indian Ocean.

This route can take up to a month, depending on the type of vessel and the weather conditions.

Alternatively, the journey can be made by sailing east from the UK and through the Suez Canal before heading south across the Indian Ocean.

This route typically takes around four weeks, depending on the type of vessel and the weather conditions.

Finally, the journey can be made by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope and through the Indian Ocean.

This route can take up to five weeks, depending on the type of vessel and the weather conditions.

No matter what type of vessel or route is chosen, the journey from the United Kingdom to Australia is an adventure of a lifetime and can be a great way to explore the world.

Cost of Voyage

When planning a voyage from the United Kingdom to Australia, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost.

The cost of the voyage will vary depending on the type and duration of the voyage.

Generally speaking, a cargo ship will be the cheapest option, with costs ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds.

For those looking for a more luxurious experience, a luxury cruise liner will be the more expensive option, with fares typically ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of pounds.

It’s important to note that the cost of the voyage will also be affected by the number of passengers, the type of cabin, and any additional services such as meals, entertainment, and shore excursions.

For those travelling with a group or family, it’s worth looking into special deals as these can often provide significant savings.

Additionally, for those travelling on a budget, it is possible to find discounted fares on certain routes if booked in advance.

Finally, it is important to remember that the cost of the voyage does not include the cost of visas or any other associated fees.

It is recommended to research the visa requirements for the destination country before booking a voyage, as this can significantly increase the cost of the trip.

Necessary Documents

When embarking on a journey from the UK to Australia by boat, it is important to ensure that you have the necessary documents.

Depending on the vessel, you may be required to provide a valid passport, visa, proof of vaccinations, and a valid maritime certificate.

If you are travelling on a passenger vessel, you will likely need to provide proof of citizenship or residency.

Additionally, you may need to provide proof of financial stability, such as a bank statement, in order to obtain a visa.

If you are travelling on a cargo vessel, you may need to provide a valid bill of lading.

In some cases, it may also be necessary to provide a letter of authorization from the vessels owners.

It is important to check with the vessels owners to ensure that you have all of the necessary documents.

Weather Considerations

When traveling by boat from the UK to Australia, weather conditions should be taken into consideration.

Although the voyage may take place during the summer months when the weather is typically favorable, there are still potential risks associated with ocean crossings.

Keep in mind that storms can arise suddenly, so its important to be prepared with the necessary supplies and clothing for any unexpected contingencies.

Additionally, if the boat is not equipped with the latest navigation and communication technology, it is important to ensure that the crew is well-trained and familiar with the route, as well as the potential risks.

Safety and Health

When it comes to traveling by boat from the United Kingdom to Australia, safety and health should be a top concern.

When embarking on such a long voyage, it is important to make sure that the boat and its crew are up to the task and that all necessary safety precautions are taken.

As such, travelers should research the vessel and crew thoroughly before embarking.

The vessel should be properly maintained and equipped with the necessary safety features, such as lifeboats and life jackets.

The crew should be experienced and certified, and able to handle any potential issues that may arise during the voyage.

Additionally, travelers should make sure to bring all necessary supplies, such as medications and first-aid kits, in case of an emergency.

It is also important to stay up-to-date on all health regulations for the destination country.

Vaccinations and medical certificates may be required for entry into Australia, so travelers should check the Australian government’s website for more information.

Additionally, it is important to check with the destination port for any additional regulations or restrictions that may be in place.

By taking the necessary safety and health precautions, travelers can ensure that their journey from the United Kingdom to Australia is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Final Thoughts

Traveling by boat from the UK to Australia is an exciting and unique experience.

From cargo ships to luxury cruise liners, there are a variety of vessels and routes available to suit any traveler’s needs.

With careful planning and preparation, you can make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the necessary documents, weather considerations, and safety and health protocols to ensure a safe and successful voyage.

Bon voyage!

James Frami

At the age of 15, he and four other friends from his neighborhood constructed their first boat. He has been sailing for almost 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge that he wants to share with others.

Recent Posts

When Was Banana Boat Song Released? (HISTORICAL INSIGHTS)

The "Banana Boat Song" was released in 1956 by Harry Belafonte. This calypso-style song, also known as "Day-O," became a huge hit and remains popular to this day for its catchy tune and upbeat...

How to Make Banana Boat Smoothie King? (DELICIOUS RECIPE REVEALED)

To make a Banana Boat Smoothie King smoothie at home, start by gathering the ingredients: a ripe banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein powder, almond milk, and ice. Blend the banana, a scoop of...

Popular Destinations

All Destinations

• Aland Islands
• Canary Islands
• Czech Republic
• El Salvador
• Europe & UK
• Faroe Islands
• Indonesia (Bali)
• Liechtenstein
• Middle East
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North America
• Philippines
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• South America
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Your cart is empty

🔥 BUY ONE, GET ONE 25% OFF EUROPE ESIMS 👉 SHOP NOW

Travelling To UK from Australia

If you're planning a trip to the UK from Australia, there are a few things you need to know before you go. From travel requirements to cultural differences, this article will guide you through everything you need to make your journey as smooth as possible.

Table of Contents

Visa requirements, flights and airlines, packing for your trip, getting around the uk, accommodation options, currency and money matters, food and dining options, cultural differences to keep in mind, must-see attractions in the uk, tips for a successful trip.

The UK is a popular travel destination for Australians. With its rich history, beautiful landscapes, and diverse culture, there's something for everyone to enjoy. But before you start packing your bags, it's important to know what to expect when travelling from Australia to the UK.

Australian citizens can enter the UK without a visa for up to six months. However, you will need to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding your flight. The ESTA is an online application that takes only a few minutes to complete, and it is valid for two years.

If you plan to stay in the UK for longer than six months, you will need to apply for a visa. You can find more information on the UK government's website.

There are several airlines that offer flights from Australia to the UK, including Qantas, British Airways, and Emirates. The flight time from Sydney to London is around 22 hours, so it's important to choose an airline that offers comfortable seating and good in-flight entertainment.

If you're on a budget, consider booking a connecting flight through Asia or the Middle East, as these flights are often cheaper than direct flights.

When packing for your trip to the UK, it's important to pack for the weather. The UK is known for its unpredictable weather, so be sure to pack clothing that can be layered.

You should also bring a universal adapter for your electronics, as the UK uses a different type of plug than Australia.

The UK has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trains, and the famous London Underground. If you plan to do a lot of travelling within the UK, consider purchasing a BritRail pass, which will give you unlimited travel on trains throughout the country.

You can also rent a car if you plan to explore the countryside, but be aware that driving in the UK is on the left side of the road.

There are plenty of accommodation options in the UK, from budget hostels to luxury hotels. If you're looking for a unique experience, consider staying in a bed and breakfast or a self-catering cottage.

It's important to book your accommodation in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.

The currency in the UK is the British Pound (GBP). You can exchange your Australian dollars for pounds at banks and currency exchange offices.

It's a good idea to have some cash on hand for small purchases, but most places in the UK accept credit and debit cards.

The UK is known for its traditional pub food, such as fish and chips and bangers and mash. But there are also plenty of fine dining options, as well as international cuisine.

Be aware that tipping in the UK is not as common as it is in Australia. A service charge is often included in the bill, but it's up to you whether or not to leave a tip.

There are some cultural differences between Australia and the UK that you should keep in mind when travelling. For example, the UK has a more formal culture than Australia, so it's important to be polite and use proper etiquette.

In the UK, it's also common to queue (line up) for things, and cutting in line is considered very rude. Tipping is also not as common in the UK as it is in Australia, so don't feel obligated to leave a tip unless the service was exceptional.

The UK is full of must-see attractions, from historical landmarks to stunning natural scenery. Some of the top attractions include:

• The Tower of London
• Buckingham Palace
• The British Museum
• The Lake District National Park
• Edinburgh Castle
• The Roman Baths

Here are some tips to help make your trip to the UK a success:

• Book your flights and accommodation well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Pack for the weather and bring a universal adapter for your electronics.
• Take advantage of public transportation to get around the UK.
• Try traditional pub food, but also explore other dining options.
• Respect cultural differences and be polite.

Travelling to the UK from Australia can be a wonderful experience, as long as you're prepared. By following the tips in this article and being respectful of cultural differences, you can have a successful trip and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Thanks for visiting our blog, are you planing to travel to the UK? Check out our UK SIM card before you take off.

Before you take off make sure to check with local government of the travel status.

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published

Why we need activation dates?

• We need these dates to activate your SIM card so you can use them when you’re ready to travel.
• If you don’t give us an activation date, your SIM card will not work when you plug them into your phone.

Not sure on your dates yet?

• You can add in an estimated date for your SIM. Your SIM’s data & validity won’t start until you plug it into your device.
• Once you know your exact dates, please let us know via our live chat or at [email protected] so we can activate it for you at the right time. 

What if you need to change the dates?

• You can reach out to us via our live chat or at [email protected] with your SIM number so we can change it for you.

Lad cycling from UK to Australia just like his dad 40 years ago -with the same bike

A lad is cycling 12,000 miles from the UK to Australia just like his dad did 40 years ago – using the same model bike.

Jamie Hargreaves, 22, has been ‘raised on his Father’s story’ – so on the 13 May, he set off to embark on his own epic journey around the world, from Manchester to Australia.

The university graduate from Stockport is documenting his adventure across his social media – and hopes to write a book when he completes the mission to draw upon from his Dad’s experience of the world from 1984 in comparison to Jamie’s in the present day.

Jamie, who is also an experienced climber, said: “I have always been so intrigued by my Dad’s story – and I absolutely love him for his adventures around the world that throughout my life have inspired me.

“He used to go into my primary school and give talks about his travels, and tell me so many stories about all the precious situations has been in – from being shot at and nearly dying! – to normal people it sounds a bit to scary but to me it was something I wanted to experience myself.

“So it is something I have wanted to do since I was a little kid.

“Now I just love living life day-to-day.”

Jamie set off on his adventure a few days after finishing his degree in design from Sheffield Hallam University, and is following his Father’s route as close as he can, and has already been through the UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia.

He is financing his trip from funds saved from his work during a year out, as well as Jamie’s sculptor business, where he has been commissioned to wield sculptures using recycled metal, which Jamie has been running since the age of eleven.

Despite not being ‘to keen on the idea’, supporters have also been donating the price of a coffee to Jamie along his travels – which he has said has made a big difference.

Jamie has used his climbing experience that involved wild camping for his trip, and has been travelling ‘dirtbag style’ – as he explains: “I have been roughing it and trying to save money wherever possible – eating bread out of the bins in the Alps (stale bread is designated for the cows).

“I used to do lots of road trips with ice climbing and alpine climbing too and we did it dirtbag style as climbers do.”

He has only stayed in three hostels so far (though ‘only one by choice’) and is wild camping the rest of the time – staying in train stations, bus shelters, church entrances, bird hives and Aldi car parks.

He said: “I prefer to sleep where I can and not put my tent – it saves a faff in the morning!

“It’s been an interesting month that’s for sure.”

His trip has not been without challenges too, as he recalls one of his worst experiences was before he got to Brussels, exactly 20km outside of the city – where he was hoping to get to the town where his Dad had previously stayed.

He said: “I travelled 140 km in one day -and got to the town at 10pm – which was a surprise because it used to be a little village that was now a big town and there was no where to place a tent!

“In Belgium they have no natural areas, so slept in a little shelter next to a railway – but trains run through the night, a metre past my head every 20 mins !!!

“So I bailed and just cycled next day to brussels and had to get a hostel, I was exhausted.”

On average, Jamie has been cycling around 100 km (60 miles) a day, with a maximum distance of 160 km in a day, and he flies to the next country when he has to.

The recent graduate is travelling on a bike that is the exact same model, and from the exact year, as his Dad’s from 1984.

Though Jamie explains how he was not allowed to use his dad’s exact bike, as he said: “not only is it very unsafe now but it is also Dad’s prized possession that he didn’t want to lose – which is fair enough!

“But I prefer mine to his as it’s more my colours…”

His bike weighs 60 kilograms with all the items Jamie has packed for his trip, including a tent, sleeping bag, roll mats, light weight gear, his CANON D4000 camera – and one personal luxury item: a ukulele.

He explained: “I’ve got a lot of stuff – most bike packing adventures for two weeks see people carrying maybe 30kilograms, but I don’t know how or even where the weight comes from!

“I really shouldn’t have brought as many clothes as I’ve basically just worn the exact same clothes since I’ve left and have been washing and drying them every night.

“I keep my ukulele in the strap of the back of my bike – it takes up 40 per cent of the space but it’s 100 per cent worth it.

“I love playing and when I’m sat on my own on a beach it’s really nice to sit down and have a sing along as something fun to do.”

Jamie’s Dad, Phill Hargreaves, 62, said his son was ‘desperate’ to venture on the journey – and has called home more times than he did so far in the whole three years Phill was away.

Phill, who’s journey from the UK to Australia – and back again – was roughly 25,000 miles, said: “It’s quite amazing, Jamie always said ‘oh I’m going to cycle around the world like you did’, and I thought, ‘yeh, probably not!’.

“But he’s done it. I enjoyed it so much.

“I was away for nearly three years and rang my parents about three times in total – back then it was pre-internet and you had to book a time slot, book how long you, wanted to speak for and it was quite expensive – but Jamie just picks the phone up and we’ve chatted a lot.

“It’s been so interesting hearing his experiences, and I’ve even been sending him old photos from my trip, and he has been recreating some of them for his book!”

Phill ventured on the journey from Darby, UK to Darby, Australia, on April Fools Day in 1984 – and now after decades venturing across the globe, he swears by push-bike as the best mode of travelling.

Phill, who cycled through places such as New Zealand, Hong Kong and Berlin , explained: “Out of all the ways of travelling, cycling is a fantastic way – because you can still cover decent distance but it’s not too difficult to stop and experience your surroundings.

“You meet a lot of people – like you can stop to chat to someone walking along the road, and people see you differently than tourists in vehicles – they are so welcoming and it will be interesting to see if Jamie finds the same.”

Jamie has no time constraints for his adventure, saying it could take anywhere from six months to two years – he does not want to be restricted by time and instead wants to experience “every part of the journey”.

He said: “It will take me roughly a year – so far I’ve been blasting out the miles a lot quicker than Dad has, not to put the old man down!

“I’m not in any kind of rush and don’t care about doing a million miles a day, that does not appeal to me at all, I want to see the places and experience them rather than just passing through.

“I don’t ever see myself working in a 9-5 life that does not suit me, and I have no time schedule.”

The young traveler has taken to the adventure solo, unlike his Dad who originally set off with two other friends – but neither made it to the final destination of Australia like his Father.

He explained his Dad’s plan was originally to go from Darby, UK to Darby, Australia – until they ‘realised it was in the middle of nowhere’.

His father, Phill Hargreaves, was the only one who made it to Australia, as Jamie explains: “He had two mates with him, one left when they got to Turkey as they were cycling up this hill – and they never heard from him again!

“Then his other mate left in Nepal – he got every disease or illness known to man and had a rough time.

“My dad was gonna come back but he said I am getting to Australia! And he did.”

Despite being on his own, Jamie admits he loves the liberty that comes with solo exploration, as he is able to venture far and wide, saying: “I really love having my own freedom.

“I can wake up whenever I want and go as far as I want to.

“I’m independent and dependent on myself – people ask me ‘what if I get lonely’, but I like being on my own because I get to know myself and spend a lot of time with myself.

“In a car you drive through some amazing places but you don’t properly experience them – but on a bike it’s so freeing.

“The other day I cycled down from top of the Alpes, along a massive long valley that was 80 km downhill – and it looked like something out of Avatar: there were clouds clinging to the rock face, mountains touring above, turquoise, clear blue water crashing down the valley – and I just thought ‘oh my god’.

“I’m lucky to have travelled a lot for my age, but that was one of the most amazing places I’ve ever been.”

Jamie says he has been overwhelmed with positive feedback from his supports, and is trying to build a community of followers.

He said: “My purpose in life is to encourage people to push their own physical limits and go for their goals and achieve big things – it’s what we are here on earth to do and I want to reach as many people as possible with that message.

“It’s been going well so far.

“Someone messaged saying ‘mate, I’m going to quit my 9-5 and go on a cycle tour because of me!”

Jamie hopes one day his future-son will complete the adventure too and leave a ‘proper legacy for the family’.

He adds that this is not the end of his adventures – and travelling to Australia from the UK is ‘just a stepping stone amidst big future plans’.

Follow Jamie’s adventure here: https://www.instagram.com/j.a.hargreaves/

You can donate Jamie a coffee to assist him on his travels here: https://buymeacoffee.com/jamiehargreaves

Julian Assange flies out of UK on $500,000 private jet after being freed in US plea deal

The WikiLeaks founder landed in Bangkok on his way to US territory after leaving the UK via Stansted on Monday. The release on his website of secret US government documents in 2010 made Assange notorious and sparked more than a decade's worth of legal battles.

Tuesday 25 June 2024 15:47, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Julian Assange is travelling to his native Australia on a private jet after US authorities agreed to drop their demand for the WikiLeaks founder to be extradited from the UK having struck a plea deal with him.

Assange had to pay $500,000 (£394,000) for a chartered flight from Stansted to Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands - a US commonwealth in the Pacific - where he will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.

In exchange he will be sentenced to time served - the 62 months he has already spent in a British prison - according to court documents.

Once the guilty plea has been accepted by a judge, the 52-year-old will be free to return to Australia, the country of his birth.

The chartered flight stopped in Bangkok for refuelling on its way to Saipan.

Assange is accompanied by a WikiLeaks lawyer, a representative of the Australian government and a medic to check on his health.

American prosecutors had alleged Assange put lives at risk when he helped former US Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal diplomatic cables and military files WikiLeaks put online in 2010.

He had been locked in a legal battle in the UK over his extradition, which included him entering the Ecuadorean Embassy in London in 2012 prior to his detention in Belmarsh prison - where he has been since May 2019.

'Julian is free!'

In a post on X, WikiLeaks said Assange left Belmarsh on Monday morning after being granted bail by the High Court. By the afternoon he was at Stansted Airport where he boarded a plane and left the UK.

"After more than five years in a 2x3 metre cell, isolated 23 hours a day, he will soon reunite with his wife Stella Assange, and their children, who have only known their father from behind bars," the organisation said.

Mrs Assange shared on social media a video montage of her husband in a car and then boarding a plane.

She wrote: "Julian is free!!!!

"Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU - yes YOU, who have all mobilised for years and years to make this come true. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU."

She posted on X to say Assange will owe $520,000 to the Australian government for the charter flight and asked for donations to help pay for it.

Julian is free!!!! Words cannot express our immense gratitude to YOU- yes YOU, who have all mobilised for years and years to make this come true. THANK YOU. tHANK YOU. THANK YOU. Follow @WikiLeaks for more info soon… pic.twitter.com/gW4UWCKP44 — Stella Assange #FreeAssangeNOW (@Stella_Assange) June 25, 2024

Speaking from Australia, Mrs Assange told the PA news agency: "It is hard to believe that Julian has been in prison for so long. It had become normalised. I am grateful to the people who made this possible but I am also angry that it ever came to this.

"Overall I am elated but I cannot believe it is actually happening until I see Julian."

Mrs Assange said her husband would not have been released without the intervention of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has been increasingly vocal in his demands for the US to drop charges against Assange.

"The public climate has shifted and everyone understands that Julian has been the victim," she said.

"Things are still very sensitive. Julian is paying for the flight so we will launch a fundraising campaign."

She said she had travelled to Australia with the couple's two young sons, Gabriel and Max, on Sunday when it became clear Assange would be freed.

Julian calling into Sydney from Stansted airport last night (his day time). #AssangeJet #AssangeFree pic.twitter.com/KIz3cZp498 — Stella Assange #FreeAssangeNOW (@Stella_Assange) June 25, 2024

WikiLeaks shared an update on Assange's journey on X, posting a picture of him on a jet as it approached Bangkok for a stopover.

Approaching Bangkok airport for layover. Moving closer to freedom. #AssangeJet pic.twitter.com/QGWZvSFhQD — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) June 25, 2024

Assange's plea and sentencing on Saipan are scheduled for Wednesday morning local time (Tuesday evening UK time).

The hearing is taking place in the US Commonwealth territory because of Assange's opposition to travelling to one of the 50 US states and the court's proximity to Australia.

Read more: Timeline of Assange's 13-year legal battle Plea deal marks end of a transatlantic tug of war Artist's threat to destroy masterpieces 'helped free Assange'

Assange's brother Gabriel Shipton told Sky News this morning the WikiLeaks founder is "overwhelmed to be out of prison".

Mr Shipton added: "He's been on a plane for a very long time now... I've been speaking to him this week and just going through all the details with him.

"He's been very anxious, very excited, and he's looking forward to spending time with his family and being free, being able to have the sun shining on his face, see the birds, go for a swim in the ocean back in Australia.

"He's very much looking forward to that."

JULIAN ASSANGE IS FREE Julian Assange is free. He left Belmarsh maximum security prison on the morning of 24 June, after having spent 1901 days there. He was granted bail by the High Court in London and was released at Stanstead airport during the afternoon, where he boarded a… — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) June 24, 2024

Craig Murray, a friend of Assange, told Sky News the news was "absolutely wonderful".

He said: "The whole family is totally elated that we have finally got an end to this terrible saga."

Mr Murray said the entire ordeal has been "very taxing" on Assange with his imprisonment taking a toll on both his physical and mental health.

He added: "We are lucky that he is a very resilient man and he will recover and we will get our Julian fully back."

Simon Crowther, Amnesty International's legal adviser, said: "We welcome the news that Julian Assange is to be released, as we believe he should never have been imprisoned like this in the first place.

"The fight to protect freedom of expression continues though. The years-long global spectacle of the prosecution of a publisher for revealing alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations has undoubtedly done historic damage."

A more than decade-long fight

Assange has been fighting extradition to the US for more than a decade.

In a January 2021 ruling, then district judge Vanessa Baraitser said he should not be sent to the US, citing a real and "oppressive" risk of suicide, while ruling against him on all other issues.

Later that year, US authorities won a High Court bid to overturn this block, paving the way towards Assange's extradition.

In June 2022, the UK government approved the extradition of Assange to the US, with then home secretary Priti Patel having signed the extradition order.

Why has the US dropped the extradition demand?

The US formally asked the UK to extradite Julian Assange to face charges that he conspired to hack government computers and violated an espionage law in 2019.

After five years, this request has been dropped, with the US having come to a plea deal with the WikiLeaks founder - but why now?

Former CIA chief of staff, Larry Pfeiffer, says it is not unusual for these sorts of espionage cases to be adjudicated through plea deals.

"In these sorts of cases justice may not be the only issue that needs to be dealt with," he told Sky News.

Mr Pfeiffer said if the case ever went to trial it would have risked "sources and methods" that the US military and government use being exposed.

"[This case] also served as a thorn in UK-US relations and US-Australian relations," he added.

"It was creating issues surrounding what we all love, which is liberty and freedom of the case. By resolving this we resolved some of those troublesome issues."

Mr Pfeiffer says overall he thinks the plea deal is a "win, win".

Read more from Sky News: Ship in deadly Baltimore bridge collapse leaves disaster site Pirates Of The Caribbean actor dies after shark attack Family sues NASA after home is hit by space station debris

In February of this year, he made one final attempt under UK law to avoid being sent to the US.

In March, Dame Victoria Sharp and Mr Justice Johnson dismissed most of Assange's legal arguments - but said unless assurances were given by the US, he would be able to bring an appeal on three grounds.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

These assurances were that Assange would be protected by and allowed to rely on the First Amendment - which protects freedom of speech in the US - that he would not be "prejudiced at trial" due to his nationality and the death penalty would not be imposed.

Three months later, in May, two High Court judges ruled he would be allowed to appeal against being extradited , would not face the death penalty and he could rely on the First Amendment if he faced a trial for spying.

The Australian government said it continues to provide consular assistance to Assange.

"Prime Minister Albanese has been clear - Mr Assange's case has dragged on for too long and there is nothing to be gained by his continued incarceration," a spokesperson said.

Related Topics

• Julian Assange

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Bring photo ID to vote Check what photo ID you'll need to vote in person in the General Election on 4 July.

• Visas and immigration
• Travelling to the UK

Entering the UK

Your identity document (for example your passport or identity card) will be checked when you arrive at a UK port or airport to make sure you’re allowed to come into the country. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You may also need a visa to come into or travel through the UK , depending on your nationality.

Check which documents you’ll need to come to the UK .

You do not need to take any COVID-19 tests or fill in a passenger locator form. This applies whether you’re fully vaccinated or not.

What you can bring with you

What you can bring with you depends on where you’re travelling from. You must declare to customs:

• anything over your duty-free allowance
• banned or restricted goods in the UK
• goods that you plan to sell
• more than €10,000 (or its equivalent) in cash, if you’re coming from outside the EU

You and your baggage may be checked for anything you must declare.

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab) .

Whyalla residents celebrate as birthing services return to local hospital after year-long suspension

It has been a year-long wait, but birthing services will be returning to the Whyalla Hospital. 

From July 1, the Woonabie Birthing Unit will be available to women with low-risk pregnancies who are at 37 weeks or more gestation.

Expectant mum and Whyalla hospital nurse Taylor Breen said she was relieved she would be able to welcome her first child in her home town. 

"I always hoped that the birthing unit in Whyalla might open in time for us," Ms Breen said.

"We were going to go to Port Augusta, but this makes everything so much more convenient."

Some patients may still be referred to Port Augusta Hospital or alternate services in special circumstances, such as those who need to be induced or when demand exceeds the capacity of the midwifery team.

Several experienced midwives from the United Kingdom are expected to relocate to Whyalla in the coming months, at which time all maternity services will return to the hospital.

Travelling to give birth 'stressful'

The reopening of Whyalla's birthing services has been long awaited with many women disappointed at the need to travel to Port Augusta or Adelaide to give birth.

Natasha Watson had to start travelling to Port Augusta, nearly an hour's drive from home, for treatment and to eventually give birth in August after Whyalla closed its service two months prior.

The new mum, who was diagnosed with an irritable uterus at 34 weeks, would often experience premature contractions on the "bumpy drive" to Port Augusta from Whyalla.

"Quite often, it would restart a few of the contractions, so I'd have to stay in overnight in Port Augusta before I was released to be able to come back home," she said.

"It was a very stressful time."

How the government restored services

Following the closure of the birthing services, an independent review was commissioned that found a "fractured" relationship between midwives and SA Health executives was a contributing factor to critical workforce shortages.

Since then, the government has been working towards addressing all eight recommendations outlined in the independent review .

In December, Charlotte Groves took on the newly created position of director of midwifery at the Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network.

During her tenure as the midwifery unit manager in the Women's Assessment Service at the Women's and Children's Health Network, Ms Groves helped establish the statewide Women's Virtual Assessment Service for women who had early pregnancy and urgent gynaecological concerns.

The review also called for the birthing unit to re-locate to a newer part of the hospital, which was opened in May.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Pregnant women 'just making it' to nearest hospital after sudden closure of rural birthing service.

Midwives in regional SA town face lack of support, outdated facilities, report finds

Critical shortage of midwives forces closure of Whyalla Hospital birthing services

• Doctors and Medical Professionals
• Healthcare Facilities
• Port Augusta
• Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Regional Communities
• Women's Health

I tested Meta Quest 3’s Travel Mode on a 15-hour flight, and it puts Apple Vision Pro to shame

I’m never flying without this VR headset again

Computex 2024 was easily one of my favorite shows in recent memory, but the 15-hour flight to get there isn’t great. I thought I’d experienced long-haul in the past with a 7-hour excursion to New York, but this was a whole different level that I wasn’t ready for.

And chances are you know the common problems — in-flight entertainment selection sucks and looks even worse on that TFT display, looking down at the entertainment you bring onto the plane with you in a laptop or a Steam Deck creates proper neck pain, and no matter how much you distract yourself, the surroundings of being on a plane can get real dull real fast.

But when Meta announced Travel Mode for Quest 3 and 2, I was intrigued (skeptical too) by whether it would actually make for a good experience. I’ve been burned by Apple Vision Pro after all (more on that later), but I’m here to say that using Meta’s VR headset on a plane is a game changer in making over 6,000 miles of travel go by in a flash. 

Meta Quest 3: $495 @ Amazon With a 4K+ Infinite display that is a bright, colorful joy to see, great feeling controllers with accurate tracking (even hand tracking too if you’d rather ditch them), a huge library of over 500 apps and over two hours of battery, there are a ton of reasons why we rank this as our best VR headset .

Aubika Mini Case for Meta Quest 3: $21 @ Amazon with coupon applied For traveling with your Quest 3, you’re going to need a case, and Aubika’s mini option is my favorite by far. A tough exterior, soft, plush internal fabrics to keep it safe, and a small-enough form to fit in the bottom of my personal backpack.

What is Travel Mode?

Announced a few weeks ago, Travel Mode is a mixture of things. First and foremost, it tunes the motion tracking algorithms to accommodate all the expected movements of an airplane, like turbulence. Second, the browser will now open the window to connect to in-flight Wi-Fi when prompted. And third (the bit I didn’t test because my bosses didn't allow me to expense business class tickets), a pilot program with Lufthansa to develop a suite of mixed-reality content to absorb.

Since I didn’t really have Wi-Fi access to go fully online all the way back in coach (just watch the in-flight entertainment), I was limited to what I had saved on my device. So let’s consider this a test of what I’m going to call the “real Travel Mode.” By that I mean those that don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a lavish flight experience — only enough to get an aisle seat at the back of the plane.

How to turn on Travel Mode on Meta Quest 3 and 2

This can be done in three steps:

• Go to Settings and scroll down to Experimental.
• Scroll down this list of experimental settings and hit the toggle next to Travel mode to turn it on
• Now you’ll find a Travel mode option inside your Quick settings panel to turn on or off at your discretion

And that’s it! Just make sure you’re running v65 of the Meta Quest software and you’ll see this option appear.

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

Getting around one key frustration

Before I discuss this huge leap forward in in-flight entertainment for me, a key app recommendation — well, it's more of a requirement for watching films and TV shows, as there isn’t an online store or viewer to download and watch content offline. 

Get Skybox VR Video Player , as the $9.99 price tag is worth it for what you get in terms of playing 2D and 3D video content locally in all kinds of video formats. And since your Quest 3 is viewed by your computer as an Android device when plugged in, just get your content (legally downloaded of course) and add it into the file structure of the headset. I ended up taking a couple seasons of "Silicon Valley" with me, alongside a few games to dabble with.

A revelation whether your sitting or laying down

For the first time in a long while, I was very fortunate to get an entire row to myself. Normally I’m cramped in a middle seat between two serial snorers, but I must have earned some good karma to actually get the adjacent two seats to really stretch out and create a makeshift bed.

Whether I was laying down or sitting up, the Quest 3 was virtually faultless in my time with it on the plane — provided you’re okay with some dangling cables. Flights are loud, so you’re obviously going to need headphones, and the latency of Bluetooth headphones with Meta’s headset makes them unusable. And of course the battery life will not last the full duration, so a charging cable is essential.

But when you’ve got these tucked behind you, the experience is unmatched. Screw that crappy display you get in the back of the seat — transport yourself to a virtual movie theater and watch to your heart’s content.

Even in moments where accurate tracking is essential, like playing Under Cover (basically a VR version of Time Crisis), everything felt great and I popped off accurate shots easily, even when the flight got a little bumpy.

Then I turned my attention to productivity, and opened up Virtual Desktop (the one of three display mirroring apps that can actually work without an internet connection) to use it as a virtual display for my M3 Pro MacBook Pro . I positioned the display to sit directly in front of me, mimicking the seat back screen and I was off to the races typing up my articles and editing video with virtually zero latency.

Of course, a more comfortable option for this kind of screen mirroring would be a pair of AR glasses like the Viture Pro or Xreal Air 2 , but the elimination of the constricting 50-degree field of view to the uber wide 110-degrees is a different of night and day when it comes to looking off at a second display in your peripheral view.

Whatever I threw at it in the difficult surroundings of a flight, the Quest 3 held up with no problems. The only obstacle was my own eye strain, but after a short rest I was right back in.

How does this compare to Apple Vision Pro?

When traveling to Costa Rica in late March, I got a chance to test the Apple Vision Pro in Travel Mode on the flight back to London, and the results are very mixed. My colleague Katie Kozuch had a better experience , but with both of these opinions taken into account, I'm confident that Meta Quest 3 the clear winner for traveling vast distances. Let me explain.

It all started with the floating screens that work (mostly) fine when in perfect lighting conditions, but the moment you challenge it when the lights go down for a long haul flight, you’re regularly greeted with a “Tracking error” warning message. With Quest 3, I never faced an error message — even when trying to trick it by looking out of an airplane window!

Next, hand tracking is largely OK around 7 times out of 10 during my in-flight usage. There were some frustrations where my pinches were not registered, and while using your hands to navigate around VisionOS is already kind of slow, you can imagine it’s even slower within the bumpy confines of a plane seat. 

Thanks to the simple addition of controllers, Quest 3 is infinitely faster to interact with. But even in the situation where you don’t have these on you, hand tracking feels a lot more reliable and accurate in Meta’s headset.

And finally, a humorous observation when I wanted to access the settings to turn off People Awareness. Upon opening settings, I felt like I was losing my mind trying to find the settings screen, which turned out to be hiding under my seat. Not entirely sure what it was doing down there, but without a better way of saying it, Travel Mode can do with some work.

It is worth bearing in mind that the EyeSight display on Vision Pro does help give Cabin Crew visibility of you looking at them. The amount of times I had a member of the crew wave directly in front of my face even though I was in pass-through mode — it requires you to take your headset off to talk to anyone, whereas I didn’t have to do so with Apple’s headset.

Getting me excited for the future

In my last couple of years covering headsets, I’ve noticed one thing: the parallel paths of development between VR headsets and AR glasses are starting to merge. Don’t get me wrong, it’ll take a few years to get there, as chipset and battery technology needs to catch up.

But it’s happening, and the companies you think of in the AR glasses space are already experimenting. For example, one prototype I’ve heard about in conversations with one company already has a Snapdragon chip inside and a 70-degree field of view. The problem? Selling these would cost around $5,000 given the sheer amount of intricate custom engineering to make it work, and there is no built-in battery.

That is where for the longer journeys, a VR headset really comes into its own, and the Meta Quest 3 stands heads and shoulders above in terms of its Travel Mode capabilities — making that reasonable price all the more valuable. But Meta has also been thinking about how it can condense its tech into a pair of glasses .

The promise is clear. If the Quest 3 can do this now, I can’t begin to imagine the breakthrough that will happen when this tech is condensed down into a pair of specs.

More from Tom's Guide

• Logitech MX Ink lets you draw in thin air on Meta Quest 3 — here’s how it works
• Meta Quest 3S launch tipped as Meta Connect 2024 dates announced
• I tested a cheap Apple Vision Pro knock-off — it’s worse than you can imagine

Jason brings a decade of tech and gaming journalism experience to his role as a Managing Editor of Computing at Tom's Guide. He has previously written for Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Kotaku, Stuff and BBC Science Focus. In his spare time, you'll find Jason looking for good dogs to pet or thinking about eating pizza if he isn't already.

Apple's next Vision Pro headset might be cheaper — but it could come with one big disadvantage

Apple reportedly abandoning Vision Pro 2 for cheaper headset — everything you need to know

OpenAI shares a new GPT-4o advanced voice demo — it can teach you a language

• cellodude05 Awesome review! What app did you use for your virtual MacBook screen? Reply
• keclear My experience with the Vision Pro is a lot more positive on my recent trip from Boston to Singapore. What matters to me the most is the image quality, which the Oled screens of the Vision Pro wins. Once I get the movies to start playing, I don’t care about the controls that much. The Vision Pro can lose tracking occasionally which is annoying, but it only takes a second or two to recover. Also, turning on the reading light in a very dark plane helps maintaining tracking. I watched two seasons of Slow Horses which makes the trip feel so much shorter. Reply
• View All 2 Comments

Most Popular

• 2 5 surefire signs it’s time to upgrade your TV
• 3 I did side planks with leg raises every day for a week to strengthen my obliques — here’s what happened
• 4 NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #117 (Friday, June 28 2024)
• 5 I tried this simple vacuum cleaner hack — and my room smelled amazing
• 2 YouTube Premium will get extra subscription plans in the future — plus a bunch more features
• 3 New on Paramount Plus in July 2024 — all the movies and shows to watch
• 4 5 surefire signs it’s time to upgrade your TV
• 5 I did side planks with leg raises every day for a week to strengthen my obliques — here’s what happened