After months of rain across the UK, many Britons are eager to get away from the winter weather. New data suggested travellers are increasingly looking far beyond Europe for reliable sunshine, with long-haul destinations seeing a sharp rise in interest.Insights from travel search engine KAYAK show flight searches from the UK to destinations outside Europe are up 11 per cent year-on-year, pointing to a shift away from short-haul winter breaks. Traditional winter-sun favourites are losing some momentum, with searches for Arrecife in Lanzarote down 11 per cent compared with last year. Instead, Britons are setting their sights much further afield – and one destination in particular is seeing a dramatic surge.Searches for Hanoi are up 103 per cent for travel in February and March compared with the same period last year | GETTYSearches for Hanoi are up 103 per cent for travel in February and March compared with the same period last year, making the Vietnamese capital one of the fastest-rising long-haul city breaks for UK travellers.Hanoi has warm, dry weather at a time when much of Europe remains unsettled, with average temperatures of around 24°C in late winter and early spring. It is also strong on value. According to Numbeo, the cost of everyday essentials remains low, with a domestic beer typically costing the equivalent of around £1.50, making it one of the best-value long-haul city breaks for food and drink.Return flights to Hanoi are currently averaging around £628 for departures this week, compared with more than £1,000 for mid-March travel – a potential saving of almost £450 for those able to travel earlier.UK travel expert at KAYAK, Rachel Mumford, said: “Our search insights show Britons are prepared to travel further for sunshine, but value still plays a huge role in where they book. “Vietnam stands out because it combines reliable warm weather with low everyday costs once you arrive, making a long-haul trip feel far more affordable.”We’re also seeing that travellers who can be flexible with when they fly are able to unlock significant savings by travelling earlier rather than waiting until later in the season.”Hanoi has warm, dry weather at a time when much of Europe remains unsettled | GETTYHanoi is not the only long-haul destination benefiting from the shift. Searches for Colombo are up 20 per cent year-on-year, while interest in Cancún has risen by 14 per cent, underlining a growing appetite among Britons to trade short-haul breaks for guaranteed sunshine further afield.KAYAK’s standout optionsBangkokAverage return fares of £676, currently four per cent cheaper than last yearBest time to book is the week commencing March 9, with fares averaging £695 returnColomboAverage return prices of £710, the same as last yearBest time to book is the week commencing March 2, with fares averaging £681 returnMarrakeshAverage return fares around £115Best time to book is the week commencing March 2, with prices averaging £94 returnRiyadhAverage return prices around £426, down 11 per cent from last yearBest time to book is the week commencing February 23, with fares averaging £431 returnOur Standards:
The GB News Editorial Charter