Two of Southeast Asia's great food capitals, plus a free day on a tropical Chinese island on the way.
Hainan Airlines flies from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur from £367 return, and to Jakarta from £384. Both routes stop in Haikou, on Hainan Island, long enough to see the city. The dates fall in late November and early December 2026, and checked bags are included.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London Heathrow, United Kingdom
- To: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, or Jakarta, Indonesia
- Airline: Hainan Airlines
- Stops: 1 stop in Haikou each way
- Price: £367–£386 return
- When: November - December 2026
Example dates:
Kuala Lumpur: 25/11/2026 - 08/12/2026
Kuala Lumpur: 18/11/2026 - 01/12/2026
Jakarta: 25/11/2026 - 08/12/2026
Jakarta: 02/12/2026 - 15/12/2026
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To Kuala Lumpur, the flight leaves Heathrow at 21:05, stops for 23h40 in Haikou and lands at 20:10 two days later. The return leaves at 21:15, stops for 12h25 in Haikou and lands in London at 18:25 the next day. Jakarta works the same way, with stops of 22h20 and 11h55. On 25/11, Kuala Lumpur costs £367 and Jakarta £384. Hand baggage, a checked bag and meals are included.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in a London pub costs about £6.50. In Kuala Lumpur, a plate of nasi lemak costs £1.30, a bowl of laksa £2.20 and a teh tarik, the pulled milk tea, 60p. In Jakarta, a plate of nasi goreng from a street cart is about £1, and a Grab ride across the city rarely tops £3.
☀️ The Weather
Late November and December are hot and humid in both cities. Kuala Lumpur has highs of 31-32°C, nights around 24°C and a heavy shower most afternoons. Jakarta is at the start of its wet season, with highs of 31-32°C and short, heavy downpours, usually after sunny mornings.
🏨 Where to Stay
Two good-value bases and one splurge.
Central City Hotel @ Chinatown · 8.1/10 · From £22/night
A simple hotel in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, next to Petaling Street market and the Pasar Seni station.
Ashley Wahid Hasyim · 8.7/10 · From £32/night
A short walk from Jakarta's Jalan Sabang street food, with a rooftop pool for the jet lag.
Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur · 9.1/10 · From £227/night
Suites high above Bukit Bintang, with a rooftop bar facing the Petronas Towers.
⏱️ Making the most of your layover in Haikou
The outbound stop in Haikou Meilan lasts about 23h40, and the return about 12h25. Hainan Island has its own visa-free entry rules for British passport holders, but check them before you fly. The old town is about 30 minutes from the airport by taxi. Be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight.
Haikou 5-hour layover tour: Qilou Old Street, a local market and the seafront with a guide, made for a stop between flights.
Volcano park and coffee town: The extinct volcano craters outside the city and a village famous for its Hainan coffee.
Night cruise on Haikou Bay: The city lights from the water, a good way to spend the evening of a long stop.
If you'd rather rest:
Orange Hotel Haikou Meilan International Airport · 9.6/10 · From £35/night
About 2.5 km from the terminal, for a proper night's sleep on the long outbound stop.
Four Points by Sheraton Haikou International Airport · 8.4/10 · From £44/night
About 4 km from the airport, with a pool and a restaurant.
🎯 What to Do
Kuala Lumpur is towers, temples and street food at every corner.
Petronas Twin Towers: The skybridge and the observation deck of the world's tallest twin towers.
Batu Caves: The rainbow staircase and the Hindu temple inside a limestone hill, with pick-up.
Street food tour: Fifteen tastings, from satay to cendol, with a local guide.
Malacca day trip: The colonial port town, its river cruise and a Peranakan lunch.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
From Kuala Lumpur, the rest of Southeast Asia is a short hop away.
Penang: Street art and the best street food in Malaysia, about 1 hour by air. Search flights
Langkawi: Beaches and mangroves on a duty-free island, about 1 hour by air. Search flights
Singapore: About 1 hour by air, or 5 hours by bus. Search flights
Bali: Temples, rice terraces and surf, about 3 hours by air. Search flights
From £367 return, London to Kuala Lumpur, with a free day in Haikou thrown in. Bags included, so the price is the price.
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