Swap the first frosts in London for 31°C and the Andaman Sea.
Air China flies from London Gatwick to Phuket from £365 return, with one stop in Beijing or Chengdu. The dates fall in late November and December 2026, the start of the dry season, and a checked bag is included.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London, United Kingdom
- To: Phuket, Thailand
- Airline: Air China
- Stops: 1 stop in Beijing or Chengdu
- Price: £365–£366 return
- When: November - December 2026
Example dates:
27/11/2026 - 06/12/2026
27/11/2026 - 09/12/2026
27/11/2026 - 11/12/2026
27/11/2026 - 17/12/2026
04/12/2026 - 17/12/2026
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On the 27/11 departures, the flight leaves Gatwick at 19:10 and stops for 5h30 in Chengdu. On 04/12 it leaves at 11:35 with a 3h40 stop in Beijing. The return leaves Phuket at 18:25. On 17/12 it stops for just 1h40 in Beijing and lands at Gatwick at 05:40, but the returns on 06/12, 09/12 and 11/12 have a long stop (7h20-11h45 in Beijing or Chengdu) and land at Heathrow. Hand luggage and one checked bag are included.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in London now costs £6-7. In Phuket, a plate of pad thai from a street stall costs about £1.70, a cold Chang at a beach bar around £2.50 and a one-hour Thai massage £7-9. A songthaew, the local shared bus, from Phuket Town to the beaches costs about £1.
☀️ The Weather
Late November and December are the start of the dry season in Phuket. Expect highs of 31-32°C, nights around 24°C and a sea temperature of about 28°C. Showers become rare as December goes on, and the Andaman Sea turns calm and clear, good for boat trips and snorkelling.
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay in Patong for nightlife, or Kata for a quieter beach.
Book a Bed Poshtel · 8.5/10 · From £13/night
A stylish hostel in Phuket Old Town, with private rooms and the night markets close by.
Deevana Patong Resort & Spa · 8.7/10 · From £53/night
A garden resort with three pools, a short walk from Patong Beach.
The Shore at Katathani · 9.3/10 · From £380/night
Adults-only pool villas on the hillside above Kata Noi, one of the island's best beaches.
⏱️ Making the most of your layover in Beijing or Chengdu
Some return dates have a stop of 7-12 hours in Beijing Capital or Chengdu Tianfu. UK passport holders can usually leave the airport visa-free under China's transit rules, but check the current rules for your passport before you book, and be back at the airport at least 3 hours before your next flight.
Great Wall layover tour from Beijing Capital: A guided trip from the airport to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, with the cable car and transfers both ways.
Panda layover tour from Chengdu Tianfu: A private tour from the airport to the Giant Panda Base and the old streets of Chengdu, then back for your flight.
If you'd rather rest:
Jinjiang Inn Beijing Capital Airport · 8.8/10 · From £30/night
A simple, clean hotel about 1 km from Beijing Capital airport, for a few hours of sleep.
🎯 What to Do
Phuket is beaches, islands and viewpoints.
Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay: The classic day trip by speedboat, with snorkelling stops and lunch on the islands.
James Bond Island and Phang Nga Bay: Limestone towers rising from green water, sea caves and the floating village of Koh Panyee.
Big Buddha viewpoint: The 45-metre white marble Buddha on the hills above Chalong, with views over the whole south of the island.
Similan Islands: White sand and some of Thailand's best snorkelling, a national park that is only open from October to May.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
Phuket is a good base for the south of Thailand.
Krabi and Railay: Cliffs, climbing and beaches only reachable by boat, about 2 hours by ferry or road.
Khao Lak: Quiet beaches and the gateway to the Similan Islands, about 1h30 by road.
Koh Samui: Palm-lined beaches in the Gulf of Thailand, about 1 hour by air. Search flights
Chiang Mai: Temples, night markets and mountains in the north, about 2 hours by air. Search flights
From £365 return with a checked bag, London to Phuket for the start of the dry season.
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