APH has released a guide to the best winter sun destinations for 2023, considering factors such as temperature, sunshine hours, flight time, exchange rate, and time difference.
For the highest temperatures, Bali, Thailand, and the Maldives are the best choices, with average temperatures of 27-28°C from October to January. If you’re looking for long sunny days, Cape Town is the top choice, with 10 hours of sunshine per day.
To avoid jet lag, choose destinations such as Portugal, the Canary Islands, or Cape Town, with a 1- or 2-hour time difference from the UK. Avoid destinations further afield such as Bali, Mexico, and Thailand, which all have a minimum 6-hour time difference.
For a weekend getaway, Turkey, the Canary Islands, and Portugal are all around a 4-hour flight from the UK. If you’re happy to travel for longer, Dubai and Mexico are good halfway options, with a 7-hour and 10-hour flight respectively. Bali is the furthest destination, with a 16-hour flight.
If you’re traveling with your family, consider the activities and attractions available at each destination. The guide highlights popular options such as the Planetarium and Science Museum in Miami, Mountain Safari in Turkey, and Whale Shark excursions in the Maldives.
| Country | Average Temperature | Hours of Sunshine Per Day | Flight Time | Time Difference from the UK | Exchange Rate (1 GBP) | Activity Highlights | Top Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antalya, Turkey | 18°C | 7 hours | 4 hours 15 mins | 2 hours ahead (BST) 3 hours ahead (GMT) | 33.65 Turkish Lira | Water Sports Mountain Safari Culture | Whitewater Rafting in Köprülü Kanyon Jeep Safari in the Taurus Mountains Largest stage in the world – Aspendos and the Fire of Anatolia |
| Bali, Indonesia | 28°C | 9 hours | 16 hours 35 mins | 7 hours ahead (BST) 8 hours ahead (GMT) | 19,221.66 Indonesian Rupiah | Diving & Snorkelling Historical Sites Hiking & Waterfalls | Dive (or snorkel) in the Balinese reefs The Valley of The Balinese Kings – Gunung Kawi Temple Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall |
| Cancun, Mexico | 25°C | 5 hours | 10 hours 25 mins | 6 hours behind (BST) 5 hours behind (GMT) | 21.99 Mexican Peso | Culture Wildlife & Nature Archaeological Reserves | Cancun Underwater Museum of Art Crystal Caves – Rio Secreto Nature Reserve Chichen Itza |
| Cape Town, South Africa | 22°C | 10 hours | 11 hours 40 mins | 1 hour ahead (BST) 2 hours ahead (GMT) | 24.20 South African Rand | Hiking Wineries Historical Sites | Table Mountain Hiking Trail Wineries in Stellenbosch UNESCO World Heritage Site – Robben Island |
| Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 19°C | 8 hours | 7 hours | 3 hours ahead (BST) 4 hours ahead (GMT) | 4.61 Dhs | Sightseeing Safari Adventure Sports | Tallest Building in The World – Burj Khalifa Desert Safari Sky Diving at the Palm Jumeirah |
| Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | 18°C | 6 hours | 4 hours 15 mins | 0 (BST & GMT) | 1.17 Euro | Adventure Sports Stargazing Water Sports | Dune Bashing at Corralejo Natural Park Stargazing in Corralejo Town Wave & Kite Surfing in Sotavento Lagoon |
| Krabi, Thailand | 27°C | 6 hours | 13 hours | 6 hours ahead (BST) 7 hours ahead (GMT) | 44.57 Thai Baht | Spa & Wellness Historic Sites Food & Drink | Natural Hot Springs – Klong Thom Khao Khanap Nam Prehistoric Caves Koh Lanta Yai Food Market |
| Madeira, Portugal | 16°C | 5 hours | 3 hours 50 mins | 0 (BST & GMT) | 1.17 Euro | Historical Sites Sightseeing Historical Sites | 15th Century Museum of Sacred Art of Funchal View over the Atlantic Ocean – Praça do Povo 15th Century Historic Convent of Santa Clara |
| Miami, US | 20°C | 7 hours | 9 hours 30 mins | 5 hours behind(BST & GMT) | 1.25 USD | Family Attractions Art & History Theatre | Planetarium Aquarium & Science Museum Walking Tour in the Miami Design Preservation League Cabaret at the Faena Theatre |
| The Maldives | 27°C | 8 hours | 19 hours 25 mins | 4 hours ahead (BST) 5 hours ahead (GMT) | 19.40 Maldivian Rufiyaa | Wildlife & Nature Diving Spa & Wellness | Whale Shark Excursion & Swim with Whale Sharks Glowing Bioluminescent Beach – Vaadhoo Island Sunset Cruise with Dolphins |
UK Airport Parking Options for Holidays
Once you’ve chosen your destination, you’ll need to book your airport parking. We compare the best airport parking deals from a range of providers, including:
- Park and Ride
- Meet and Greet
- On-airport parking
- Long-stay parking
You can compare prices and book your parking online in advance.