Kuala Lumpur revealed as cheapest winter sun holiday

A week-long holiday to the Malaysian capital costs less than £1,000

Kuala Lumpur is a destination worth seeing in its own right (Getty/iStock)

Kuala Lumpur has been revealed as the cheapest winter sun destination for British travellers.

Research released today by flight aggregator Kayak found that a week-long break to the Malaysian capital, including flights, accommodation, food, drink and transport, costs an average of £923. The city makes a great base to explore the rest of Malaysia, including the tropical island of Langkawi, foodie city Penang or the former hill station of the Cameron Highlands.

Kuala Lumpur is followed by Chennai and New Delhi in India, with week-long holidays costing an average of £929 and £941 respectively. The Indian cities of Kochi in Kerala and cultural capital Mumbai also appear in the top 10 cheapest destinations this winter, costing an average of £1,017 and £1,115 respectively.

Within Europe, Espargos in Cape Verde and Tenerife were ranked in the top 10 cheapest breaks, with a total average cost of just over £1,000 for a week.

Bangkok was ranked the most popular destination this winter by the flight aggregator, and it’s also one of the cheapest: a week-long break to the Thai capital costs an average of £1,048. Kayak reported a growing interest in Singapore, with flight searches to the city-state almost doubling this winter compared to last winter; there was also an 88 per cent jump in searches to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

The Maldives has seen a bounce in demand, although a week-long break to the island nation costs £1,718. The Maldives was recently voted one of Lonely Planet’s Best Value destinations for 2019.

“An escape from winter doesn’t have to cost a fortune or many hours of travel, and it’s great to see that for British travellers, basic costs for a full week’s holiday in the Malaysian sun can come in at under £950," said John-Lee Saez, managing director for KAYAK Europe.

The 10 cheapest winter escapes

1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – £923
2. Chennai, India – £929
3. New Delhi, India – £941
4. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – £945
5. Kochi, India – £1,017
6. Bangkok, Thailand – £1,048
7. Espargos, Cape Verde – £1,092
8. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – £1,109
9. Mumbai, India – £1,115
10. Banjul, The Gambia – £1,120