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Fly Your Way to Europe with 14 Popular Routes from Australia

A man is walking down a tree-lined street with his back to the camera. He's wearing a blue backpack. Towering over the background are the intricate spires of Barcelona's Sagrada Família, partially framed by the buildings on either side. Red umbrellas are lined up on the left. The lighting is golden, possibly from a late afternoon sun.

4min read

Published 30 March 2026

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Planning a trip to Europe from Australia usually starts with one big question: How are you going to get there? The truth is, there are thousands of ways to reach your destination depending on your budget, how quickly you want to arrive, or if you’re looking for a "holiday within a holiday" along the way. 

From the world-class terminals of Singapore, to layovers with “mini safaris” (yes, read that right) here are 14 popular routes to get your Euro holiday off to a flying start! 

Contents

Fly via Singapore

Fly via Japan

Fly via South Korea

Fly via China

Fly via Africa

Fly via the USA

Fly via Canada

Fly via the Middle East

Fly via Singapore

Gemini said A world map showing a red dashed flight route connecting Europe, Singapore, and Australia. Three large red dots mark the specific locations: one in Western Europe, one at Singapore, and one on the eastern coast of Australia. The landmasses are light green against a pale blue ocean.
Gemini said A world map showing a red dashed flight route connecting Europe, Singapore, and Australia. Three large red dots mark the specific locations: one in Western Europe, one at Singapore, and one on the eastern coast of Australia. The landmasses are light green against a pale blue ocean.
Gemini said A world map showing a red dashed flight route connecting Europe, Singapore, and Australia. Three large red dots mark the specific locations: one in Western Europe, one at Singapore, and one on the eastern coast of Australia. The landmasses are light green against a pale blue ocean.

Travelling via Singapore is one of the most popular routes for Aussies, and for good reason (hello, Jewel Changi Airport!). Changi Airport is more than a transit hub; it’s almost a destination in itself, and has regularly been voted the world’s best airport. 

Check out the spectacular rain vortex, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, stroll through indoor gardens and so much more! 

Fly with: Singapore Airlines, Qantas, British Airways (Sydney only) & Finnair. 

Discover Why Singapore is the Perfect Stayover Destination

Find out more

Fly via Japan

A world map illustrating a flight path with a red dashed line connecting Europe, Tokyo, and Australia. Red circular markers pinpoint a location in Western Europe, the city of Tokyo in Japan, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses a simple green and light blue color palette with bold grey and black text labels.
A world map illustrating a flight path with a red dashed line connecting Europe, Tokyo, and Australia. Red circular markers pinpoint a location in Western Europe, the city of Tokyo in Japan, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses a simple green and light blue color palette with bold grey and black text labels.
A world map illustrating a flight path with a red dashed line connecting Europe, Tokyo, and Australia. Red circular markers pinpoint a location in Western Europe, the city of Tokyo in Japan, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses a simple green and light blue color palette with bold grey and black text labels.

Heading north via Tokyo is a dream for lovers of high-tech cities and world-class hospitality. Is there any better way to break up a long journey than a stop where you can get ramen and some Famichiki? 

Fly with: Qantas, Japan Airlines, Air Nippon Airways & Finnair.

Fly via South Korea

A world map illustrating a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Seoul, South Korea. A red dashed line connects three red dots marking the locations in Western Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map features green landmasses and a light blue ocean with bold text labels.
A world map illustrating a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Seoul, South Korea. A red dashed line connects three red dots marking the locations in Western Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map features green landmasses and a light blue ocean with bold text labels.
A world map illustrating a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Seoul, South Korea. A red dashed line connects three red dots marking the locations in Western Europe, the Korean Peninsula, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map features green landmasses and a light blue ocean with bold text labels.

Seoul’s Incheon International Airport is frequently ranked right alongside Changi for passenger experience. It’s a seamless hub that offers a unique cultural twist on your way to the West, perfect for those who want a smooth, ultra-modern transit. 

Take a stroll through the airport’s "Cultural Museum" or enjoy a quick K-beauty facial between flights. 

Fly with: Korean Airlines, Asiana, Finnair, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch & Air France.

Fly via China

Gemini said A world map showing three red dashed flight routes connecting Europe to Australia via stopovers in China. Red dots mark the key locations in Western Europe and the eastern coast of Australia, with three intermediate points labeled Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The landmasses are light green against a light blue background.
Gemini said A world map showing three red dashed flight routes connecting Europe to Australia via stopovers in China. Red dots mark the key locations in Western Europe and the eastern coast of Australia, with three intermediate points labeled Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The landmasses are light green against a light blue background.
Gemini said A world map showing three red dashed flight routes connecting Europe to Australia via stopovers in China. Red dots mark the key locations in Western Europe and the eastern coast of Australia, with three intermediate points labeled Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. The landmasses are light green against a light blue background.

With massive hubs in Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong, flying via China is one of the most efficient ways to reach your European destination. These routes often offer fantastic value and the chance to see some of the world’s most impressive modern infrastructure. 

Fly with: Cathay Pacific, China Eastern & Air China. 

Fly via Africa

A world map depicting a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa. A red dashed line connects three large red dots located in Western Europe, the southern tip of Africa, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses green for landmasses and light blue for the ocean, with clear black and grey labels for each region.
A world map depicting a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa. A red dashed line connects three large red dots located in Western Europe, the southern tip of Africa, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses green for landmasses and light blue for the ocean, with clear black and grey labels for each region.
A world map depicting a flight route from Europe to Australia with a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa. A red dashed line connects three large red dots located in Western Europe, the southern tip of Africa, and the eastern coast of Australia. The map uses green for landmasses and light blue for the ocean, with clear black and grey labels for each region.

Looking for a way to reach Europe that feels like a holiday before you arrive? Flying via South Africa is the ultimate "path less travelled" for Aussies. With Qantas launching direct Perth to Johannesburg flights in late 2025, you can now touch down in Africa in under 11 hours, making it a surprisingly fast gateway to Europe. 

For something a little different, you could set off on a "mini safari" layover tour to see lions and rhinos just an hour from the airport 

Fly with: Qantas, South African Airways or British Airways

Fly via the USA

A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in the United States. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Los Angeles and Dallas. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.
A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in the United States. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Los Angeles and Dallas. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.
A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in the United States. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Los Angeles and Dallas. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.

Have you ever considered flying East to go West? This is known as "trans-Pacific" routing—a strategic move for travellers wanting to "chase the sun." By crossing the Pacific to hubs like Los Angeles or Dallas, you split the journey across the world’s two largest oceans, which can help manage jet lag more effectively before hitting European time zones. 

Fly with: Qantas, American Airlines, Delta Airlines & United Airlines.

Fly via Canada

A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in Canada. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Toronto and Vancouver. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.
A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in Canada. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Toronto and Vancouver. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.
A world map showing two flight routes from Europe to Australia with stopovers in Canada. Red dashed lines connect a point in Western Europe to the eastern coast of Australia, with red dots marking intermediate stops in Toronto and Vancouver. The map features green landmasses, a light blue ocean, and bold text labels for each location.

Flying via Vancouver or Toronto offers a unique geographical advantage, with "Great Circle" routes over the globe that are often more direct than they appear on a map. These cities are world-class stopovers; you can reach Vancouver’s scenic waterfront or Toronto’s iconic CN Tower and Distillery District in just 25 minutes from the terminal. It’s a relaxed "holiday within a holiday" that helps manage jet lag by "stretching" your day as you fly East. 

Fly with: Air Canada & Qantas. 

Fly Via the Middle East

Map of air routes from Australia to Europe via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha
Map of air routes from Australia to Europe via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha
Map of air routes from Australia to Europe via Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha

Stopovers through the Persian Gulf oases of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha offer not only efficient routes to Europe, but a chance to immerse a little in Middle Eastern culture along the way. From Dubai's self-proclaimed 7-star Burj Al Arab Hotel, to desert safaris on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and Doha's authentic souk markets - some R 'n' R in this spectacular part of the world always excites the senses.

Fly with: Emirates, Qantas, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways & Virgin Australia

No matter which way you choose to fly, our Travel Experts have the know how to get you there!

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