Take the Trip: Early-Bird Fares to London, Istanbul, Kolkata and More

Annual leave is a precious commodity. And while we love exploring our own backyard, nothing beats the thrill of booking long-haul flights to bucket list destinations.

Singapore Airlines is now running its Early Bird Fare Deals, offering discounted fares to select destinations across Europe, Southeast Asia, North America and more. The promotion includes economy, premium economy and business class seats from major Australian cities and regional centres with Virgin Australia connections.

Whether you’re keen to catch up with mates in London, want to island-hop your way around Thailand or have an Istanbul-shaped itch to scratch, Singapore Airlines will get you there. Book your flights before Tuesday September 30, 2025, and travel between Monday January 19 to Sunday September 13, 2026 (blackout periods apply) to make the most of the deals. Here’s where we’re heading.

Kolkata

Kick off the year with a trip to India – cool, dry winter weather makes January and February the perfect time to explore Kolkata. Set on the banks of the Hooghly River, the city has a rich cultural history to explore through architecture, galleries and museums, and the thrum of daily life among the boats, shrines and stalls on the ghats of the Ganges. Visit Mallick Ghat, a flower market that comes alive with the aromas of marigolds and sunflowers, tour the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, and dine on Bengali cuisine – the iconic “fish fry” is made with bhetki (barramundi) marinated in a spicy green paste then crumbed and fried; the coconut milk-based prawn malaikari is a sweet, fragrant dish often served on special occasions. Use the city as a jumping off point to discover more of West Bengal, including Darjeeling’s tea gardens and the Sundarbans mangrove forest, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Phuket

If your Thailand itinerary includes island-hopping around Phuket, you’ll want to avoid the monsoon (typically May to October). By timing your visit in March or April, you’ll miss most of the peak tourist season but still be treated to warm days and calm seas. Patong Beach is famous for its resort atmosphere and proximity to nightlife and dining, while surfers head to lively Kata Beach. Secluded Nui and Freedom beaches are great for snorkelling, while islands like Ko Tao, accessible by ferry or speedboat, are a scuba-diving delight. Sights in Phuket City include the colossal Big Buddha statue atop Nakkerd Hill; the historic Wat Chalong Buddhist temple; and the Phuket Walking Street (Lard Yai) Market, which takes over Thalang Road in the old town every Sunday evening.

Singapore

Singapore is tropical year-round, but travelling from February to April will deliver the least humid weather, which is ideal if you’re planning to make the most of the Garden City’s outdoor lifestyle. Chinatown and Little India are filled with hawker street markets. Orchard Road – a famous stretch of luxury boutiques and department stores more than two kilometres long – has a futuristic feel, with public art installations and integrated green spaces alongside its retail offerings. And Pulau Ubin – a short bumboat ride from the mainland – is filled with hiking and cycling trails, including a boardwalk through the Chek Jawa Wetlands.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a city of contrasts – the city quite literally bridges Europe and Asia as it straddles the Bosporus Strait. Time your visit for April, May or June and visit iconic locations like the sixth-century Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, where you’ll find markers of Christian and Islamic culture side by side; the Blue Mosque with its classical Ottoman dome; Topkapi Palace, the former sultans’ residence that’s now a sprawling museum and library; and the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s largest covered markets. Immerse yourself in traditional hammam rituals, and try springtime street foods like midye dolma (stuffed mussels with rice and spices), gozleme filled with spinach or cheese, and sweet tahini halva. Spring is also the perfect time to see the Turquoise Coast in the country’s south-west – ideally via a multi-day hike along the Lycian Way.

London

There’s something about summer in London. As the days grow longer and warmer from July onwards, the city unbuttons and its green spaces come to life; Hampstead Heath, London Fields and Brockwell Park are where the locals go to cool off in wild waterholes and inner-city lidos. If you’re trailing the Thames in search of the best food and drink in town, don’t miss Forza Wine on the roof of the National Theatre or the iconic River Cafe in Hammersmith. And if you’re hanging out east, Max Rocha’s Cafe Cecilia on Regent’s Canal is a must. Make time for a daytrip to Whitstable and indulge in British seaside living – the Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival takes over the town in mid-September each year.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Singapore Airlines.