Jet Lag Tips for UK Travellers: US, Asia and Australia
Jet lag depends on how many time zones you cross and which direction you fly. UK travellers to the US usually feel it less than those heading east.
How big is the time shift?
New York is five hours behind the UK for most of the year, Los Angeles eight, Dubai four ahead, India five and a half ahead, and Sydney between nine and eleven ahead. The more hours you cross, the longer adjustment usually takes.
Simple habits that help
Get outdoor light at the local morning time on arrival. Shift your sleep by an hour a day for a few days before departure where possible. Drink water and avoid heavy meals and alcohol on the plane. Heading west, a later bedtime is easier, and heading east, an early morning walk helps.
This is general information and not medical advice. For long trips, shift workers or medical conditions, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is jet lag worse flying east or west?
Most people find flying east, such as from the UK to Asia or Australia, harder than flying west, because it means shortening the day.
Clock change guides
- What Is Daylight Saving Time (DST)? A Plain-English GuideWhat daylight saving time is, how it works in the UK, Europe and the US, why it exists, its history, who uses it and the argument over scrapping it.
- Why Do the Clocks Go Back in October? The Real ReasonThe clocks go back in autumn to return the UK to GMT, so winter mornings are lighter. The history, the rule, what time it happens and what changes for you.
- When Do the Clocks Go Forward Again After Going Back?When the UK clocks go forward again after the autumn change, how long the UK stays on GMT, when evenings get lighter and how to remember to reset your clocks.