Flights to London — What to Expect
London is one of the most connected cities on the planet, served by six airports — though realistically, most travelers fly into Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW). Heathrow is the main hub, handling flights from virtually every major European city, plus long-haul routes from North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Gatwick is the go-to for budget carriers. Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) are further out but serve a huge volume of cheap flights to London from across Europe — Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air all operate heavily through these two. London City Airport (LCY) is the most central option, ideal for business travelers flying in from Amsterdam, Dublin, or Paris. Southend (SEN) is the wildcard — tiny, easy, but limited routes.
Flights from [origin] to London vary enormously depending on where you're coming from and when you book. From major European hubs like Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, or Madrid, you can regularly find return fares in the €40–€120 range if you book a few weeks out and travel mid-week. British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and Iberia all run frequent services on these routes. easyJet and Ryanair dominate the budget end, with London flight deals occasionally dipping below €30 one-way from cities like Barcelona, Rome, or Warsaw. From further afield — New York, Dubai, Singapore — expect to pay €350–€700 return depending on season and how far in advance you book.
Best Time to Visit London
Spring (March–May) is arguably the sweet spot. Temperatures sit between 11–18°C, Hyde Park and Kew Gardens are in full bloom, and you're visiting before the summer crowds and inflated hotel prices hit. March can still be grey and chilly, but by April the city genuinely comes alive. May is excellent — long evenings, outdoor markets buzzing, and flights from most European cities still reasonably priced.
Summer (June–August) is peak London. Days are long (sunset after 9pm in June), temperatures average 21–24°C, and the city is at its most vibrant. But this comes at a cost: accommodation prices spike, tourist sites are packed, and Heathrow can feel genuinely chaotic. That said, if you want outdoor cinema, Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday weekend), or rooftop bar culture, summer is when London delivers. Book everything well in advance.
Early autumn (September–October) is the local's favourite time to visit. The summer crowds thin out, prices drop noticeably, and the city has a settled, golden quality to it. September still offers warm-ish days (17–20°C) and shorter queues at major museums. October gets wetter and cooler but remains thoroughly pleasant.
Winter (November–February) is cheap and atmospheric in a different way — Christmas markets, fewer tourists, and London's world-class indoor culture (theatre, galleries, restaurants) comes into its own. But expect grey skies, rain, and temperatures hovering around 7–9°C. January and February are the cheapest months to fly to London, sometimes by a significant margin. Avoid the week between Christmas and New Year if budget is a concern — prices spike briefly and the city goes half-empty.
Getting Around London
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is now the fastest and most convenient option into central London — around 40 minutes to Paddington or Liverpool Street, costing roughly £12–£14 with an Oyster card. The Heathrow Express is faster (15 minutes to Paddington) but costs £25+ and isn't worth it unless someone else is paying. Black cabs and Uber both work fine but will cost £45–£80 depending on traffic and destination. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express runs to Victoria in 30 minutes (£20–£35). From Stansted and Luton, the Stansted Express and Luton Airport Parkway train are your best bets — budget 45–60 minutes to central London.
Within the city, the Tube (Underground) is your primary tool. Get an Oyster card or tap with a contactless bank card — both are capped daily so you'll never overpay. Buses are slower but iconic and cheap (£1.75 flat fare). For short trips between central neighbourhoods, walking is often faster than waiting for the Tube. Santander bikes (Boris bikes) are everywhere and useful for flat stretches. Avoid driving in central London — the congestion charge, parking costs, and traffic make it genuinely not worth it.
Where to Stay in London
London's neighbourhoods are distinct enough that where you stay shapes your entire experience. Shoreditch and Hackney in East London suit younger travelers and those who care about food, art, and nightlife — mid-range hotels and boutique options cluster here, typically £80–£150/night. South Bank and Borough put you next to Tate Modern, Borough Market, and the Thames at a slightly more accessible price point. Marylebone and Fitzrovia are central, walkable to everything, and feel genuinely residential — good mid-range options in the £100–£200 range. Mayfair and Knightsbridge are where you go when budget is irrelevant — The Connaught, Claridge's, or The Berkeley will cost £400–£800+/night. For budget travelers, King's Cross and Elephant and Castle have solid hostel and budget hotel options (£20–£70/night) with excellent Tube connections. Avoid staying in areas purely because they're cheap if they add significant commute time — in London, location genuinely matters.
Top Things to Do in London
- British Museum: Free entry and genuinely one of the world's great collections. Go early on a weekday or you'll be shuffling through crowds. The Rosetta Stone and Elgin Marbles rooms are unmissable.
- Borough Market: Skip the tourist trap souvenir shops and eat your way through this working food market in Southwark. Thursday–Saturday are the best days. Budget £15–£25 for a proper lunch of street food and samples.
- Walk the Thames Path: From Tower Bridge west through South Bank to Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge, and beyond — it's free, scenic, and gives you the city's layout in a way no Tube journey can.
- A West End show: London's theatre scene is world-class and not as expensive as people assume. Day seats, lottery tickets, and TodayTix last-minute deals regularly get you into top productions for £20–£40.
- Kew Gardens or Hyde Park: London's parks are genuinely spectacular. Kew (entry £22) is worth a half-day; Hyde Park is free and connects to Kensington Gardens and the Serpentine Gallery.
- Columbia Road Flower Market: Sunday mornings only, this East London street market is atmospheric, photogenic, and surrounded by independent coffee shops and boutiques. Go before noon.
Practical Travel Tips
Visas: EU citizens and EEA nationals do not currently need a visa for short stays in the UK (up to 6 months for tourism), though this may be subject to change — always check the UK government website before traveling. From January 2026, EU nationals will need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), a simple online process costing £10, required before departure. US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders also qualify for ETAs. Non-EEA nationals should verify requirements well in advance.
Currency: The UK uses British Pounds (GBP, £) — not euros. Cards are accepted almost universally, including contactless, and most places are now effectively cashless. Having £20–£30 in cash for small markets or emergencies is sensible. ATMs are everywhere; use your bank's own app to avoid poor exchange rates at airport bureaux de change.
Tipping: Not mandatory but expected in sit-down restaurants — 10–12.5% is standard. Many restaurants add a service charge automatically; check the bill before adding more. Tipping in pubs for drinks is uncommon. Taxi drivers appreciate rounding up.
Safety: London is a safe major city by global standards. Standard urban awareness applies — watch your phone in crowded areas, be aware of pickpockets around tourist hotspots like Oxford Street and the Tube. The city is generally very LGBTQ+ friendly, particularly in Soho and Vauxhall.
FAQ — Flights to London
How much do flights to London cost?
It depends significantly on your origin and when you book. From major European cities like Amsterdam, Paris, or Madrid, return flights typically range from €50–€150 in shoulder season and €100–€250 during summer peak. From further afield — New York, Dubai, or Singapore — expect €350–€700 return. Booking 6–10 weeks in advance on mid-week departures consistently yields the best London flight deals. Using aggregators like Google Flights or Skyscanner with flexible date searches helps identify the cheapest windows.
Which airlines fly to London?
The short answer is almost all of them. British Airways operates out of Heathrow and is the flag carrier, with extensive European and long-haul routes. easyJet and Ryanair are the dominant budget options, flying to Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton from dozens of European cities. Wizz Air covers Eastern Europe extensively into Luton and Gatwick. For long-haul, Virgin Atlantic, United, Delta, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific all serve Heathrow. Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, and Iberia run multiple daily flights from their respective hubs.
What is the cheapest month to fly to London?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly to London. Demand drops sharply after the Christmas and New Year period, and airlines respond with noticeably lower fares. November is also relatively cheap and often overlooked as a travel month. If you have flexibility, mid-week departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) are cheaper than weekend travel regardless of month. Avoid booking during UK school holiday windows — late July through August, Christmas, and Easter — when prices spike across the board.
How long is the flight to London from main European hubs?
Flight times vary by origin but most European flights are short: from Amsterdam it's roughly 1 hour 10 minutes; from Paris about 1 hour 20 minutes; from Frankfurt around 1 hour 50 minutes; from Madrid approximately 2 hours 20 minutes; from Rome about 2 hours 40 minutes. From further afield, New York is around 7 hours westbound, Dubai roughly 7 hours, and Singapore approximately 13–14 hours. Add time for ground transport — Heathrow is 40–60 minutes from central London depending on which service you take.