Flying from Athens to London
The flight from Athens International Airport (ATH) to London covers roughly 2,400 kilometres and takes around 3 hours 50 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes depending on the airline and which London airport you're headed to. This is one of the busiest routes between Greece and the UK, served year-round by multiple carriers — so you're rarely short of options. Athens departs from a single terminal at Eleftherios Venizelos, which makes things straightforward on the Greek side. London is a different story: flights land at Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Luton (LTN), or Stansted (STN), each with meaningfully different transfer times into the city centre.
Flights from Athens to London operate daily, sometimes several times a day in peak summer months. The route genuinely suits both short city breaks and longer stays — London is a hub for onward connections worldwide, and Athens is the obvious gateway if you're heading into the Greek islands. If you're flexible on which London airport you use, you can save considerably. Stansted and Luton serve budget carriers almost exclusively, while Heathrow is the domain of Aegean and British Airways with full-service fares to match.
Airlines on This Route
Six airlines currently operate direct flights from Athens to London. Aegean Airlines and British Airways both fly into Heathrow — Aegean uses Terminal 3, BA uses Terminal 5. These are your full-service options with checked baggage included, frequent flyer points, and proper seat assignments. Expect to pay more, but you're flying into central London's most connected airport. easyJet flies into Gatwick (South Terminal), offering a decent mid-range experience with optional extras. Ryanair uses Stansted, Wizz Air uses Luton, and Sky Express also operates on this corridor. Budget carriers dominate the volume on this route, especially outside summer. Frequency picks up significantly between May and September when some airlines add extra rotations to handle tourist demand.
Flight Prices: Athens to London
Cheap flights from Athens to London start from as low as €18–€25 one-way on Wizz Air and Ryanair if you book early and travel in low season. More realistically, budget one-way fares land in the €35–€70 range for most of the year. Aegean and British Airways fares to Heathrow typically start around €120–€180 one-way but frequently climb higher closer to departure. Round-trip deals on Athens to London flight deals can be found from €40–€100 on budget carriers if you're booking six to eight weeks out in the right months. Luggage fees on Ryanair and Wizz Air can add €25–€45 each way, so factor that in before assuming a €19 base fare is your actual cost. The sweet spot for value is usually booking three to five weeks ahead for winter travel, or eight to twelve weeks ahead for summer.
Best Time to Book Athens to London Flights
January and February are the cheapest months to fly this route — demand is low, fares on budget carriers regularly dip below €30 one-way, and you'll have no trouble finding last-minute availability. November and early December are similarly quiet and affordable. March starts to creep up as spring travel picks up, and by June through August you're in peak season: fares jump sharply, flights fill up, and Athens airport is noticeably busier. July and August are the most expensive months — if you must fly then, book at least two to three months ahead. September is a good compromise: weather is still excellent in both cities, prices start dropping after the summer peak, and flights are less chaotic. October is underrated for this route — solid prices, no crowds, and London is still enjoyable.
London Airport Guide
Your London arrival airport matters more than most routes. Heathrow (LHR) is the best-connected: the Elizabeth line gets you to central London (Paddington) in about 25 minutes for around £12.80, or the Heathrow Express does it in 15 minutes for £25+. Gatwick (LGW) is served by the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes (around £20), or a slower Thameslink train for roughly £12. Stansted (STN) is the furthest out — the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street takes 47 minutes and costs around £20–£28. Luton (LTN) requires a shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway station, then a train to St Pancras — total journey around 45–60 minutes, costing roughly £15–£20. If getting into central London quickly matters, Heathrow wins. If the fare difference is £60, Stansted or Luton might still make more sense overall.
FAQ — Athens to London Flights
How long is the flight from Athens to London?
Direct flights from Athens to London take between 3 hours 50 minutes and 4 hours 20 minutes depending on the airline and destination airport. Heathrow-bound flights on Aegean or British Airways typically clock in around 4 hours 15–20 minutes. Budget carriers to Stansted or Luton often come in slightly shorter at around 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Athens to London?
January and February are consistently the cheapest months on this route. November also offers good value. Midweek departures — particularly Tuesday and Wednesday — tend to be cheaper than weekend flights regardless of season. Avoiding school holidays (especially Greek Easter and UK half-terms) will also save you money.
Which airlines fly from Athens to London?
Six airlines operate direct flights from Athens to London: Aegean Airlines and British Airways to Heathrow, easyJet to Gatwick, Ryanair to Stansted, Wizz Air to Luton, and Sky Express which varies by season. All depart from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH).
How much do Athens to London flights cost?
One-way fares start from around €18–€25 on budget carriers in low season, though €45–€80 is a more realistic average for a decent booking window. Full-service fares on Aegean or British Airways to Heathrow typically run €120–€200+ one-way. Round-trip deals from Athens to London on budget airlines can be found for €50–€110 if you plan ahead and travel outside peak months.