Flying from Lisbon to London
The Lisbon to London route is one of the busiest short-haul corridors in Western Europe, connecting two of the continent's most visited capitals across roughly 977 miles of Atlantic airspace. Nonstop flights from Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) to London take around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on winds and routing — short enough to do as a day trip if you're so inclined, though most people are heading for something more substantial. The route is well-served year-round, which keeps prices competitive and gives you real flexibility when planning.
London doesn't have a single airport — it has five, and which one you land at matters. Most flights from Lisbon arrive at Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), or Luton (LTN). Heathrow is the closest to central London and the most convenient, but Stansted and Luton tend to be the domain of budget carriers and come with longer transfer times. Know your airport before you book — the fare difference can look attractive until you factor in a 90-minute bus ride at midnight.
Airlines on This Route
You have solid options flying from Lisbon to London. TAP Air Portugal and British Airways operate the full-service end of the market, both flying into Heathrow — TAP from Terminal 1 and British Airways from Terminal 5. These are your go-to if you want a checked bag included, a meal on board, and points on a loyalty programme. TAP typically runs multiple daily departures and connects well if you're continuing onward. British Airways matches that frequency and is strong on Avios redemptions.
On the budget side, easyJet flies LIS to Gatwick and sometimes Luton, while Ryanair operates into Stansted. Both run frequent services — often several flights a day — and dominate the cheap flights to London market from Lisbon. Vueling also appears on this route, and occasionally Iberia and Air Europa show up with connecting itineraries via Madrid. For straightforward point-to-point travel on a budget, easyJet and Ryanair are where you start your search.
Flight Prices: Lisbon to London
Lisbon to London flight deals can be genuinely cheap if you time it right. One-way fares start as low as €15–€50 on Ryanair or easyJet during off-peak periods, and you'll regularly find round trips under €100 if you're flexible. Realistically, budget €60–€130 for a return on a low-cost carrier with a carry-on bag included — remember that Ryanair's advertised price often doesn't include a checked bag or even a larger cabin bag, so read the fare rules carefully. Full-service carriers like TAP and British Airways typically price round trips in the €150–€350 range in economy, though sales and advance booking can bring those down.
The single biggest lever on price is how far ahead you book. For this route, booking 6–10 weeks out tends to hit the sweet spot — far enough ahead that cheap seats haven't sold out, close enough that airlines haven't started filling flights artificially. Last-minute fares spike hard, particularly in summer and around UK bank holidays. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights in flexible date mode to find the cheapest window around your travel dates.
Best Time to Book Lisbon to London Flights
Summer — June through August — is peak season in both directions. Lisbon is packed with tourists and London's school holidays drive demand up sharply. Expect to pay 40–60% more for flights during this window, and book at least 2–3 months ahead if you're travelling in July or August. September is the sweet spot: the weather in both cities is still excellent, crowds have thinned, and prices drop noticeably. January and February are consistently the cheapest months to fly Lisbon to London — post-Christmas demand collapses and airlines discount aggressively to fill planes. March and November are also solid off-peak options. Easter and UK half-term weeks (late October, late February) see short but sharp price spikes, so check the school calendar before assuming an autumn fare will stay low.
London Airport Guide
If you're arriving at Heathrow (LHR), the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) gets you to central London in around 25–30 minutes for about £13. The Heathrow Express is faster (15 minutes to Paddington) but costs around £25 one-way. Gatwick (LGW) is served by the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes for around £20, or a Thameslink train for less. Stansted (STN) is the furthest out — the Stansted Express takes 47 minutes to Liverpool Street and costs around £23. Luton (LTN) requires a shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway station, then a train to St Pancras — budget 60–90 minutes total and around £20. If you're arriving late or with heavy luggage, factor this in: a taxi from Stansted or Luton to central London can run £80–£120.
FAQ — Lisbon to London Flights
How long is the flight from Lisbon to London?
Nonstop flights from Lisbon (LIS) to London take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. The distance is around 977 miles, and flight time can vary slightly depending on which London airport you're landing at and prevailing headwinds on the day.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Lisbon to London?
January and February are reliably the cheapest months for flights from Lisbon to London. November and early March are also good value. Avoid July, August, and UK school holiday weeks if price is your priority. Midweek departures — Tuesday and Wednesday — tend to be cheaper than weekend flights regardless of the season.
Which airlines fly from Lisbon to London?
Ryanair, easyJet, TAP Air Portugal, and British Airways are the main operators on this route. Vueling also flies it, and Iberia and Air Europa appear with one-stop connections. Ryanair and easyJet serve Stansted and Gatwick/Luton respectively; TAP and British Airways both fly into Heathrow.
How much do Lisbon to London flights cost?
One-way fares start around €15–€50 on budget carriers during off-peak periods. A realistic budget for a return trip on easyJet or Ryanair is €60–€130 including a carry-on bag. TAP Air Portugal and British Airways typically charge €150–€350 return in economy, with luggage and meals included. Prices rise significantly in summer and around UK public holidays.