Flying from London to Rome
London to Rome is one of Europe's most well-travelled short-haul routes, covering roughly 1,435 kilometres between two of the continent's most iconic capitals. Nonstop flights take around 2 hours 35 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, making it a genuinely comfortable day-trip distance — you can be eating cacio e pepe in Testaccio the same morning you left Gatwick. London has five airports, but the bulk of Rome flights depart from Gatwick (LGW) and Luton (LTN), which are the budget carrier strongholds, while Heathrow (LHR) is where British Airways and ITA Airways operate their fuller-service connections. Stansted (STN) also gets occasional service, mostly from Ryanair.
Rome's main international gateway is Fiumicino (FCO), officially Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, located about 32 kilometres southwest of the city centre. Almost all scheduled flights from London land here. Ciampino (CIA), Rome's secondary airport, sees far less transatlantic and short-haul traffic and is largely used by charter operators — the vast majority of travellers on the London route will be arriving at FCO. It's a busy corridor year-round, which means good competition between carriers and, generally, decent prices if you know when to look.
Airlines on This Route
Eight airlines currently operate flights from London to Rome with nonstop service, giving you a solid spread from no-frills to full business class. Here's how they break down:
- British Airways — Operates from Heathrow (Terminal 5) to Fiumicino. Full-service carrier with checked baggage, meals on longer bookings, and Club Europe business class. Best if you're using Avios or want flexibility on rebooking.
- ITA Airways — Italy's national carrier flies Heathrow to FCO. Comparable to BA in terms of service level; worth checking if you're connecting onward within Italy.
- easyJet — The most frequent budget option, flying from Gatwick and occasionally Luton. Multiple daily departures. Bare-bones fares but reliable and very popular on this route.
- Ryanair — Operates mainly from Stansted to FCO. Consistently among the cheapest fares available, but factor in the Stansted transfer time and baggage fees before committing.
- Wizz Air — Flies from Luton to FCO. Often competitive on base price; check their membership scheme (Wizz Discount Club) if you fly them regularly.
- Wizz Air Malta — Occasional service on this corridor; worth checking as a separate entity in search results.
- Vueling — The Spanish carrier operates this route and can offer solid mid-range pricing, particularly for flexible fares.
- Jet2 — Primarily leisure-focused with seasonal frequency; good for package add-ons if you're booking accommodation too.
Flight Prices: London to Rome
Cheap flights to Rome from London are genuinely achievable if your dates have any flexibility. One-way fares start as low as £18–£35 on budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air during off-peak windows, while easyJet typically sits in the £55–£85 range for reasonable advance bookings. Round-trip fares on budget airlines range roughly £45–£130 depending on season and how early you move. British Airways and ITA Airways price higher — expect to pay £120–£250 return in economy for a decent travel window, though sales do happen. The key traps to avoid: Ryanair's Stansted-to-FCO route looks cheap on screen but add a 55-minute train ride each end and the real cost creeps up. Always compare the full journey, not just the ticket price.
For the best London to Rome flight deals, booking 6 to 10 weeks in advance tends to hit the sweet spot on budget carriers. Last-minute fares occasionally drop on easyJet if seats aren't selling, but that's a gamble. Set up price alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner for this specific route — prices can move £30–£40 within a week.
Best Time to Book London to Rome Flights
Rome is busy almost year-round, but prices do move meaningfully by season. April, May, September, and October offer the best combination of reasonable fares and good weather — you're flying shoulder season into a city that looks its best without peak-summer crowds. Fares in these months regularly dip to the £25–£50 one-way range on budget carriers. June can also be affordable early in the booking window before summer demand firms up. July and August are peak season — Rome is hot, crowded, and flights are priced accordingly, often 40–60% higher than shoulder months. December is an interesting exception: the Christmas markets and festive atmosphere draw visitors, but fares can actually soften in early December before spiking the week of Christmas. January and February are the cheapest months to fly overall, though Rome in winter is quieter and some sites have shorter opening hours.
Rome Airport Guide
Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is Rome's main hub and a genuinely well-run airport by Italian standards. It has four terminals — most London arrivals come into Terminal 3 (international arrivals). The airport has decent food options airside, though prices are airport-standard. For getting into the city, you have three realistic options: the Leonardo Express train runs directly to Roma Termini (Rome's central station) every 15 minutes, takes 32 minutes, and costs around €14 one-way — it's the fastest and most straightforward option. Regional trains (FL1 line) are cheaper at around €8 but stop at multiple stations and take longer. Taxis from FCO to the city centre are fixed-rate at €50 for destinations within the Aurelian Walls — legitimate, no negotiation needed, just confirm the flat rate before you get in. Avoid unlicensed drivers approaching you in arrivals.
FAQ — London to Rome Flights
How long is the flight from London to Rome?
Nonstop flights from London to Rome take between 2 hours 35 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. The actual block time can vary slightly depending on which London airport you depart from and prevailing winds, but you're consistently looking at under three hours in the air.
What is the cheapest time to fly from London to Rome?
January and February are statistically the cheapest months, but April, May, September, and October offer the best value overall — fares are low and Rome is far more enjoyable to visit than mid-winter. Early December can also yield good prices if you book several weeks ahead.
Which airlines fly from London to Rome?
Eight airlines operate this route: British Airways, ITA Airways, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Wizz Air Malta, Vueling, and Jet2. Budget carriers dominate in frequency and volume, while BA and ITA offer full-service options with luggage included and more flexible fare conditions.
How much do London to Rome flights cost?
One-way fares start around £18–£35 on budget carriers at off-peak times. A more typical advance-purchase one-way on easyJet or Ryanair runs £40–£85. Round-trip fares range from roughly £45 on the low end to £250+ on full-service carriers. Always check baggage fees separately — they can add £20–£40 to budget airline tickets and significantly change the price comparison.