Flying from Stockholm to London
The route from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) to London is one of the busiest short-haul connections in Northern Europe, covering roughly 1,430 kilometres between the two capitals. Block time sits consistently around 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 35 minutes westbound, though tailwinds occasionally shave a few minutes off. It is a genuinely easy journey — short enough that you land before the jet lag has a chance to kick in, long enough to finish a film or get through a decent meal if you are flying full-service. Arlanda is the primary departure point for this route, though Stockholm Skavsta (NYO) also feeds into London Stansted via Ryanair if you are willing to deal with the longer ground transfers on both ends.
On the London side, you have three realistic airport options: Heathrow (LHR) for central and west London access, Gatwick (LGW) for south London and Brighton connections, and Stansted (STN) for east London and the budget crowd. Which airport makes sense depends almost entirely on where you are staying and how you weigh ticket price against transfer cost and time. A £15 fare into Stansted can easily become more expensive in real terms once you factor in the £19.40 Stansted Express rail ticket plus a Tube journey into the city.
Airlines on This Route
Five carriers currently operate flights from Stockholm to London with meaningful frequency. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) runs multiple daily departures from Arlanda to Heathrow, primarily targeting business travellers with flexible fares, full SkyTeam connectivity, and a proper premium cabin. British Airways also serves the ARN–LHR pairing daily out of Terminal 5, which is arguably the slickest terminal at Heathrow for a smooth connection onward. Both BA and SAS are full-service carriers on this route, meaning you get a checked bag and meal included in most fare classes — worth factoring into price comparisons. Norwegian operates a low-cost service from Arlanda to Gatwick, with fares that undercut the full-service carriers significantly when booked well in advance, though extras like seat selection and bags add up fast. Ryanair connects Skavsta to Stansted, which is the cheapest headline fare on the route but comes with the longest overall journey time once you account for the 100km bus ride from Stockholm city to Skavsta. Virgin Atlantic appears occasionally on this route primarily as a codeshare or connecting itinerary rather than a direct standalone service, so verify what you are actually booking before committing.
Flight Prices: Stockholm to London
Cheap flights to London from Stockholm exist year-round if you know when to look. One-way fares start as low as €17–€50 on Ryanair and Norwegian during sales or deep off-peak windows, while SAS and British Airways typically start around €80–€120 one-way in economy for advance purchases. Business class on the full-service carriers runs €300–€600 one-way depending on flexibility. For a realistic budget: plan on €60–€110 for a no-frills economy return if you book 6–10 weeks out on Norwegian or Ryanair with one cabin bag only. Add €30–€50 if you need a checked bag. Stockholm to London flight deals appear most frequently on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — set fare alerts on Google Flights or Skyscanner and let the algorithm do the legwork rather than refreshing manually.
Best Time to Book Stockholm to London Flights
January and February are the cheapest months to fly this route, full stop. Post-Christmas demand collapses, and airlines discount heavily to fill seats. March starts creeping up as spring break approaches. April and May are a sweet spot — prices are reasonable, London weather is improving, and the city is not yet overrun with summer tourists. June through August is peak season and prices reflect that; expect to pay 40–60% more than January rates for the same cabin. September and October are excellent value months — summer crowds thin out, the weather in both cities is still decent, and fares drop noticeably after the school-holiday rush ends. November is quiet and affordable again. December splits in two: early December is fine, but the two weeks around Christmas spike sharply. Book Stockholm to London flights for summer travel at least 10–12 weeks ahead; for January or November travel, even 3–4 weeks out can yield solid fares.
London Airport Guide
If you are landing at Heathrow (LHR), the Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is your best friend — £10.80 into central London in around 25 minutes, running frequently and reliably. The Heathrow Express is faster at 15 minutes but costs £22–£37. Avoid the taxi queue unless someone else is paying. Gatwick (LGW) is served by the Gatwick Express to Victoria in 30 minutes for around £17–£20, or Thameslink services that are slower but cheaper and connect to more central stations. Stansted (STN) sits 60km northeast of central London; the Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street in 47 minutes for £19.40 standard or cheaper if booked online in advance. Budget an hour and fifteen minutes minimum from Stansted gates to central London.
FAQ — Stockholm to London Flights
How long is the flight from Stockholm to London?
Direct flights from Stockholm Arlanda to London take approximately 2 hours 30 to 2 hours 35 minutes. The flight from Skavsta to Stansted is similar in air time, but total travel time including ground transfers is considerably longer.
What is the cheapest time to fly from Stockholm to London?
January and February consistently offer the lowest fares on this route. September and October are the next best option — good value without the midwinter bleakness. Avoid flying in July, August, and the Christmas holiday period if price is a priority.
Which airlines fly from Stockholm to London?
SAS and British Airways operate full-service daily flights from Arlanda to Heathrow. Norwegian flies Arlanda to Gatwick on a low-cost basis. Ryanair connects Skavsta to Stansted. Virgin Atlantic may appear as a codeshare option on some booking platforms.
How much do Stockholm to London flights cost?
One-way fares start around €17–€50 on budget carriers during sales, rising to €80–€150 on full-service airlines for standard economy. A realistic budget for a return trip in economy with one checked bag is €120–€220 booked 6–8 weeks in advance, though London flight deals from Stockholm can bring that lower if you are flexible on dates and airports.