Flight deals from London, United Kingdom

Why flights from London unlock unbeatable choice and value

London stands out as one of the most connected cities globally for air travel, offering savvy travelers cheap flights from London, spontaneous weekend escapes, and last minute travel opportunities. With multiple airports serving the greater United Kingdom region, you can compare routes, timings, and fares among a tremendous range of carriers and schedules.

Choose between quick short haul flights to most European capitals in one to three hours or opt for long haul journeys across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas thanks to ample direct and connecting options. This variety means you have greater flexibility to select flights matching your timing and budget preferences, whether that's an early morning start or a late evening return. Kiwi.com helps you maximize this flexibility with user friendly search filters and creative Travel Hacks for value finds like self-transfer itineraries, always checking specific airline rules.

What makes London a smart departure hub

With multiple London airports competing for short haul demand and frequent long haul services to global hubs, you usually find flights aligning with your preferred dates and budget. Being flexible on both airport and timing increases your options further, and that's where well designed search and booking tools shine.

Popular and trending destinations from London right now

London offers a diverse set of routes for every kind of traveler, whether you're seeking a city escape, a seaside holiday, or a far flung adventure. These examples showcase typical options that may vary over time.

Frequent, nonstop city breaks abound. You can zip from London to Paris in about 1 hour 15 minutes on a direct route, reach Amsterdam in about 1 hour with London to Amsterdam, or fly London to Dublin in roughly 1 hour 15 minutes (link), often with several flights daily across multiple airports and carriers. For sunseeking travelers, seasonal links grow in late spring and summer, especially to Spain, Greece, and Portugal, with direct routes like Alicante (about 2 hours 30 minutes) and Tenerife (about 4 hours 30 minutes). On long haul, London to Dubai takes around 7 hours and London to Bangkok about 11 to 12 hours, plus possible one stop options via major hubs, subject to seasonality.

From short city hops to seasonal sun and faraway adventures

Routes trend with convenience and purpose: Paris and Amsterdam are ideal for weekend escapes, Dublin is popular for visiting friends and family, Mediterranean links soar in beach season, and long haul services to the Middle East and Southeast Asia attract winter sun and big trip seekers. Compare departures across London airports and consider mixing a Friday evening outbound with a Monday morning return to optimize your travel time, as fares and availability shift by date and hour.

When to book flights from London for the best value

The key to saving on flights from London is staying flexible with your travel dates, airport selection, and how far in advance you book, though patterns fluctuate and may change.

Outside school holidays, shoulder months like January to March and late September to early December can yield better value, with summer seeing higher demand for beach routes, while long haul bargains often pop up in late winter and autumn sales. For short haul, aim to book 4 to 6 weeks out; long haul usually rewards planning 2 to 4 months in advance. Midweek flights are often cheaper than Friday or Sunday departures, and you may find value with early morning or late evening schedules.

Cheapest months and smart booking windows for London departures

Leverage Price Alerts for fare notifications, and plan complex trips with the Nomad Search Tool, which builds multi city itineraries for you. Consider searching “Anywhere” with flexible dates for discovering deals you may not expect from London's airports. Shoulder season, midweek travel, and trying various departure points usually opens up the widest range of options.

Airports and airlines in London explained clearly

London features five major passenger airports, each offering a unique experience. For most travelers, the right choice depends on your origin, destination, and airline preference.

Heathrow (LHR) is the top long haul hub with broad global coverage and rapid rail links to central London, ensuring both convenience and premium amenities for international travelers. Gatwick (LGW) pairs substantial long haul operations with a wide short haul network, and it's accessible via express and standard trains with a lively terminal atmosphere and diverse carrier lineup. Stansted (STN) stands out as a low cost epicenter, especially for Ryanair and other affordable carriers; it's reached via the Stansted Express or long distance coaches. When booking separate tickets for a self-transfer, consider adding the Kiwi.com Guarantee or consulting Disruption Protection resources, which can help with compensation if plans change. Luton (LTN) is favored for European leisure travel, with rail service to St Pancras International and strong coverage from Wizz Air and other low cost operators. London City (LCY) is inside Docklands, best for business travelers and those prioritizing fast, central connections and efficient security.

How to choose the right London airport and carrier

For premium long haul, choose Heathrow or Gatwick; for affordable point to point routes, Stansted or Luton excel. Opt for London City if convenience and speed are paramount. The Kiwi.com search platform lets you compare all five, review low cost versus full service options, and easily add the Kiwi.com Guarantee if building a self transfer trip for extra security.

Smart travel tips for departures from London

• Compare all five London airports when booking to discover lower fares or superior timings for the same route.
• Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead for short haul or 2 to 4 months for long haul, using Price Alerts to catch fare drops.
• Allow ample buffer if self-transferring on separate tickets, and consider the Kiwi.com Guarantee for carrier change disruptions.
• For speed, use Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, Thameslink, Stansted Express, or DLR crowding times and connection length may vary.
• Check each carrier's baggage policy before departing, and download the Kiwi.com App for mobile boarding passes, trip management, and fare updates.