The Cheapest Time to Fly to London

On top of that, seasonality plays a huge role here: fewer tourists, chillier weather, and school schedules all push prices down. It means that flexible travel dates are your best friend. If you add wiggle room around your departure date, you can save serious cash. Whether you’re booking direct flights or connecting flights, tools like Kiwi.com make it easier to spot great deals by comparing hundreds of airlines and routes in one search form.

In this article, I’ll explain the secrets behind finding cheap flights to London, so keep reading!

Quick Answer (TL;DR)

The cheapest months to fly to London are January, February, early March, and late autumn (September to November). The best days to book and fly are midweek, especially Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Booking about 6 to 8 weeks in advance usually lands you the lowest prices.

Cheapest Months to Fly to London

After the holiday rush, demand plummets, and airlines slash prices to fill seats. That’s why January and February offer the best United Kingdom travel dates at a bargain.

However, if you’re not enticed by the idea of visiting London in winter, early March still holds onto some of that low-season magic before spring travel picks up.

In London, tourism is at its peak during the warmest months of the year, and so are the ticket prices. If you’re looking to avoid costly tickets, wait until the summer vacation season winds down. That’s when families settle back into school routines, making late autumn, from September through November, another sweet spot for cheap travel.

The weather in these months is cooler and wetter, which might deter some tourists, but that’s exactly why fares drop. If you’re willing to brave the occasional drizzle, you’ll find cheaper round-trip flights, especially if you’re flying into Heathrow Airport or London Gatwick.

Why Winter and Early Spring Are the Lowest

The post-holiday slump is when London’s flight prices hit their lowest. Since many people plan their travel during the holiday season, airlines raise prices to capitalize on it. Then, when the celebrations are over, fewer people tend to book trips. As a result, airlines lower fares to attract budget-conscious travelers and fill up the flights.

This period also avoids the peak travel season crowds, meaning less competition for seats. Keep in mind, the weather can be chilly and damp, but trust me, it won’t ruin the magic of London city. Also, the city being as expensive as it is, being flexible with your travel dates and open to budget airlines or connecting flights, you can snag some of the cheapest prices of the year.

By the way, don’t fall for the incognito myths – learn how to avoid incognito myths when searching for flights.

When Prices Drop in Autumn

Once summer ends, from September to November, flight prices to London start to dip. The demand drops as families return to school and tourists head home. This shoulder season is a great time to visit London if you want to avoid peak travel season crowds and pay less for your tickets.

This is when airlines offer lower fares to fill seats during the quieter period. Plus, the city center still buzzes with cultural events and fewer tourists, making it easier to explore popular sites without the crowds. If you’re flying from the West Coast or East Coast, this period often offers great deals on nonstop flights or those with a short layover.

Cheapest Days and Times to Fly

Now let’s talk about the best days and times to fly. From my experience and data, flying midweek is your best bet for lower fares. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to fly to London, while weekends usually come with a price premium. The same applies to international routes , too.

Also, night flights or red-eyes often have cheaper tickets, especially if you’re willing to sacrifice some in-flight entertainment comfort. On top of that, booking your round-trip flights about 6 to 8 weeks ahead gives you wiggle room to catch price drops without risking last-minute surges.

In turn, Sunday has consistently been the most expensive day to fly, according to data. Since London is a massive global hub for both business and leisure, Sundays create a “perfect storm” of high demand. You are competing for seats against weekend vacationers heading home, business travelers heading to Monday morning meetings, and students returning from breaks. That’s why flexibility always wins.

Go ahead and use Kiwi.com ’s search form to compare nonstop flights, as well as different airlines like BA flights, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, and budget carriers all at once. This way, you’ll see for yourself what the best time and day to fly is.

How to Track Price Drops

Here’s a little secret: to get the cheapest flights to London, you need to track flight prices nonstop. But that doesn’t mean you need to roam airlines’ websites all day long. Instead, set up flight price alerts to monitor fare changes on your preferred routes.

For example, a traveler tracking flights from San Francisco to Heathrow Airport noticed a sudden price drop on a return flight just days before booking. This alert saved them hundreds compared to the average fare.

How can you do it? Use services like Google Flights or Kiwi.com , which offer easy-to-use flight price alerts that notify you instantly when prices fall, so you never miss out on great deals.

At Kiwi, we made the setup process as simple as possible. Just configure your search and click “Set up price alerts.” Then you’ll receive an email each time the price drops, and if you’re using our app, you’ll get a notification on your phone. Don’t ever miss the best deals from cheap travel!

Tips for the Budget-Savvy Traveler

After we discussed the best months, days, and flight times for the lowest travel costs, I want to share some extra tips for booking flights to London.

Choosing the Right Airport

London is served by several major hubs. While London Heathrow (LHR) is the most famous, don’t ignore other London airports. Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet often fly to London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted, or London Luton. This means that if you’re coming from Europe, choosing these two airports often provides the lowest price.

While it would make sense to choose the closest airport to Central London, you may decide to spend some extra time rather than money. Also, you should note that if you land at Heathrow, the Heathrow Express is fast, but the Elizabeth Line or the Tube will save you a fortune on your way to the city center.

Airline Choices

British Airways (BA flights) and Virgin Atlantic are popular airlines flying to London that offer great flight entertainment and service. However, if you want to save, look at Norse Atlantic UK for long-haul budget options or American Airlines and other US carriers for competitive round-trip deals. Remember that budget airlines might charge for seat selection, checked bags, and even their own food, so calculate those other fees before you commit.

Booking Class

While business class is tempting for a transatlantic trip, the savings found in economy can fund your entire visit to London. Many airlines provide basic economy fares that are incredibly cheap if you can travel light.

Your London Adventure Awaits

Ultimately, the cheapest time to fly to London is found by those who lean into the “quiet season.” By trading the high-summer crowds for the crisp air of January or February, or catching the golden hues of late autumn, you can unlock prices that simply don’t exist in July.

Saving on your trip doesn’t end at the airport, though. Once you land, continue the budget-friendly momentum by using contactless payment for the Tube instead of expensive paper tickets, and look for “Meal Deals” or local markets to keep your food costs down.

Whether you’re hunting for great deals on nonstop flights from the West Coast or piecing together a clever route with budget carriers, remember that flexibility is your most valuable currency. Keep your travel dates open, stay alert for price drops, use Kiwi for the best deals, and you’ll find that the magic of the city center is just as vibrant when it’s affordable.

London Flight FAQs

What day of the week is cheapest to fly to London?

Mid-week is your best bet. Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly, as demand from both business travelers and weekend tourists is at its lowest point. Avoiding Fridays and Sundays can save you a significant amount on your tickets.

How far in advance should I book for the best price?

For international flights, try to book 3 to 6 months in advance. For shorter flights from within Europe, 6 to 8 weeks is usually the “sweet spot.” Booking too early or too late can result in paying an expensive day premium.

Are last-minute flights to London ever cheap?

Rarely. While “last-minute deals” used to be common, most airlines now hike prices in the final two weeks before departure to capitalize on desperate business travelers. It’s almost always better to book in advance.

What is the most expensive time to fly to London?

The most expensive day to travel usually falls in late December (Christmas/New Year) or during the peak of summer in July and August. During these times, the Heathrow terminals are packed, and lower fares are nearly impossible to find.