Cheap flights to London

Peak season

London’s peak tourist season coincides with the long annual European summer holidays from June through to August when temperatures are at their warmest and the sun doesn’t set until well into the night. While this is an ideal time for sightseeing and relaxing in London’s parks, hotel rates soar and many tourist attractions see long queues. The Christmas/New Year holiday is another busy period with merrymakers are enjoying London’s festivities and accommodation should be booked well in advance.

Off season

London’s off season is through the cold, rainy winter when accommodation prices are at their lowest. Some historic sights tend to close over this period, so if you want to experience everything London has to offer without the crowds, then visit in the spring or autumn. Not only is the weather still mild and the city’s famous theatre scene in full swing, but you will still find some good hotel deals and cheap flight tickets.

How long is the flight to London?

Flight times from New Zealand to London can average anywhere from 25h-50h. The fastest one-stop flight and the shortest arrival time is through Aukland Airport (AKL) at 25h. The Christchurch International Airport (CHC) quickest one-stop flight is 27h while the Wellington International Airport (WLG) is 28h. Do note that some flights may have a longer stopover with a flight time to your destination that can be up to 66h.

Flights from Auckland to London -­ 25 hours

Flights from Christchurch to London­ – 29 hours

Where can you get direct flights to London from?

Unfortunately, there is no non-stop flight from New Zealand to London. United Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, and Lufthansa offer fast one-stop flights coming out of AKL that can get you to UK’s capital within 25h-26h.

How do you get from London airports to the city centre?

Once you’ve landed in London, there are many options for you to get to the city’s centre. If you flew in through Heathrow Airport (LHR), it’s about 24 km west of your destination. London’s iconic black taxis are available outside of each terminal. They can get you to the city’s centre in around 30-60 minutes for a rate of about 90-170 NZD. There are also private minicabs and chauffeur services that you can book. The airport has a bus station between Terminals 2 and 3 where you can board the National Express or another coach service. The Heathrow Express to Paddington and London Underground’s Piccadilly Line offers you a train ride into the city. If you’ve landed at the Gatwick Airport (LGW), you will find that it has pretty much the same means of transportation as LHR to get you to London’s centre. You can also rent a car at each location. Ridesharing has become popular throughout the city as well with companies like Uber, Bolt, and Gett.

What are some things to do in London?

As the capital of England, London has a rich history with popular landmarks to explore. You can take a sightseeing tour to visit Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and the Tower of London. Cruise along the River Thames while enjoying afternoon tea or take in a musical at the London Coliseum. Throughout the year there are events and festivals throughout the city, from watching the changing of the guard to Wimbledon. If you’re traveling with children, family fun can be had at places like Shrek’s Adventure! London, Warner Bros. Studios, and the London Zoo.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to London?

You only need a passport to enter the UK for up to 90 days if you are coming on holiday. If you’re arriving in London to live, to work or for school, you will also need a visa. Additionally, a visa is needed in some visitor categories as well, such as for a marriage or civil partnership.

Which airlines operate to London?

There are no direct flights to London from New Zealand but you can connect from Auckland through Los Angeles with Air New Zealand, through Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific, or through Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines. From Christchurch, the cheapest flights to London are often through Dubai with Emirates, while flight deals through Guangzhou with China Southern Airlines or Singapore with Singapore Airlines tend to be more expensive. No matter which side of the aeroplane you sit on, the views across London as you fly in are exceptional.

What is good to know if travelling to London?

• While we often associate London with grey, drizzly skies and chilly temperatures, when summer comes around the city is completely transformed. If you’re not sure quite what to expect, here’s our guide on How to survive London in the British summertime. 
• If you love exploring off-the-beaten-track and documenting it all through your smartphone, then the Foto Ruta iPhoneography London Tour may be right up your alley. It takes in some of the city’s lesser known areas, accompanied by an expert iPhoneography guide who will teach you how to make the most of light, reflection and composition throughout the walking tour. 
• An alternative after dark activity in London’s Camden Lock is the pop-up Backyard Cinema, held over the warm summer months. Grab a bean-bag and a burger and sit back with a selection of cult classics. 
• You don’t actually have to go to London to witness the London Bridge. Remember that song about it falling down? Afterwards this iconic landmark was bought by the founder of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, who dismantled it in London and recreated it in the United States. Here’s the full list of famous landmark replicas.