Popular in | December | High demand for flights, 12% potential price rise |
Cheapest in | March | Best time to find cheap flights, 3% potential price drop |
Average price | $1,885 | Average for round-trip flights in January 2021 |
Round-trip from | $1,475 | From Auckland to London |
One-way from | $886 | One-way flight from Auckland to London |
AKL - LON Price
|
$1,382 - $2,433
|
LON Temperature
|
9 - 23 °C
|
LON Rainfall
|
35 - 71 mm
|
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.
The cheapest flights to London are found between late October and the middle of December, together with January to midMarch when many airlines offer discounts. Between June and September prices are at their highest, peaking again just before Christmas, and at these times cheap flights to London are almost unheard of. For the best deals, always book as far ahead of your travel dates as possible.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.