United Kingdom overview
When is the best time to fly to the United Kingdom?
Peak season
The peak tourist season throughout the United Kingdom corresponds with the Summer school holidays from late July through to early September. Many of the most popular tourist attractions get very busy and both accommodation and flight prices soar. This is the best season weather-wise, however, with mild temperatures and far less rain than at other times of the year.
Off season
The quietest season throughout the United Kingdom when you will get the best hotel deals is over the cold, wet Winter months of December through to February, although drizzly rain and chilly temperatures can be expected for a couple of months either side of this period. Some tourist attractions close down during this offseason, but if you opt to travel in late Spring or early Autumn you will benefit from mild weather, without the crowds.
When is the best time to book a flight to the United Kingdom?
The cheapest flights to the UK are generally during the cold off season when some airlines offer heavily discounted flight deals. If you are visiting during the peak Summer months, be sure to book well in advance to ensure you get the best deals possible before flights sell out.
How long is the flight to the United Kingdom?
Flights from Auckland to United Kingdom 25 hours
Flights from Christchurch to United Kingdom 28h 30m
Flights from Wellington to United Kingdom 27 hours
For flights to the United Kingdom from other New Zealand cities, your best option is to connect through either Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington first.
Which airlines operate to the United Kingdom?
There are no direct flights to the United Kingdom from New Zealand, but multiple airlines are available depending on where you want to fly. The most direct flights to the UK are from Auckland to London with either Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific or Malaysia Airlines, with connections through to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from London Heathrow. Alternatively, there are flights with connections through Los Angeles and New York with British Airways and United Airlines. The cheapest flights to the United Kingdom are generally with Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines, but good deals are also found flying through the United States if you don’t mind more than one connection.
How to get from the airport to the city centre?
Most of the major airports in the United Kingdom are connected to the city centre by shuttle buses that offer a cheap means of transport to designated meeting points or major hotels. Tickets can normally be purchased from ticket counters within the airport or from the driver.
There are also National Express bus services which link the airports with destinations across the United Kingdom. Some airports also offer train connections, with stations located within the airports themselves or a short bus ride away. This is often a faster mode of transport as it avoids the traffic jams that sometimes block up motorways.
Taxis are also available from all of the United Kingdom’s airports, and while they are the most expensive option, they will deliver you direct to your door.
