How to Find Cheap Flights to London (2026 Guide)
Quick answer
To fly to London cheaply, compare all six London airports at once rather than defaulting to Heathrow, stay flexible on dates, and target the quiet seasons — January to March and mid-autumn — while avoiding UK school holidays and the December peak. Book short-haul about 3–8 weeks out and long-haul 2–6 months out, and let a price alert catch the dip.
Compare live fares to London on ScanFlyGo →
Choose the right London airport
London is served by six airports, and the cheapest one is rarely the most famous. Picking by price rather than habit is the single biggest lever you have.
| Airport | Best for | Getting into the city |
|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | Long-haul, full-service carriers | Underground and Elizabeth line |
| Gatwick (LGW) | Mix of short & long-haul | Express and standard trains |
| Stansted (STN) | European low-cost fares | Express coach and train |
| Luton (LTN) | Budget short-haul | Train plus shuttle |
| London City (LCY) | Short European hops, business | Quick to Canary Wharf |
| Southend (SEN) | Occasional budget routes | Direct train to Liverpool St |
Always add the transfer cost and time to the ticket price. A fare that is €20 cheaper into a distant airport can vanish once you pay for a longer train or coach.
Time your trip to the cheap seasons
London demand rises sharply in summer and around Christmas markets. The best value tends to sit in the shoulder and low seasons.
- Cheapest: mid-January to early March, and late October into early December (before the holiday rush).
- Mid-range: April to May and September, when the weather is mild and crowds thinner.
- Most expensive: July–August, Christmas and New Year, and Easter week.
Within any month, midweek departures usually beat Friday-to-Sunday, and early-morning or late-evening flights are often the lowest of the day.
Book in the right window
There is no single perfect purchase day, but booking too late on a popular route almost always costs more.
| Trip type | Sweet spot to book |
|---|---|
| European short-haul to London | 3–8 weeks before departure |
| Long-haul to London | 2–6 months before departure |
| Summer & December peak | Add 4–8 weeks to the above |
Compare the whole market
A single airline shows only its own seats. A metasearch checks hundreds of airlines and agencies together, so you see the genuine floor for your route. Run a live London search on ScanFlyGo and scan the popular routes for current fares.
Price the true cost, not just the headline
Ultra-low-cost carriers into Stansted and Luton advertise tiny fares, then add for cabin bags, seat selection and airport check-in. Total the price for the way you actually travel — a €25 fare can double once a bag goes on.
Small tactics that add up
- Set a price alert on your route so you buy on a dip, not a whim.
- Consider an open-jaw trip — into one London airport, out of another — if it is cheaper.
- Be ready to book quickly; the lowest fares are limited seats and disappear fast.
- On the day you travel, use a live tracker to spot inbound delays early. Track any flight to London live →
Frequently asked questions
Which London airport is cheapest to fly into?
It depends on your route. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton often carry the lowest short-haul fares, while Heathrow suits long-haul. Compare all six together and factor in the transfer.
When is the cheapest time to fly to London?
January to early March and mid-to-late autumn are usually cheapest, excluding the Christmas peak. Midweek beats weekends, and avoiding UK school holidays helps.
How far ahead should I book?
Roughly 3–8 weeks for European short-haul and 2–6 months for long-haul, and earlier for summer and December.
Is a connection cheaper?
Sometimes, especially on long-haul. Weigh the saving against the extra time and any self-transfer risk.
The bottom line
Cheap flights to London come from comparing every airport, travelling in the quiet seasons, booking in the right window, and totalling the real cost. Start a live search on ScanFlyGo or browse the popular routes to see what London is going for today.
Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are examples found in recent searches and are confirmed at the partner’s checkout.