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

Tuesday through Thursday departures are typically 15-25% cheaper than weekend flights. Wednesday departures often offer the best deals.

Is it cheaper to fly into Heathrow or other London airports?

Stansted and Luton often have cheaper flights, especially on budget carriers. However, factor in the extra transport time (45-60 minutes) and costs to central London when comparing total trip expense.

Should I book a multi-city trip if visiting other European cities?

Yes, if you're visiting multiple European cities, book an open-jaw ticket (fly into one city, out of another) rather than roundtrip to London. This can save money and time versus backtracking.

How far in advance should I book for Christmas or summer travel?

For peak seasons (Christmas, July-August), book 8-12 weeks ahead. Prices for these periods start rising earlier and don't follow the typical 6-8 week rule.

How to book cheap flights to London

Book London flights 6-8 weeks ahead for best prices, fly Tuesday-Thursday, and use multiple airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton) to compare options. Budget airlines and connecting flights can save 40-60% over direct routes on major carriers.

Start searching 6-8 weeks before travel. Flight prices to London typically bottom out 6-8 weeks before departure. Set up price alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak immediately when you know your dates. Prices spike 2-3 weeks before departure.
Compare all four London airports. Search Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN), and Luton (LTN) separately. Stansted and Luton often have cheaper flights but add 45-60 minutes travel time to central London. Factor in transport costs: Heathrow Express costs £25, while Stansted Express costs £19.
Be flexible with dates and times. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday departures average 15-25% cheaper than weekend flights. Red-eye and early morning flights (before 8 AM) can save another $100-200. Use flexible date searches to see the cheapest days in your travel window.
Consider budget airlines and connections. Norse Atlantic, Play, and Icelandair offer competitive transatlantic rates with connections. Budget carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet work well if you're already in Europe. A connection in Dublin, Reykjavik, or Amsterdam can cut costs by 40-60% versus direct flights.
Book directly after finding deals. Once you find a good price on comparison sites, book directly with the airline. You'll get better customer service for changes or cancellations, and avoid third-party booking fees. Clear your browser cookies before booking to avoid dynamic pricing.
Watch for sales and error fares. Follow accounts like Secret Flying, Scott's Cheap Flights (now Going), and Jack's Flight Club for flash sales and mistake fares. British Airways runs sales in January and September. Error fares to London pop up 2-3 times per year and can be under $300 roundtrip.

Which day of the week is cheapest to fly to London?: Tuesday through Thursday departures are typically 15-25% cheaper than weekend flights. Wednesday departures often offer the best deals.
Is it cheaper to fly into Heathrow or other London airports?: Stansted and Luton often have cheaper flights, especially on budget carriers. However, factor in the extra transport time (45-60 minutes) and costs to central London when comparing total trip expense.
Should I book a multi-city trip if visiting other European cities?: Yes, if you're visiting multiple European cities, book an open-jaw ticket (fly into one city, out of another) rather than roundtrip to London. This can save money and time versus backtracking.
How far in advance should I book for Christmas or summer travel?: For peak seasons (Christmas, July-August), book 8-12 weeks ahead. Prices for these periods start rising earlier and don't follow the typical 6-8 week rule.