Travelling from Los Angeles to London: what you need to know
Start your travel planning by considering where you'll board your flight from Los Angeles to London. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Los Angeles Van Nuys Airport (VNY) are the main airports in Los Angeles.
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). You can also disembark at London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) in London.
Around 10 hours 30 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct Los Angeles to London flight.
London's timezone is UTC+0, making London eight hours ahead of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most traveled route that connects these two cities. There are 59 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Los Angeles to London is with Virgin Atlantic at 23:15. Choose the first LAX to LHR departure with American Airlines at 13:20 to make the most of your first day in London.
To ensure you make it on your Los Angeles to London flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you fly during high season in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to London
To pick up cheap Los Angeles to London flights, book as early as possible. Airlines tend to offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
If you're willing to be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll give you the lowest price in every month when searching for your plane ticket from Los Angeles to London.
Save time looking for cheap flights from Los Angeles to London by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when fares go down.
Lock in a cheap Los Angeles to London flight with the help of our filters. Select your preferred duration, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from Los Angeles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
You can book a direct flight from Los Angeles to London jetting out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Begin your trip at LAX and then fly into London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
Direct Los Angeles to London plane tickets are offered by numerous airlines at LAX. Your nonstop flight awaits with one of these options:
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a travel break — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for Los Angeles to London flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA)
LAX is around 19 kilometres from central Los Angeles. If you're catching a taxi, driving or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the journey time to be around 1 hour.
After a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Los Angeles to London or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
Los Angeles International Airport maintains a solid on-time performance, so flight disruptions are less likely. Departures from LAX arrive at their destination as scheduled 80% of the time.
The address for LAX is One World Way.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is approximately 26 kilometres. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the centre driving.
Getting there by public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel near LHR if you're coming in on a late flight from Los Angeles to London. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and explore beyond London's usual tourist stops.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport around one week ahead of your Los Angeles to London flight.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Central London is about 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). After your flight from Los Angeles to London has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 1 hour 5 minutes.
The trip will take roughly 45 minutes on public transport.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to LGW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from Los Angeles to London:
Forget about public transport timetables or waiting forever for a taxi. Grab a London Gatwick Airport rental car and take your trip in whatever direction you choose. Compare offers from Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia.
Avoid potential price surges. Reserving your ride three weeks ahead of your arrival at LGW will help you stay within budget.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
London Stansted Airport (STN) is about 48 kilometres from the centre of London. It'll take you about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the city centre in a car once you've stepped off your flight from Los Angeles to London.
If you travel by public transport, the journey will take you about 45 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, choose a hotel near STN. Get settled at one of these stays after your Los Angeles to London flight:
Whether you want a compact for a solo adventure or a spacious SUV to fit a group of friends, you'll find the ideal London Stansted Airport rental car for you. Browse wheels available here from companies such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
If you're searching for a specific make or model, book your ride from STN around four weeks ahead of your flight from Los Angeles to London. This improves your chances of getting the car you prefer, as well as a better rate.
Best time to go to London
March is the quietest month for flights from Los Angeles to London, while July is the most popular. Choose the ideal time to go to London based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Before locking in your Los Angeles to London tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 11ºC to 26ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 0ºC and 9ºC. Search for cheap flights from Los Angeles to London around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about London
After booking your flight from Los Angeles to London, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring London:
Every great holiday has to include some sightseeing. The British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are essential stops on your London itinerary.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
London has its own special appeal, but there are so many other corners of the United Kingdom just waiting to be explored. About 257 kilometres northwest of London, a visit to Manchester will fill your itinerary to the brim. Don't miss top attractions like Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Science and Industry Museum.
Birmingham is another standout destination in the United Kingdom and is around 161 kilometres northwest of London. No trip is complete without a visit to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome and Bournville Experience.






















