London, United Kingdom

London travel guide

The most-flown transatlantic route, for good reason

Find flights to London See fares from $298

Airports: LHR London Heathrow Airport · LGW London Gatwick Airport · STN London Stansted Airport
Region: Europe
Best time to visit: May–June and September are mild with long days; July–August is warm and busy.
Shortest flight: 6h 35m from Boston
Round trips from: $298 (live)
Time zone: Europe/London

About London

London's essentials — Westminster, the Tower, the British Museum, the South Bank — sit along the Thames and the Tube's central zones. Beyond them: Notting Hill and Portobello Road, Shoreditch's street art and bars, Camden's markets, Greenwich by riverboat, and day trips to Windsor, Oxford or Bath by train.

Getting in: Heathrow is on the Piccadilly line (about 50 minutes to central London, ~£5.60 with contactless) and the faster Elizabeth line (about 35 minutes to Paddington/Bond Street, ~£13.90) and Heathrow Express (15 minutes to Paddington, £25). From Gatwick, Thameslink and Southern trains reach central London in 30–45 minutes for £12–$20; the Gatwick Express is faster but pricier. Stansted is 45 minutes north by train.

US citizens need a valid passport and, since January 2025, a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA, about £16) applied for online before travel. Pay by contactless card everywhere, including buses and the Tube (daily fare caps apply). Tipping is 10–12.5% where a service charge isn't already added. Pub lunches run £15–£20; West End theater tickets from £25 via the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.

Best time to visit

May–June and September are mild with long days; July–August is warm and busy. December has Christmas markets and lights. January–March is cold and gray but fares can drop below $500 round trip.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Westminster / St James's, South Bank, Shoreditch, Notting Hill, Kensington.

Flights to London: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to LHR usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
New York (JFK)	6h 55m	$448	$369 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Boston (BOS)	6h 35m	$458	$298 · Tue, Oct 13	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	7h 50m	$548	$385 · Tue, Oct 6	Search dates →
Miami (MIA)	8h 45m	$548	$372 · Wed, Nov 11	Search dates →
Los Angeles (LAX)	10h 30m	$598	$483 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Dallas (DFW)	9h 15m	$628	$497 · Wed, Dec 9	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in London

What to do in London

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
The British Museum
Free entry to the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and 8 million objects; go at opening or late on Fridays.
2
Westminster and the South Bank
Big Ben, the Abbey and Parliament, then cross to the London Eye, Tate Modern and Borough Market.
3
The Tower of London
The Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warder tours; book online and arrive early.
4
West End theater
Dozens of shows nightly; TKTS in Leicester Square sells same-day seats at up to 50% off.
5
Markets and neighborhoods
Borough for food, Portobello Road on Saturdays, Camden for the canal and stalls, Columbia Road's Sunday flower market.

London weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

47° / 38°

Cool, damp, short days; lowest fares.

Spring

59° / 45°

Blossoms and showers; May is lovely.

Summer

73° / 57°

Warm; occasional heat waves without air conditioning.

Fall

60° / 48°

Mild September; wetter from October.

Travel tips for London

Apply for the UK ETA online (about £16) before you fly — it's required for US citizens since 2025.
Use the Elizabeth line from Heathrow: nearly as fast as the Express at half the price.
Tap the same contactless card for every Tube and bus journey; fares cap automatically each day.
Most major museums are free; book timed entry for special exhibitions.
Gatwick fares (JetBlue, Norse, Delta, BA) are often $100+ lower than Heathrow, and the train to Victoria is fast.

London flights: frequently asked questions

Do Americans need anything besides a passport for the UK?

Yes — since January 2025 US citizens must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online through the official UK government app or website for about £16. It's valid for two years.

Which London airport should I fly into?

Heathrow has the most flights and the Elizabeth line/Tube into town; Gatwick often has cheaper fares (JetBlue, Norse, BA) with a 30-minute train to Victoria; Stansted is mainly for European low-cost airlines.

How do I get from Heathrow to central London?

Elizabeth line to Paddington in about 35 minutes (£13.90), Piccadilly line to central stations in about 50 minutes (£5.60), or Heathrow Express to Paddington in 15 minutes (£25). Taxis cost £60–£100.