Travelling from Los Angeles to London: what you need to know
Los Angeles is home to two main airports where you can start your adventure. Explore your options for booking a flight from Los Angeles to London flying out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or Van Nuys Airport (VNY).
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). You can also disembark at London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) in London.
Jump on a direct Los Angeles to London flight and you'll be flying for an average of 10 hours 30 minutes.
London's timezone is UTC+0, making London seven hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The busiest route for flights from Los Angeles to London is from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). There are 60 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to maximize your time on arrival, the earliest flight from LAX to LHR is the 12:55 United Airlines service. If you prefer to travel later, the latest available service is at 23:10 with Virgin Atlantic.
Leave enough time to catch your Los Angeles to London flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like July or vacation periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year will mean bigger queues at check-in and security. Be on the safe side and get to the airport even earlier. Arriving two hours before a domestic flight and four hours ahead of international departures is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Los Angeles to London
Lock in cheap Los Angeles to London flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the ideal time for picking up a bargain.
The best month for finding cheap plane tickets from Los Angeles to London is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Finding a cheap flight from Los Angeles to London is easy with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a better deal.
Lock in a cheap Los Angeles to London flight with the help of our filters. Choose 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 find a direct flight from Los Angeles to London taking off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Start your trip at LAX and then make your arrival at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
There's a good selection of airlines that offer direct Los Angeles to London plane tickets out of LAX. Your next adventure starts with one of these:
We make it easy to book a Los Angeles to London flight with a stopover. To see the options departing from Los Angeles International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Travelling from central Los Angeles to LAX takes around 55 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
After a leisurely start to your journey? Stay near Los Angeles International Airport. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Los Angeles to London or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:
81.05% of flights departing from Los Angeles International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. With its impressive on-time stats, delays are unlikely when flying out of LAX.
You'll find LAX at One World Way.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is roughly 26 kilometres. It takes around 55 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Los Angeles to London. Check in to one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and explore beyond London's usual tourist stops.
To lock in the lowest price, book your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport around one week in advance of your Los Angeles to London flight.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
After your flight from Los Angeles to London has hit the runway, you can make your way to the city centre in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
If you hop on public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 30 minutes or so.
There are some comfortable places to call home for the night near LGW. Unwind after your Los Angeles to London flight at one of these well-located options:
No need to worry about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a London Gatwick Airport rental car and let your trip unfold on your terms. Check out the rates and availability from Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia.
Get what you want, not just what's left over. Reserving your ride from LGW three weeks in advance often means better deals and a wider range of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Travel to the centre after your flight from Los Angeles to London has touched down. Central London is about 48 kilometres from Stansted Airport (STN) and takes roughly 1 hour to reach by cab or ride-share.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Reserve a hotel close to STN and get from baggage claim to your bed in a snap. Whether you're catching a late Los Angeles to London flight or just want to simplify your travel plans, these stays offer a quick route to a good night's sleep:
Whether you want an economy just for you or an SUV to fit everyone and their gear, you'll find the ideal Stansted Airport rental car for you. Check out the range of wheels available here from providers such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
If you're searching for a specific type of vehicle, book your ride from STN around four weeks before your flight from Los Angeles to London. This improves your chances of getting your preferred car, along with a better price.
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Los Angeles to London. To skip the crowds, visit London in February.
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 (52ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
Look for cheap flights from Los Angeles to London in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF) on average.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Browse these hotels once you've locked in your flight from Los Angeles to London:
Every great journey has to include some sightseeing. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are essential stops on your London itinerary.
Explore more of United Kingdom
You've visited London, now it's time to discover more of United Kingdom. Travel around 161 kilometres north-west to Birmingham to check off its top attractions. From Cadbury World to The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
Around 177 kilometres west of London, Bristol is another essential stop in United Kingdom. No visit is complete without checking out Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park.
