If London is calling you, be sure to check out our cheap flights to the UK’s capital from New York today.
A city dripping with history and culture, London is home to Buckingham Palace and the Royal family as well as many galleries and museums, such as the Tate, Madame Tussauds and the Natural History Museum.
You can also explore the city’s darker side with the London Dungeons and the Tower of London, or discover the streets where Jack the Ripper once roamed.
Each of London’s districts has a distinct flavour and vibe, from the vibrant streets of Soho to the sights, sounds and smells of Chinatown and the theatrical glamour of the West End.
Shoppers will be right at home in the Big Smoke as well, with flagship department stores such as Selfridges and Harrods on offer, as well as more budget bargains to be had at the likes of Camden Market and Portobello Road.
And, when it’s time for a bite to eat, you’ll be spoiled for choice. London is home to some of the finest eateries in the world, as well as glitzy cocktail bars where you can enjoy a drink at the end of a hard day sightseeing.
No amount of time will be enough to truly see everything this great city has to offer, but why not check out our cheap flights to London from New York to make a start?
5 Things You Need to Know About London
Before you pack your bags for the UK, here are some important things to know…
Time Difference: UTC +0 hours
Currency: Pound Sterling (£)
Native Language: English
Weather: Average temperature of 66°F during the warmest month (July) and 41°F during the coldest (January). October is the wettest month with an average 71mm of rain.
Sales Tax: 20% standard rate, 0% on life necessities such as groceries, water and public transport
Flying to London from New York
Here’s everything you’ll need to know for a trip from the Big Apple to the Big Smoke, including flight times and entry requirements.
Flight Times
Direct flights from New York to London generally take about six and a half to seven hours, depending on the route you take and which airport you’re arriving into.
Direct flights are available from New York JFK and Newark to London Heathrow, Gatwick, City and Stansted airports.
Entry Requirements
Most US travellers heading to the UK don’t require a visa but will require a passport which is valid for at least six months from their date of arrival.
However, if you think that you might require a visa, be sure to head to the Visas and Immigration section of gov.uk.
Airlines That Fly to London
The following airlines offer direct flights to London from New York:
- Air India
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Delta Air Lines
- Norwegian Air Shuttle
- Primera Air (starts 19th April 2018)
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
The Airport(s)
London is home to four airports that receive flights direct from New York:
- Heathrow (LHR)
- Gatwick (LGW)
- Stansted (STN)
- London City (LCY)
Heathrow (LHR)
London Heathrow is the second busiest airport in the world and lies 14 miles west of Central London.
The best way to get into the city is the Heathrow Express, a non-stop train service to Paddington station, which takes about 15 minutes and leaves every 15 minutes.
Other options include the Heathrow Connect and the Piccadilly line of the London Underground as well as buses, coaches and taxis.
Gatwick (LGW)
Gatwick is located about 29.5 miles south of the city centre and has train services to Victoria Station and London Bridge in the city, as well as National Express coaches to other city centre locations.
Stansted (STN)
Stansted is actually located just outside of London, in Essex, about 30 miles northeast of Central London.
While it discontinued its direct route to JFK a few years ago, Primera Air are starting a new direct route from Newark in April 2018.
The airport offers trains to London Liverpool Street every 15 minutes and, from there, you can catch the London Underground Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.
London City (LCY)
London City airport is the most central of London’s airports, located just 6.9 miles east of the City of London and frequently used by business travellers visiting the nearby Canary Wharf.
From the airport, you can catch the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Canary Wharf or Stratford International station, where you can connect to the rest of the city.
10 London Must-Dos
One trip will never be enough to see all that London has to offer, but here are ten of our must-do sights and attractions:
- London Eye
- Big Ben
- Tower of London
- Buckingham Palace
- Tower Bridge
- British Museum
- Trafalgar Square
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
- The Shard
Book Cheap Flights to London with Globehunters
So, if you want to swap the Big Apple for the Big Smoke, be sure to check out our cheap flights from New York to London, including business class and first class fares too.