Cheap flights to London from across Australia

London’s long been a favourite for Aussie travellers — and fair enough, too. You’ve got Big Ben selfies from the Thames, West End shows, East End markets, and that all-important Sunday pub lunch, with gravy-soaked Yorkshires and all the trimmings.

Whether you're museum-hopping, market-snacking or just there for pints and people-watching, London’s a vibe for every kind of traveller.

How long is the flight to London

• Sydney to London: Around 23 hours minimum (including layovers)​
• Melbourne to London: Around 22 hours 15 minutes minimum (including layovers)​
• Brisbane to London: Around 22 hours and 35 minutes minimum (including layovers)​
• Perth to London: Around 17 hours and 45 minutes minimum (non-stop)​
• Adelaide to London: Around 23 hours (including layovers)
• Darwin to London: Around 22 hours and 40 hours minimum (including layovers)

Airlines flying to London from Australia

• Qantas: The only Australian airline currently offering non-stop flights from Perth to London. Don’t worry if you don’t want to fly out of WA though. They also do flights with stopovers from other Australian cities. It's a full-service carrier with meals, baggage, and entertainment included, plus a dash of charming Aussie hospitality.
• British Airways: Operates flights from Sydney to London, that stop in Singapore for refuelling. A solid choice for onward connections in Europe, thanks to its super strong international network.
• Singapore Airlines: Connects major Australian cities to London via Singapore, home to Changi Airport—often voted the world's best airport. The award-winning airline earns its die-hard customer loyalty with consistently top-tier in-flight service, as well as super comfy seats.
• Emirates: Offers flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, with a whirlwind stopover in Dubai. Known for cool extras like a vast entertainment library (and private first-class suites if you're splurging).
• Cathay Pacific: Connects cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth to London via Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific is well-ranked for its good service, modern aircraft, high-quality onboard food, and usually smooth connections making it a good all-round option.
• Qatar Airways: Flies from major Australian cities to London via Doha. Known for consistently high service standards, especially in Business Class, with the Qsuite private suite-style setup for those looking to go the extra air mile.
• Etihad Airways: Operates flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to London, stopping in Abu Dhabi. Etihad is known for its modern fleet, while quiet cabins make for a smooth trip onboard, with a pretty solid selection of inflight entertainment on board.
• Malaysia Airlines: Flies from Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide to London via Kuala Lumpur. Expect a dependable full-service airline that balances value with that friendly Southeast Asian hospitality.
• Thai Airways: Offers flights to London from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, stopping in Bangkok. Known for comfy seating and super friendly service. And of course, it’s a fabulous excuse for that Thai mini-break en route.

Where you can fly direct to London

Want to take a non-stop flight? Qantas is the only airline offering a non-stop flight from Australia to London right now, operating from Perth. (Though there are plans to expand this to other Australian cities). 

But be prepared: with a travel time of 17 hours and 30 minutes, it’s a chunky one. 

Where is the airport in London

London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the main international gateway to the UK. It is about 24 kilometres west of Central London. It is famously one of the world's busiest airports and a common arrival point for Australian flights.​ Here’s how to get into the thick of it ASAP.

• Heathrow Express: This is the fastest option, and reaches Paddington Station in just 15 minutes. Plus, did someone say minimal waiting time? Score!
• Elizabeth Line: This is a direct connection to central London, stopping at main stations like Bond Street and Liverpool Street. Want to easily access places all over the city? Elizabeth Line is the one for you.
• Piccadilly Line (London Underground AKA The Tube): A budget-friendly option that takes you to central London in about 50 minutes. Departures run frequently.​
• Buses and Coaches: The Heathrow Central Bus Station has coaches to destinations across London and beyond. Popular companies to look up include National Express and Megabus.
• Taxis and Rideshares: These are available outside all terminals, providing door-to-door service to your destination. Be warned though: this is an expensive option.
• Car Hire: If you're planning to explore more of the UK or want the flexibility of having wheels, car hire desks are available at each terminal. Since public transport is so extensive in the capital, this is probably better only if you have a plan outside London.

There are other airports in London, including Gatwick, where international flights will arrive, but the majority will land at Heathrow.

When is the cheapest time to fly to London

If you're chasing the best-value fares, the cheapest time to fly to London tends to be just outside the peak European travel season. For most Aussie cities, that means May for departures from Sydney and Melbourne, and June if you're flying out of Brisbane. Perth travellers often see the lowest prices around November — just before the busy Christmas rush.

On the flip side, July and August are usually the most expensive months to travel, especially with school holidays and the European summer.

Visa and passport requirements when flying to London for Australians

Aussies don’t need a visa for a holiday in the UK, but from late 2024 you’ll need to sort an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before you fly. 

It’s a quick online form, costs a small fee (around $20), and once approved, it covers multiple trips over two years. You can apply through the UK government website or app. It’s a bit of extra fuss, but nothing too tricky — especially when Big Ben’s waiting on the other side.

How early to arrive at the airport for a flight to London

Give yourself at least three hours when flying to London — enough time for check-in, a security queue, and a pre-flight shop to settle the nerves. No one likes a last-minute dash to the gate.

Ready to move from dreaming to booking? Then it’s time to look at London hotels!