Find the cheapest flights from London to Porto in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Porto (OPO)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 3h 30m – 5h 45m with 1 stop
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €320 | low |
| February | €310 | low |
| March | €340 | low |
| April | €380 | medium |
| May | €420 | medium |
| June | €480 | high |
| July | €550 | high |
| August | €580 | high |
| September | €460 | high |
| October | €380 | medium |
| November | €310 | low |
| December | €420 | medium |
Airlines on This Route
- Ryanair (direct): from €35 — Ryanair charges heavily for anything beyond basic personal item. Book priority boarding if you need overhead bin space. Flights to Porto depart from Stansted (STN), not Gatwick.
- easyJet (direct): from €45 — easyJet offers better baggage allowance than Ryanair for the same price. operates from Gatwick (LGW) and Luton (LTN). Book allocated seating for guaranteed space.
- British Airways (direct): from €85 — BA offers better service and included baggage but higher base fare. Best value during sale periods (January, September). Departures from Heathrow.
- TAP Air Portugal (direct): from €70 — TAP often has cheaper connecting fares than their direct flights. Check both direct and Lisbon-connect options. Good if you want to visit Lisbon too.
- Wizz Air (direct): from €40 — Wizz operates from Luton only. Checked bag is cheaper than Ryanair for heavier luggage. Their pricing fluctuates wildly – set price alerts.
- TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon) (connecting): from €95 — Connecting via Lisbon can be cheaper than direct during off-peak. Allows you to break up journey or see Lisbon. Allow minimum 2h connection time.
Booking Strategy
The sweet spot for booking London to Porto is 4-8 weeks ahead for standard carriers, and 6-12 weeks for Ryanair/easyJet low-cost flights. January and November offer the cheapest deals (€35-€60 for low-cost), while August sees prices spike to €150+ for economy. Tuesday and Wednesday are consistently the cheapest days to fly, with Thursday being the most expensive. Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to compare all carriers, but book low-cost directly on their websites to avoid third-party booking fees. Set alerts for specific dates – prices change hourly on Ryanair. If your dates are flexible, the ‘everywhere’ search on Skyscanner showing cheapest months is invaluable. Avoid flying Friday evening or Sunday afternoon as these are peak business and return times. Porto airport (OPO) is 11km from the city center; metro line E connects to the center in 30 minutes for €2.45.
Route Tips
- Ryanair to Porto departs from Stansted (STN), not Gatwick—don’t confuse it with their Barcelona or Malaga routes which sometimes leave from different terminals
- Porto’s airport metro station (Aeroporto) is directly connected to the terminal—buy a Viva Viagem card at the machine for €2.45 to reach the city center in 30 minutes
- UK citizens need only a passport (valid for return) to visit Portugal—no visa required, and the country uses the euro
- British Airways and TAP offer free checked baggage on most fares—factor this in when comparing prices as Ryanair’s hidden costs add up quickly
- Book Porto flights midweek (Tuesday-Thursday) for the best deals; Friday and Sunday flights are consistently €20-40 more expensive
- The metro connects directly to Vila Nova de Gaia (port wine cellars area)—buy a combined ticket for port tasting and transport
- If flying TAP via Lisbon, allow at least 2 hours connection time; Portuguese air traffic control can cause delays, especially in summer
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Porto?
Direct flights from London to Porto take approximately 2 hours 25 minutes. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Wizz Air, and Vueling all operate direct services from various London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton). If you opt for a connecting flight via Lisbon with TAP, expect a total journey of 3h 30m-4h including a 1h 15m layover. Other connecting options via Madrid (Air Europa) or Frankfurt (Lufthansa) can extend travel time to 5-6 hours.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Porto?
Budget airline tickets start from as low as €35-€50 one-way when booked well in advance, with return flights typically costing €60-€120. Standard carriers like British Airways and TAP charge €80-€150 for basic economy. Peak season (July-August) sees return prices climb to €180-€300, while shoulder season (April-June, September-October) offers deals around €100-€150 return. The absolute cheapest deals appear in January and November when you can find return flights for €60-€80 on low-cost carriers.
Are there direct flights from London to Porto?
Yes, direct flights are readily available from multiple London airports. Ryanair operates from Stansted up to 14 times weekly, easyJet flies from Gatwick and Luton, British Airways has 2-3 daily flights from Heathrow, TAP Air Portugal offers 2-3 daily departures from Heathrow, and Wizz Air runs services from Luton. Vueling also connects London Gatwick to Porto. Flight frequency increases during summer months, with the route being one of the busiest between the UK and Portugal.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Porto?
January is the cheapest month to fly from London to Porto, with average return prices around €60-€80 on low-cost carriers. February and November are similarly affordable, offering prices in the €70-€90 range. The most expensive period is August, when return flights cost €180-€300 due to peak summer holiday demand. For the best balance of good weather and reasonable prices, consider late April, May, or late September-October, where you’ll find prices around €100-€130 with fewer crowds.
Which airlines fly from London to Porto?
Six airlines operate direct flights: Ryanair (from Stansted, cheapest but strict baggage), easyJet (from Gatwick/Luton, better baggage allowance), British Airways (from Heathrow, premium service, included bags), TAP Air Portugal (from Heathrow, also offers Lisbon connections), Wizz Air (from Luton, good for heavier luggage), and Vueling (from Gatwick). Connecting options include TAP via Lisbon, Air Europa via Madrid, and Lufthansa via Munich or Frankfurt. Low-cost carriers dominate the route, with Ryanair and easyJet accounting for over 60% of capacity.
What airport do I fly into in Porto?
You will fly into Porto Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), located 11km (7 miles) northwest of Porto city center. The most economical option into the city is Metro line E (Violeta) – it takes 30 minutes to reach Trindade station in the city center and costs just €2.45 for a Viva Viagem ticket (plus €0.50 for the reusable card). Alternatively, STCP bus 601 runs to the city center in about 40 minutes for €2. Taxis and Uber cost around €20-€25 to central Porto. The metro runs from 6am to 1am daily.
How far in advance should I book London to Porto flights?
For low-cost carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air), book 6-12 weeks ahead for the best prices – any earlier and inventory isn’t released, any later and prices spike. For standard carriers (BA, TAP), 4-8 weeks ahead is optimal. January and early February are excellent times to book for summer travel as airlines release advance booking fares. Last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks) can occasionally yield deals if airlines are trying to fill remaining seats, but expect to pay premium prices, especially in summer. Set price alerts rather than waiting.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Porto on weekdays?
Yes, flying midweek is significantly cheaper for this route. Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly, with savings of €20-€40 compared to Friday or Sunday. The most expensive days are Friday (business travelers) and Sunday (returning holidaymakers). A Tuesday departure with Wednesday return can be €40-€60 cheaper than the same itinerary on Friday-Sunday. Monday falls in the middle. If your schedule allows, shifting your trip by just one or two days can result in substantial savings, particularly during shoulder and off-peak seasons.
Data updated: 2026-03
