Find the cheapest flights from London to Tokyo in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: London (LHR) → Tokyo (NRT)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 14h 20m – 18h 30m
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €480 | medium |
| February | €420 | low |
| March | €510 | medium |
| April | €580 | high |
| May | €620 | high |
| June | €680 | high |
| July | €850 | high |
| August | €920 | high |
| September | €590 | medium |
| October | €540 | medium |
| November | €460 | low |
| December | €780 | high |
Airlines on This Route
- British Airways (direct): from €550 — BA offers lowest direct prices in November-January. Use Avios points for redemption – often better value than paying cash on this route.
- Japan Airlines (direct): from €580 — JAL often undercuts BA by €30-50 on same dates. Check both carriers before booking.
- ANA (direct): from €560 — ANA offers free stopovers in Tokyo on round-trips – book open-jaw tickets to explore both NRT and HND airports.
- Emirates (connecting): from €480 — Emirates frequently runs sales from London via Dubai. Their Dubai connection adds ~3 hours but often saves €100+.
- Qatar Airways (connecting): from €460 — Qatar often has the lowest connecting fares. Doha connection is efficient; 2-3 hour layovers common.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €420 — Istanbul connection can be long (4-8 hours) but prices are often the cheapest. Stopover allowed in Istanbul at no extra cost.
- Cathay Pacific (connecting): from €490 — Cathay offers excellent connecting service via Hong Kong – good for those wanting to visit Hong Kong briefly.
- Singapore Airlines (connecting): from €510 — Singapore Airlines connection is premium but adds ~3 hours. Often matches Emirates prices.
Booking Strategy
For London to Tokyo, book direct flights 4-6 months ahead for best prices, especially for April-May cherry blossom season and September-October autumn foliage. Connecting flights can be booked 2-3 months ahead. The cheapest day to fly is typically Tuesday or Wednesday, with savings of €50-150 compared to Friday-Sunday. Use Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ feature to compare across all airlines, but book directly with the airline to avoid third-party fees if issues arise. For the absolute cheapest fares, consider flying into Haneda (HND) instead of Narita – some carriers price these differently. January and February offer the lowest direct flight prices (€450-550), while August sees peak pricing (€800-1000+). Set price alerts on Google Flights for your specific dates. If your schedule is flexible, the ‘flexible dates’ calendar view can reveal savings of €200+ by shifting your trip by a few days.
Route Tips
- Book direct flights through Heathrow – Gatwick has no non-stop Tokyo service and connecting via Gatwick adds significant travel time
- Narita Express advance booking online (¥3,250) is cheaper than buying at the station – book 2+ weeks before arrival
- UK citizens need a valid passport but no visa for Japan stays under 90 days – ensure 6 months passport validity from entry date
- Japan Rail Pass must be purchased BEFORE arriving in Japan – it’s not available domestically and offers unlimited bullet train travel
- Consider Haneda (HND) over Narita (NRT) for closer city access if your airline offers it – saves 30-45 minutes and ¥1,500+ on airport transport
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul often has the lowest fares but allows a free stopover – break up the journey if you have time
- Get a Pocket WiFi or SIM card at Narita (¥500-800/day) before heading into the city – essential for navigation and travel apps
- Book temple accommodations (ryokan) in Kyoto or Hakone 2-3 months ahead during peak seasons – they sell out quickly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from London to Tokyo?
Direct flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo take approximately 11h 30m to 12h depending on wind conditions. British Airways, Japan Airlines, and ANA operate daily non-stop services to both Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports. If you take a connecting flight via Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, or Hong Kong, expect the total journey time to be 14h 30m to 18h 30m depending on the layover duration. The shortest connecting routes are typically via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways) at around 14-15 hours total.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Tokyo?
Expect to pay €450-650 for direct flights in standard season (March, April low-season, September-November). Connecting flights via Middle Eastern hubs start at €380-480 but take longer. Peak season (July-August, Christmas/New Year) sees direct flights jump to €800-1500. The cheapest fares around €300-380 are typically found on Turkish Airlines or during January-February low season with a 1-stop connection. Budget approximately €500-600 for a good direct economy fare with checked baggage included.
Are there direct flights from London to Tokyo?
Yes, three airlines operate direct flights: British Airways (2-3 daily to NRT and HND), Japan Airlines (daily to both airports), and ANA (All Nippon Airways, daily to HND). Flight time is approximately 11h 30m. Direct flights depart from London Heathrow (LHR). Note that London Gatwick does not currently have direct Tokyo service – you’ll need a connection or travel via Heathrow. The direct route is competitive, with BA and JAL often matching each other’s prices within €20-30.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Tokyo?
February offers the lowest average prices at around €420 for direct flights and €350-400 for connecting itineraries. November is also excellent at €460-500 for direct. January and late November-early December (before Christmas rush) provide good value. The most expensive period is summer (July-August) when school holidays drive prices above €800 for direct flights. Cherry blossom season (late March-April) and autumn foliage (October) are popular but not as expensive as summer. Avoid mid-December to early January for expensive peak Christmas travel.
Which airlines fly from London to Tokyo?
Direct carriers: British Airways, Japan Airlines (JAL), and ANA – all offer daily services from Heathrow to Narita and Haneda. Connecting carriers include: Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Singapore), KLM/Air France (via Amsterdam/Paris). Turkish Airlines typically offers the lowest connecting fares, while JAL and ANA provide excellent value with 2 checked bags included even in economy. British Airways is most frequent with multiple daily departures.
What airport do I fly into in Tokyo?
Tokyo has two major international airports: Narita (NRT) – the larger international hub 60km east of central Tokyo, and Haneda (HND) – closer to the city (14km south of Tokyo Station) but primarily handling domestic and some international flights. Narita Express train to Shinjuku takes 55 minutes (¥3,250/€22). Haneda offers faster city access – Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho in 15 minutes (€3), or direct limousine bus to major hotels (€8-12). Most UK flights arrive at Narita, but BA and JAL also serve Haneda.
How far in advance should I book London to Tokyo flights?
For direct flights, book 4-6 months ahead for the best prices, particularly if traveling during cherry blossom (late March-April), summer holidays, or October-November. For connecting flights, 2-3 months ahead is usually sufficient. Last-minute bookings rarely work well on this route – expect to pay 30-50% premium within 2 weeks of departure. January-February offers more flexibility with 6-8 weeks advance booking often sufficient. Use fare tracking tools 3+ months before your intended travel dates to spot price drops.
Is it cheaper to fly from London to Tokyo on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly, with savings of €50-150 compared to Friday-Sunday departures. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle. The weekend premium is real on this route – Saturday departures can cost €80-120 more than Tuesday/Wednesday on the same airline, same class. However, the biggest price factor remains timing (how far in advance) and season rather than day of week. If possible, depart Tuesday-Thursday and return Monday-Wednesday for optimal pricing. Red-eye flights (overnight) are sometimes cheaper than daytime departures.
Data updated: 2026-03
