London to Tokyo is a classic long-haul journey, and you have a real choice: fly non-stop to Haneda in around 14 hours, or save money on a one-stop itinerary through the Gulf, Europe or Asia. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book for the best price to Japan.
Route: London (LHR) → Tokyo Haneda (HND) — one-stops also serve Narita (NRT)
Distance: approximately 9,600 km (5,960 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 13h 40m – 14h 15m eastbound
Direct flights: Yes — British Airways, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) all fly non-stop from Heathrow to Haneda. One-stop options are usually cheaper.
Fares from London to Tokyo (GBP)
Tokyo is a year-round city, but fares swing with Japan’s travel seasons. The cherry-blossom peak (late March–April), the autumn-foliage season (October–November) and the Christmas/New Year holidays are the priciest; the humid summer and the depths of winter (January–February) are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest are one-stop itineraries, with non-stops sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | low-medium |
| February | — | low-medium |
| March | — | high (late-month blossom) |
| April | — | very high (cherry blossom) |
| May | — | medium-high |
| June | — | medium |
| July | — | medium-high (summer holidays) |
| August | — | high |
| September | — | medium |
| October | — | high (autumn foliage) |
| November | — | high |
| December | — | very high (New Year) |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, a typical fair price is roughly £750 — the connecting median is £768 — and anything under about £650 is worth booking quickly, because £648 is the floor. There is nothing in the five hundreds. The non-stop is a different market entirely: the direct fares we could price ran £1,524–£3,769, median £2,949, so budget two to four times the connecting fare if you want to fly Heathrow–Haneda without a stop. Check transit-visa rules for your passport before booking a Chinese connection.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 14 hours), Heathrow to Haneda:
- Japan Airlines (JAL) — daily non-stop from Heathrow; excellent, consistently well-rated economy on the A350/787.
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) — non-stop from Heathrow; the other Japanese flag carrier, with a strong hard product.
- British Airways — daily non-stop from Heathrow to Haneda on the Boeing 787.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 16–20 hours total):
- Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent, strong economy, often the best value from London.
- Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and Finnair via Helsinki — competitive European routings, Helsinki being one of the shortest connections to Japan.
- Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines (via Singapore) or Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) — a scenic detour, sometimes keenly priced.
The one-stop carriers compete hard and usually undercut the non-stops by £80–£200. If time matters most, book a non-stop to Haneda; if price is the priority, a single stop through the Gulf or Helsinki is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 2–5 months ahead for the best balance of price and choice; long-haul fares to Japan rarely fall in the final weeks.
- Avoid the peaks: cherry-blossom season (late March–April), autumn foliage (October–November) and New Year are the most expensive — and the busiest on the ground.
- Fly in winter (January–February) for the lowest fares; it’s cold but dry and clear, and great for onsen and skiing.
- Prefer a Haneda arrival if you can — it’s far closer to central Tokyo than Narita, saving time and transfer cost.
- Check checked-bag rules: full-service carriers to Japan usually include 23–30 kg, but compare the all-in price on the cheapest one-stop “light” fares.
Arriving in Tokyo
Non-stop flights land at Haneda (HND), only about 14 km from central Tokyo. The fastest way in is the Tokyo Monorail or the Keikyu Line (around 30 minutes to the centre for roughly £3); taxis are quick but pricey at £40 or more. Many one-stop itineraries instead use Narita (NRT), about 60 km east: the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner reach central Tokyo in around 45–60 minutes for roughly £13–£18, with cheaper access buses also available. Check which airport your ticket uses, as the transfer time and cost differ significantly.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Tokyo?
Non-stop flights take about 13 hours 40 minutes to 14 hours 15 minutes eastbound from London to Tokyo Haneda, and a little longer coming back against the jet stream. One-stop itineraries through the Gulf, Istanbul or Helsinki typically take 16 to 20 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Tokyo?
Yes. British Airways, Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) all fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines or Finnair are usually cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Tokyo?
A typical connecting economy return runs about £700–£820, with the connections spanning £648–£1,040. The best deals start at £648 on China Southern out of Gatwick; the non-stops we could price ran £1,524–£3,769. Cherry-blossom season, autumn foliage and the New Year peak push everything toward the top.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Tokyo?
January and February are usually the cheapest. In the dates we could price, connecting returns started at £648. Avoid late March–April (cherry blossom), October–November (autumn foliage) and the Christmas/New Year period, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Tokyo?
Non-stop: British Airways, JAL and ANA, all Heathrow to Haneda; the JAL fares in our data were £1,524–£3,769. One-stop, cheapest first and mostly out of Gatwick: China Southern (£648–£776), China Eastern (£669–£808, behind most of the cheap fares), Air India from Heathrow (£708–£722), Air China (£730–£796) and Qatar Airways via Doha (£872–£1,040). Emirates, Turkish Airlines and Finnair also sell the route but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked.
Which airport do I fly into in Tokyo?
Non-stop flights land at Haneda (HND), close to central Tokyo. Many one-stop routings use Narita (NRT), about 60 km further out, so check your ticket — Haneda is far quicker and cheaper to reach the city from.
How far in advance should I book London to Tokyo flights?
Aim to book 2 to 5 months ahead. Long-haul fares to Japan tend to rise as departure approaches, especially around cherry-blossom season, autumn foliage and New Year, so early booking almost always wins on this route.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually a little cheaper than Friday–Sunday, and flying out and back on weekdays can save £40–£100 on a long-haul return. Being flexible by a day or two is one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
