London to Nairobi is the UK’s main gateway to East Africa and the safari country beyond, and you can fly it non-stop in under nine hours. This guide covers who flies it direct, where a one-stop connection can save you money, what a fair return fare looks like in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LHR) → Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta (NBO)
Distance: approximately 6,820 km (4,240 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 8h 30m – 9h 15m
Direct flights: Yes — British Airways and Kenya Airways both fly non-stop from London Heathrow. One-stop options via the Gulf, Istanbul or Cairo are often cheaper.
Fares from London to Nairobi (GBP)
Nairobi is a year-round destination, but fares track the safari and holiday seasons. The July–October dry season (the Great Migration in the Masai Mara) and the Christmas/New Year peak are the priciest; the “long rains” of March to May and the quiet weeks of November are the cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in pounds — the lowest are usually one-stop itineraries, with non-stops sitting toward the higher end.
| Month | Typical return (economy) | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | £560 – £760 | medium-high |
| February | £540 – £720 | medium |
| March | £500 – £660 | low-medium |
| April | £490 – £650 | low (long rains) |
| May | £490 – £650 | low |
| June | £560 – £740 | high |
| July | £620 – £820 | very high (migration) |
| August | £620 – £820 | very high (migration) |
| September | £580 – £760 | high |
| October | £560 – £740 | high |
| November | £500 – £660 | low |
| December | £640 – £860 | very high (holidays) |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a genuinely good return lands around £450–£500, a typical fair price is roughly £600, and anything under about £520 is worth booking quickly. Non-stop British Airways and Kenya Airways returns usually start a little above the best one-stop fares.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 8½–9 hours):
- British Airways — daily non-stop from Heathrow; the legacy option with strong UK and European connections via Terminal 5.
- Kenya Airways — daily non-stop from Heathrow; Kenya’s flag carrier and a SkyTeam member, with good onward links across East Africa from its Nairobi hub.
One-stop (usually the cheapest, about 12–17 hours total):
- Qatar Airways via Doha — frequent, strong economy and often the best value.
- Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul — wide schedules and competitive fares.
- EgyptAir via Cairo and Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa — typically among the lowest headline fares to Nairobi.
The connecting carriers compete hard and often undercut the non-stops by £60–£150. If time matters most, book a non-stop from Heathrow; if price is the priority, a single stop through Doha, Istanbul, Cairo or Addis Ababa is the sweet spot.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–5 months ahead for the migration season (July–October) — safari demand pushes Nairobi fares up early and they rarely ease late.
- Travel in the “long rains” (April–May) or November for the lowest fares — the parks are green and quiet, and prices drop noticeably.
- Avoid the Christmas/New Year peak, which is the most expensive window alongside the migration months.
- Compare all-in prices including bags: full-service and connecting carriers usually include 23–30 kg to Nairobi, but check if you’re carrying safari kit.
- Consider your onward plans: Kenya Airways is handy for onward flights to the Mara, Mombasa or neighbouring countries from its Nairobi hub.
Arriving in Nairobi
Flights land at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), about 15 km southeast of the city centre and East Africa’s busiest hub. There’s no train to the airport; the usual options are a metered or pre-booked taxi (roughly £15–£25 to the centre, agree the fare or use an app) or a hotel transfer. The Nairobi Expressway toll road speeds the drive into town to around 20–30 minutes outside rush hour, though traffic elsewhere in the city can be heavy.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Nairobi?
Non-stop flights take about 8 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours 15 minutes. One-stop itineraries through Doha, Dubai, Istanbul, Cairo or Addis Ababa typically take 12 to 17 hours in total, depending on the connection.
Are there direct flights from London to Nairobi?
Yes. British Airways and Kenya Airways both fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Nairobi, each with a daily service. If you’d rather save money, one-stop flights with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir or Ethiopian Airlines are often cheaper.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Nairobi?
A typical economy return runs about £550–£750 depending on the season. The best deals dip to around £450–£500, usually in the April–May long rains or November, while the migration season and December peak sit toward the top of that range.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Nairobi?
April, May and November are usually the cheapest, with returns from around £490. Avoid July to October (the Great Migration) and the Christmas holidays, which are the busiest and most expensive.
Which airlines fly from London to Nairobi?
Non-stop from Heathrow: British Airways and Kenya Airways. One-stop: Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), EgyptAir (via Cairo) and Ethiopian Airlines (via Addis Ababa), which usually offer the lowest fares.
Which airport do I fly into in Nairobi?
You arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), Nairobi’s main gateway, about 15 km southeast of the city centre. It’s the hub for Kenya Airways and the main airport for onward flights to safari destinations.
How far in advance should I book London to Nairobi flights?
Aim to book 3 to 5 months ahead, especially for the July–October safari season and the December holidays, when fares rise early. Off-peak months are a little more forgiving, but early booking still wins.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Often, yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) tend to be a little cheaper than weekend flights, and pairing weekday flights out and back can save £40–£100 on a return. Being flexible by a day or two helps on this route.
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.
