Flights to London: Athens Departures and Fares

Flights from Athens to London can cost around €40–150 one-way and €90–280 return during periods of lower demand, on basic fares without checked baggage. Direct flights take approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes. Aegean, British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air serve the route, using different airports and operating different schedules. Look for lower fares mainly from January to March, excluding public holidays and school holidays, as well as on selected dates in November.

The ranges below are a rough budgeting guide, not live offers. During holidays, the summer peak and when booking at the last minute, prices can be considerably higher. For a fair comparison, factor in baggage, arrival times and transport to your accommodation.

At a glance

• Departure airport: Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, code ATH.
• Guide prices: €40–150 one-way and €90–280 return during periods of lower demand. At peak times, budget around €220–500 return, with higher fares possible.
• Flight time: approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes non-stop.
• Airlines: Aegean and British Airways for Heathrow, easyJet for Gatwick, Ryanair for Stansted and Wizz Air for Luton. Check availability for your dates.
• Best value: usually outside festive periods, school holidays and popular long weekends, with flexibility on departure and return dates.
• Travel documents: most Greek visitors need a valid passport and a UK ETA before travelling.

Which airlines fly from Athens to London?

London is served by more than one airport. The airline you choose often determines where you land, so comparing flights takes a little more care than simply looking at the first price displayed.

Direct flights

• Aegean: connects Athens with Heathrow. Check the schedule for any additional services to other London airports.
• British Airways: offers direct flights from Athens to Heathrow.
• easyJet: serves Athens–Gatwick, with frequency depending on the schedule.
• Ryanair: connects Athens with Stansted. Do not rely on references in older guides to its flights to Luton.
• Wizz Air: check available direct Athens–Luton flights for your dates.

Seasonal routes and frequencies change. The list above does not mean that every airline flies daily or has seats available year-round. Confirm the airport, date and operating airline before completing your booking.

Connecting flights

There are alternatives via European hubs, including Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, SWISS via Zurich, Austrian via Vienna, Air France via Paris and KLM via Amsterdam. These are mainly worth considering when they offer substantial savings or a more convenient schedule. Choose a through ticket where possible: separate bookings do not offer the same protection if you miss a connection.

How much do flights cost by season?

For one adult travelling in economy, the following ranges can help with initial planning. They are not calculated averages or guaranteed available fares. They refer to basic fares, usually without checked baggage, and can vary considerably by date.

• January–March, outside peak periods: around €40–150 one-way and €90–280 return. New Year and school holiday weeks are exceptions.
• April–May and September–October: around €65–190 one-way and €130–340 return. Easter, public holidays and popular weekends can cost more.
• June–August: around €90–260 one-way and €180–460 return, with substantial differences between dates.
• Christmas, New Year and other peak periods: around €120–300 one-way and €220–500 return, though fares can exceed these ranges.
• November, excluding popular dates: around €45–160 one-way and €100–290 return.

Heathrow is not necessarily more expensive overall. A cheaper flight to a more distant airport can lose its price advantage once you add transfers, baggage and a possible taxi fare after a late-night arrival.

When to book for cheaper flights

Start comparing fares around two to four months before a typical trip. For Christmas, Easter and school holidays, look earlier. This is a practical search window, not a rule that guarantees the lowest fare.

Compare departures and returns two or three days either side of your preferred dates. A Tuesday or Wednesday may be cheaper than a Friday, but not always. There is also no fixed “magic time” to buy that guarantees cheaper flights.

Use price alerts and search all London airports. Try different airlines for the outbound and return journeys, checking their terms separately. Our guide to 20 tips for cheap flights offers more ways to compare fares without relying on promises of deals that do not exist.

Flight times and London's airports

Allow approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes for a direct Athens–London flight, depending on the scheduled duration of your service. Winds, air traffic and the airport affect flight times. With a connection, the total journey often takes around 5–8 hours or longer.

London is two hours behind Athens. Times on tickets are local, so simply subtracting the departure time from the arrival time will not give you the flight duration. Read more about how long the Athens–London flight takes and what to factor in.

The six airports serving the wider London market are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City and Southend. Not all have direct flights from Athens. London City is closer to east London, while Stansted, Luton and Southend involve longer journeys to many central areas.

Getting from the airport to central London

The times below cover the main journey to a central station, not the entire trip from leaving the aircraft to reaching your hotel. Costs are approximate adult one-way fares in pounds. Advance-booking offers, peak travel times and your final destination affect the price.

• Heathrow: the Piccadilly line takes around 50–65 minutes to central stops and costs approximately £6–8. The Elizabeth line reaches Paddington in around 25–35 minutes, usually for £13–17. The Heathrow Express takes around 15–20 minutes, depending on the terminal, with indicative fares of £10–30. See transport options from Heathrow to London.
• Gatwick: Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express connect the airport with different stations. Allow around 30–50 minutes and £12–25, depending on the service and ticket. The station is in the South Terminal. Compare transfer options from Gatwick.
• Luton: first take the DART to Luton Airport Parkway, then a train. The journey to St Pancras can take around 35–50 minutes without a long wait, with an approximate total cost of £15–30. Check whether your ticket includes the DART in our guide to travelling from Luton to London.
• Stansted: the Stansted Express takes around 45–55 minutes to Liverpool Street, with indicative fares of £10–25. Coaches often take 75–120 minutes or longer and cost around £10–20. See how to get from Stansted to central London.
• London City: the DLR connects with the Underground network. For many central areas, allow around 25–45 minutes and £3–6, depending on the route.

For a late arrival or very early departure, check the specific service on your travel date. Not all trains run around the clock, and weekend engineering works can affect your route.

What to see in London and when to visit

For a first visit, four or five days gives you time for the highlights without constantly rushing between sights. The most useful approach is to plan by neighbourhood rather than trying to combine attractions at opposite ends of the city in one day. Westminster and the South Bank work well together, as do Bloomsbury and Covent Garden. Greenwich, on the other hand, deserves a half-day or full day of its own.

Start with the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Bridge. From the south bank, you can walk along the Thames towards the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge. It is a worthwhile walk even if you do not buy tickets for any attractions. If Westminster Abbey or the London Eye is a must-see, book a timed slot to help plan your day.

The major museums are a real help when travelling on a budget. The permanent collections at the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum are generally free to visit, although special exhibitions may charge admission. Check whether you need to book a free timed ticket. Choose one museum per day and focus on galleries that interest you rather than trying to see everything in a few hours.

For food, Borough Market fits neatly into a walk around London Bridge, but gets very busy at peak times. Soho offers a wide choice of restaurants and is convenient before a West End show. Camden has markets and more casual food options, while Greenwich combines riverside walks, parkland and maritime history. Check each market's opening hours separately, and do not assume every stall opens daily.

If you want to make time for a stroll, include St James’s Park near Buckingham Palace or Kensington Gardens after visiting the South Kensington museums. Regent’s Park pairs well with a walk to Primrose Hill. For families, a morning at the Natural History Museum and a relaxed afternoon in a park is usually less tiring than three attractions in a row with queues at each.

May, June and September are good months for long walks, though settled weather is never guaranteed. Summer brings longer daylight hours but also more visitors. In winter, days are short, so plan more indoor activities. A lightweight waterproof jacket and layers are useful in almost any season, as the weather can change within the same day.

The run-up to Christmas suits travellers looking for illuminated shopping streets, markets and shows, but requires careful budgeting. Public transport generally does not run on 25 December, making your hotel's location particularly important. For seasonal ideas, see our guide to Christmas in London, with markets and a three-day itinerary. For the rest of your planning, our London travel guide to sights and neighbourhoods will help you make the most of your time.

Where to stay

For a first visit, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and the South Bank offer easy access to many sights. Paddington is convenient for arrivals from Heathrow, while the area around King’s Cross and St Pancras works well for connections from Luton. Room rates, however, depend more on dates and availability than on any general ranking of neighbourhoods.

Choose accommodation near a useful station rather than a cheaper room that means hours of travel each day. If you have suitcases or a pushchair, check lift access too. Our guide to where to stay in London and the most convenient areas will help you match your accommodation to your arrival airport.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The lowest advertised fare does not always include a cabin bag for the overhead locker. Many basic low-cost fares include only a small personal item that fits under the seat in front. A larger cabin bag, checked suitcase and seat selection may cost extra.

Size and weight limits vary by airline and fare, so check the terms of your specific booking. The same applies to Aegean and British Airways: do not assume every economy fare includes checked baggage. Add everything you need before comparing the final price, and pay attention to online check-in deadlines.

Practical tips before departure

• Passport and ETA: for a standard tourist visit, most Greek citizens need a passport and an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). A Greek identity card is generally not sufficient, apart from specific exceptions. Check the current requirements on the official UK government website.
• Time at the airport: arrive around two to three hours before departure, especially if you have checked baggage. The UK is outside the Schengen Area, and travel document checks are required.
• Payments: the currency is the British pound. Check your card fees and choose to pay in pounds rather than accepting the retailer's conversion to euros.
• Getting around: where contactless payment is supported, use the same card or device to touch in and out. Each adult needs their own payment method.
• Mobile phones and plugs: check your provider's UK roaming terms and pack an adaptor for British Type G sockets.

Before paying, confirm that your full name matches your passport, and check the airports in both directions, baggage allowances and change conditions. A low fare is better value when it fits your actual travel plans.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a flight from Athens to London?

As a rough budget during periods of lower demand, allow €40–150 one-way and €90–280 return, usually without checked baggage. During holidays and peak periods, return fares can range from €220–500 or higher.

How long is the flight from Athens to London?

A direct flight usually has a scheduled duration of around 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes. Check the duration of your specific flight, not just the difference between local departure and arrival times.

Which airline is cheapest for London?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet often advertise low basic fares, but Aegean or British Airways may offer better value once baggage and transfers are included.

What is the cheapest month to visit London?

You can often find cheaper options from January to March and on selected dates in November. Avoid New Year, school holidays and popular public holidays, and always compare specific dates.

Which London airport offers the best value?

It depends on the fare and where you are staying. Heathrow has plenty of public transport connections, while Gatwick, Luton and Stansted may offer cheaper flights. Compare the total cost and journey time to your hotel.

Do I need a passport and ETA for London?

Most Greek tourists need a valid passport and an ETA before travelling. Exceptions apply depending on residency status or nationality, so check the official requirements for your circumstances.