Struggling to find cheap tickets from London to Lagos? You’re not alone! It feels like everyone is trying to snag a good deal on this route, especially when you consider how vital it is for family visits, business trips, or just a well-deserved vacation. But here’s the thing: finding affordable flights isn’t just about luck. it’s about knowing the ropes and having a few clever strategies up your sleeve.
In this guide, we’re going to break down everything you need to know to find those elusive cheap flights from London to Lagos, Nigeria. We’ll talk about the best times to book, which airlines to watch, and some smart tricks that can genuinely save you a decent chunk of change. Consider this your go-to playbook for making that journey without breaking the bank. So, let’s get straight to it and help you find some amazing flight deals to Lagos. If you’re ready to start your search right now, check out some of the best flight deals to Lagos on our site: 👉 Find the best flight deals to Lagos.
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Understanding the London-Lagos Route
First things first, let’s get a handle on what this route actually involves. London to Lagos is a popular international corridor, connecting one of Europe’s biggest travel hubs with West Africa’s most bustling city.
Key Airports: London’s Hubs and Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International
When you’re flying from London, you’ve got a few airports to choose from, which can be a must for your wallet. The main ones include:
- London Heathrow LHR: This is the biggest and often the busiest, offering many direct flights. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic frequently operate from here.
- London Gatwick LGW: Another major international airport, Gatwick also offers direct options, notably with Air Peace.
- London Luton LTN, London Stansted STN, and London City LCY: These airports tend to serve more budget airlines or offer connecting flights, which can sometimes lead to lower fares if you’re willing to make a stop.
On the other other side, you’ll land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport LOS in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. It’s the primary airport serving Lagos and has both international and domestic terminals, located about a kilometer apart but sharing the same runways. It’s a busy place, so being prepared for the airport experience there is always a good idea.
Flight Duration: What to Expect
A direct flight from London to Lagos typically clocks in at around 6 hours and 35 minutes to 6 hours and 45 minutes. That’s a pretty comfortable journey, just enough time to catch a movie or two, get some work done, or simply relax. If you opt for a connecting flight, that travel time can obviously stretch much longer, sometimes upwards of 10 hours or even more, depending on the layover. Just a heads-up: Lagos is one hour ahead of London, so no major jet lag to worry about!
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The Secret Sauce: When to Book for the Best Deals
This is where many people get it wrong. Timing your booking can literally save you hundreds of pounds.
The “Golden Window” for Booking
From what I’ve seen and what the data suggests, there isn’t one single “magic” number, but a few windows appear consistently. Some experts say the sweet spot for booking a flight to Lagos is around 40 days in advance. Others recommend booking at least 2-3 months out. For a real into savings, some even suggest looking as far as 11 months before your planned departure for one-way tickets, with April often being a prime month for these early bird deals.
My take? For popular routes like London to Lagos, aiming for 2 to 3 months in advance is a solid strategy, especially if your travel dates are somewhat fixed. If you’re super flexible, keep an eye out even earlier. Waiting until the last minute usually means paying premium prices, though sometimes airlines do release last-minute deals to fill seats – but that’s a risky gamble.
Best Months to Fly: Beating the Peak Season Rush and Avoiding December Price Hikes!
Want to really save money? Be smart about when you fly. Lagos has its peak seasons, and if you can avoid them, your wallet will thank you.
- Cheapest Months: Generally, you’ll find better deals in March, April, September, January, February, and November. These months often fall into what’s called the “shoulder season” or “off-peak season.” For instance, September comes after the summer rush and sometimes aligns with the end of the rainy season, leading to discounted tickets. January and February are great after the Christmas frenzy dies down.
- Most Expensive Months: December is almost always the priciest month to fly to Lagos due to the holiday season. August also sees high demand, so expect prices to soar around those times. If you have to travel in December, you really need to book well in advance—think 3 to 6 months ahead, minimum.
Days of the Week Matter: Mid-week Magic
It might sound strange, but even the day of the week you choose to fly can impact the price. Data often shows that flying mid-week, like on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, can offer lower fares for departures. Thursdays also pop up as a potentially cheaper day to travel. For return flights, Saturdays can sometimes offer better deals. Your Ultimate Guide to Dubai-Kenya Flights: Finding the Best Deals and Smooth Journeys
Conversely, Sundays are usually the most expensive day to fly, so try to avoid them if you’re on a budget. Early morning or late-night flights tend to be cheaper too. It’s all about demand. fewer people want to fly at inconvenient times, so airlines drop prices to fill those seats.
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Smart Strategies to Slash Your Flight Costs
Now that we’ve covered the “when,” let’s talk about the “how.” These strategies are tried and true for finding cheap flights from London to Lagos.
Be Flexible with Your Dates and Airports!
This is probably the single most powerful tip. If you can be flexible with your exact travel dates by even a few days, you’re likely to find significantly cheaper fares. Flight comparison websites have tools that let you view prices across an entire month, making it easy to spot the cheapest days.
And don’t forget about London’s multiple airports! While Heathrow LHR might seem the most convenient, checking flights from Gatwick LGW, Luton LTN, or Stansted STN could reveal some unexpected savings, especially if you’re open to connecting flights. Ticket to instanbul
Embrace Layovers: Sometimes Longer Routes Mean Bigger Savings
Direct flights are fantastic for convenience – around 6 hours and 35 minutes, you’re there! But convenience often comes at a price. If your budget is tight, seriously consider flights with one or two layovers. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, and Emirates often offer competitive fares with well-managed layovers. The added travel time might be worth the significant savings. Just make sure the layover isn’t too short risking missed connections or too long making the journey unnecessarily arduous.
The Power of Incognito Mode and Clearing Cookies
This might sound like an old wives’ tale, but it’s genuinely useful. Airlines and travel sites use cookies to track your browsing. If you keep searching for the same flight repeatedly, they might interpret that as high interest and subtly increase prices on you. To avoid this, always search for flights using your browser’s incognito or private browsing mode, or clear your browser’s cookies regularly. It helps ensure you’re seeing the freshest, lowest prices available.
Set Up Price Alerts: Let the Deals Come to You
Who has time to constantly check flight prices? Not me, and probably not you either! This is where price alerts become your best friend. Most flight comparison websites like Skyscanner, Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia, and Trip.com allow you to set up alerts for specific routes and dates. You’ll get an email notification when the price for your desired flight drops, letting you snag a deal without all the manual effort.
Consider Different Airlines: Beyond the Big Names
While British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are popular for direct flights from Heathrow, don’t limit yourself. Air Peace offers direct flights from Gatwick, often at competitive rates. For connecting flights, a whole host of airlines can get you there for less. Keep an eye on:
- Turkish Airlines: Known for good connections and service.
- Ethiopian Airlines: A strong contender with good African connections.
- RwandAir: Another option for connecting flights.
- KLM and Air France: European carriers with frequent flights and connections.
- Emirates and Qatar Airways: Excellent service, often with layovers in Dubai or Doha.
- Royal Air Maroc, Lufthansa, EgyptAir, Swiss International Air Lines, Brussels Airlines, Kenya Airways: These also offer connecting flights and can be significantly cheaper.
Comparing across various airlines is crucial, as prices can fluctuate wildly between them. How to Snag the Cheapest Airline Ticket from Karachi to Islamabad
Fly from Different London Airports Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted
As we touched on earlier, where you depart from in London can impact your flight cost. While Heathrow LHR is a major hub for many airlines, especially direct flights like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, it’s not always the cheapest. London Gatwick LGW is another strong contender, particularly with airlines like Air Peace offering direct services.
Don’t rule out London Luton LTN or London Stansted STN either, particularly if you’re open to budget carriers or connecting flights. Sometimes, the money you save on the flight might be worth the slightly longer journey to a different airport. Just make sure to factor in the cost and time of getting to these airports!
Return Tickets vs. One-Way Deals
Typically, buying a return ticket from London to Lagos is cheaper than buying two separate one-way tickets. Flight comparison sites are excellent for finding these return deals. However, it’s always worth a quick check for one-way fares if you have very specific, non-standard travel plans, as occasionally a promotional one-way deal might pop up. But as a general rule, stick to searching for round-trip flights.
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Top Airlines Flying London to Lagos and Their Usual Price Points
Let’s talk about the key players on this route, giving you an idea of what to expect. Keep in mind that prices are averages and can change drastically based on booking time, season, and demand. Your Ultimate Guide to Scoring the Cheapest Return Ticket from Karachi to Jeddah!
Direct Flight Options
These are your quickest routes, typically around 6 hours 35 minutes.
- British Airways: A popular choice from London Heathrow LHR, offering daily direct flights. Prices can be on the higher side, but they often have sales.
- Virgin Atlantic: Also flies direct from London Heathrow LHR daily, known for its good service. Similar to BA, expect mid-to-high range pricing.
- Air Peace: This Nigerian carrier offers direct flights from London Gatwick LGW. They can sometimes be a more budget-friendly direct option.
Connecting Flight Options
If you’re willing to add a layover, these airlines can offer significant savings. Flight times will vary widely depending on the connection.
- Turkish Airlines: A frequent choice with a stop in Istanbul. Often offers very competitive fares.
- Ethiopian Airlines: Connects through Addis Ababa, another strong option for good value.
- RwandAir: Typically involves a stop in Kigali.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines: Connects through Amsterdam.
- Air France: Connects through Paris.
- Emirates: Connects through Dubai, known for excellent service.
- Qatar Airways: Connects through Doha, also highly rated for service.
- Royal Air Maroc: Often connects through Casablanca.
- EgyptAir: Connects through Cairo.
Expect round-trip prices for connecting flights to start anywhere from £400-£600+, depending on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Direct flights typically start higher.
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Insider Tips for Finding the Cheapest Tickets to Lagos Nigeria
Let’s dive into some advanced techniques that frequent travelers swear by. How to Snag Super Cheap Tickets from Mumbai to Kuwait
Using Flight Comparison Websites Effectively
These are your primary tools. Don’t just check one!
- Skyscanner: My personal favorite for its “whole month” view and flexible date options. It’s great for seeing the cheapest days to fly across an entire month.
- Google Flights: Excellent for tracking price trends and setting up alerts. It also has a calendar view that quickly highlights cheaper dates.
- Kayak: Another strong contender for comparing prices across many airlines and travel agencies.
- Expedia, Opodo, Cheapflights, Trip.com: These also offer robust search engines and can sometimes have exclusive deals.
Pro-Tip: Use these sites to find the cheapest flights, but sometimes, booking directly on the airline’s website after you’ve found a good deal can be better for customer service or if you need to make changes later.
Newsletter Subscriptions and Airline Promotions
Sign up for email newsletters from the airlines that fly this route British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Peace, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, etc. and from the flight comparison sites themselves. This is how you’ll be the first to know about flash sales, special promotions, or error fares. I’ve personally seen some incredible deals pop up this way.
Loyalty Programs and Miles
If you travel frequently, especially with a particular airline or alliance like Oneworld with British Airways, or SkyTeam with KLM/Air France, racking up loyalty points or miles can eventually lead to discounted or even free flights. It’s a long-term strategy, but very rewarding.
Avoiding the Dreaded “Hidden Fees”
When comparing prices, always make sure you’re looking at the final price. Some budget airlines might show a very low base fare, but then add on hefty charges for checked luggage, seat selection, or even printing your boarding pass at the airport. Read the fine print! The displayed prices on comparison sites usually include taxes and surcharges, but optional extras like baggage can add up quickly. Finding the Cheapest Bus Ticket from Johannesburg to Eastern Cape: Your Ultimate Guide
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Decoding Price Trends: When Prices Soar and Why
Understanding why prices are high helps you avoid those costly pitfalls.
Holiday Seasons Christmas, Easter, Summer Holidays
This is a no-brainer, but it bears repeating: school holidays and major festive periods like Christmas and Easter see massive price hikes. Everyone wants to travel, and airlines know it. If your travel plans are flexible, steer clear of these times. If you absolutely must travel during these periods like for Christmas in December, then booking as early as humanly possible think 6 to 11 months out! is your only real hope for a semi-reasonable fare.
Major Events and Festivals
Keep an eye out for any major cultural or sporting events happening in Lagos that might draw a crowd. Increased demand for flights means increased prices. A quick Google search for “Lagos events ” can sometimes save you a surprise price surge.
Last-Minute Booking Pitfalls
While sometimes a last-minute miracle deal can happen, it’s rare for a popular international route like London to Lagos. More often than not, booking within a few weeks of departure means you’ll pay a premium because airlines know you’re desperate and have limited options. Always try to plan ahead if saving money is your goal. Johannesburg to London: Your Ultimate Flight Guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest time of year to fly from London to Lagos?
The cheapest times to fly from London to Lagos are generally in March, April, September, January, February, and November. These months are usually outside the peak holiday seasons, offering better opportunities for affordable fares.
Which airlines offer direct flights from London to Lagos?
The airlines that typically offer direct non-stop flights from London to Lagos are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Air Peace. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic usually fly from London Heathrow LHR, while Air Peace often operates from London Gatwick LGW.
How far in advance should I book my flight to get the best price?
For the best prices, it’s generally recommended to book your flight between 40 days and 3 months in advance. If you’re traveling during peak seasons like December, booking 6 months to even 11 months ahead is advisable to secure a good deal.
What are the average flight prices from London to Lagos?
Flight prices fluctuate greatly, but you can often find one-way tickets starting from around £240-£370 approx. $348-$410 USD. Return tickets generally start from about £420-£600 approx. $584-$800 USD, depending on the airline, booking time, and whether it’s a direct or connecting flight. Your Ultimate Guide to Traveling from Jeddah to Dubai
Can being flexible with my travel dates really save me money?
Absolutely, being flexible with your travel dates is one of the most effective ways to save money. Using the “whole month” view on flight comparison websites can help you identify the cheapest days to fly, which are often mid-week Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays or during off-peak times.
Is it cheaper to fly from Heathrow or Gatwick to Lagos?
It depends on the airline and the specific deals available at the time. While London Heathrow LHR has more direct flight options with carriers like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, London Gatwick LGW also offers direct flights with Air Peace, which can sometimes be a cheaper alternative. Always compare prices from multiple London airports.
What’s the typical flight duration for a direct flight from London to Lagos?
A direct flight from London to Lagos usually takes approximately 6 hours and 35 minutes to 6 hours and 45 minutes. Connecting flights will, of course, be longer due to layovers.
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