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Flights from JFK to London

Direct options. Dates from your search below are passed automatically.

British Airways

Direct

$420return

JFK
LHR

~7h · Daily

Search British Airways →

Virgin Atlantic

Direct

$395return

JFK
LHR

~7h 15m · Daily

Search Virgin Atlantic →

American Airlines

Direct

$410return

JFK
LHR

~7h 10m nonstop

Search American →

United Airlines

Direct

$415return

JFK
LHR

~7h 20m nonstop

Search United →

JetBlue

Direct

$399return

JFK
LHR

~7h · Select dates

Search JetBlue →
KIWI COM

Compare all airlines

Every JFK→London fare including flash sales.

Search on Kiwi.com →

JFK → London

Find your flight

Cabin
Passengers
1
💡 Price tip: Tuesday and Wednesday are typically cheapest. Book 6–8 weeks ahead and always check Kiwi.com AND the airline direct.

Save money abroad

Best travel cards for this trip

Airport bureaux de change are a rip-off. These cards save you real money on a JFK→London trip.

Wise

Multi-currency card

  • Real mid-market exchange rate, always
  • Hold 40+ currencies simultaneously
  • Free ATM withdrawals up to £200/month
  • Lifetime affiliate cookie — no expiry
Get Wise card →

Revolut

Digital banking card

  • Interbank exchange rates (weekdays)
  • Instant spend notifications and freeze
  • Premium plans include travel insurance
  • Available on iOS and Android instantly
Get Revolut →

Amex Gold

Rewards credit card

  • Membership Rewards points on every purchase
  • Transfer points to BA Avios, Virgin etc.
  • Purchase protection and travel insurance
  • Airport lounge access (Centurion Lounges)
Apply — Amex Gold →

Chase Sapphire

Travel credit card (US)

  • 3x points on travel and dining
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Transfer to British Airways, United, etc.
  • $50–$95/year travel credit
Get Chase Sapphire →
Our recommendation: Use Wise or Revolut for everyday spending and ATM withdrawals in London — you'll get the real exchange rate. Use your Amex or Chase Sapphire for larger purchases to rack up points. Never use your regular debit card abroad.

Where to stay

Hotels in London

Handpicked areas. Click through to see live availability and book.

Covent Garden hotel London

Central London

Covent Garden area

★★★★☆

Theatre, restaurants, easy Tube access. Best location for first-timers.

$180 / night
8.9
Shoreditch boutique hotel

East London

Shoreditch boutiques

★★★★☆

Hip area, street food, bars and galleries. Younger crowd, better value.

$140 / night
8.7
Thames riverside hotel South Bank

South Bank

Thames riverside

★★★★★

Tate Modern, Borough Market, stunning river views. Worth the splurge.

$220 / night
9.1
All London hotels on Booking.com →
💡 Booking tip: Look for "Free cancellation" when filtering — London events (Wimbledon, King's Trooping, major concerts) cause sudden price spikes. Book refundable and cancel only once your plans are firm.

Self-catering

Apartments & homes in London

More space, your own kitchen, local feel. Better for longer stays or groups. Note: Airbnb shut their affiliate programme in 2023 — we link to Booking.com apartments and VRBO instead, both with free cancellation options.

Hit the road

Rent a car in London

Exploring beyond London? A rental gives you freedom. Compare rates across the major providers — prices vary wildly so always check a few.

Klook

Car rentals worldwide

Book car rentals through Klook — competitive rates, wide selection of vehicles, flexible cancellation on most bookings.

Search Klook →

LocalRent

Local car rental deals

LocalRent aggregates local rental companies — often cheaper than the big brands. Good for longer UK road trips.

Search LocalRent →

GoRentaCar

Compare rental companies

Compare dozens of rental suppliers in one search. Find the best rate for your dates, pickup location and vehicle type.

Search GoRentaCar →

Auto Europe

European car rental specialist

Specialises in European rentals. Good for driving from London to Europe — ferry + drive through France, Spain, etc.

Search Auto Europe →
🚗 Driving in the UK: Drive on the left. You need a valid driving licence — US licences are accepted for up to 12 months. Congestion Charge applies in central London (£15/day). Most rentals are manual — request automatic if needed.

Door to door

Airport pickups & transfers

Pre-booked, fixed-price transfers. Driver waits for you regardless of delays — no meter running, no surge pricing.

KiwiTaxi

Fixed-price airport transfers

Pre-book airport transfers worldwide. Driver tracks your flight, fixed price, meet & greet. Covers JFK, LHR and LGW.

LHR→London from £35JFK→Manhattan from $45
Book KiwiTaxi →

Welcome Pickups

Local professional drivers

Local English-speaking drivers, fixed rates, flight monitoring. Known for friendly service and local knowledge.

LHR→London from £38
Welcome Pickups →

GetTransfer

Global transfer platform

Compare transfer operators, choose your vehicle class, fixed price guaranteed. Business and economy options available.

Economy & business classes
Book GetTransfer →

Intui Travel

Airport transfer specialist

Trusted transfer service covering major airports. Fixed prices, professional drivers, available 24/7 for early morning and late night flights.

24/7 availability
Book Intui Travel →
💡 Transfer tip: Pre-book before you fly — prices jump at the airport rank. For Heathrow on a budget, the Elizabeth line to Paddington costs £13.50 and takes 45 minutes. Tap your contactless card — no ticket needed.

Travel protected

Travel insurance

A transatlantic trip without insurance is a bad idea. Medical costs in the US are eye-watering, and flight disruption on this route is common. Get covered before you fly.

Klook Insurance

Travel protection

Travel insurance options via Klook. Covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage and flight delays.

Get insured via Klook →

Ekta Travel Insurance

Flexible travel coverage

Ekta offers flexible travel insurance for international trips. Covers medical, cancellation, baggage and travel delays.

Get Ekta Insurance →

Compensair

Flight delay compensation

Flight delayed or cancelled? Compensair helps you claim compensation under EU261/UK261 — up to €600 per passenger. No win, no fee.

Claim with Compensair →
💡 Insurance tip: Your US credit card (Amex Gold, Chase Sapphire) may already include trip cancellation and delay coverage — check before buying a separate policy. For medical coverage abroad though, always get dedicated travel insurance regardless.

Stay connected

Roaming SIM cards & eSIMs

Don't pay your carrier's roaming rates — they're daylight robbery. Grab a UK eSIM before you fly and have data the moment you land.

AirSIM (Yesim)

Global eSIM

Instant eSIM — no physical SIM needed. Activate before you board, connect on arrival. UK and global data plans available.

UK data from ~$5eSIM instant activation
Get AirSIM →

Airalo

eSIM marketplace

World's largest eSIM store. Buy a UK eSIM in minutes, install on your phone before you fly. No contracts, no roaming fees.

UK plans from $4.50150+ countries covered
Get Airalo eSIM →

DrimSim

Universal SIM card

One SIM for 200+ countries. Physical card or eSIM. Ideal if you're travelling beyond London — works throughout Europe too.

200+ countriesPhysical + eSIM
Get DrimSim →

Saily

eSIM by NordVPN team

Made by the NordVPN team — Saily offers clean, affordable eSIMs for the UK and Europe. Simple app, instant activation, no fuss.

UK plans from $3.99By NordVPN team
Get Saily eSIM →
💡 eSIM tip: Check your phone supports eSIM before buying (most phones from 2020 onwards do — iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+). Install the eSIM before you board — airport WiFi to activate it is a pain.

Do your homework

London travel guides

The best books to make the most of your trip.

Lonely Planet London

Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet London 2026

Comprehensive, regularly updated. Best for neighbourhood planning.
DK Eyewitness London

DK Eyewitness

DK Eyewitness London

Map-heavy, visually rich. Understand what you're looking at, not just tick boxes.
Rick Steves London

Rick Steves

Rick Steves London 2026

Great walking tours and self-guided museum routes. No fluff.
Time Out London

Time Out

Time Out London

Best for eating, drinking and nightlife. Written by people who actually live there.
💡 Reading tip: The Londonist (londonist.com) and Time Out London (timeout.com/london) are free online and updated daily — better than any guidebook for current openings, pop-ups and events during your trip.

Pack smart

Must-haves for a 7-hour flight

A transatlantic flight is long enough to be miserable without the right kit.

Travel neck pillow
Sleep

Memory foam neck pillow

Non-inflatable ones are worth the bag space. Game-changer on a 7h red-eye.

Check on Amazon →
Noise cancelling headphones
Noise

Noise-cancelling headphones

Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC45. Engine noise for 7 hours is exhausting. Non-negotiable.

Check on Amazon →
Power bank travel
Power

Power bank 20,000mAh

Airlines are inconsistent with USB ports. Keep everything charged the whole flight.

Check on Amazon →
Sleep mask travel
Sleep

Silk sleep mask & earplugs

Block cabin lights on red-eyes. Silk masks are noticeably better than the foam freebies.

Check on Amazon →
Compression socks
Health

Compression socks

7 hours at low pressure is rough on legs. Reduces swelling and DVT risk. Genuinely useful.

Check on Amazon →
Travel wallet RFID
Documents

RFID travel wallet

Keep passport, cards and pass together. RFID blocking included. Don't rummage at security.

Check on Amazon →
Portable digital luggage scale for travel
Luggage

Portable luggage scale

Avoid $50 overweight fees at check-in. A 50g scale costing $10 pays for itself on the first trip.

Check on Amazon →
Compact travel neck and back massager
Comfort

Neck & back massager

Seven hours in economy leaves you hunched. A compact percussion massager fixes that at the hotel.

Check on Amazon →
Browse all on Amazon →
💡 Packing tip: British Airways and Virgin allow 23kg checked + 1 cabin bag in economy. Norse Atlantic is stricter — check their baggage policy before packing. A portable luggage scale saves you the check-in desk embarrassment.

On the ground

Things to do in London

Worth your time — some are even free.

British Museum

Free entry. One of the world's great museums. Half a day minimum.

West End theatre

World-class. Book ahead or grab half-price tickets at TKTS, Leicester Square.

A proper pub

Find a Victorian pub, order a pint and a pie. Borough Market nearby.

Hyde Park & Kensington

Free, enormous, beautiful. Walk to Kensington Palace gardens.

Tower of London & Bridge

Touristy but genuinely impressive. Book online to skip the queue.

South Bank walk

Walk the Thames from Tower Bridge to Westminster. Free, scenic, unmissable.
💡 Money tip: The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A and Natural History Museum are all free. Build your itinerary around them and splash out on one paid experience.

Guided experiences

Book a tour in London

Skip the queue, get the story. Expert-led tours, day trips and skip-the-line tickets — rated by real travellers.

Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter Tour London

Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Transfers

Duration: 7 – 8 hours

★ 4.7 (11,062)
 Windsor Castle Royal Afternoon Sightseeing Tour

Windsor Castle Royal Afternoon Sightseeing Tour

Duration: 5.5 – 6 hours

★ 4.3 (266)
 London In One Day Private Tour

London In One Day Private Tour with separate Tour Guide

Duration: 8.5 hours

★ 4.9 (7)
 Stonehenge Half-Day Trip from London

Stonehenge Half-Day Trip

Duration: 6 – 7 hours

★ 4.5 (2,018)
Tower of London and Tower Bridge Private Tour

Tower of London and Tower Bridge Private Tour

Duration: 4 hours

★ 5.0 (4)
 Tower Bridge and Tower of London Private Tour

Tower Bridge and Tower of London Private Tour

Duration: 2 – 6.5 hours

★ 4.9 (11)
💡 Potter fan? The Warner Bros. Studio Tour sells out weeks in advance — book as soon as your dates are confirmed. The night tour is worth the premium.

Your money

USD → GBP

→ £79.00

Approx rate · loading live · Wise for transfers

Daily budget guide · London 2026

Budget traveller
£80 / $—
Mid-range
£180 / $—
Comfortable
£320 / $—
Luxury
£600+ / $—

Per person per day including accommodation, food, transport & activities. Excludes flights.

Don't forget

Packing checklist

0 of 24 packed

Documents

  • Passport (6+ months valid)
  • UK ETA approved (£10)
  • Travel insurance printed
  • Boarding pass downloaded
  • Hotel confirmation
  • Emergency contacts noted

Flight comfort

  • Neck pillow
  • Sleep mask & earplugs
  • Headphones charged
  • Compression socks
  • Power bank charged
  • Snacks packed

London ready

  • Contactless card setup
  • UK plug adapter (Type G)
  • Some GBP cash
  • Bank notified of travel
  • Offline maps downloaded
  • 2 credit cards (backup)
  • Wise/Revolut loaded

Clothing

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Walking shoes
  • Layers for variable weather
  • Smart outfit (theatre/dinner)
  • Compact umbrella
  • Sun protection SPF30+
  • Swimwear (hotel pool)

Need to know

JFK to London — FAQ

The questions everyone actually searches for.

A direct flight from JFK to London Heathrow takes approximately 7 hours eastbound. The return is around 8–9 hours due to headwinds. With a layover, expect 10–14 hours total.
Yes. Since January 2025, US citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. It costs £10, takes minutes to apply for online at gov.uk/apply-for-an-eta, and is valid for 2 years or until your passport expires. You do not need a visa — the ETA is a separate, simpler requirement. Apply before booking your trip.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and United fly nonstop JFK to Heathrow (LHR). Norse Atlantic offers budget nonstop flights to Gatwick (LGW). JetBlue also flies to Heathrow on select routes.
January and February typically offer the lowest fares, often under $400 return. Avoid June, July, August and Christmas/New Year. April and October are the best balance of fair prices and decent weather.
Heathrow (LHR) is better connected — the Elizabeth line (Tube) gets you to Paddington in 45 minutes for £13.50. Gatwick (LGW) has the Gatwick Express (30 min to Victoria) but is further south. Heathrow wins on convenience unless Gatwick fares are significantly cheaper.
The British Pound Sterling (GBP, £). The Euro is not accepted anywhere in England. Use a Wise or Revolut card for the real exchange rate — airport bureaux de change are notoriously poor value, often 10–15% worse than the real rate.
Absolutely. London's entire public transport system — Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line — accepts contactless payment from any Visa or Mastercard. You don't even need an Oyster card anymore. Just tap your card in and out at the yellow readers.
Best option: Elizabeth line (Tube) — £13.50, 45 minutes to Paddington. Just tap your contactless card. Second option: Heathrow Express — faster (15 min) but £37 one way, not worth it. Third option: pre-booked transfer (Rideways, Addison Lee, Blacklane) — £38–85 depending on service, good for groups with luggage. Avoid black cabs from the rank unless you enjoy paying £80+.
Norse Atlantic offers the cheapest direct flights from New York to London Gatwick from around $280 return. For Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways often have sales below $400 return. Book 6–8 weeks ahead, fly Tuesday or Wednesday, and avoid school holidays. January and February are cheapest overall.
Strongly recommended. The NHS provides emergency care to visitors but non-emergency treatment may be billed. Medical evacuation back to the US can cost $100,000+. A comprehensive policy covering medical, cancellation and baggage typically costs $50–150 for a 1–2 week trip. Check whether your Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire card already includes some coverage first.
Yes — but avoid your carrier's roaming rates ($10–15/day). Buy a UK eSIM before you travel: Airalo, Saily and AirSIM offer UK data plans from $4–5. Install before boarding and you have data immediately on arrival. Requires eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS+, most Android from 2020+).

Plan ahead

London weather

Reliably drizzly. Some months are genuinely lovely — and cheap.

Live 7-day forecast

Loading…

Average by month

Jan

7°C

Grey & cold

Feb

8°C

Cold & crisp

Mar

11°C

Warming up

Apr

14°C

Lovely

May

17°C

Best month

Jun

21°C

Peak season

Jul

23°C

Peak season

Aug

23°C

Hottest

Sep

19°C

Still lovely

Oct

15°C

Autumn colours

Nov

10°C

Cold & dark

Dec

8°C

Festive chaos

Best value

Jan – Mar

Lowest fares of the year, crowds at their smallest. Bring layers.

From $280 return

Best weather

May – Sep

Long days, outdoor events, parks at their finest. Peak prices though.

Up to 23°C

Sweet spot

Apr & Oct

Fair weather, lower fares, fewer tourists. The locals' secret.

Best balance
ℹ️ Affiliate disclosure: jfklon.com earns a small commission when you book via links on this page, at no extra cost to you. The Amex Gold link is a personal referral. Amazon links are part of the Amazon Associates programme. Prices are indicative. We only link to reputable platforms.