Cheap Flights from Cairns to London

Fly to London, where you can wander the streets of one of the most celebrated cities in the world.

Airlines flying this route

There are no direct flights to London from Cairns. Most carriers will stopover once or twice, usually via Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Hong Kong (HKG), Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Singapore (SIN).

You will find many carriers work in conjunction with other airlines to complete this journey. Airlines operating from Cairns to London include Qantas, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Silkair, Air China, Singapore Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines.

Your Departure Airport

Cairns Airport (CNS)

Departing from: International Terminal (T1)

Cairns Airport is a pretty well-equipped airport. There are lots of different retailers selling clothing, accessories, souvenirs and electronics, as well as a variety of good dining options. Passengers will have access to an international currency exchange, ATMs, and wireless internet. Please note the WiFi is not free of charge. Expect to pay $3 per hour of use, and $6 for 24 hour access.

Your Destination Airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Arriving in: Terminals 2, 3, 4 or 5

Heathrow Airport is one of the world’s largest air transit hubs, and as such it has an extensive range of excellent facilities.  You can expect retailers selling all kinds of goods, from clothing, to electronics, books and souvenirs. There are ATMs, currency exchange services, charging stations for laptops and mobile devices, large duty free stores, pharmacies and plenty of dining options. The WiFi is free, but you must register to access it.

Transport

The transportation network from Heathrow is extensive and efficient. You can access the brilliant London Underground system from stations at Terminals 2-5, which connects to the Piccadilly Line that can take you directly into the centre of the city in under an hour. A single fare costs 5.70GBP ($11.50), and they run from about 5:00am-11:30pm.

The fastest way into the city is probably on the Heathrow Express, which takes 15 minutes to get into London Paddington. A single fare costs 22GBP ($45). There’s also the Rail Connect, which runs into London Paddington too and takes around 30-50 minutes but costs half the price.

There are a variety of buses, from coaches that run into the city centre, to ones that will take you to the overground rail system that runs through the city. All tickets can be purchased at the Heathrow Central Bus Station.

The most expensive way into the city is via taxi, which you can grab directly outside the terminal. The journey will cost around 45-70GBP ($90-140) and takes about an hour. However, you can book private mini-cabs which tend to be cheaper, though you have to organise this in advance.

London Heathrow has a comprehensive service for car rentals. You will find booths for all the major companies represented within LHR, such as Avis, Budget, Europcar, Enterprise, National, Hertz, Alamo and Sixt.

Do you need a form of identification?

Yes. This is an international flight, so you are required to carry your passport with you.

How long should you leave to get to the airport?

As this is an international long haul flight, it is recommended that you check in at least 180 minutes before the scheduled departure time for this portion of the flight. Please be aware that if you are travelling in a group, or are going on to a connecting flight, that you must arrive 180 minutes before departure time. 

Things you need to know

Time difference: Because of Daylight Savings Time, London can be either 10 or 11 hours behind Cairns. Please ensure you double check the time difference before you travel.  

Weather: The weather can really vary in the UK, but in general, summer (June-August) is the favoured time to stop by London. The days are really long, and the temperature averages 19-20°C. Spring is a lovely time to visit the city if you don’t want to deal with the summer crowds, and winter is popular because of the Christmas markets and festive lights, but bring a jumper, as the mercury hovers around 4°C in the colder seasons.

London has a reputation for being expensive, and it is not unfounded. However, in terms of eating, if you are careful about your selections, you can eat for really decent prices. That being said, a meal for two in the city, at a mid-range restaurant will cost about 50GBP ($105).