Travelling from Philadelphia to London: what you need to know
Planning your holiday starts with working out where you'll fly out of in Philadelphia. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is the city's main airport, so check out your options for booking a flight from Philadelphia to London departing from here.
Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or London Stansted Airport (STN). You can also hop off the plane at London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) in London.
The average time for a direct Philadelphia to London flight is 7 hours 5 minutes.
London is five hours ahead of Philadelphia and observes the UTC+0 timezone.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the most popular route between these two cities. There are 18 flights a week to choose from. If you have things to finalize before heading off, the last flight from Philadelphia to London is with American Airlines at 23:20. Opt for the first PHL to LHR departure with British Airways at 18:30 to make the most of your arrival in London.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your Philadelphia to London flight.
You can expect longer queues during popular months such as August. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Philadelphia to London
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Philadelphia to London is $292. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $902. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares can change.
To secure cheap Philadelphia to London flights, book your journey two months before your departure.
The best month for scoring cheap plane tickets from Philadelphia to London is July. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare all available prices, then choose the dates offering the lowest fares.
You don't need to search every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment a better deal comes up on cheap flights from Philadelphia to London.
Choose your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Philadelphia to London flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Flying from Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
If you're looking for a direct flight from Philadelphia to London, you can depart from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Travel from PHL to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) without any stops.
American Airlines is a leading airline that offers direct Philadelphia to London plane tickets from PHL.
We make it easy to find a Philadelphia to London flight with a stopover. To see all the options leaving from Philadelphia International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Top stopovers include:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Madrid Airport (MAD)
Travelling from central Philadelphia to PHL takes around 30 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 11 kilometres in 20 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Philadelphia to London? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels near Philadelphia International Airport:
77% of flights leaving from Philadelphia International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
PHL's address is 8500 Essington Ave.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is approximately 26 kilometres from the centre of London. If you're catching a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take around 45 minutes.
Getting to the centre on public transport takes roughly 25 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Philadelphia to London, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and resting not long after at one of these hotels near LHR:
Follow your own route with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and experience more of London and beyond.
To get the best deal, book your ride from London Heathrow Airport around one week in advance of your Philadelphia to London flight.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
As soon as your flight from Philadelphia to London has arrived, you can get to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take around 45 minutes.
After your flight from Philadelphia to London, tuck yourself in at a hotel near LGW. These are some great options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia make collecting a London Gatwick Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Score the best price by securing your ride from LGW three weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a greater range of vehicles.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
London Stansted Airport (STN) is around 48 kilometres from central London. It takes about 1 hour 5 minutes to reach the city centre in a taxi or ride-share once you've stepped off your flight from Philadelphia to London.
Public transport can get you there in about 45 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way to the centre, choose a hotel near STN. Settle in at one of these options after your Philadelphia to London flight:
Whether you're looking for a mini just for you or a full-size SUV to fit a group of friends, you'll find the right London Stansted Airport rental car for your needs. Check out wheels available from providers such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
Around four weeks before your flight from Philadelphia to London is a good time to book your ride from STN. You're likely to find a better rate or score some early bird savings.
Best time to go to London
July is the most popular month for flights from Philadelphia to London. To travel when it's less crowded, head to London in March.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC (52ºF) and 26ºC (79ºF). Lock in your Philadelphia to London ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from Philadelphia to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF).
More about London
Start your London trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Philadelphia to London, explore our selection of hotels including:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. The British Museum, Westminster Abbey and Big Ben are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned London itinerary.
Explore more of the United Kingdom
London has loads to offer, but there are so many other parts of the United Kingdom you'll want to see. Around 257 kilometres northwest of London, a visit to Manchester will keep you busy. Don't miss top attractions like Manchester United Museum & Stadium Tour, The Homes of Football and Science and Industry Museum.
Birmingham is another favourite destination in the United Kingdom and is around 161 kilometres northwest of London. No journey is complete without experiencing Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Hippodrome and Bournville Experience.