Whether for business, technology, culture or food, Londoners continue to board flights from London to Tokyo on a frequent basis. For UK citizens, the available London to Tokyo flights are worth knowing, and whether it’s the question of how long the flights from London to Tokyo are or about available airports and airlines, there’s something for everyone.
The first thing to consider is your booking. When it comes to flights from London to Tokyo, you can book direct and indirect flights at the moment from London’s major international airports.
London to Tokyo Flight Time
The average London to Tokyo flight time ultimately depends on whether you fly direct or choose to connect elsewhere. Flights without a connection to worry about can get you from the UK to Japan in 13 to 14.5 hours, making this the quickest way to travel between the two cities.
For anyone looking at indirect flights, however, the real answer is much less definitive. As such, they could spend between 16 hours and over 20 hours in the air, given how many longer or shorter flights from London to Tokyo with one connection are available. The exact number will be dependent on the relevant airport’s location and whether bad weather or any other external factors come into play.
Overall, travellers will find flying to be the most convenient way to make it from London to Tokyo in terms of hours spent in the sky. However, the one-stop option might offer a little more flexibility.
Departure Airports: Heathrow and Gatwick
Most Heathrow Tokyo flights depart from Heathrow Airport. Winner of the gong for the UK’s most direct long-haul reach, it’s London’s Japan air travel hub. Journey there for linking schedules or direct connections.
Some Gatwick to Tokyo flights are also available. But they’re seasonal, depending on your airline and the time of year. Gatwick to Japan plane passengers usually end up on linked itineraries, although non-stops are not unknown.
Location, flight terminal facilities and airport flight times are some of the other factors affecting the one that may be closest for your flight.
Narita and Haneda: Tokyo’s Two Main Airports
Tourists and commuters touching down in New Tokyo most often arrive at Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport.
London Narita flights are more often than not landed at Narita International Airport, which is about 60 kilometres east of central Tokyo. This, for decades, has been one of the primary international air gateways when arriving in Japan, with a range of good rail and coach links to the city.
Haneda Airport, meanwhile, is much closer to central Tokyo and is located around 15 kilometres away from the city centre. Many connecting passengers prefer flying to Haneda due to the shorter time it takes for immigration, etc., if making a transfer there. Also, in recent years, the number of international flights to Europe has been increasing. Some have only been short-term flights, while others have been extended.
Airlines Operating the Route
There are plenty of international airlines to choose from flying the London to Tokyo route, whether you are after direct flights or stopovers. Various Japanese and other overseas airlines will take you there, so compare your preferred airline and destination before making a decision.
Most routes will have different numbers of layovers, and finding out what there is to do in each of the stopover departure destinations, like Istanbul, Doha, Dubai, Bangkok, or Helsinki, can be a handy way to pass the time while waiting for the change of plane and direction. An airline will generally be associated with a certain route, seeing as they are a popular way to persuade customers to return again and again. Finding out the luggage policy is never a bad idea.
Choosing the Best Option
As for London to Tokyo flights, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. For some, the shortest journey will be the most important; others will have airport or airline priorities. With the facts of Heathrow vs. Gatwick for departures, Narita vs. Haneda for arrivals and the airlines flying the route, you’ll be better placed to take the facts on board and reach the right decision for the stress-free start from one of the best cities in the world