Travelling from Washington DC to London: what you need to know
Organising your flight from Washington DC to London begins with finding the right airport to start your holiday. Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) are the main departure points in Washington DC.
Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) or London Gatwick Airport (LGW). You can also reach London through Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY).
Take a direct Washington DC to London flight and you'll be in transit for an average of 7 hours 20 minutes.
The timezone in London is UTC+0, which is four hours ahead of Washington DC.
For a stress-free start to your trip, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to catch your Washington DC to London flight.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
How to find the cheapest flights from Washington DC to London
Don't leave everything to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap Washington DC to London flights if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Washington DC to London across the entire month. It's an easy way to find a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from Washington DC to London by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Select your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your Washington DC to London flight results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Flying from Washington DC
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA)
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to take a break from travelling — and possibly even explore a different city. When browsing Washington DC to London flights departing from Ronald Reagan National Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
DCA is around 6 kilometres from central Washington DC. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the trip time to be around 45 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near Ronald Reagan National Airport? If you've booked an early flight from Washington DC to London, these accommodation options will have you moments from your check-in counter:
76.44% of flights that leave from Ronald Reagan National Airport make it to their destination on time.
You'll find DCA at 1 Aviation Circle.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Prefer to jet off from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)? This hub offers direct flights from Washington DC to London, seamlessly connecting to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
IAD has a range of airlines offering direct Washington DC to London plane tickets. Book your favourite window (or aisle) seat with any of these:
Split up your Washington DC to London flight with a stop so you can stretch your legs or perhaps go somewhere you've never been before. Some top stopovers between Washington Dulles International Airport and London are:
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Using public transport, you can travel from central Washington DC to IAD in around 1 hour 10 minutes. The terminal is roughly 40 kilometres away. Driving will take you about 50 minutes.
You're off on holiday, so why not spend an extra night away from home? Consider kicking back in one of these accommodation options near Washington Dulles International Airport the day before your flight from Washington DC to London:
74% of flights leaving Washington Dulles International Airport stick to their scheduled arrival time.
The address for IAD is 1 Saarinen Circle.
Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
You can hop on a direct flight from Washington DC to London leaving from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). Book your ticket from BWI and travel nonstop to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
British Airways is one reputable carrier that offers direct Washington DC to London plane tickets from BWI.
Reserve a ticket from Washington DC to London departing from Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) with one or more stops. Some popular stopovers between BWI and London are:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
From the centre of Washington DC, BWI is around 40 kilometres away. It takes roughly 50 minutes to get to the airport by car and 1 hour 30 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Wake up, take it easy and still make your Washington DC to London flight without having to rush. These hotels near Baltimore/Wash International Thurgood Marshall Airport make departure day a breeze if you're flying out first thing:
The on-time performance record of BWI is 77.13%. In simpler terms, that's how often flights that depart this airport arrive at their final stop as planned.
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London takes about 55 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 23 kilometres away.
It typically takes 1 hour to get there when travelling by public transport.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from Washington DC to London. Check in to one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
Follow your own route with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and experience more of London and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week ahead gives you the best chance of locking in a great deal.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is approximately 40 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Once your flight from Washington DC to London has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, the drive should take about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take about 30 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your flight from Washington DC to London:
Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia make collecting a London Gatwick Airport rental car simple. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you behind the wheel before you know it.
Don't pay more than you need to. Securing your ride three weeks before your arrival at LGW will save you money.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Stansted Airport (STN) is about 48 kilometres from central London. It'll take you about 1 hour to reach the city centre in a ride-share or cab once you've hopped off your flight from Washington DC to London.
The journey takes roughly 1 hour 25 minutes using public transport.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, head for a hotel near STN. Make yourself comfortable at one of these stays after your Washington DC to London flight:
Stay in control of the next part of your journey with a Stansted Airport rental car. Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar are dependable companies for booking.
If you're searching for a specific model or make, book your ride from STN around four weeks ahead of your flight from Washington DC to London. This gives you a better shot at getting the car you want, along with a better deal.
Best time to go to London
February is the quietest month for flights from Washington DC to London, while July is the busiest. Figure out the best time to go to London based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a lively atmosphere.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC and 26ºC. Lock in your Washington DC to London ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.
January has average temperatures of between 0ºC and 9ºC. Look for cheap flights from Washington DC to London around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in London right here. Explore these options after you've booked your flight from Washington DC to London:
Big Ben and The British Museum are a couple of popular attractions to put on your London to-do list. Keep the momentum going by heading to Buckingham Palace.
Explore more of United Kingdom
You've done London, now it's time to explore other corners of United Kingdom. Journey about 161 kilometres north-west to Birmingham to tick off its popular sights. From Cadbury World to The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre, there's plenty to keep you busy.
If you're eager to discover another major destination in United Kingdom, head for Bristol, about 177 kilometres west of London. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park are among its highlights.