Travelling from Chengdu to London: what you need to know
Start your holiday planning by considering the departure point for your flight from Chengdu to London. Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) are Chengdu's main airports.
London has a number of airports you can fly into. Land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), London Gatwick Airport (LGW) or Stansted Airport (STN). Alternatively, arrive at London Luton Airport (LTN) or London City Airport (LCY).
The average duration of a direct flight from Chengdu to London is 11 hours 25 minutes. London's timezone is UTC+0, which makes London 8 hours behind Chengdu.
With 4 flights a week between the two airports, Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is the busiest route. Hop on the earliest flight from Chengdu to London with Air China at 15:55. If you're keen to get more out of your day before you fly, the last flight from TFU to LHR is with Air China at 16:30.
To ensure you get on your flight from Chengdu to London, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You can expect bigger queues in popular months such as July and other peak periods. Arriving up to four hours in advance for an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.
If you have a passport from China, you'll need an embassy visa to enter United Kingdom. This applies if you're booking a cheap flight from Chengdu to London for tourism purposes. Requirements may be different if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you make travel plans and certainly before flying.
Flying from Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
You can book a direct flight from Chengdu to London taking off from Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Start your trip at TFU and land at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
If you plan to leave from TFU, you can catch a direct flight from Chengdu to London with Air China.
Central Chengdu to TFU is around 72 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach there if you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving.
Want a handy hotel near Tianfu International Airport? If you're boarding an early flight from Chengdu to London, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Think about adding a stop at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). It's a popular stopover on a flight from Chengdu to London leaving Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Use a long layover to explore the city, or take advantage of a short break to grab a coffee at an airport cafe.
Driving from central Chengdu to CTU typically takes 31 minutes, depending on traffic. It's around 21 kilometres from the city centre to the airport.
Kick off your holiday early with an extra night away from home. Before catching your flight from Chengdu to London, unwind in one of these hotels close to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:
Arriving in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is approximately 31 kilometres. It'll take you around 57 minutes to get to the centre driving.
It takes roughly 1 hour and 1 minute to get there using public transport.
Book a hotel close to LHR if you have a late flight from Chengdu to London. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Central London is located around 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). As soon as your flight from Chengdu to London has touched down and you've made your way out of the airport, expect a drive of around 1 hour and 19 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take around 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can put your feet up after your flight from Chengdu to London:
How to find the cheapest flights from Chengdu to London
At the moment, $419 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chengdu to London. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,122. Bear in mind fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
To score cheap tickets from Chengdu to London, book your trip 10 months before the departure date.
The cheapest month for flight tickets from Chengdu to London is June. You can easily compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Locking in a cheap ticket from Chengdu to London is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has fallen.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Chengdu to London.
Best time to go to London
July is the busiest month for flights from Chengdu to London. To skip the crowds, head to London in February.
The warmest month in London is July, with temperatures ranging between 11ºC and 26ºC. Book your flights from Chengdu to London in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Chengdu to London in January when temperatures average between 0ºC and 9ºC.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best stays in London right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Chengdu to London:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be hard to know where to begin. Big Ben, The British Museum and Buckingham Palace are popular attractions which should be on any good London itinerary.
Complete your London trip with a car rental
Discover our range of car rentals once you've found your hotel and cheap flight from Chengdu to London. Whether you're after an SUV, a compact ride or anything in between, you can easily compare companies in one go to get the best deal.