Travelling from London to Nairobi: what you need to know
London has plenty of airports where you can begin your trip. Check out your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when organising your flight from London to Nairobi. London Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the city's other main bases.
Touch down in Nairobi at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) or Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL).
Around 8 hours 50 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct London to Nairobi flight.
Nairobi is three hours ahead of London and follows the UTC+3 timezone.
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) is the most traveled route between these two cities. There are 14 departures a week to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from London to Nairobi is with British Airways at 18:50. Go for the first LHR to NBO departure with British Airways at 09:45 to maximise your time in Nairobi.
Leave plenty of time to make your London to Nairobi flight. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like July, it's a good idea to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're travelling during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Nairobi
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap London to Nairobi flights if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird rates.
If you're willing to be flexible with your trip dates, try using the 'Whole month' tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your plane ticket from London to Nairobi.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from London to Nairobi by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Find an affordable London to Nairobi flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal departure time, duration and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you're looking for a direct flight from London to Nairobi, you can depart from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Get from LHR to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) without making any stops.
Secure your London to Nairobi plane tickets with British Airways. This carrier is a top choice for direct flights from LHR.
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper London to Nairobi flight. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from London Heathrow Airport. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these airports:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Jeddah Airport (JED)
The journey from central London to LHR takes around 25 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a taxi, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a convenient hotel near London Heathrow Airport? If you're catching an early flight from London to Nairobi, these stays will have you moments from your check-in counter:
When it comes to London Heathrow Airport's on-time performance, 78% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
You can catch a direct flight from London to Nairobi out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Start your trip at LGW and disembark at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO).
Kenya Airways offers direct London to Nairobi plane tickets from LGW. Book your favourite window seat and arrive at your destination in a single hop.
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to stretch your legs with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your London to Nairobi flight, here's where you can stop when setting off from London Gatwick Airport:
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Jeddah Airport (JED)
LGW is about 40 kilometres from central London. It'll take you 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 45 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before boarding your flight from London to Nairobi? Relax in a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your adventure officially begins. Here's where you can stay:
Most flights that leave London Gatwick Airport touch down at their destination on schedule. It maintains a strong on-time performance rate of 83%.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
You can reserve a ticket from London to Nairobi leaving from London Stansted Airport (STN) with a stopover. Dubai Airport (DXB) is a busy connecting point.
STN is around 48 kilometres from central London. The drive from the city centre to the terminal takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. If you're planning to use public transport, expect a journey time of around 45 minutes.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your London to Nairobi flight with time to spare. These hotels near London Stansted Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're flying out first thing:
STN has a stellar on-time arrivals performance of 80%, so you can rely on your flight to stay on schedule and land as expected.
Arriving in Nairobi
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO)
The distance from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to central Nairobi is roughly 13 kilometres. It takes around 30 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you have a late flight from London to Nairobi, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near NBO:
Grab a Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport rental car and discover Nairobi and beyond with your own set of wheels. Auto-Union, Green Motion and Hertz are popular outlets you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Airport about three weeks ahead can help you get the lowest rate.
Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL)
Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL) is around 3 kilometres from central Nairobi. Once you've hopped off your flight from London to Nairobi, it'll take you approximately 20 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a taxi or ride-share.
Public transport will get you there in around 35 minutes.
After your flight from London to Nairobi, settle in at a hotel near WIL. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Touch down, grab your Nairobi Wilson Airport rental car, and set off without skipping a beat. Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car are top outlets you can book with here.
Avoid filling out paperwork at the rental desk by completing your booking beforehand. Reserve your ride from WIL in advance so you can simply get the keys and go.
Best time to go to Nairobi
March is the quietest month for flights from London to Nairobi, while August is the most popular. Figure out the best time to go to Nairobi based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Before locking in your London to Nairobi tickets, consider what kind of weather you prefer. February is the warmest month in Nairobi, with temperatures ranging from 13ºC (55ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from London to Nairobi in July when temperatures average between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF).
More about Nairobi
Once you've booked your flight from London to Nairobi, decide where you'll be dropping your bags. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery and Giraffe manor are just a couple of the popular attractions to add to your Nairobi itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Mara Conservancy.
Explore more of Kenya
Nairobi will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Kenya you should also see. About 434 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, a visit to Mombasa will keep you on the go. Check out popular attractions like Mombasa Marine Park & Reserve, Fort Jesus Museum and Mombasa Beach.
Around 137 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, Nakuru is another favourite stop in Kenya. Get a taste of what this destination has to offer at Lake Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru and Rhino Point.






