Flying from London to Philadelphia: what you need to know
London has plenty of airports where you can start your journey. Check out your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when planning your flight from London to Philadelphia. Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the other main bases in the city.
Disembark at Philadelphia's major arrival point, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
The average length of a direct London to Philadelphia flight is 8 hours.
Philadelphia's timezone is UTC-4, making Philadelphia four hours behind London.
The most popular route for flights from London to Philadelphia is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Take your pick of 18 weekly services between these two airports. If you want to set off at the first opportunity, the earliest flight from LHR to PHL is the 09:45 American Airlines service. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the latest available service is at 13:40 with British Airways.
Allow plenty of time to get on your London to Philadelphia flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Be prepared for longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Philadelphia
Get cheap London to Philadelphia flights by booking two months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for picking up a bargain.
Plan your trip for May. That's the best month for landing an incredible deal on plane tickets from London to Philadelphia. If you're flexible with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.
Finding a cheap flight from London to Philadelphia is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as a better deal is available.
Save on your London to Philadelphia flight with the help of our filters. Choose your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
If you're after a direct flight from London to Philadelphia, you can leave from London Heathrow Airport (LHR). Get from LHR to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) without making any stops.
Check out the deals with American Airlines. This airline offers direct London to Philadelphia plane tickets from LHR.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even visit a new city. When searching for London to Philadelphia flights leaving from London Heathrow Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Top options include:
Logan International Airport (BOS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
The journey from central London to LHR takes about 1 hour by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 26 kilometres in 55 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Want a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near London Heathrow Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from London to Philadelphia or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Of all flights leaving London Heathrow Airport, 68.18% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Visit family or friends or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your London to Philadelphia flight, here's where you can stop when heading out from London Gatwick Airport:
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
You can get to LGW from central London in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The ride by public transport will take roughly 30 minutes to travel the 40 kilometres or so.
It's your holiday, so why not book another night away? Think about kicking back in one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your flight from London to Philadelphia:
69.26% of flights taking off from London Gatwick Airport arrive according to schedule.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Reserve a ticket from London to Philadelphia departing from Stansted Airport (STN) with a stop or two. Some popular stopovers between STN and Philadelphia include:
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Copenhagen Airport (CPH)
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
STN is roughly 48 kilometres from central London. The drive from the city centre to the airport takes about 1 hour. If you're considering public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Relax in bed for a little longer and still make your London to Philadelphia flight without having to rush. These hotels near Stansted Airport make departure day a breeze if you're setting off early:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that measures how often flights land without delays. At STN, that figure is 64.73%.
Arriving in Philadelphia
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to central Philadelphia takes about 15 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 11 kilometres away.
It typically takes 45 minutes to get there on public transport.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from London to Philadelphia. Book one of these accommodation options near PHL instead:
Grab a Philadelphia International Airport rental car and discover Philadelphia and beyond with your own wheels. Dollar, Thrifty and Budget are top providers to choose from here.
To get the best deal, book your vehicle from Philadelphia International Airport around three weeks in advance of your London to Philadelphia flight.
PHL is located at 8500 Essington Ave.
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN)
Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) is around 48 kilometres from the centre of Philadelphia. Once you've hopped off your flight from London to Philadelphia, it'll take you approximately 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city centre in 1 hour 45 minutes or so.
Budget, National and Enterprise make picking up a Trenton-Mercer Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted companies are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from TTN four weeks in advance often means better prices and a wider selection of vehicles.
You can find Trenton-Mercer Airport at Scotch Road, Terminal Building.
Best time to go to Philadelphia
August is the most popular month for flights from London to Philadelphia. To travel when it's less crowded, go to Philadelphia in February.
The warmest month in Philadelphia is July, with temperatures ranging between 18ºC and 32ºC. Book your London to Philadelphia ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from London to Philadelphia in January when temperatures average between -7ºC and 9ºC.
More about Philadelphia
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the top stays in Philadelphia right here. Check out these options after locking in your flight from London to Philadelphia:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Philadelphia Museum of Art are must-visits when exploring Philadelphia.
Explore more of United States
New York is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Philadelphia. Around 129 kilometres to the north-east, popular attractions include Statue of Liberty, Central Park and Empire State Building.
If there's time to check out another well-known destination in United States, head for Boston, roughly 434 kilometres north-east of Philadelphia. Freedom Trail, Museum of Fine Arts Boston and Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum are key reasons to visit.
