United Kingdom overview
Whenever you hear the words the United Kingdom, you may picture images of the Union Jack, the Queen, and lively English pubs in your mind’s eye, but the truth is that there’s so much more on offer in the United Kingdom than is commonly perceived. Featuring some of the most diverse landscapes on earth, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland comes together to form one seriously captivating destination. Whether you’re keen on exploring the rich and enticing history, or you’re looking forward to getting lost in the great outdoors, or perhaps you’d rather be living it up in the streets of SoHo…whatever your taste, the United Kingdom can deliver beyond your wildest expectations!
When is the best time to fly to the United Kingdom?
Peak season:
Although the United Kingdom is a year-round tourism hotspot, it generally sees its majority of travelers flock here during the summer months, which run from June through August. If you’re traveling to the capital cities of England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, be sure to book your cheap flight to the United Kingdom well in advance to avoid overpaying for travel expenses.
Off season:
Generally speaking, the winter months of the United Kingdom, which runs from December through March, make up the off season in terms of tourism. The winter months tend to be a great time for securing cheap flights to the United Kingdom since crowds tend to be thinner during this time of the year. This may be your best shot at booking the cheapest accommodation and flight tickets to the United Kingdom.
When is the best time to book a flight to the United Kingdom?
One of the best times to book a cheap flight to the United Kingdom is during the months of January and February, which is when you should aim to secure your flight bookings for the seasons of spring or autumn. The months of March through May (spring), as well as September through November (autumn), are ideal shoulder seasons for visiting the United Kingdom since you’ll be able to enjoy the pleasant weather and manageable tourist crowds. In order to find the best deal on flight prices to the United Kingdom, you’ll have to be flexible with your travel dates and set up notifications across various airlines in order to find the best deals out there.
How long is the flight to the United Kingdom?
Johannesburg to Heathrow 11 hours, 15 minutes
Johannesburg to Edinburgh 14 hours
Johannesburg to Birmingham 13 hours, 35 minutes
Johannesburg to Glasgow 13 hours, 40 minutes
Which airlines operate flights to the United Kingdom?
Thomson Airways, Air Canada, Air Arabia Maroc, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airlines are just 5 of the major airlines all operating cheap flights to and from the United Kingdom. Although some of these airlines might be able to provide you with superior on-board comfort, other airlines, such as Thomson Airways, might be a better fit for travelers who are on a tight budget. Go ahead and compare the benefits offered by each of these airlines and then make a well-rounded decision based on whether comfort or budget is critical to your needs.
How do you get from the airport to the city center?
Heathrow
If you’re arriving in the United Kingdom at London’s Heathrow Airport, there are a few ways in which you can quickly and easily get to the city center. The fastest way to reach the city center is by train, the Heathrow Express, but a cheaper option would be to use the underground train. A convenient way to reach the city center is via the National Express bus service, and for door-to-door transfers, you would be better off looking at using a taxi or a minicab.
Edinburgh
Getting from Edinburgh airport to the city center can be done by using a taxi, a bus, or the trams. Taxis can be pre-booked online or they can be called outside of the arrival terminals at the airport. Edinburgh airport is also serviced by the Airlink bus, which departs every 10 minutes during the day, making it a quick and easy way to get to the city center. The trams are a little cheaper to use than the airport bus, but they run every 7 minutes to the city center and offer a number of drop-off points besides just the city center.
Birmingham
Birmingham airport is serviced by National Express coaches, a range of taxi services, buses, and by train. Taking a taxi from the airport to the city center is a quick and convenient solution, and they are also one of your cheapest options. Alternatively, you may also make use of the variety of buses traveling between the airport and the city center, or if you prefer, make use of the train to get you to the heart of Birmingham.
Glasgow
If you’re arriving at Glasgow’s airport, a quick and easy way to get to the city center is by using one of the buses, which provide transfers to and from the airport. You may also use the train to get to the city center, but you’ll have to make use of a connecting bus to get from the nearest station to your destination. Alternatively, you can also make use of any one of the taxis parked outside of the arrival terminals to get you to the city center.
