The Cheapest Time to Fly Lagos to London (and How to Save More)
If you've ever searched for a Lagos to London ticket in November, you know the feeling: the prices look like someone added an extra zero by mistake. Flights between Nigeria and the UK are some of the most expensive routes out of West Africa, but when you book and how you book can make a big difference.
As someone who lives in the UK and follows Nigerian travel closely, here's what actually works.
1. The cheapest months to fly
Fares follow the movement of people. When everyone travels, prices rise. When demand drops, airlines lower fares to fill seats.
| Period | Price level | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-January to March | Usually lowest | Holiday rush is over and fewer people travel |
| April to early June | Moderate | Easter can push prices up briefly |
| July to August | High | UK school holidays, with families travelling both ways |
| September to October | Moderate to good | A quieter window before the festive rush |
| Late November to early January | Highest | Detty December, Christmas and New Year |
2. Book early, but not too early
For normal periods, start watching fares about two to three months before you travel. For December, start looking as early as June or July. By October, the best festive fares are often gone.
Booking very late rarely works on this route. Last-minute "bargains" are uncommon because demand stays strong.
3. Be flexible with your days
Flying midweek, often Tuesday or Wednesday, can be cheaper than Friday or Sunday, when most people want to travel. Use the flexible-date or calendar view on booking sites to compare a whole month at once.
4. Direct vs connecting flights
Direct flights between Lagos and London are the fastest option, at roughly six and a half hours. Airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air Peace have operated direct services, but schedules change, so always check what's flying for your dates.
Connecting flights can be noticeably cheaper. Common connection points include:
- Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
- Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines)
- Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc)
- Cairo (EgyptAir)
- Doha or Dubai (Qatar Airways, Emirates)
The trade-off is time. A connection can add several hours, so weigh what you save against how long you're happy to travel.
5. Watch your baggage allowance
A cheap ticket isn't cheap if you pay heavily for extra luggage. Nigerians travelling home usually carry more than average. Compare the total cost including bags, not just the headline fare.
6. Compare before you pay
Never book the first price you see. Check at least two or three booking sites plus the airline's own website. Prices for the exact same flight can differ, and some sites run promo codes or app-only discounts.
7. Set price alerts
Most flight search sites let you set an alert for your route. You'll get an email when the price drops, so there's no need to check every day.
Quick checklist
- ✅ Travel January to March if you can
- ✅ For December, start searching by June or July
- ✅ Compare direct and connecting options
- ✅ Check transit visa rules for connections
- ✅ Count baggage costs in the total price
- ✅ Compare several sites and set price alerts
Promo Radar NG will keep sharing travel deals and guides for Nigerians at home and abroad. Planning a December trip? Look out for our Detty December flight-saving guide, coming soon.
Prices and airline schedules change often. Always confirm the latest fares, baggage rules and visa requirements before booking. Some links on this site may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.