Traveling from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to London: what you need to know
London's timezone is UTC+0, which is the same as Cardiff (the location of Cardiff Airport).
To avoid rushing for your CWL to London flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
Taking off during a peak period like a public holiday? Expect longer queues at check-in and security. Give yourself extra leeway and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Located around 9 miles from central Cardiff, CWL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 5 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Cardiff Airport to London? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near CWL:
When it comes to Cardiff Airport's on-time performance, data shows 66.16% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Cardiff Airport (CWL) to London
$66 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Cardiff Airport to London flight. A round-trip plane ticket right now is $159. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
Booking early is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from CWL to London. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer your departure date, the more you'll likely pay.
Finding cheap tickets from Cardiff Airport to London is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to get the lowest fares across each month and land an awesome deal.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from CWL to London by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when fares go down.
Snag an affordable flight from Cardiff Airport to London with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
The distance from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to central London is roughly 19 miles. It takes about 55 minutes to get to the center driving.
It takes around 1 hour if you're traveling by public transport.
Consider staying in a hotel near LHR if you're coming in on a late flight from Cardiff Airport to London. Choose one of these options and make arrival day easier:
Go where the road takes you with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Book your wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and experience more of London and beyond.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your vehicle from London Heathrow Airport about one week before your flight from CWL to London.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Once your flight from Cardiff Airport to London has touched down, you can make your way to the city center in about 1 hour 20 minutes by car. Central London is roughly 50 miles from London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
If you travel by public transport, you'll get to the city center in 30 minutes or so.
Following your CWL to London flight, rest your head at a hotel near LGW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Green Motion, U-Save and Drivalia make picking up a London Gatwick Airport rental car easy and quick. These trusted companies are located in or around the terminal and will get you on your way in no time.
Secure your first choice, not your last resort. Booking your ride from LGW three weeks in advance often means lower prices and a bigger choice of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Stansted Airport (STN) is around 40 miles from the center of London. It'll take you about 1 hour to reach the city center in a ride-share or cab once you've hopped off your flight from Cardiff Airport to London.
If you're traveling on public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Enjoy a more relaxed start to your trip by staying at a hotel near STN after your CWL to London flight. Recover from your travel day or simply give yourself time to get your bearings in a new destination at:
Whether you're looking for a mini for a solo trip or a full-size SUV to transport your group, you'll find the right Stansted Airport rental car for you. Browse the types of wheels available here from names such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
If you're looking for a specific kind of vehicle, book your ride from STN about four weeks before your flight from Cardiff Airport to London. This gives you a better shot at getting your preferred car, on top of a better deal.
Best time to go to London
Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from Cardiff Airport to London. The city comes alive in high season, but hotel prices are often higher and attractions can be crowded. Visit London in low season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.
When booking your Cardiff Airport to London plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. July is the warmest month in London, with temperatures ranging from 52ºF to 79ºF.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from CWL to London in January when temperatures average between 32ºF and 48ºF.
More about London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in London right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Cardiff Airport to London:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. The British Museum, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are essential stops on your London itinerary.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Birmingham is just one of the many cities in United Kingdom waiting to be explored once you've taken in the sights of London. Around 100 miles away to the north-west, its best attractions include Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
Around 110 miles west of London, Bristol is another essential stop in United Kingdom. Experience major highlights starting with Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park.