Flights to Lagos

Lagos is the gateway to Nigeria, home to the biggest international airport in the country. Direct flights from the UK take just under seven hours and there are plenty of non-stop and indirect options available. Here is our must-read guide to finding the right Lagos flights for you.

The speediest way to reach Lagos from the UK is to fly from London. British Airways runs daily flights to Nigeria’s largest city from London Heathrow (LHR), with a journey time of just 6 hours and 25 minutes. Virgin Atlantic also offers direct Lagos flights from Heathrow on a regular basis. One of the cheapest ways to get there is via a Med-View Airline flight between London Gatwick and Lagos. Med-View is a Lagos-based airline which expanded from domestic passenger services in 2012 and now operates flights to 13 destinations out of its base at Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS).

With only three carriers offering direct London to Lagos flights, it often works out cheaper to opt for a connecting service. Royal Air Maroc’s Heathrow to Lagos route with a stop in Casablanca takes less than 9 hours and flights are often available at cheap prices. Air France operates a route with a similar flight time that stops in Paris, while KLM’s London City to Lagos option takes 9 hours 25 minutes with a connection in Amsterdam. Other options include an EgyptAir flight from Heathrow stopping in Cairo and an Ethiopian Airline flight connecting in Addis Ababa.

There are no direct Lagos flights from UK airports outside of the south-east but that doesn’t rule out travel from elsewhere in the country. If you’re based near Manchester (MAN), it’s possible to reach Lagos in under 10 hours by taking a British Airways flight to Heathrow and then transferring to a Lagos-bound flight. Alternatively, KLM offers flights from Manchester with a stop in Amsterdam while Royal Air Maroc operates a route that connects in Casablanca.

From most other UK destinations, you can take a flight or public transport to Heathrow and then jump on a British Airways or Virgin Atlantic flight to Lagos. Exceptions include 10-hour KLM flights from Glasgow (GLA) or Bristol (BRS) to Lagos, both of which change in Amsterdam, and an Air France flight from Edinburgh (EDI) to Lagos that stops in Paris and takes just about 11 hours. To bring down the cost of travel, browse cheap last-minute offers on flights or consider a package holiday with accommodation included. If you’re planning to visit Lagos in 2023, booking your flights as much in advance as possible is also recommended.

British passport holders require a visa to enter Nigeria and the FCO website recommends applying before your travel. The only exception is business travellers, some of whom may be eligible to apply for a visa on arrival – check this Nigeria Immigration Service website for guidance. If you’re travelling via a country where yellow fever is a risk, you will also require a yellow fever certificate. Finally, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your planned visit.

Find more information on Lagos on our Lagos hotels page.