London to Cancun flights

How long is the flight from London to Cancun?

Flight duration from London airports to Cancun, on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula is 11 hours and 5 minutes. The most common flight path over the north Atlantic and down the American coast covers a distance of just under 5,000 miles.

What are the most common stopovers?

There are several direct flights from London to Cancun, with both scheduled and charter airlines. As Cancun is a popular holiday spot, the frequency of flights increases in the summer months. Although direct flights are more sustainable and convenient, there are stopover options too. Many travellers choose to connect through North American airports in New York, Washington or Atlanta.

What documentation do I need to fly to Cancun from London?

Holders of most European passports can get a tourist visa on arrival at the immigration desks in Cancun. The tourist visa covers all stays of up to six months. You should have at least six months of validity on your passport at the time of travel. For many visitors to Cancun, there is in addition a departure tax which you pay on leaving the country.

Is there a time change from London to Cancun?

There is a 5 hour time difference between London and Cancun, London being ahead.

Several airlines offer great value tickets between London and Cancun. These include:

• Thomas Cook Airlines, holiday provider which also sells airfares from London to Cancun.
• Virgin Atlantic, British airline with flights to Atlanta, and onward connections to Cancun with Delta.
• Delta, American carrier offering flights with a stopover in New York.
• British Airways, during the summer holidays season, British Airways offers direct flights to Cancun from Gatwick

Opodo's intuitive search engine makes finding great deals on flights from London to Cancun simple. Just enter your travel dates and filter the results by departure airport, airline or price. Opodo gives you the control to build the perfect holiday, whether you're interested in city breaks or total beach relaxation trips. Don't forget to scroll down the page to find the special value deals which Opodo is so well known for.

• December is peak season for departures to Cancun as people seek to escape the European winter. With average temperatures in the low 20s, it's the perfect time for a sunshine break.
• March is the driest month in Cancun, with only 3 days of rain across the month.
• September is one of the cheapest times to go, with less demand on hotel rooms and warm temperatures.

Depending on your airline, you'll fly to Cancun from either London Heathrow (LHR) or London Gatwick (LGW). Both are large airports offering international and domestic flights.

Useful information about London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport is located 15 miles west of Central London.

How to get to the airport:

• By train – catch the Heathrow Express from London Paddington. Journey time is only 15 minutes.
• By taxi – takes around 45 minutes to get into central London locations.
• Underground – Piccadilly Line trains run through Heathrow, offering connections from across the city.

Services: open 24/7, many shops, bars and restaurants located across 4 separate terminals. Free Wi-Fi, children's play areas, foreign exchange, free phone and laptop charging.

Useful information about London Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport is south of London, around 30 miles from the centre of town.

How to get to the airport:

• By train – the Gatwick Express train service runs from Victoria station and takes around 30 minutes.
• Bus – airport shuttle buses run into Victoria coach station and also provide a connection to Heathrow airport.
• Taxi – A journey by taxi from Gatwick into the centre of London will take around 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Services: Gatwick is a large airport spread over 2 terminals. There are dozens of restaurants, bars and shops. Free Wi-Fi, children's play area, showers, toilets and airport lounges.

Cancun has a large, modern airport to the south-west of the beach and hotel zone. It handles both international flights and domestic arrivals.

Getting into Cancun from the airport:

• Taxi – book Cancun airport taxis in advance for the best price. Transfer time to the hotel zone is around 30 minutes.
• Bus – The ADO bus company offers mini-bus transfers from the airport to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Services: large air-conditioned terminal with shopping, restaurants and bars. Large duty-free outlet and local crafts. Ample parking, airport lounge, foreign currency exchange and children's play zone.

• Swim in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Take a day trip to the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, or down the coast at Tulum.
• Snorkel, swim with dolphins and take in the after-dark show at the Xcaret eco-park.
• Buy some colourful Mexican textiles as souvenirs to take home.
• Hit the bars and clubs of Cancun's vibrant Downtown area.