Cheap Flights to Africa from UK: 2026 Guide

Cheap Flights to Africa from the UK — The 2026 Guide

Finding cheap flights to Africa from the UK is not just about the lowest fare on a search engine. The cheapest ticket is the one with the right route, the right baggage and the right connection for your trip. A fare that looks £80 cheaper can cost you more once you add a checked bag or a missed connection.

At Dream Fare, we book flights from the UK to Africa every day — to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Sierra Leone and many more. This guide explains which cities you can reach direct from London, the best connecting hubs for everywhere else, and the practical ways our customers save money. Last checked: October 2026.

Direct Flights from London to Africa

These are the main non-stop routes from London to sub-Saharan and North Africa. Direct flights save time, but they are not always the cheapest — especially in peak season.

For more detail on each route, see our guide to direct flights to Africa from the UK.

The Best Connecting Hubs for Flights to Africa

If there is no direct flight, or the direct fare is high, a one-stop route through a major hub is often much cheaper. These are the hubs we use most:

• Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines) — one of the largest networks within Africa, flying daily from Heathrow. Strong for East, Central, Southern and West Africa, including Harare, Lusaka, Lilongwe, Entebbe and Lagos.
• Nairobi (Kenya Airways) — a good option for East and Southern Africa, with a daily non-stop from Heathrow.
• Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) — flies to a very wide range of African cities and departs from several UK airports, not just London. Useful from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and others.
• Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai (Emirates) — good for East and Southern Africa, with generous baggage on many fares and departures from several UK airports.
• Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) — handy for West Africa, including Dakar, Abidjan, Freetown and Conakry.
• Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt — Brussels Airlines, Air France, KLM and Lufthansa connect to many West and Central African cities, with short first legs from the UK.

8 Ways to Get Cheaper Flights to Africa from the UK

1. Compare the total price, not the headline fare

Some of the cheapest economy fares include no checked bag. If you are travelling with luggage, compare the price with bags included. Our baggage allowance guide shows how much this can change the price on Nigeria routes.

2. Be flexible with dates

Moving your departure by a few days can make a big difference, particularly around school holidays. Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday or weekend flights.

3. Avoid the peak weeks — or book them early

Prices to West Africa rise sharply for December and the Christmas period, Easter and the UK summer holidays. If you must travel then, book as early as you can; seats in the lower fare classes sell out first. See our guide on the best time to book flights to Africa.

4. Consider a one-stop route

A one-stop flight through Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Casablanca or a European hub can cost much less than a direct flight, especially in peak season. The extra few hours can be worth it for a family.

5. Check other UK airports

Not everyone needs to start in London. Connecting airlines fly from Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds and other regional airports, which can save you the cost and time of getting to Heathrow or Gatwick.

6. Compare airlines you might not think of

African airlines such as Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, RwandAir, Royal Air Maroc and Air Peace often have competitive fares, and some include more baggage than European carriers. Read our comparison of the cheapest airlines to fly to Africa from the UK.

7. Book families and groups together

For four or more travellers, it helps to book through an agent who can hold seats on the same fare and check that everyone gets the same baggage allowance.

8. Use a specialist travel agent

Specialist agents can access fares that are not always shown on comparison sites, and can find the right mix of route, baggage and connection time. At Dream Fare, we check the fare rules with you before you pay.

Popular Destinations in Africa from the UK

Find routes, airlines and current offers on our destination pages:

• Flights to Nigeria — Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu
• Flights to Ghana — Accra and Kumasi
• Flights to Kenya — Nairobi and Mombasa
• Flights to South Africa — Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban
• Flights to Uganda — Entebbe
• Flights to Sierra Leone — Freetown
• Flights to Zimbabwe — Harare, now direct from Gatwick with Air Zimbabwe

See all 26 countries on our cheap flights to Africa page.

Before You Fly: Visas and Documents

Most African countries require UK passport holders to get a visa or e-visa before travel, and rules change often. Check the official requirements as soon as you book. For the two most popular routes, see our Nigeria visa guide and our Ghana visa guide. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from your arrival date.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest country in Africa to fly to from the UK?

North African destinations such as Morocco and Egypt are usually the cheapest because they are short flights with lots of competition. For sub-Saharan Africa, fares depend heavily on season, but routes with several competing airlines — such as London to Lagos, Nairobi or Johannesburg — often have good deals outside peak weeks.

Which African cities have direct flights from London?

Non-stop flights from London go to Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kigali, Entebbe, Harare, Johannesburg, Cairo and Casablanca, among others. Most other African cities need one stop.

Is it cheaper to fly direct or with a connection to Africa?

Connecting flights are often cheaper, especially in peak season, but not always. Compare the total price including baggage, and make sure connections are on one ticket so you are protected if a flight is delayed.

When should I book flights to Africa for Christmas?

As early as possible. December is the busiest time for flights to West Africa, and the cheapest seats sell out first. Many of our customers book Christmas flights in the spring or summer.

Which airline is best for flights to Africa from the UK?

It depends on where you are going. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air Peace are popular for Nigeria; Kenya Airways and BA for Nairobi; Ethiopian Airlines for a wide range of African cities via Addis Ababa. We compare them for your dates and baggage needs.

Can Dream Fare book flights to any African country?

Yes. We book flights from the UK to destinations across Africa, including multi-city and group trips. Call 020 8264 0018 or message us on WhatsApp.

Book Your Flight to Africa with Dream Fare

We compare direct and connecting flights from London and regional UK airports to find the best total value for your trip — with the baggage and connection times that suit you. Get in touch for a free quote.

📞 Call us: 020 8264 0018
💬 WhatsApp: +44 20 8264 0018

Routes and schedules are set by each airline and can change. Direct routes checked October 2026 against published airline schedules. Always confirm your flight details before travelling.