Cheap Flights to Abuja for Christmas: UK Booking Guide

Cheap Flights to Abuja for Christmas: UK Booking Guide

Going home to Abuja for Christmas? December is the busiest time of year on flights from the UK to Nigeria, and Abuja fares are among the highest of the year. Seats on the best-value flights sell first, and prices climb as Christmas gets closer. This guide shows you every way to fly from the UK to Abuja, the dates that usually cost less, what baggage you get, and how to book the best Christmas fare for you and your family.

Direct Flights from London to Abuja

Two airlines fly non-stop from London to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) in Abuja:

• British Airways: daily from London Heathrow Terminal 5, taking about 6.5 to 7 hours. Reliable timings and a choice of Economy, Premium Economy and Club World. Check your fare type, as the cheapest Basic fares don't include a checked bag. See our British Airways guide.
• Air Peace: Nigeria's largest airline flies direct from both Heathrow and Gatwick a few times a week. Schedules change by season, so we'll check the exact days for your dates. Economy fares usually include a generous 2 x 23kg baggage allowance. See our Air Peace guide.

Direct flights are the quickest way home, but at Christmas they're also the first to fill and usually the most expensive. If your dates are fixed around Christmas Day, book these as early as you can.

One-Stop Flights: Often Cheaper at Christmas

When direct fares jump in December, one-stop flights are often the best value, and they can also leave from airports outside London:

Airline	Connects in	Why choose it
Ethiopian Airlines	Addis Ababa	Daily, often one of the cheapest fares, very popular with UK Nigerians
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul	Daily to Abuja, with connections from London and regional UK airports
Qatar Airways	Doha	Daily to Abuja, good for Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh
Lufthansa	Frankfurt	Most days of the week, with a short first flight from the UK

Journey times with one stop are usually 11 to 15 hours, depending on the connection. Always book both flights on one ticket, so you're protected if your first flight is delayed.

Flying from Manchester, Birmingham or Scotland

There are no direct flights to Abuja from regional UK airports. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow, the easiest options are Qatar Airways via Doha, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul or Lufthansa via Frankfurt, all on one ticket. Flying from your local airport often costs about the same as getting to Heathrow, and saves you the train or coach journey with heavy Christmas luggage.

The Cheapest Dates to Fly to Abuja at Christmas

Christmas prices depend heavily on the exact days you fly. As a guide:

• Most expensive: outbound flights in the week before Christmas, when UK schools break up, and return flights in the first week of January.
• Usually cheaper: flying out in early December, or returning after the first week of January.
• Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are often cheaper than Friday to Sunday.
• Be flexible by a few days: moving your trip by even 2 or 3 days can save a significant amount per person, which adds up for a family.

Want the full picture? Read our guide to the best time to book flights to Africa.

When Should You Book Christmas Flights to Abuja?

As soon as you can. For December travel, the cheapest seats often sell months ahead, and prices keep rising as Christmas gets closer. If you haven't booked yet, don't wait any longer: the difference between booking in late October and booking in December can be hundreds of pounds per person.

If your dates aren't final, call us anyway. We can look at the options for a few different dates so you can see where the savings are.

Baggage for Christmas Trips to Nigeria

Christmas trips usually mean gifts and extra luggage, so baggage matters as much as the fare:

• Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines usually include 2 x 23kg on economy fares.
• British Airways allowances depend on the fare type, and Basic fares have no checked bag.
• Extra bags are usually cheaper to add before you fly than at the airport.

See every airline compared in our Nigeria baggage allowance guide.

Abuja or Lagos for Christmas?

Fly into Abuja if your family is in the FCT, the north or the middle of Nigeria. Fly into Lagos if you're heading to Lagos or the south-west. Lagos has more flights and sometimes lower fares, but a long road journey can cancel out the saving. Compare both on our Lagos flights and Abuja flights pages, or read our Lagos Christmas flights guide. Heading east or south? See flights to Enugu and Port Harcourt.

Before You Travel

• Visa: UK passport holders need a Nigerian visa before travelling. Apply early, as December is busy. See our Nigeria visa guide.
• Yellow fever: you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Nigeria.
• Getting into the city: Abuja airport is about 40km from the centre, usually 40 minutes to an hour by car. Use Uber, Bolt or a pre-arranged transfer rather than roadside taxis.
• Travel advice: check the latest FCDO travel advice for Nigeria before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Abuja?

British Airways flies direct daily from London Heathrow, and Air Peace flies direct a few times a week from Heathrow and Gatwick. There are no direct flights to Abuja from Manchester, Birmingham or other regional UK airports.

How long is the flight from London to Abuja?

Direct flights take about 6.5 to 7 hours. One-stop flights via Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Doha or Frankfurt usually take 11 to 15 hours.

What are the cheapest days to fly to Abuja at Christmas?

Flying out in early December and returning after the first week of January is usually cheaper than travelling just before Christmas. Midweek flights are often cheaper than weekend flights.

When should I book Christmas flights to Abuja?

As early as possible. Christmas fares to Abuja rise steadily as seats sell, so booking now is usually much cheaper than waiting until December.

How much baggage can I take to Abuja?

Air Peace and Ethiopian Airlines usually include 2 x 23kg on economy fares. British Airways depends on your fare type, and Basic fares have no checked bag. Check your allowance before you book.

Is Dream Fare ATOL protected?

Dream Fare is IATA Affiliated. Flight tickets are issued through our IATA-accredited, ATOL-licensed partner, with ATOL protection provided where applicable to the booking. We also offer a best price guarantee.

Airline schedules and baggage allowances can change. We confirm the latest details for your dates when you book.