Travelling from London to Chengdu: what you need to know
London has plenty of airports where you can begin your trip. Check out your departure options from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) when organising your flight from London to Chengdu. Stansted Airport (STN), London Luton Airport (LTN) and London City Airport (LCY) are the city's other main bases.
Tianfu International Airport (TFU) and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) are Chengdu's major entry points.
The average length of a direct London to Chengdu flight is 10 hours 40 minutes.
Chengdu is eight hours ahead of London and is in the UTC+8 timezone.
The most popular route for flights from London to Chengdu is from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Tianfu International Airport (TFU). You can select from three weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to maximise your time on arrival, the earliest flight from LHR to TFU is the 21:35 Air China option. If you prefer to travel later, the last available departure is at 22:00 with Air China.
For a stress-free start to your trip, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your London to Chengdu flight.
Flying during a popular month such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to Chengdu
To secure cheap London to Chengdu flights, reserve your trip two months ahead of your planned departure.
May is the best month for picking up an amazing deal on a plane ticket from London to Chengdu. If you're looking to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest prices for every month.
Save time looking for cheap flights from London to Chengdu by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Pick your ideal arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' London to Chengdu flights.
Flying from London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Take off from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a nonstop flight from London to Chengdu. From LHR, you can fly straight to Tianfu International Airport (TFU).
Air China is a popular carrier that offers direct London to Chengdu plane tickets leaving from LHR.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a travel break — and maybe even tour another city. When browsing London to Chengdu flights leaving from London Heathrow Airport, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Located around 26 kms (16 miles) from the centre of London, LHR can be reached in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour.
Searching for a handy hotel near London Heathrow Airport? If you've booked an early flight from London to Chengdu, these stays will have you sleeping moments from your check-in counter:
When it comes to London Heathrow Airport's on-time performance, 68.18% of flights complete their journey on time.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Visit family or friends or just take a moment to recharge with a stopover. If you'd like to break up your London to Chengdu flight, check out these options when departing from London Gatwick Airport:
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in around 30 minutes. The airport is roughly 40 kms (25 miles) away. Driving will take you about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Want to treat yourself to an extra night away before your flight from London to Chengdu? Kick back in a hotel near London Gatwick Airport before your break officially starts. These stays are calling your name:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, London Gatwick Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 69%.
Stansted Airport (STN)
From central London, STN is around 48 kms (30 miles) away. It takes roughly 1 hour to arrive by car and 1 hour 25 minutes or so if you're on public transport.
Make taking an early London to Chengdu flight the easiest part of your journey. Stay at one of these hotels near Stansted Airport and get to your boarding gate without rushing:
The on-time performance rating of STN is 64.73%. To put it plainly, that's how frequently flights from this airport arrive within the expected time frame.
Arriving in Chengdu
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
The distance from Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to central Chengdu is roughly 56 kms (35 miles). It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
Reserve a hotel near TFU if you're coming in on a late flight from London to Chengdu. Pick one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
After your flight from London to Chengdu has touched down, you can reach the city centre in around 30 minutes by car. Central Chengdu is approximately 11 kms (7 miles) from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
You'll find some comfortable places to lay your head close to CTU. Kick back after your London to Chengdu flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is located at Airport Expressway Entrance.
Best time to go to Chengdu
January is the quietest month for flights from London to Chengdu, while April is the most popular. Find the ideal time to go to Chengdu based on whether you want a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
The warmest month in Chengdu is August, with temperatures ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your London to Chengdu ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from London to Chengdu in January when temperatures average between 0ºC (32ºF) and 13ºC (55ºF).
More about Chengdu
When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Chengdu right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've locked in your flight from London to Chengdu:
Jinli Ancient Street and Wuhou Shrine are just a couple of the big attractions to put on your Chengdu must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Sichuan Opera Troupe.
Explore more of China
You've done Chengdu, now it's time to discover more of China. Journey about 120 miles east to Nanchong to check off its top attractions. From 小西街 to 六合丝博园 and Yinxiang Jialingjiang Wetland Park, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 290 miles north of Chengdu, Tianshui is another favourite stop in China. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at 伏羲祭祀广场, 成纪儿童公园 and 天水古城.