Cheap Flights to Nairobi from UK
Cheap Flights from London Heathrow to Nairobi
Nairobi is the undisputed gateway to East African safari travel, one of the fastest-growing business destinations on the continent, and home to a large and influential UK Kenyan community. The London Heathrow to Nairobi route has never been more popular — and for good reason.
Whether you are planning a safari in the Maasai Mara, travelling for work, visiting family, or using Nairobi as a springboard to Zanzibar, Mombasa or Kilimanjaro, Ethiopian Flights can find you the best available fare. All bookings ATOL protected.
| Departure | London Heathrow (LHR) |
| Arrival | Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi (NBO) |
| Flight Time | 8–9 hours direct • 10–13 hours via Addis Ababa |
| Airlines | Ethiopian Airlines (via ADD) • Kenya Airways • British Airways |
| Economy Fares From | £319 return |
Nairobi: Africa’s Safari Capital and Silicon Savannah
🌎 The Safari Gateway
No other African capital puts you this close to the continent’s greatest wildlife. Nairobi National Park sits on the city’s southern edge — you can watch lions and giraffes with the Nairobi skyline behind them. The Maasai Mara, home to one of the world’s most spectacular natural events (the Great Wildebeest Migration, July–October), is a 45-minute flight or 4-hour drive away. Amboseli, with its elephants and views of Kilimanjaro, is a 4-hour drive. Mount Kenya is accessible in a weekend.
For UK travellers combining a safari with a beach holiday, Mombasa and the Kenyan coast are a 45-minute domestic flight from Nairobi. Zanzibar (Tanzania) is a 1-hour flight via a short transit.
💻 Silicon Savannah
Nairobi has become one of Africa’s premier business destinations. The city hosts the UN’s African headquarters, the African Development Bank’s East Africa office, and one of the continent’s most vibrant startup ecosystems. Mpesa — the mobile payments system that transformed banking across Africa — was invented here. The Westlands and Upper Hill business districts host major international firms. UK companies doing business across East Africa almost always route through Nairobi.
Jomo Kenyatta Airport — Arrivals Guide
JKIA is East Africa’s busiest airport and handles international arrivals efficiently for a continental hub. A few practical notes:
- eTA for UK passport holders: Kenya introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) in 2024, replacing the previous e-visa system. Apply online at etakenya.go.ke at least 72 hours before travel. Cost is USD 30.
- Yellow fever certificate: Required if you are arriving from (or have transited through) a yellow fever endemic country. Check requirements based on your routing.
- Terminal: Most international flights arrive at JKIA’s main international terminal. Kenya Airways uses its own dedicated terminal next door.
- Transfer into the city: The Nairobi Expressway (opened 2022) dramatically reduced journey times from JKIA to Westlands and the CBD — typically 25–40 minutes depending on time of day.
Best Time to Fly from the UK to Nairobi
For lowest fares: February, March, October and November. January (mid-month) is often good value. Avoid July–August (UK school holidays) and December–January (Christmas and peak safari season coincide, driving prices up sharply).
For best safari timing: The Great Wildebeest Migration in the Maasai Mara runs July–October, which coincides with higher flight prices. Amboseli and Samburu are excellent year-round. If you want migration and budget, target late October — migration is still happening and fares begin to ease.
Book Your London to Nairobi Flight
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Also explore: Addis Ababa flights • Entebbe flights • Dar es Salaam flights
FAQs — UK to Nairobi Flights
Ethiopian Airlines
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£445 per person
Return • Economy Class
Qatar Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£440 per person
Return • Economy Class
Emirates
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£400 per person
Return • Economy Class
Qatar Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£400 per person
Return • Economy Class
British Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£390 per person
Return • Economy Class
British Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£390 per person
Return • Economy Class
Emirates
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£390 per person
Return • Economy Class
Ethiopian Airlines
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£385 per person
Return • Economy Class
Etihad Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£380 per person
Return • Economy Class
Kenya Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£380 per person
Return • Economy Class
Etihad Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£370 per person
Return • Economy Class
Kenya Airways
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£360 per person
Return • Economy Class
Ethiopian Airlines
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£360 per person
Return • Economy Class
KLM
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£360 per person
Return • Economy Class
KLM
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£340 per person
Return • Economy Class
Swiss Air
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£335 per person
Return • Economy Class
Swiss Air
Best fare
London Heathrow to Nairobi
£300 per person
Return • Economy Class
About Cheap Flights to Nairobi from UK
Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways both offer convenient connections from the UK to Nairobi, with one-stop journeys typically taking 11 to 14 hours. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) sits about 15km from the city centre.
Why Book Your Nairobi Flight with Ethiopian Flights?
- Kenyan e-visa is required for UK travellers and should be applied for online before departure
- Multiple daily departures from London, with onward connections from Manchester and Birmingham
- Economy fares typically include 23kg checked baggage; book early for the July-August and December peak seasons
- Nairobi is also a popular gateway for onward safari connections to the Maasai Mara and coastal Kenya
Book your cheap flight to Nairobi today and travel with confidence with Ethiopian Flights!
