International route LHR to HKT

Cheap flights from London to Phuket

Both airlines fly nonstop from London to Phuket. The 9,903 km flight takes about 12 hours 55 minutes.

Fares Fares are pulled from the airlines and our partners when you search. Search your dates
Nonstop, both airlinesEconomy
LHR
London
HKT
Phuket
Distance
9,903 km
Return Search fares

Looking for London to Phuket air tickets and not sure what to pay? Two airlines fly this route, and fares change with demand, so the same seat can cost noticeably more close to a holiday weekend. Put your dates in the search above to compare today's fares and book with bookingMentor.

Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip

Search your dates

Return fares for London to Phuket are pulled from the airlines and our partners when you search. Pick your dates to see return flights and prices.

Search round trips

Cheapest one-way

Search your dates

Fares for London to Phuket are pulled from the airlines and our partners when you search. Enter the dates you want to fly for current prices.

Search flights

Nonstop flights

Nonstop, both airlines

You can fly direct with 2 airlines. Average duration is 12h 55m.

Airlines

Start a new search

bookingMentor shows the fares of every flight listed on this route so you can pick the best deal.

We hope you love your trip to Phuket!

London to Phuket flight guide

Flying from London to Phuket

  • Updated
  • 5 min read
In short

Both airlines fly nonstop from London to Phuket International Airport (HKT) in winter: Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow (LHR) and TUI Airways from Gatwick (LGW). The 9,903 km trip averages about 12 hours 55 minutes. The direct flight takes British travellers straight to Thailand's biggest island, with no connection in Bangkok or the Gulf.

Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow

Virgin Atlantic launched its Phuket service on 18 October 2026 as a winter-only route, running this season until 26 March 2027. VS214 departs Heathrow at 12:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and reaches Phuket at 07:10 the next morning, about 12 hours 10 minutes after take-off. The airline uses a Boeing 787-9 configured with 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium and 192 Economy seats.

An early-morning arrival is good for jet lag but awkward for hotels with a 14:00 check-in. Ask for early check-in, or plan the first morning around a beach café near your hotel.

TUI Airways from Gatwick

TUI Airways adds one flight a week from Gatwick during the winter season, often sold as part of a package. Both airlines are full-service on the route, so a checked bag and meals are normally included in economy.

Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line

The Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington roughly every 15 minutes and takes about 15 minutes to Terminals 2 and 3. The Elizabeth line connects Heathrow with Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street in under 40 minutes. The Piccadilly line is the cheapest choice and serves all terminals in under an hour. For Gatwick, use the Gatwick Express or Thameslink. Our Heathrow guide has terminal details.

With a 12:00 departure, aim to be at Heathrow by about 09:00 to leave time for bag drop and security on a long-haul flight. The Elizabeth line takes contactless cards and Oyster, so there is no need to queue for a paper ticket. If you live west of London, the Elizabeth line also runs to Heathrow from several west London stations, which can save a trip into the centre.

Pack with the arrival in mind. Phuket is hot and humid all year, and you land in the morning after an overnight flight, so keep a change of light clothes in your cabin bag.

Patong airport bus after the morning Virgin arrival

Phuket International Airport is at the island's northern tip, around an hour by road from Patong or Kata. The Airport Bus Express to Patong Beach starts at 08:00, so it suits the Virgin flight once you have cleared immigration. The Phuket Smart Bus serves the west-coast beaches from Surin to Rawai. Shared vans run to Patong, Kata and Karon, and an hourly airport bus goes into Phuket Town. Car hire desks are on the first floor.

30 days visa-free for British citizens

British citizens can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. Thailand's visa exemption list, in force since 15 September 2026, covers the United Kingdom and 59 other countries and territories and replaces the earlier 60-day rule. If you need longer, apply for a visa before you travel. Our Thailand visa page covers other passports.

Before landing, complete the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card at tdac.immigration.go.th. It opens three days before your travel date and is required whether or not you need a visa.

Bangkok connections to Dhaka, or London nonstop

Phuket has no direct link to Dhaka, but you can fly from Phuket to Bangkok and connect at Suvarnabhumi (see Bangkok to Dhaka flights). London also has nonstop flights to Dhaka: see London to Dhaka flights.

Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change

Checked against trusted sources:
Virgin AtlanticHeathrowGOV.UK

See all 6 sources
  1. Virgin Atlantic: Heathrow to Phuket launch
  2. Heathrow: by rail
  3. GOV.UK: electronic travel authorisation
  4. Phuket International Airport (Airports of Thailand)
  5. TAT Newsroom: visa exemption rules from 15 September 2026
  6. Royal Thai Embassy: Thailand Digital Arrival Card

London to Phuket flights at a glance

Both airlines fly nonstop from London (LHR) to Phuket (HKT). The 9,903 km flight takes about 12 hours 55 minutes.

Key facts for London to Phuket flights
Flight time12h 55m nonstop
Distance9,903 km

Search London to Phuket flights

Pick your dates to see the flights, times and fares available on this route.

Flights and fares for your dates Search the dates you want to fly to see the flights and fares available. Search flights

Airlines flying London to Phuket

Both airlines fly this route nonstop.

CHECK ALL

Virgin Atlantic flies it in the winter season only, this year from 18 October 2026 to 26 March 2027 and TUI Airways adds a weekly winter-season flight from Gatwick.

Departure and arrival airports

LHR London Heathrow Airport

Codes
IATA LHR, LGW
City
London, United Kingdom
Getting into town
Heathrow is west of London, linked to the centre by the Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly line. Gatwick, south of the city, has the Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains.
Time zone
GMT, BST (UTC+1) in summer

London Heathrow airport guide

HKT Phuket International Airport

Codes
IATA HKT
City
Phuket, Thailand
Terminal
Separate international and domestic terminals, side by side.
Time zone
UTC+7, no daylight saving
Getting into town
Phuket International Airport is at the northern end of the island, so the west-coast beaches are a fair drive away: allow around an hour to Patong or Kata by taxi or minivan, more in traffic. The Phuket Smart Bus runs from the airport down the west coast beaches.

Phuket airport guide

How to book London to Phuket for less

Practical points for booking this route.

2airlines on the route

Compare the total, not the headline fare

Put your dates into the search above and compare the price with baggage, seats and meals included, not just the base fare.

e-Visafor Bangladeshi passports

Apply for the Thai e-Visa early

Apply for the Thai e-Visa online well before you fly and fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card in the 72 hours before landing; airlines check both at check-in.

Travelers are asking

No questions yet about London to Phuket flights. Ask the community or our travel team, and the answer will show here once it is published.

Be the first to ask

Our travel team answers questions about London to Phuket flights

Reviews and questions

Contribute:
No reviews yet. Be the first to review this routeFlown London to Phuket recently? Tell other travellers how check-in, the flight and the arrival went.

Need help?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Getting there

Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow and TUI Airways from Gatwick, both in the winter season.

General