Flying from London to East London Airport (ELS): What you need to know
East London Airport is located in East London. The city is in the UTC+2 timezone and is two hours ahead of London.
Your flight from London to ELS won't wait if you're late, so get to the airport with time to spare. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead for international travel.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during peak periods in general.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Stopovers offer a great opportunity to discover a new place or just have a break during your trip. When searching for a cheap flight from London to ELS, uncheck 'Direct flights only' to explore all potential stops. Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) is one option when departing from London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
Travelling from central London to LHR takes around 25 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a taxi, you'll cover the 24 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Looking for a convenient hotel close to London Heathrow Airport? If you've booked an early flight from London to East London Airport, these stays will have you sleeping moments from check-in:
68% of flights taking off from London Heathrow Airport reach their destination on schedule.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Break up your flight from London to East London Airport with a stop at Cape Town International Airport (CPT). A major connection between London Gatwick Airport and ELS, it's a good opportunity to relax before the next leg of your journey.
Using public transport, you can travel from central London to LGW in about 1 hour 20 minutes. The airport is roughly 48 kilometres away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 1 hour 5 minutes.
Taking off bright and early? Think about staying at one of these accommodation options near London Gatwick Airport the day before your London to ELS flight:
When it comes to flight punctuality, London Gatwick Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 70%.
London Stansted Airport (STN)
The journey time to STN from central London is around 45 minutes by public transport. If you're in a car, it'll take you roughly 1 hour 5 minutes to cover the 56 kilometres or so.
Stay in bed a little longer and still make your London to East London Airport flight without having to rush. These hotels near London Stansted Airport make departure day effortless if you're setting off early:
Airports have an on-time performance rating that measures how often flights get to their destinations as expected. At STN, that rate is 65%.
About East London Airport (ELS)
If you have a late flight from London to East London Airport, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing not long after at one of these options near ELS:
Go wherever you want, whenever you want with a East London Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from U-Save, Green Motion or First - Car Hire and experience more of East London and beyond.
Booking your ride around three weeks in advance of your London to East London Airport flight can help you score a better rate.
Getting from East London Airport (ELS) to central East London
East London Airport is about 5 kilometres from central East London. How long it takes to get there in a car hire or taxi will depend on the time of day. Do a little research before you go.
Travelling by public transport will take you roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from London to East London Airport (ELS)
R 8,208 is the best price for a one-way ticket from London to East London Airport. A return flight starts at R 11,739. These prices may change depending on availability.
Booking early is often the key to finding a cheap flight from London to ELS. Airlines adjust prices based on demand, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest London to East London Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel plans are flexible.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from London to ELS is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when the price has dropped.
Uncover a great deal on a flight from London to East London Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
The best time to fly from London to East London Airport (ELS)
July is when most people book flights from London to East London Airport (ELS). Plan your visit to East London in October if you'd rather be there when it's quieter.
Before locking in your London to ELS plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. February is the warmest month in East London, with temperatures ranging from 18ºC (64ºF) to 27ºC (81ºF).
July sees temperatures of between 11ºC (52ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Search for cheap tickets from London to East London Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about East London
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in East London right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from London to East London Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Orient Beach, Nahoon Reef and Eastern Beach are top attractions which should be on every East London itinerary.
Explore more of South Africa
You've visited East London, now it's time to discover other parts of South Africa. Travel about 225 kilometres southwest to Port Elizabeth to tick off its top sights. From Mount Kilimanjaro to Kariega Game Reserve - Head Office and King's Beach, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 241 kilometres west of East London, Uitenhage is another essential stop in South Africa. Start your sightseeing at Volkswagen Factory and Museum, Volkswagen AutoPavillion, South Africa and Drostdy museum.