Cheap Flights to Nigeria

Cheap flights to Nigeria uncovered

Home to superb national parks filled with exotic wildlife and lush rainforests, sandy beaches that stretch for miles and a wealth of diverse cultures, Nigeria is a country that deserves to be on every intrepid traveller’s must-visit list. If you’re on the hunt for cheap flights to Nigeria from the UK, search for airlines that fly to the most popular cities. Abuja, the capital city and a modern African metropolis, is situated in central Nigeria, while bustling Lagos, the country’s largest city, lies on the southwest coast. Flights to Abuja arrive at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and if you fly to Lagos, you’ll land at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

When should I travel to Nigeria?

Situated close to the equator, Nigeria boasts hot temperatures all year round. If you don’t mind the dry heat in the north and the high humidity in the south, summer is a good option for a visit, as it’s the best time to find cheap flights and you’ll also avoid the peak-season crowds. Temperatures are more pleasant during winter, and as a result this is the busiest time of year to visit the country – and also the most expensive. Several festivals and major events also take place during the winter season, such as the Calabar Carnival, which runs throughout the full month of December and is dubbed ‘Africa’s biggest street party’.

How do I get to Nigeria from the UK?

From London Heathrow, British Airways offers daily flights to Lagos and Virgin Atlantic departs six times a week, with a flight time of around six and a half hours. Hahn Air also operates regular direct flights to Lagos from London Gatwick. British Airways also runs direct flights to Abuja, with departures once a day from Heathrow. For great deals on airline tickets, consider a one-stop route: a number of airlines offer connecting flights to Nigeria from other major UK airports. For instance, you can fly to Lagos with Emirates via Dubai from London, Manchester and Birmingham, while Turkish Airlines offers connecting flights to Abuja via Istanbul from London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Getting from Nigeria’s airports to the city centre

The most convenient way to travel onwards from Nigeria’s main airports is by taxi. From Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, located northeast of the city centre, the journey takes between 30-60 minutes depending on traffic and you can expect to pay around 5000 Nigerian naira (NGN). Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is located about 25 miles southwest of the city and the taxi fare for the approximately 40-minute journey is between NGN 3000-5000. Another alternative is to hire a car; however, it is highly recommended to hire a driver too for ease and safety in getting around.

A memorable sight in Nigeria

Just a 45-minute drive from Abuja you’ll encounter Zuma Rock, one of Nigeria’s most iconic landmarks. This unique monolith is often called ‘the Gateway to Abuja’ and its natural colours and contours combine to display what looks intriguingly like an image of a human face on the rock face.