How to think about this route
For most Lanzarote holidays, a direct London → ACE flight is the sensible default. One-stop tickets via mainland hubs rarely save enough time unless you are chasing a specific fare window in peak season.
Before booking, compare the full journey: travel to your London airport, security time, baggage allowance and transfer from ACE to your hotel area — distances vary more than many travellers expect.
London airport choices
Compare Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN) and Luton (LTN) on your dates rather than assuming one will be cheapest; add train or coach costs before choosing. Heathrow (LHR) works well for full-service airlines and some package charters.
If the fare difference is small, a closer airport with a better arrival time can be better value than the cheapest-looking ticket on screen.
London airports — quick compare
| Airport | Best For | Main Advantage | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow (LHR) | West London; full-service | Frequency / connections | Peak queues; often dearer headlines |
| Gatwick (LGW) | South / south-east | Strong leisure short-haul | Awkward from north of the river |
| Stansted (STN) | North-east / Essex; low headlines | Often cheapest ticket | Express + cross-London time |
| Luton (LTN) | North / M1 corridor | Regular low-cost schedules | Early starts; DART/coach hops |
Airlines on this route
easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI commonly appear. Most use ACE.
Lanzarote (ACE) arrivals
Arrecife (ACE) sits near the island’s centre-east coast. Puerto del Carmen is roughly ten to fifteen minutes by taxi; Costa Teguise can be twenty minutes; Playa Blanca at the southern tip may take forty-five minutes. Package bookings often include coach transfers.
Late evening landings often suit Puerto del Carmen or Costa Teguise better than a long Playa Blanca transfer after dark.
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote
Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
- Airport
- Resort area
Lanzarote airports — quick compare
| Airport | Best For | Transfer to centre / resort | Main Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanzarote (ACE) | All island arrivals | Transfer to Puerto del Carmen / Playa Blanca often ~15–40 min | Peak school-holiday coach queues |
Airport transfers — quick guide
- Heathrow: Elizabeth line or Piccadilly; Express is faster and dearer. Allow peak security time.
- Gatwick: Gatwick Express or Thameslink. Clean from south London; slower if you start north.
- Stansted: Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then Tube. Price that before a “cheap” fare wins.
- Luton: DART to Parkway, then rail into London. Fine with a cabin bag; slower with two hold cases.
- ACE: Transfers are short for most resort belts — still book if you land late with kids and bags.
Package holidays vs flight-only
Many London → ACE travellers book flight plus hotel together — especially in UK school holidays when separate flight and room searches can drift apart in price. Compare standalone flights with bundled options on the package holidays hub or a Lanzarote flight + hotel search on the partner site.
If you prefer to build your own trip, lock in flights first, then use the stays guide to pick your base before comparing room rates.
When to compare and book
UK school holidays and Easter move both flights and resort hotel demand together. Shoulder weeks in May, June and September often deliver warm sea with lighter pools and easier restaurant reservations.
For summer peaks, start comparing roughly six to ten weeks ahead. Mid-week London departures often avoid the busiest Friday–Sunday demand when dates are flexible.
Baggage and fare details
European leisure carriers on this route may price cabin bags, hold luggage and seat selection separately. Family trips multiply those extras quickly — compare total cost for everyone, not only the lead passenger fare.
Also check change rules if hotel dates are flexible. A slightly higher fare with sensible amendment terms can beat a rock-bottom ticket tied to one weekend.
Lanzarote planning after you land
Lanzarote rewards choosing a base before opening a hotel map. Puerto del Carmen suits promenade dining; Costa Teguise suits family pools; Playa Blanca suits southern resorts and calmer beaches.
Use the Lanzarote stays guide for neighbourhood breakdowns, then compare car hire for Timanfaya and north-coast viewpoints. Compare Lanzarote activities guide if you prefer guided days.
