Flights to London from Copenhagen | Pick The Right Airport

Heathrow is the easiest London arrival from Copenhagen; Gatwick and Stansted often win on fare.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights to London from Copenhagen, the practical choice is less about airtime and more about which London airport saves you the most ground time. The nonstop flight itself is short, usually around 2 hours, but London’s airport spread can add 30 to 90 minutes after landing.

The strongest all-around pick is London Heathrow Airport (LHR), especially if you are staying in central or west London, using British Airways, or connecting onward. London Gatwick Airport (LGW) is a good fare play for south London, Brighton, or Victoria. London Stansted Airport (STN) is often the low-cost option, but the airport sits far northeast of the city.

Start by comparing the flight time, baggage rules, arrival airport, and transfer cost together. A cheaper fare into Stansted can lose its edge if you arrive late, pay for cabin bags, then spend extra time and money reaching central London.

Once you know your dates, compare the London airport options together before you lock in the fare:

Copenhagen To London Flights: Airport Options Compared

Copenhagen to London flights mainly work through three nonstop airport pairs: Copenhagen Airport (CPH) to Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted. London City, Luton, and Southend usually mean a connection from Copenhagen, so they rarely beat the nonstop choices unless the fare is unusually low.

Current route data shows the most frequent nonstop service into Heathrow, with British Airways and SAS operating the route. Gatwick is served by easyJet and Norwegian, while Stansted is served by Ryanair and Ryanair UK.

  • Pick Heathrow for the simplest arrival, better onward connections, and easier access to Paddington, the West End, and west London.
  • Pick Gatwick for lower fares, south London, Victoria, London Bridge, or trips that continue to the south coast.
  • Pick Stansted when the fare gap is big enough to justify the longer airport transfer and stricter low-cost airline rules.

Which London Airport Should You Choose?

The right London airport from Copenhagen depends on where you are sleeping in London, not just which flight is cheapest. Heathrow is the safest default for most visitors, Gatwick is strong for south-side stays, and Stansted is a budget pick with a longer ride into town.

Use this table as the decision frame before comparing fares. The flight time difference between the main nonstop airports is small; the transfer, baggage rules, and arrival hour usually matter more.

Choice Strong Pick What It Means
Most convenient London arrival Heathrow (LHR) About 2h10 nonstop; British Airways and SAS serve the route
Lowest simple fare potential Stansted (STN) About 1h55 nonstop; Ryanair and Ryanair UK serve the route
Good balance for south London Gatwick (LGW) About 2h05 nonstop; easyJet and Norwegian serve the route
Most weekly nonstop choice Heathrow (LHR) Route data shows about 58 weekly CPH-LHR flights
Cheaper airline mix Gatwick or Stansted Both rely on low-cost carriers, so baggage can change the final cost
Canary Wharf or the City Heathrow or Gatwick London City usually requires a stop from Copenhagen, so nonstop airports often win
Late-night arrivals Heathrow or Gatwick Stansted has late flights too, but the transfer is longer after midnight

Booking Strategy For Cheaper Fares

Cheaper Copenhagen-to-London fares usually come from flying midweek, comparing all London airports, and checking the full baggage cost before payment. A bare low-cost fare can look excellent until a carry-on bag, seat selection, and airport transfer are added.

Search with “London all airports” first, then filter down once you know the real total. For a weekend trip, a Friday evening fare into Stansted may be worse than a Saturday morning Heathrow fare if the late arrival forces a taxi or a more awkward train connection.

Flight schedules change by season and date, so check your exact departure day before committing. Copenhagen Airport’s official departures page lets you search by city, airline, flight number, or date for same-day flight status.

Fare check: compare the ticket plus cabin bag, checked bag, seat fee, and airport transfer. The lowest headline fare is not always the lowest trip cost.

How Early Should You Arrive At Copenhagen Airport?

Copenhagen Airport is efficient, but travelers should still arrive about 2 hours before a short-haul international flight to London. Add extra time during school holidays, early-morning departure banks, or if you need to check a bag.

US travelers should treat London as an international arrival, even though the flight is short. Passport checks happen on arrival in the United Kingdom, and airline document checks can still slow the Copenhagen side if your booking or passport details need review.

Copenhagen Airport has train and metro links from the city, so the airport run is usually straightforward. The weak point is not the city-to-airport ride; the weak point is arriving too close to boarding when security is busy or your airline has a strict bag-drop cutoff.

Where To Stay After Landing In London

London hotel choice should follow your arrival airport and your first full day in the city. Heathrow works well for Paddington, Kensington, Mayfair, and the West End; Gatwick suits Victoria, South Bank, and south London; Stansted is easiest for Liverpool Street, Shoreditch, and parts of east London.

If you land late, staying near the rail line you will use the next morning can save more stress than shaving a few dollars off the room. Paddington is practical after Heathrow, Victoria is practical after Gatwick, and Liverpool Street is practical after Stansted.

Use a map view before booking, because London distances can look small and still take 35 minutes by Tube or train:

The Right Pick For Each Traveler

The best flight from Copenhagen to London is the one that keeps the whole trip simple after landing. For most first-time visitors, Heathrow is the cleanest choice because it has frequent nonstop service and strong rail links into central London.

Pick your route like this:

  • First London trip: choose Heathrow unless Gatwick or Stansted is much cheaper.
  • Lowest fare hunter: check Stansted first, then add bag fees and the train into London.
  • South London or Brighton plans: choose Gatwick for the cleaner onward route.
  • Business or onward connections: choose Heathrow for airline choice and schedule depth.
  • Late arrival: choose the airport with the easiest rail or Tube route to your hotel, not just the cheapest fare.

For a short city break, pay a little more for the airport that lands you closest to your hotel area. For a longer trip, the cheaper fare may be fine if you have time to absorb the transfer. Either way, compare the full cost before you buy: flight, bags, seat, arrival time, and the ride into London.

References & Sources

  • Copenhagen Airport.“Departures.”Official airport page for checking live Copenhagen Airport departures by city, airline, flight number, or date.