Cheap flights from London to Harare

January is the cheapest month on this route, and the price calendar shows it clearly. Zimbabwe's drier months in the middle of the year are the most comfortable for travelling, while the December holidays lift fares at both ends of the trip. Midweek departures from Heathrow and Gatwick tend to be calmer and cheaper than weekend ones. For the dry season, book a few months ahead; for January, wait for the post-holiday lull, when seats open up again.

Every carrier on this route is a full-service airline, so there is no low-cost option to trade baggage against. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, RwandAir, Uganda Airlines and Air Zimbabwe all fly between London and Harare, some nonstop, most with a single stop. Expect a checked bag, meals and seat selection on the long-haul leg, though the lightest fare families may charge for a preferred seat. Iberia and Accesrail appear as partners on connecting itineraries rather than as the long-haul operator.

Harare has one main airport, and it sits a short drive from the city centre, so the transfer is quick once you clear arrivals. Taxis and ride-hailing apps meet the terminal, and most hotels arrange a pickup if you ask ahead. Agree the fare before you get in, and keep your accommodation address to hand for the drive.

Currency

AUD (AU$)

Power sockets

Type G · 220 V

Language

Zimbabwe Sign Language, Nambya, Northern Ndebele, Sesotho, Barwe, Tonga, Shona, Kalanga, Khoisan, Chewa, Venda, Ndau, Xhosa, English, Tsonga, Tswana

Emergency number

993, 994, 995

Calling code

+263

Internet domain

.zw

Population of Harare

2.2 M (2012)

Time zone

UTC+02 (Africa/Harare)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport you fly from, since Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City serve different connections.
• See whether a checked bag is included, as the lightest fares on this long-haul route often exclude it.
• Leave enough time if the long-haul leg and a regional connection sit on separate tickets.
• Confirm your entry documents for Zimbabwe and enough passport validity.
• Book early for the drier months and stay flexible in January, when fares dip.
• Weigh a nonstop departure against a one-stop option, as timings differ sharply.