Cheap flights from London to San Jose

April is the cheapest month on this route, and it lands at the tail of Costa Rica's dry season, before the rains settle in. Fares from London rise through the European summer and again around Christmas and New Year, when school holidays and family visits push demand up. Midweek departures tend to cost less than Friday and Sunday flights, whichever London airport you use. For the dry months from December to April, book well ahead; from May onward the green season brings quieter planes and easier seats.

No airline flies London to San Jose non-stop, so every ticket here is a connecting one, and the airline mix shows it. Wizz Air UK is the low-cost option out of the London airports, while JetBlue Airways, Avianca and AeroMéxico cover the North and Central American legs, often through their own hubs. Air France, KLM Cityhopper, Virgin Atlantic and German Airways sell full-service connections through European gateways, with Iberojet Airlines and Air Transat leaning towards leisure schedules. Low-cost fares usually charge separately for checked bags and seat choice, while full-service tickets often include a bag, so compare the total rather than the headline.

Juan Santamaria is the airport serving San Jose, and it sits outside the city rather than at its edge, so you will need a transfer once you land. Official taxis and ride-hailing apps both run into town, and shared shuttles are a common choice for travellers heading straight to a hotel. There is no rail link, so the road is the only way in, and traffic can stretch the trip at peak times. Change some money at the terminal or use a card machine there rather than relying on street rates, and keep your onward plans flexible if you land late in the evening.

Currency

CRC (₡)

Power sockets

Type A, B · 120 V

Language

Spanish

Emergency number

112, 911

Driving side

right

Calling code

+506

Internet domain

.cr

Population of San Jose

335 k (2025)

Time zone

UTC-06 (America/Costa_Rica)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Check which London airport your ticket uses, since the city has five and they sit far apart.
• Confirm whether the fare includes a checked bag, as low-cost tickets on this route often do not.
• See whether your connection is on one ticket or two, because separate bookings leave you carrying the risk of a missed leg.
• Check the entry rules for Costa Rica and that your passport has enough validity left.
• Compare April fares against the December to April dry season, when demand runs higher.
• Allow for a long journey with at least one change, and pick a connection that gives you a comfortable buffer.