SkyTeam member China Eastern Airlines offers this last-minute deal from London to Japan’s biggest hubs, Tokyo and Osaka, starting at £408 (~€476) This fare includes 2×23 kg of checked luggage, which you can easily fill given the very favorable exchange rate with the British Pound and the Japanese Yen. Departures are available in March.
Our availability calendar highlights all possible flight dates at the lowest price for trips up to 28 days. It will forward you to Kayak with your selected flight dates.
For the flight from Heathrow to Shanghai, you will fly with China Eastern Boeing 777 with a 3-4-3 configuration, and from Gatwick, you will fly with China Eastern Airbus 330 with a 2-4-2 configuration. The flights from Shanghai to Japan vary from flight to flight, but most of them are in widebody planes like the Boeing 787 (3-3-3), Airbus A350 (3-3-3), or Airbus A330 (2-4-2).
Search & Book
This deal doesn’t have an expiration date but a maximum stay of twelve months applies. Available dates are in March.
You can book the trip with an open jaw ticket, flying to Osaka and leaving from Tokyo or the other way around for an extra £20 (~€23). This way, you can save money on your train pass and the time of not having to come back to the same city for your inbound flight.
You can find suitable dates using our calendar above or with the help of Google Flights. We recommend booking directly on China Eastern’s website, but you can find cheaper prices with kayak. Since the tool might show you slightly cheaper (max. £2 savings) results with far longer layovers first, it can be sensible to switch search results from Cheapest to Best. Please be aware that booking on OTAs has its downsides.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
This ticket is issued in booking class Z. Here are the miles and points you can earn from this deal from London to Tokyo:
- 4,116 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 3,430 RDM + 686 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
Destination
Information & Tips for Japan
Japan, the ‘land of the rising sun’, is located in the east of Asia and is one of the most popular travel destinations on the continent. Big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto convince urban fans while ski fans get their money’s worth in Hokkaido and Tohoku.
Flights to Japan are usually a little more expensive than comparable offers to other destinations in Asia, but there are exceptions, and you can sometimes find bargains.
Best travel time
Since the country consists of many climatic zones it is hard to name a perfect time for travelling to Japan. However, summer should usually be avoided, as June is dominated by the rainy season and July and August offer sweltering temperatures with high humidity.
Visa
Most European citizens do not need a visa to enter Japan for a stay of up to 180 days if they do not want to work, study or train. Travelers that arrive under these conditions without a visa will be granted a residence permit as a “Temporary Visitor” for an initial period of 90 days upon entering the country at the airport.
Finding the Best eSIM Plan
We’ve compared various eSIM providers, such as YohoMobile and Nomad. To see which plan is best for your travel needs, and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:
The Best eSIM Plans for Japan 🇯🇵 Compared
→ All Dealz for Japan
Information & Tips for Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan’s capital and the world’s most populous metropolis as well as one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns, and villages west of the city center.
Today, Tokyo offers a great choice of shopping, entertainment, and culture to its visitors. The city’s history can be appreciated in many excellent museums, historic temples, and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers many attractive green spaces in the city center.
Best Time to Visit
You can visit Tokyo at any time of year because of its moderate weather. However, the best times to visit Tokyo are from September to November and March to May. Summer in Tokyo is hot and humid and should be avoided.
Although winter in Tokyo is cold, it is not too cold for travel.
Three attractions in Tokyo
- Tsukiji Outer Market
A market for fresh seafood. A very vibrant place with lots to see (and smell). - Akihabara
District for electronic and otaku goods. What one might have in mind when thinking of Tokyo. Newest gadgets to be found. - Koishikawa Korakuen
Landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome. An oasis of calm in the middle of a bustling city.
Airports Narita & Haneda
The Tokyo Metropolitan Region has two international airports: Narita and Haneda. Narita is the airport where most flights from Europe will arrive. Tokyo-Narita is located 55 kilometers east of Tokyo city center and is served by the Narita Express. The journey time between the city center and the airport is approximately one hour.
Only a few international airlines fly to Haneda. From Haneda, which is south of the city center, it is much easier to get to Tokyo city center. The JR Tokyo Monorail System takes you to Hamamatsucho Station, which is not far from Tokyo Station.
→ All Dealz for Tokyo
Cover Picture: Johannes Kinast