Do UK citizens need a visa to enter Nigeria?

Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Nigeria. There is no visa-on-arrival arrangement for British citizens. Applications should be submitted through the Nigeria Immigration Service e-visa portal at portal.immigration.gov.ng. The standard tourist visa is single entry and valid for 30 or 90 days. Yellow fever vaccination is also compulsory — you must carry a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis at check-in and on arrival. Check the FCDO travel guidance at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/nigeria for the latest entry requirements.

Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Nigeria?

British Airways operates direct scheduled services from London Heathrow to Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport with multiple weekly departures. Air Peace, Nigeria's largest private carrier, operates direct services from London Gatwick to Lagos. Both include checked baggage in the base economy fare. Indirect services with one stop via Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and Amsterdam (KLM, via connection) are also available and in some booking windows offer lower fares than direct options.

How long is the flight from London to Lagos?

The direct flight from London to Lagos is approximately six hours thirty minutes. The flight from London to Abuja is similar in duration. One-stop connections via Amsterdam, Brussels, Casablanca or Istanbul add approximately one to three hours to the total journey time depending on the layover. Connections via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines typically take eight to ten hours total depending on the specific connection. When comparing options, the total door-to-door travel time including check-in, connection waits and any airport transfers is worth calculating alongside the flight time itself.

What is the best time to visit Nigeria?

Nigeria has two main seasons: the wet season, which runs from approximately April to October in the south (including Lagos and Abuja), and the dry season, which runs from November to March. For most European visitors, the dry season is preferable for comfort: temperatures are high but the absence of heavy rain makes travel easier. December and January bring harmattan — a dry, dusty wind from the Sahara — which can cause haze and visibility reductions but also cooler evenings than the hot wet season. The Christmas and New Year period is the peak travel season for the Nigerian diaspora visiting family and for festivals, with fares and demand at their highest. January and February offer the best combination of pleasant dry weather and lower fares from Europe.

Is Abuja or Lagos the better arrival airport?

The choice depends on your Nigeria itinerary. If your primary destination is Lagos — the commercial capital, where most business, culture and diaspora family connections are concentrated — fly into Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport (LOS). If your primary destination is Abuja, the federal capital and seat of government, fly into Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport (ABV). Several European carriers serve both airports. If you intend to visit both cities, it is often practical to arrive into one and depart from the other, using domestic services on Air Peace or other Nigerian carriers between the two cities — the Lagos to Abuja domestic route is one of the busiest in Africa.

What is a realistic budget for flights to Nigeria from Europe?

Return economy fares from London to Lagos start from around £350 to £450 on indirect one-stop routings in shoulder season when booked eight to twelve weeks ahead. Direct economy return fares from London on British Airways typically start from around £550 in shoulder season. Air Peace has offered promotional direct fares closer to £400 return in certain booking windows. From France and Germany, economy return fares via European hubs start from around 400 to 600 euros. Peak summer and Christmas fares from all origins are considerably higher — British Airways London to Lagos economy can exceed £1,000 return in the Christmas period. Flexible date searching and a comparison of direct versus one-stop options is advisable on this corridor.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate to fly to Nigeria?

Yes. Yellow fever vaccination and a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) are mandatory for entry to Nigeria. Airlines will check the certificate at check-in in Europe, and Nigerian immigration may check on arrival. Travellers who cannot present a valid certificate may be refused boarding. The yellow fever vaccine is available at travel clinics across the UK and Europe and typically requires at least ten days to become effective before travel. Check with a travel health clinic or GP at least four to six weeks before departure to allow time for vaccination and other recommended travel health precautions for Nigeria.

Flights to Nigeria from Europe 2026: Airlines, Routes and Everything You Need to Know - Flugalternativen

Complete guide to flying to Nigeria from Europe in 2026. Airlines, routes, fares, airports at Lagos and Abuja, visa requirements, and how to find the best connections from the UK, France, Germany and beyond.