Journey from the UK

How long is the flight to the Canary Islands?

About 4h from London3 to 6 hoursChecked 22 October 2026

About 4 to 4½ hours from the UK, longer than most of Spain because the islands are off the coast of Africa. The Canaries are on the same time as the UK all year.

Under 3 hours
3 to 6 hours
6 to 10 hours
10 hours or more

Rating3 to 6 hours

Areas covered3 on this page

Flights go from almost every UK airport. Lanzarote is a little closer than Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

Getting there

Tenerife South (TFS)3 to 6 hours
Most UK flights. About 4¼ hours.
Lanzarote (ACE)3 to 6 hours
About 4 hours.
Gran Canaria (LPA)3 to 6 hours
About 4¼ hours.

The journey at a glance

Flight from LondonAbout 4h

Distance2,932 km

Time differenceSame time as the UK

Main airportTFS

Straight-line estimate for a direct flight from Heathrow. Real flights often take longer.

Flight times by island

Lanzarote: about 4 hours.
Fuerteventura: about 4 hours.
Tenerife: about 4¼ hours.
Gran Canaria: about 4¼ hours.
La Palma: about 4½ hours, usually with a connection.

Why it's the go-to winter sun

The Canaries are the furthest south you can go in Europe, off the coast of Africa, which is why they stay warm when the Mediterranean doesn't. Flights go from almost every UK airport, there's no time difference, and as part of Spain your GHIC and the usual EU rules apply.

Before you go

Tenerife has two airports. South is closest to the resorts.

Stay and do

Ready to book Canary Islands? Compare places to stay and things to do.

Hotels in Tenerife Tours and tickets in Tenerife

We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. It never affects our ratings.

See the journey filter on the map Canary Islands travel guide Search flights

Questions people ask

Is there a time difference with Tenerife?

No. The Canaries use the same time as the UK.

How long is the flight to Lanzarote?

About 4 hours from the UK, slightly less than Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

Which Tenerife airport is best?

Tenerife South (TFS) is closest to the main resorts.

← All flight times guides

Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.