Journey from the UK
How long is the flight to Orlando?
About 9h from London6 to 10 hoursChecked 22 October 2026
About 9 to 10 hours direct to Orlando, and around 8½ coming home. Florida is 5 hours behind the UK. Direct flights have run from Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and other regional airports.
- Under 3 hours
- 3 to 6 hours
- 6 to 10 hours
- 10 hours or more
Rating6 to 10 hours
Areas covered3 on this page
For families, the time difference works well: children wake early on the first few days, which is perfect for beating the park queues.
Getting there
- Orlando (MCO)6 to 10 hours
The main airport for Disney and Universal.
- Orlando Sanford6 to 10 hours
Used by some charter flights. Further from the parks.
- Miami and Tampa6 to 10 hours
Similar flight times.
The journey at a glance
Flight from LondonAbout 9h
Distance6,966 km
Time difference-5 h
Main airportMCO
Straight-line estimate for a direct flight from Heathrow. Real flights often take longer.
Getting from the airport
- To Disney and Universal: about 20 to 30 minutes by car.
- Car hire is the most popular choice, as the parks are spread out.
- Brightline trains link Orlando airport to Miami.
- Orlando Sanford is about 45 minutes further north.
Flying with children
- Book seats together early, especially on charter flights.
- Pack snacks, headphones and downloads. Inflight entertainment can be patchy.
- Use the jet lag: early wake-ups help you beat park queues on day one.
- Allow time at US immigration, which can take over an hour at busy times.
Before you go
- Pack snacks and entertainment for children. It's a long day.
- Check your ESTA is valid before you fly.
Stay and do
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Questions people ask
Can I fly direct to Orlando from Manchester?
There have long been direct flights from Manchester. Check the current schedule.
What is the time difference with Orlando?
Florida is 5 hours behind the UK.
Which airport is best for Disney World?
Orlando International (MCO) is closest. Orlando Sanford is further from the parks.