London to Funchal (LHR–FNC) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Portugal (and the entire Schengen Area) visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can request proof of accommodation, return travel, and sufficient funds (Portugal suggests EUR 75 per day or EUR 40 per day plus confirmed accommodation). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen states. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026.

Direct flights from London to Lisbon run about 2 hours 40 minutes, to Faro about 2 hours 50 minutes. Portugal uses the euro. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals. Post-Brexit, UK nationals use non-EU passport lanes at Portuguese airports. A UK driving license is valid for short visits. The Algarve and Madeira are popular UK corridors with high frequency from multiple London airports plus regional departures from Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh.

Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.