London to Puerto Plata (LHR–POP) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter the Dominican Republic visa-free for up to 30 days. A tourist card is included in the airline ticket price (was previously $10 at the airport, now bundled since April 2018). Passport must be valid for the duration of the stay. Extensions of up to 120 days total are available at the Direccion General de Migracion in Santo Domingo for RD$1,500 to RD$5,000 depending on overstay length.

You need a return or onward ticket. Immigration occasionally asks for hotel reservations but rarely requests proof of funds. Fill out the eTicket form (eticket.migracion.gob.do) within 72 hours of departure, covering both customs and immigration in one digital form. Paper forms are still available on the plane as backup.

Direct flights from London Gatwick to Punta Cana run about 9 hours on British Airways and TUI. Santo Domingo connections add about 1 hour of domestic transit. The Dominican peso (DOP) trades at roughly 60 DOP per $1. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist zones. No vaccination requirements for direct UK arrivals. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country.

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.