London to San José (Alajuela) (LHR–SJO) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
While no nonstop service exists between LHR and SJO, connecting options are available through 31 hubs.
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach San José (Alajuela) from London
| Metric | LHR→SJO | LGW→SJO | LTN→SJO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from LHR | – | 25 mi | 28 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Travel Essentials
LHR: GMT · SJO: CST
When it's 6:00 PM in London, it's 12:00 PM in San José (Alajuela).
British passport holders enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 180 days. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least one blank page.
You need proof of onward travel (a return flight or bus ticket out of Costa Rica). Immigration may ask for evidence of sufficient funds ($100 per month of intended stay). Complete the Digital Health Pass (salud.go.cr) before arrival. Extensions beyond 180 days are not available; you must leave the country and re-enter. The standard border run to Panama or Nicaragua resets the clock.
No direct flights from the UK to Costa Rica exist. Common one-stop routings connect via Madrid (Iberia), Miami, or Houston, with total journey times of 13 to 16 hours. Costa Rica uses the Costa Rican colon (CRC), trading at roughly 510 CRC per $1. US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas. No vaccination requirements for UK arrivals, but hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are recommended. Costa Rica charges a $29 departure tax, included in the airfare since 2015.
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.
LHR–SJO Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Connecting Options and Alternatives
31 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 3 hours via LTN. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include London (LGW) and Luton, Luton (LTN).