Shenzhen to London (SZX–LHR) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
SZX–LHR is served by 2 airlines with nonstop service. Air China and Shenzhen Airlines lead the route. The flight covers 5,962 miles in approximately 12h 57m. Beyond nonstop, 35 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA Air China | 5 | 330 | 13h25 | – | Star Alliance | – |
| ZH Shenzhen Airlines | 5 | 330 | 12h57 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach London from Shenzhen
| Metric | SZX→LHR | HKG→LHR | CAN→LHR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from SZX | – | 24 mi | 61 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 10 | 43 | 8 |
| Flight time | 12h 57m | 14h 1m | 12h 55m |
Travel Essentials
SZX: CST · LHR: GMT
When it's 6:00 PM in Shenzhen, it's 10:00 AM in London.
Chinese passport holders need a Standard Visitor visa to enter the UK. Apply online through gov.uk and book a biometrics appointment at a VFS Global centre in China. The 6-month visa costs GBP 115. Longer options: 2-year visa is GBP 400, 5-year is GBP 771, 10-year is GBP 963. Processing takes 3 weeks as standard. Priority service (5 business days) costs an extra GBP 500. Super Priority (next business day) costs GBP 1,000 where available.
You will need a completed online form, passport valid for the duration of your stay, financial documents (6 months of bank statements), proof of accommodation, return flight booking, and evidence of ties to China. Employment letters and payslips are expected for employed applicants. Unlike Schengen, the UK does not require travel insurance as part of the application.
The UK is not part of the Schengen area. A Schengen visa does not allow entry to the UK and vice versa. You need separate applications if visiting both.
Shenzhen Metro Line 11 (Airport Express) runs from Futian or Luohu to the airport in 35–50 minutes (¥20–30). Trains run from 6am to around midnight. This is the standard option for arrivals from central Shenzhen and the Hong Kong border crossing at Futian.
Taxis from downtown Shenzhen (Luohu/Futian) cost ¥60–100 and take 30–50 minutes depending on expressway traffic. High-speed rail connections exist but require a shuttle or metro link from Shenzhen North station.
Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes to Paddington (15 min, £25). Piccadilly line is slower (50–60 min) but £5.50 with Oyster. National Express coaches serve all terminals from Victoria (60–90 min, £6–10). Black cabs cost £50–90 to central London depending on traffic and time of day.
Mild maritime climate. Summers average 18–23°C with long daylight hours. Winters are 2–7°C, rarely below freezing. Rain is frequent year-round but rarely heavy. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket regardless of season. Fog can disrupt flights November through February.
SZX–LHR Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from SZX to LHR
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR) are connected by nonstop service from Air China and Shenzhen Airlines. With 10 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
SZX to LHR Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from SZX to LHR ranges from 12 hours 57 minutes to 13 hours 25 minutes. The route covers a distance of 5,962 miles (9,594 km). There are approximately 10 weekly flights outbound and 10 return, totaling 20 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
35 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 20 hours via AUH. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Hong Kong (HKG) and Guangzhou (Huadu) (CAN).