Qantas and connecting routes, current UK ETA rules and what to expect after the world's longest regular journey — plus a fixed-fare transfer waiting when you land.
Qantas flies non-stop from Perth to London Heathrow in around 17 hours; from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane most journeys connect through a hub such as Singapore, Doha or Dubai, taking 22–24 hours door to door. Australian citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, not a full visa, for stays under six months. Book your Heathrow transfer before you fly so a driver is waiting after a very long journey.
This page pulls together everything you need on Australia to Heathrow in one place — how it works, what to expect and the questions we are asked most — so you can decide and book with confidence. Prefer to talk it through? Call us any time on +44 (0) 158 282 4631 for a fixed-fare quote.
Australia to London is one of the longest regular routes in the world, so most journeys involve at least one stop. Qantas flies non-stop from Perth to Heathrow, one of the few true "kangaroo route" direct services; from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and other east-coast cities, the common options connect through Singapore (Singapore Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways), Dubai (Emirates) or Hong Kong, adding several hours to the total journey but often at a lower fare.
Perth direct on Qantas: around 17 hours.
Sydney/Melbourne via a Gulf or Asian hub: roughly 22–24 hours total.
Layovers of 1.5–3 hours are typical at connecting hubs.
British Airways also codeshares on some Qantas Kangaroo Route services.
Australian passport holders do not need a full visa for a short tourist or business visit to the UK (normally up to six months). Since the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme became fully mandatory in February 2026, Australian travellers do need an ETA applied for online before departure — a faster, lighter process than a visa, currently costing a small fee and valid for multiple trips over roughly two years. If your journey connects through a country such as the UAE or Qatar, check that stopover country's own transit rules separately, as they are unrelated to your UK ETA. Always confirm current UK requirements on the official government website before you fly.
Qantas and its oneworld partners typically use Terminal 3 at Heathrow, alongside American Airlines and Emirates, while British Airways uses Terminal 5 — check the terminal on your boarding pass or airline app, as it can change and may differ from your connecting flight's terminal. After landing you clear UK Border Force, where ETA holders can normally use the e-gates with a valid passport, then collect luggage and head into arrivals, where your driver will be waiting if you have booked a transfer.
The UK uses pounds sterling (GBP); contactless card payment, including Australian cards, is accepted almost everywhere in London, so carrying much cash is rarely necessary. London is roughly 9–11 hours behind Australian time depending on the state and time of year, since Australia and the UK observe daylight saving on opposite halves of the calendar — this is one of the more disorientating jet lag adjustments of any route, so many travellers build in a quiet first day. Tipping in the UK is lighter than tends to be assumed — restaurant service charges are often already included, and tipping a minicab driver is appreciated but not expected.
After 20+ hours of travel and one or two stops, the last thing most Australian travellers want is to queue for a taxi or work out an unfamiliar train system. Booking your transfer with Airport Move before you leave Australia means the price is fixed in advance, your driver has your final flight number and adjusts to your real landing time if a connection runs late, and you are taken straight to your hotel or address — door to door, no further decisions required.
No, not for a standard tourist or short business visit. You do need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), applied for online before you travel, which is a separate and usually quicker process than a visa.
Around 17 hours non-stop on Qantas from Perth, or roughly 22–24 hours total from Sydney or Melbourne when connecting through a hub such as Singapore, Doha or Dubai.
Yes, Qantas operates a non-stop Perth–Heathrow service. Most flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane connect through Asia or the Gulf rather than flying direct.
It depends on the final leg of your journey — commonly Terminal 3 for Qantas and oneworld partners, or Terminal 5 for British Airways — always check your boarding pass, as it can differ from your connecting flight.
Possibly, depending on where you connect and whether you leave the airport. Transit rules for hubs like Dubai, Doha or Singapore are separate from your UK ETA, so check the stopover country's own requirements.
With Airport Move the fare is fixed and quoted before you travel based on your exact pickup and drop-off, so there is no meter and no surge pricing — get an instant quote for your address.
It is not required, but booking ahead locks in your price and means a driver already has your flight details, particularly useful after a 20+ hour journey when you would rather not make more decisions on arrival.
Roughly 9–11 hours, depending on which Australian state and the time of year, since Australia and the UK are on opposite daylight saving cycles.
Not much. Contactless card payment, including Australian cards, is widely accepted across London, including for your Airport Move transfer, though a little cash is useful for occasional card-free exceptions.
It is appreciated but not expected — there is no set percentage, and it is entirely at your discretion.
This page is written and reviewed by the Airport Move operations team, a London-licensed private-hire operator based at 450 Bath Rd, near Heathrow. We arrange fixed-fare airport, station, cruise-port and door-to-door transfers across London and the UK every day. Need help? Call +44 (0) 158 282 4631 or email booking@airportmove.co.uk.
Last updated: 28 July 2026
