Direct flight about 1 h 17
Edinburgh from London Gatwick
Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·
From London Gatwick, a nonstop flight gets you in Edinburgh in about 1 h 17. You land at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), 7 miles from the destination, after 357 miles of flight. You can also fly nonstop to GLA (about 1 h 18).
In Edinburgh, the best months for a trip are July and August, with daytime highs up to 18 °C.
7 days in Edinburgh in August, Beach and hiking, from London Gatwick on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from London Gatwick
- about 1 h 17
- Flight distance LGW to EDI
- 357 miles
- Nonstop from LGW to 2 airports
- Direct flight
- Best time to go
- July and August
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Edinburgh from London Gatwick at a Glance
The route serves one of Scotland's most recognisable cities, where castle views, Georgian streets, independent restaurants and nearby landscapes all suit a short holiday.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
ScotlandEdinburgh works particularly well for couples, friends and families who enjoy a compact base with plenty to see. Most visitors use the city as their main stay, then consider a day out for the Scottish countryside or another nearby destination. The scale also suits travellers who prefer a manageable arrival and a clear city itinerary.
A good plan begins with the arrival day rather than filling every moment before a flight. Add your airport transfer, hotel check in and a nearby meal, then place the main attractions according to your pace. HolidayWow can show each day as a route on the map, making the shape of the trip easy to understand before departure.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsScotlandChoosing the Best Time for Your Edinburgh Trip
Edinburgh changes with the seasons, so the best month depends on whether you want long days outdoors, a city culture break or a quieter atmosphere. Spring brings fresh colour to the parks and nearby countryside, while summer gives you the strongest seasonal base for sightseeing and evening walks.
Autumn brings a dramatic city mood and changing views across the surrounding hills. Winter is suited to museums, galleries, food and compact central stays, with weatherproof plans taking priority when you are outdoors. The month data on this page helps you compare the conditions and choose a date range that matches your plans.
Flexible travellers can start with a month, add dates later and then check the weekday cards, live weather and current booking options. That approach works well when your party has different availability. A Bank Holiday planner can also connect UK public holidays with leave days, helping you form a longer break around a city stay.
Building Days Around Edinburgh's Main Sights
Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile form a strong starting point for understanding the city. Follow the historic core towards the Palace of Holyroodhouse, then leave breathing space around the walk. A relaxed pace leaves room for closes, viewpoints, cafés and spontaneous detours through neighbouring streets.
The city also works well beyond its famous landmarks. Arthur's Seat suits walkers who want open views over Edinburgh, while the National Museum of Scotland and other indoor attractions give your itinerary a useful option in changeable weather. Plan nearby sights by area so each day feels purposeful rather than stretched across the whole city.
For a balanced visit, use a relaxed or balanced pace. The relaxed pace suits travellers with one or two stops each day, while the balanced pace fits sightseeing days with a market, meal or nearby viewpoint. HolidayWow can re-order the route after you move a stop, swap an attraction or make a day easier.
Edinburgh from London Gatwick
Edinburgh lies {{dist.home:LGW}} from London Gatwick in a straight line. London Heathrow lies {{dist.home:LHR}} away. Manchester lies {{dist.home:MAN}} away. London Gatwick travellers get the best of Edinburgh in July.
ManchesteriPhoto: mattbuck (category) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFrom London Stansted it is {{dist.home:STN}}. Edinburgh lies {{dist.home:EDI}} away. The plan adds the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares from our partners, and the transfer to your first stay.
ManchesteriPhoto: mattbuck (category) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAirports at the destination
From London Gatwick you fly nonstop to 2 airports nearby. Closest to the destination is Edinburgh Airport, at 7 miles.
- EDIEdinburgh Airport7 miles to the destination, about 1 h 17 from LGW, 357 miles of flightDirect
- GLAGlasgow Airport48 miles to the destination, about 1 h 18 from LGW, 370 miles of flightDirect
Best time to travel in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, the best months for a trip are July and August, with daytime highs up to 18 °C.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Night °C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Sun h/day | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Rain days | 16 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
The best months for Edinburgh
July is the hottest month at 18 °C, while January drops to 5 °C. April is the driest with 11 rain days and July the wettest with 18. May brings the most sun, around 7 hours daily.
- January: 5 °C, 16 rain days, 2 h of sun
- February: 6 °C, 14 rain days, 2 h of sun
- March: 8 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
- April: 10 °C, 11 rain days, 6 h of sun
- May: 13 °C, 14 rain days, 7 h of sun
- June: 16 °C, 15 rain days, 6 h of sun
- July: 18 °C, 18 rain days, 6 h of sun
- August: 18 °C, 17 rain days, 5 h of sun
- September: 16 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
- October: 12 °C, 16 rain days, 3 h of sun
- November: 8 °C, 17 rain days, 2 h of sun
- December: 6 °C, 17 rain days, 1 h of sun
Busy and quiet months in Edinburgh
Monthly search volumes put the peak for Edinburgh in August and the low point in February.
A day in Edinburgh in July
Begin with a long walk while the light is soft. Around midday it reaches 18 °C, ideal for the outdoor highlight of the day. By night it is 11 °C: a cosy restaurant suits the evening.
What to pack for Edinburgh
For July, plan for changeable mild weather: 18 °C in the day, 11 °C after dark, 18 days of rain. The packing list in your plan adjusts itself to the month and the days you pick.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A packable rain jacket or umbrella
- A travel adapter for your chargers
Weather in Edinburgh month by month
- January5 °C
- February6 °C
- March8 °C
- April10 °C
- May13 °C
- June16 °C
- July18 °C
- August18 °C
- September16 °C
- October12 °C
- November8 °C
- December6 °C
Nonstop flights in Edinburgh from other airports
Besides London Gatwick, nonstop flights in Edinburgh leave from 5 other airports; the closest to London Gatwick is London Heathrow, with a flight time of about 1 h 14.
- LGWEdinburgh from London Gatwickabout 1 h 17 to EDI, nonstop
- LHREdinburgh from London Heathrowabout 1 h 14 to EDI, nonstop
- LTNEdinburgh from London Lutonabout 1 h 12 to EDI, nonstop
- STNEdinburgh from London Stanstedabout 1 h 13 to EDI, nonstop
- BRSEdinburgh from Bristolabout 1 h 13 to EDI, nonstop
- BHXEdinburgh from Birminghamabout 1 h 05 to EDI, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Live prices for Edinburgh
Stays, tours and flights for Edinburgh show their live price from our partners, in your currency, right below. We never estimate a price: what you see is what the partner charges today.
Extending the City Break Beyond Edinburgh
Edinburgh makes a good base for a holiday with both city and landscape interests. A day trip can introduce another part of central Scotland, while the return to your Edinburgh stay keeps the accommodation and evening plans simple. Choose a destination that matches the weather and the energy of your group.
The surrounding countryside rewards travellers who enjoy walking, scenery and time outdoors. Keep the day's transport realistic by planning the route before departure and placing the return within the itinerary. This also makes it easier to decide which evening commitments suit the new day's pace.
HolidayWow treats every day as a map route, from the first stop to the final return. You can move a day trip, keep the Edinburgh base and change the pace through the app. Climate data for each month helps with clothing and activity choices, while the packing list reflects the route and the season you are visiting.
Booking, Packing and Preparing for Gatwick
Your booking choices can live in the same plan as your Edinburgh itinerary. HolidayWow shows current prices through partner links in your preferred language and currency, with a live price option where a fare or stay needs a fresh check. This keeps your research organised without turning the page into a fixed price estimate.
Pack for changeable Scottish conditions rather than one outfit for every day. Layers work well for cool mornings, mild afternoons and rain, while sturdy footwear gives you confidence on walks around the city or in the hills. The climate details and generated checklist help connect your packing list to the month and the activities you have chosen.
Keep passports, tickets and confirmations together in the document vault, and share the plan with anyone travelling in your group. Viewers can follow the route while editors make changes, and group members can vote or comment. Large text and voice input are also available for travellers who prefer a different way to organise the trip.
Edinburgh from London Gatwick: frequently asked questions
How far is Edinburgh from London Gatwick?
That distance makes the city accessible for a short northern break, while the itinerary should still account for your airport journey, arrival transfer and the time needed to reach your accommodation.
Can I plan an Edinburgh trip starting with a month?
Yes. HolidayWow can begin with a month and let you add dates later. Once your dates are in place, each day card can show its weekday, live weather and current partner prices, while the map keeps your flights, bases and daily routes together.
What is the easiest pace for visiting Edinburgh?
A relaxed or balanced pace suits many first visits. The relaxed setting places one or two stops in a day, while the balanced setting allows two or three. You can adjust the pace by day, move a stop and let the plan checker reorder the route after each change.
Can my group edit and share an Edinburgh itinerary?
HolidayWow shares one plan through a single link, with viewing and editing roles for different travellers. Group members can vote and comment, so the group can agree on sights, pace and days away from Edinburgh without keeping several separate lists.
Where can I see current flights and booking prices?
The page brings current partner options into the planning experience. You can check live prices and follow partner links in your language and currency for flights, stays, tours and transport, keeping each choice beside the relevant part of your Edinburgh itinerary.
More nonstop destinations from London Gatwick
Plan your trip in Edinburgh from London Gatwick
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