Overview
Libya lies on North Africa's Mediterranean coast and holds some of the world's finest Roman and Greek ruins, from Leptis Magna to Cyrene. For UK travellers it is very much a specialist destination: there are no direct flights to Libya, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to Libya. Read the latest FCDO guidance, confirm your travel insurance is valid and take specialist advice before booking.
Best time to fly to Libya
The coast has a Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild, damp winters — while the Sahara is baking by day and cold at night. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable months for Tripoli, Benghazi and the desert, with coastal summers often passing 35°C. The When to book chart above shows how fares shift through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Connecting flights generally arrive into Mitiga International Airport (MJI) in Tripoli, the capital's working airport around 8km from the centre; Benina International Airport (BEN) for Benghazi in the east; and Misrata International Airport (MRA) on the central coast.
Airlines and routes
No UK airline serves Libya and there are no nonstop flights from London, Manchester or anywhere else in the UK. Every routing involves at least one connection — commonly Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (serving Misrata and Benghazi), Tunisair via Tunis, or EgyptAir via Cairo. Libyan carriers such as Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways operate regional flights but do not fly to the UK and face EU/UK restrictions. Expect roughly 9 to 14 hours from London including the connection, and longer from Manchester or Scotland.
Popular places to visit in Libya
- Leptis Magna: one of the best-preserved Roman cities anywhere, on the coast east of Tripoli.
- Sabratha: a dramatic seaside Roman theatre and temples west of the capital.
- Ghadames: an ancient mud-brick oasis town near the Algerian border, known as the 'pearl of the desert'.
- Cyrene: sweeping Greek and Roman ruins set in the green hills of the east.
- Tripoli Medina: a walled old town of Ottoman houses, souqs and the Red Castle museum.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Libya
- Compare routings via Istanbul, Tunis and Cairo — prices and journey times vary widely; use the price charts on this page.
- Avoid the summer and Eid holidays, when demand from the Libyan diaspora peaks.
- Book two to three months ahead rather than at the last minute, as seats on the single daily connections are rarely cheap late on.
- Keep your dates flexible and set a fare alert so you are notified when prices dip.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders must arrange a visa before travelling, normally through a Libyan sponsor or licensed tour operator; your passport needs at least six months' validity and no Israeli stamps. The currency is the Libyan dinar (LYD), and as UK cards are rarely accepted you should carry US dollars or euros to exchange. For timing your booking, check the When to book chart above, and speak to one of our advisers first given the current FCDO advice against all travel.
