Flights to the Dominican Republic from the UK
The Dominican Republic offers the classic Caribbean in one place: white-sand beaches along the Punta Cana coast, mountains and Spanish colonial streets inland, and some of the best-value all-inclusive resorts in the region. For UK travellers it is a well-served long-haul route, with direct flights in winter and one-stop options all year round. This hub covers every Dominican airport we fly to, so you can compare fares across gateways in one place.
Best time to fly to the Dominican Republic
The island stays warm all year, typically 28-31C on the coast. The dry season from December to April is the most popular time to visit, with lower humidity and reliable sunshine, and fares peak around Christmas, New Year and the February half-term. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, with the greatest storm risk between August and October. Late April, May and early December usually give the best mix of good weather and softer prices. See the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Main gateway cities and airports
- Punta Cana (PUJ): the busiest arrival point and gateway to the Bavaro and Uvero Alto resort strip; most UK direct flights land here.
- Santo Domingo (SDQ): Las Americas International serves the capital and its UNESCO-listed Colonial City, usually reached via a connection.
- Puerto Plata (POP): Gregorio Luperon International covers the north coast, including Playa Dorada, Sosua and Cabarete.
- La Romana (LRM) and Samana (AZS): smaller airports handy for Casa de Campo, Bayahibe and the Samana peninsula.
Airlines and routes
TUI Airways runs the main direct service, flying from London Gatwick and Manchester to Punta Cana, with some seasonal departures to Puerto Plata. British Airways also flies direct from Gatwick to Punta Cana in the winter season. Direct flight time is around nine hours from London and a little longer from Manchester. To reach Santo Domingo, or for more choice of dates, connecting routes run through Madrid with Iberia and Air Europa, or through Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt with Air France, KLM and Condor. Connecting via a US hub such as Miami needs an approved ESTA even for a plane change.
Popular places to visit in the Dominican Republic
- Punta Cana and Bavaro: miles of palm-backed beach and the country's largest cluster of all-inclusive resorts.
- Santo Domingo: the oldest European city in the Americas, with a walkable colonial quarter of cobbled streets and 16th-century buildings.
- Samana Peninsula: humpback whales gather in the bay from January to March, alongside waterfalls and quiet coves.
- Puerto Plata and Cabarete: the north coast for kitesurfing, a cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and Victorian architecture.
- Jarabacoa: cool mountain country for river rafting, hiking and the climb up Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's highest peak.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to the Dominican Republic
- Travel in the shoulder weeks of late April, May or early December for lower demand and still-reliable weather.
- Compare Gatwick and Manchester departures, and weigh a direct flight against a one-stop European connection, which can be cheaper outside school holidays.
- Book winter-sun trips several months ahead, as Christmas, New Year and half-term seats sell out early and rarely drop in price.
- Use the price charts on this page to find the cheapest months and plan your dates around them.
Travel essentials
British passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days, but you must complete the free online E-Ticket form before both arrival and departure. The former tourist card fee is now included in your airfare, and your passport should be valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the Dominican peso, though US dollars are widely accepted in resorts; carry some cash for tips and smaller shops. For the best fares, book early for winter and school holidays and check the When to book chart above.
