Overview
Tucked on the banks of the Rio Grande, Laredo is one of the busiest border crossings in the United States and a genuinely distinctive stop for travellers curious about Texan-Mexican culture. It's not a typical UK holiday destination, but for visiting family, business trips tied to the city's huge trade sector, or a detour into South Texas, flights to Laredo are more straightforward than you might expect once you know the routing.
Best time to fly to Laredo
Laredo has a hot semi-arid climate, so summers (June to September) are intensely hot, often exceeding 38°C, which can make sightseeing uncomfortable. The most pleasant months to visit are October through April, when daytime temperatures are warm rather than searing. February is especially lively thanks to the Washington's Birthday Celebration, a month-long festival unique to the city. Use the When to book chart above to spot the periods when fares from the UK tend to dip.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Laredo, so every journey involves at least one connection via a major US hub. The most common routing is London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth with American Airlines, followed by a short connecting flight operated by American Eagle down to Laredo International Airport. Some itineraries route via Houston instead, connecting onto United Airlines services. The transatlantic leg takes around nine to ten hours, with the onward connection adding roughly ninety minutes, so allow a full travel day including layover time.
Things to do in Laredo
Laredo blends Texan and Mexican heritage in a way few US cities can match.
- San Agustin Plaza and Cathedral: The historic heart of the city, lined with colonial-era buildings and a striking cathedral.
- Republic of the Rio Grande Museum: A small but fascinating museum telling the story of the short-lived republic once centred here.
- Lake Casa Blanca International State Park: A welcome green space for boating, fishing and walking away from the city heat.
- Laredo Center for the Arts: Rotating exhibitions from regional and Mexican-American artists in a converted historic building.
- Washington's Birthday Celebration: If your trip lands in February, this month-long festival of parades and events is unlike anything else in Texas.
At Laredo International Airport (LRD)
Laredo International Airport sits only around three miles from downtown, making it one of the more convenient US airports for reaching the city centre. Taxis and rideshare services are readily available outside arrivals and take roughly ten minutes into town. Given Laredo's spread-out, driving-oriented layout, many visitors choose to pick up a hire car at the airport for the rest of their stay.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Laredo
- Book your transatlantic leg six to ten weeks ahead where possible, then add the Laredo connection separately if it works out cheaper.
- Flying midweek, particularly Tuesday or Wednesday, tends to bring lower fares on the US domestic connecting leg.
- Stay flexible on which US hub you connect through — Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston both offer viable routings, and one is often noticeably cheaper.
- Compare American Airlines and United side by side using the price charts on this page before booking.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need either a valid ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program or a US visa before travelling; apply for your ESTA well in advance of departure. The currency is the US Dollar, so it's worth checking the exchange rate against the pound before you go. No special vaccinations are required for this trip, though standard travel insurance covering the US is strongly recommended given the cost of healthcare there.
