Overview
Venezuela sits on the northern edge of South America, where Caribbean coastline, the Andes and the vast Gran Sabana all fall within one country. It is a genuine long-haul trip from the UK, and there is currently no direct service, so every routing involves at least one change of plane, usually in Europe. This guide explains how UK travellers reach Venezuela, which airlines to compare for cheap flights to Venezuela, and how to time your booking. For live fares, use the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Venezuela
Venezuela is tropical and warm all year. The dry season runs roughly from December to April and is the easiest time for beaches, the Andes and general touring, which also makes it the busiest and most expensive period, particularly around Christmas and Easter. The green season, May to November, brings afternoon downpours but lower fares and quieter sites. If Angel Falls is your priority, the wetter months from around June to November give the fullest flow and the most reliable river access. The When to book chart above shows how prices move through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Almost all UK travellers arrive at Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Maiquetía, on the coast about 45 minutes from central Caracas via the motorway. Other airports include La Chinita (MAR) in Maracaibo, Del Caribe (PMV) on Margarita Island and Arturo Michelena (VLN) in Valencia, though these are normally reached on a domestic connection from Caracas.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from London or any other UK airport to Venezuela. The most common one-stop options connect through Madrid with Iberia or Air Europa, through Lisbon with TAP Air Portugal, through Paris with Air France, or through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. For flights from London to Venezuela the Madrid connection is usually the shortest; from Manchester you would typically route via Madrid, Paris or Lisbon with a short first leg. Copa Airlines via Panama City is worth a look if you are combining Venezuela with the rest of Latin America.
Popular places to visit in Venezuela
- Angel Falls & Canaima: the world's tallest waterfall, reached by light aircraft and river boat through Canaima National Park.
- Los Roques: a Caribbean archipelago of white sand and turquoise shallows, a short hop by small plane from Caracas.
- Mérida & the Andes: mountain towns, páramo scenery and one of the world's highest cable cars.
- Isla de Margarita: Venezuela's best-known beach island, with resorts, watersports and colonial forts.
- Lake Maracaibo: home of the Catatumbo lightning, an almost nightly electrical storm over the water.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Venezuela
- Book around two to three months ahead and check the When to book chart above before you commit.
- Compare the Madrid, Lisbon and Paris connections, as the cheapest carrier changes by season and travel date.
- Travel in the green season and avoid Christmas, Easter and Venezuelan public holidays.
- Set a fare alert and watch the price charts on this page for a few weeks before buying.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days and are issued an entry stamp on arrival; your passport should be valid for at least six months. The currency is the bolívar, but US dollars in cash are widely used by visitors and foreign cards are often not accepted, so carry enough cash for your trip. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before booking, as it can affect your travel insurance. To time your purchase, use the price charts and the When to book chart above.
