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The short answer
No official source names a single best week to book December flights from London to Lagos. Cheaper fare levels on peak dates sell first, so fix your dates early, compare the full price including bags, check passports and visas, and book once you see a fare you can accept.
December is the busiest time of year on the London to Lagos route for Nigerian families, and the price of a ticket depends far more on when you book and which dates you choose than on luck. There is no published rule that says a fare will be lowest on a particular day, and anyone who gives you an exact "best week to book" is guessing. What you can control is the set of things that push prices up, and the documents that must be ready before you commit. This guide covers both.
Why December fares rise as the date gets closer
Airlines sell seats on each flight in fare levels, sometimes called fare buckets. The cheapest levels have a limited number of seats; once they sell, the next booking is offered at a higher level. On routes where many people want the same dates, the cheap levels go early. That is why the fare for 18 December can look very different in August and in November, even on the same flight.
The main price drivers you can work with are:
- Departure date: flights just before Christmas and returns in the first days of January are in highest demand among diaspora travellers.
- Day of the week: midweek departures are often less in demand than weekends; compare several days rather than one.
- Direct or connecting: a connection through another hub may cost less but adds time, and the baggage rules may change between airlines.
- Airport: London Heathrow and Gatwick, and other UK airports with connections, may price differently for the same dates.
- Fare type: the cheapest fares may include no checked bag at all. British Airways, for example, describes its Economy Basic fare as hand baggage only, with hold bags costing extra.
- Changeability: flexible fares cost more but can save money if your plans move.
A sensible booking approach
- Fix your dates first. Agree school term dates, leave from work and the event you are travelling for, such as a wedding or a burial, before you search.
- Watch prices early. Start checking fares months before December so you know the normal range, and set price alerts on two or three dates.
- Compare the full price. Add checked bags, seat selection and any card fee to each option. A cheaper headline fare with no bag can end up costing more.
- Book direct where you can. If a flight is cancelled or changed, it is usually simpler to deal with the airline you booked with.
- Book once you see a fare you can accept. Waiting for a fall on peak December dates is a gamble, because the cheapest levels may not return.
Documents to have ready before you book
A cheap fare is wasted if someone cannot travel.
- GOV.UK's Nigeria entry requirements say a passport should be valid for six months after arrival. If a Nigerian passport is close to expiry, see Nigerian passport renewal in London before you book.
- Travellers on British passports, including UK-born children, need a Nigerian visa obtained before travel through the NIS portal; GOV.UK says visa on arrival is no longer available. See which passport dual nationals should use.
- The same page lists a yellow fever certificate, with exemptions for infants aged 8 months or younger and adults aged 61 or over.
- Make sure the name on the ticket matches the passport exactly.
Baggage: the hidden part of a December fare
Families travelling home at Christmas often carry gifts, so the bag allowance can matter as much as the fare. British Airways' baggage page sets out allowances by cabin: one checked bag of up to 23kg in Economy, two in Premium Economy on most routes, and two of up to 32kg in Business, with no checked bag allowed over 32kg. Its help centre says bags between 23kg and 32kg attract a heavy bag charge if they are over your allowance, and that adding extra bags online before check-in costs less than at the airport. Other airlines publish their own rules; check the one you book. Our guide to excess baggage costs goes into detail.
Budgeting for the ticket
Treat the flight as the first line of a wider trip budget. Our December family budget walks through the other costs. If you set aside a fixed amount each month from early in the year, a ticket bought in late summer becomes easier to pay for in one go.
Where Pryme fits
If you save towards the trip in pounds and spend part of it in naira when you arrive, a Pryme Personal Account holds both currencies, and Swap converts only when you choose. The app shows the rate and the fee before you approve. Your Personal Assistant can remind you of the monthly amount to put aside.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to book December flights to Lagos?
No official source names a single best week. Fares on popular December dates tend to rise as cheaper seats sell, so start watching early, fix your dates and book when you see a fare you can accept.
Are midweek flights to Lagos cheaper in December?
They are often in less demand than weekend flights. Compare several days around your preferred date before booking.
Does the cheapest British Airways fare include a checked bag?
British Airways describes Economy Basic as hand baggage only, with hold bags costing extra. Check the fare details before you pay.
What documents do my children need to fly to Nigeria?
A passport valid for six months after arrival, a Nigerian visa if they travel on British passports, and a yellow fever certificate unless exempt, according to GOV.UK.
Sources
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Nigeria entry requirements (updated 16 Oct 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- British Airways: Checked baggage allowances · accessed Oct 2026
- British Airways Help Centre: What if my bag weighs over 23kg? · accessed Oct 2026
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