How to Find the Best Flight Options to Dundee

I remember the very first time I tried to book a flight to Dundee. At the time, I had already spent a few days in London and wanted to venture further north, away from the hustle and chaos of the capital. The River Tay had long been in my imagination, and Dundee’s reputation for design, creativity, and a quiet charm drew me in.

Like many travellers based in the UK, I naturally assumed it would be easy to find direct flights to any Scottish city. Edinburgh and Glasgow are filled with endless choices, with dozens of airlines competing daily. Dundee, however, was different. Searching online, I quickly discovered that flying into Dundee required more patience, more research, and in many ways, a different strategy. It was here that I began learning how to compare not just the cheapest flights but also the most practical routes, the services that mattered most, and how to anticipate the quirks of smaller airports.

The process taught me that finding the best flights to Dundee is less about rushing and more about navigating options with care. Each time I book a flight there now, I look forward to the journey itself as much as the arrival.

Understanding Dundee Airport

Dundee Airport (DND) is a small regional airport located on the edge of the River Tay, about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. It’s far more intimate than Edinburgh or Glasgow, with a single runway and a compact terminal. This means fewer flights, but also shorter queues, quick security checks, and the kind of friendliness you rarely find in larger hubs.

The scale of Dundee Airport immediately shapes your options. You won’t find dozens of international connections, but you will find carefully curated routes—primarily to London and other key hubs—that are designed to link travellers with wider networks. In my case, this has meant appreciating the quality of the journey rather than the sheer quantity of choices.

Platforms I Always Use for Booking

Before diving into the actual flights, it’s important to talk about how I search. Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless platforms, and a few stand out consistently when planning travel within the UK.

• Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net): My go-to platform for scanning across airlines and dates. It allows me to see whether a direct flight into Dundee is running on my preferred days or whether a connection is more practical.
• Expedia (www.expedia.co.uk): Excellent for combining flights with hotels, which can reduce overall costs. I’ve often used it when staying in Dundee for longer periods.
• Google Flights (www.google.com/flights): I like its calendar view, which shows the cheapest fares at a glance. It’s saved me countless times when my travel dates were flexible.
• Kayak (www.kayak.co.uk): Particularly strong when I want to compare budget carriers with more premium options.
• British Airways website (www.britishairways.com): For direct bookings when I want to secure Avios points or when I feel more comfortable booking directly with the airline.

Having these platforms open side by side has become my ritual. I find myself flicking between tabs, cross-checking, making sure I’m not missing a hidden deal.

Flight Option One: Loganair from London City to Dundee

The most reliable and, in my experience, most comfortable option is flying with Loganair, often described as “Scotland’s airline.” This route has become almost iconic for those who know Dundee well, offering one of the few direct connections from London into the city’s compact yet welcoming airport.

Specifics of the Flight

• Route: London City (LCY) to Dundee (DND)
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
• Frequency: Usually two flights daily, morning and evening

I still remember the first time I boarded this flight. Leaving from London City already feels different compared to Heathrow or Gatwick. The airport itself is smaller, with a businesslike efficiency that makes the whole process far less stressful. Security is quick, queues are minimal, and within minutes you find yourself at the gate. Boarding was relaxed and smooth, with cheerful staff setting the tone before we even took off. There’s also something quite satisfying about flying out of central London, watching the skyline fade as the plane banks northwards.

Onboard Experience

Loganair’s service feels refreshingly personal. The cabin is intimate, with smaller aircraft than those used by larger airlines, but the trade-off is a sense of friendliness and care. The seats, though compact, are comfortable enough for the short journey, and I found the atmosphere quiet and calm. Complimentary refreshments—usually tea, coffee, or a soft drink with a biscuit—add a homely touch. During one flight, I overheard a fellow passenger remarking that it felt more like a community flight than a commercial one, and I couldn’t have agreed more.

Traveller Reviews

Reviews often highlight the punctuality of Loganair’s service. Many passengers mention the relief of landing directly in Dundee instead of flying into Edinburgh and continuing by train or bus. While some note the aircraft are smaller than they expected, this is almost always balanced by praise for the warmth and friendliness of the crew.

Cost and Booking

• Average fare: Between £90 and £150 one way, depending on season and how early you book.
• Booking platform: Best booked directly through www.loganair.co.uk, though platforms like Skyscanner are excellent for comparing fares across different dates.

My Tip

Book at least six weeks in advance. Because the planes are smaller, seats sell out quickly—particularly for weekend departures and during school holidays. Planning early not only saves money but also guarantees the most convenient flight times.

Flight Option Two: British Airways via London Heathrow and Edinburgh

Not every journey to Dundee ends directly at Dundee Airport. On several occasions, I’ve chosen to fly with British Airways into Edinburgh, then take the train to Dundee. This option may sound roundabout, but it often turns out cheaper and more flexible.

Specifics of the Flight

• Route: London Heathrow (LHR) to Edinburgh (EDI)
• Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes by air, followed by a 90-minute train ride to Dundee
• Frequency: Dozens of daily flights, especially during peak hours

Onboard Experience

Flying British Airways carries a certain consistency. The cabins are larger than those of Loganair, the in-flight service includes drinks and snacks, and the frequent flyer programme makes it appealing for regular travellers.

What I liked most about this route was the reliability of Edinburgh Airport. Though busier than Dundee, it’s still easier to navigate than Heathrow. The connection to Dundee by train is smooth; the rail line runs along the coast, with stunning views of the Firth of Forth and the North Sea before reaching the Tay.

Traveller Reviews

Reviews often highlight the flexibility of this route. Even if flights into Dundee are limited, flying into Edinburgh provides a near-constant flow of options. Some travellers prefer it for business trips, citing the comfort and the ability to book last minute.

Cost and Booking

• Average fare: £60 to £120 one way into Edinburgh, plus about £14–£20 for the train to Dundee.
• Booking platform: Directly on www.britishairways.com, or for combined deals, www.expedia.co.uk.

My Tip

Use Trainline (www.thetrainline.com) to pre-book your Edinburgh–Dundee train ticket. Buying in advance often halves the cost compared to buying on the day.

Flight Option Three: EasyJet from London Gatwick to Edinburgh, then onwards to Dundee

When budget matters most, I sometimes choose EasyJet. While EasyJet doesn’t fly into Dundee directly, flights into Edinburgh or Glasgow can be so affordable that even with onward travel, the total cost is significantly lower.

Specifics of the Flight

• Route: London Gatwick (LGW) to Edinburgh (EDI)
• Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Frequency: Several flights daily

Onboard Experience

EasyJet is known as a low-cost carrier, and expectations should match. Seats are basic, food and drinks are extra, and boarding can feel hectic at times. Yet, what makes EasyJet appealing is the sheer affordability and the number of choices. On one occasion, I paid less than £40 for a one-way flight, which felt like a small miracle compared to other options.

Traveller Reviews

Most reviews note the obvious—flights are cheap, service is no-frills—but passengers also mention the reliability of the Edinburgh connection. The onward journey to Dundee by train or bus is straightforward, making this a popular choice for students and budget travellers.

Cost and Booking

• Average fare: £35 to £70 one way, plus onward train fare of about £14–£20.
• Booking platform: Directly on www.easyjet.com, or aggregated searches via www.skyscanner.net.

My Tip

Pack light. EasyJet is strict about baggage, and adding extra luggage can double your fare. Travelling with just a cabin bag keeps costs low and boarding easier.

My Strategies for Finding the Best Deals

Over time, I’ve developed a set of rituals that guide me whenever I’m booking flights to Dundee:

• Be flexible with airports: Sometimes flying into Edinburgh or even Glasgow, then transferring, is better than aiming for Dundee directly.
• Check multiple platforms: Skyscanner, Expedia, and Kayak often show slight differences in fares. Refreshing across all three can reveal hidden savings.
• Book midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday flights are consistently cheaper than Friday or Sunday.
• Consider timing: Morning flights tend to be pricier, while late afternoon or evening flights can save £20–£30.
• Use loyalty points: Both British Airways Avios and Expedia Rewards have reduced my travel costs.

The Feeling of Arrival

Regardless of the route—whether landing directly at Dundee Airport with Loganair or taking the train north from Edinburgh—I always feel a sense of relief as I approach the city. The moment the River Tay comes into view, glittering in the light, I know the effort of finding the right flight was worthwhile. Smaller airports, budget carriers, or carefully timed bookings—each option carries its own character, but all of them lead to the same quiet excitement of stepping into a city that feels like Scotland’s hidden jewel.