🇱🇾 Flights to Benghazi
Cheap Flights to Benghazi from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Benina International Airport (BEN). Dream Fare specialises in Libya routes with the best prices for Benghazi — the gateway to the ancient Greek ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia and the heart of the UK Libyan community.
Airlines to Benghazi
All Airlines Flying London to Benghazi
Benghazi is served via connections through North African, East African and Middle Eastern hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price.
Baggage Allowances — London to Benghazi
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Qatar Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Excellent for families with extra luggage |
| EgyptAir | 1 bag up to 8kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| Tunisair | 1 bag up to 10kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Benghazi & Eastern Libya
Eastern Libya has a Mediterranean climate on the coast and a desert climate inland. Benghazi is 2 hours ahead of GMT year-round. The cooler months are the most comfortable for visiting.
Best Season
March — May
Warm and pleasant (18°C to 26°C) with spring flowers across the Jebel Akhdar. Perfect for visiting Cyrene and Apollonia. Lower temperatures make exploring the ancient sites comfortable.
Excellent Season
Sep — November
Autumn brings warm settled weather (20°C to 28°C). Excellent for the archaeological sites and the Jebel Akhdar. Good value travel before any winter peak.
Mild Winter
Dec — February
Mild on the coast (10°C to 18°C) with occasional rain. The Jebel Akhdar can be cold with snow on the highest peaks. Good for visiting Cyrene with fewer visitors.
Hot Summer
June — August
Very hot (30°C to 40°C) in summer. The Mediterranean coast offers some relief. Early morning visits to Cyrene and Apollonia are recommended. The Jebel Akhdar is cooler.
About Benghazi
Benghazi — Gateway to Ancient Cyrenaica
Benghazi is Libya’s second-largest city and the commercial and cultural capital of eastern Libya (Cyrenaica). A city with a proud history and deeply resilient population, Benghazi is the gateway to the extraordinary ancient Greek ruins of Cyrene and Apollonia — UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some of the finest classical ruins in the world outside Italy and Greece.
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Cyrene (UNESCO)
One of the finest ancient Greek cities in the world — the ruins of Cyrene (founded 631 BC) in the Green Mountain (Jebel Akhdar) above Benghazi are a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary quality. The Temple of Zeus (rivalling the Parthenon in scale), the Forum, the Roman Baths, the Agora and the vast necropolis are remarkably well preserved. One of the most important classical sites in all of Africa.
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Apollonia
The ancient port city of Cyrene — the harbour town of Apollonia — has extraordinary Byzantine churches, a Greek theatre and remarkable underwater ruins in the Mediterranean. The site is dramatically set on the sea cliffs east of Benghazi and is one of the most atmospherically beautiful ancient sites in North Africa. Virtually unvisited by tourists.
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Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain)
The Green Mountain (Jebel Akhdar) rising behind Benghazi to over 800 metres is Libya’s most beautiful landscape — a cool forested plateau with ancient villages, terraced farms growing crops unseen elsewhere in Libya, juniper forests and extraordinary views to the Mediterranean. The towns of Bayda and Shahat in the Jebel Akhdar are charming and the climate is dramatically different from the coastal heat.
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Mediterranean Coastline
Benghazi sits on the Gulf of Sidra with some of Libya’s finest Mediterranean beaches. The coastal road east of Benghazi to Apollonia passes through beautiful coastal scenery with clear turquoise water and largely undeveloped beaches. Eastern Libya’s Mediterranean coast is one of the most unspoiled in North Africa.
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Libyan Cuisine
Bazeen (barley dough with lamb and tomato sauce — the Libyan national dish), Asida (porridge with honey and butter), Sharba Libiya (spiced lamb soup with pasta), Mbakbaka (pasta with spiced meat sauce), fresh Mediterranean fish grilled on the waterfront and the extraordinary Libyan olive oil from the Jebel Akhdar are all essential food experiences in Benghazi.
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UK Libyan Diaspora
The UK has one of the world’s largest Libyan diaspora communities — concentrated in Manchester, London and other major cities. Dream Fare has served UK Libyans for years with specialist knowledge of Libya routes and the best available fares from the UK. We understand the importance of generous baggage and flexible booking for families travelling home.
Top Places to Visit Around Benghazi
Cyrene Archaeological Site (UNESCO)
80km east of Benghazi in the Jebel Akhdar — one of the finest ancient Greek cities in the world. The Temple of Zeus, the Agora, the Roman Baths and the vast necropolis are extraordinarily well preserved. Cyrene was founded in 631 BC and became one of the most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site of global significance and one of Africa’s greatest ancient treasures.
Apollonia Ancient Port City
The harbour city of Cyrene — a beautiful ancient site on the sea cliffs with Byzantine churches, a Greek theatre, remarkable mosaics and partially submerged ruins in the Mediterranean. Apollonia is one of the most atmospherically beautiful ancient sites in Africa and sees very few visitors compared to its extraordinary quality and historical importance.
Jebel Akhdar Villages
The Green Mountain plateau above Benghazi has a string of ancient Berber and Arab villages surrounded by juniper forests and terraced fields. The towns of Bayda (the proposed new Libyan capital) and Shahat — next to the Cyrene ruins — are charming and the cool highland climate (temperatures 10°C cooler than the coast) makes the Jebel Akhdar a welcome escape from the Libyan summer heat.
Benghazi Old Town & Waterfront
Benghazi’s historic centre has Ottoman-era buildings, the Italian colonial quarter with distinctive arcaded streets, the old port and the seafront corniche. The city has been dramatically rebuilt after years of conflict and the people of Benghazi are known for their resilience, hospitality and pride in their city and its extraordinary heritage.
Tocra (Taucheira) Roman Ruins
50km west of Benghazi — the ancient Greek and Roman city of Tocra (Taucheira) has substantial remains including a Byzantine basilica, city walls, cisterns and a necropolis. Far less visited than Cyrene but historically significant as one of the five cities of the ancient Libyan Pentapolis. An atmospheric and uncrowded site.
Ptolemais (Tolmeitha)
100km east of Benghazi — the ancient city of Ptolemais is one of the five cities of the ancient Pentapolis with extensive ruins including a remarkably complete Roman villa with extraordinary mosaic floors, the Palace of Columns, a large cistern system and city walls. One of the finest and least-visited Roman sites in North Africa.
Travel Tips
Benghazi Travel Guide
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Visa & Entry for Libya
UK citizens require a visa to enter Libya. The visa process and requirements can change — contact Dream Fare or the Libyan Embassy in London for the most current requirements before booking. We have specialist knowledge of current Libya entry requirements for UK passport holders and work with trusted partners in Libya.
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FCDO Travel Advice
Check the latest UK Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/libya before booking any travel to Libya. The security situation in Libya has improved significantly in Benghazi and the eastern region in recent years. Dream Fare monitors the latest advice and will be completely honest about current conditions.
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Currency & Money
Libya uses the Libyan Dinar (LYD). Cash — preferably USD or EUR — is the most reliable payment method in Libya. Banking infrastructure can be unreliable. Bring sufficient cash for your entire stay. Dream Fare provides comprehensive pre-departure advice on money and practical matters when you book.
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Getting Around Benghazi
Private hire vehicles arranged through trusted contacts are the recommended transport in Benghazi. Your hotel or Libya-specialist tour operator will arrange reliable transport. A car with driver is strongly recommended for excursions to Cyrene, Apollonia and the Jebel Akhdar. Distances are significant — Cyrene is 80km from Benghazi.
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Weather in Benghazi
Benghazi has a Mediterranean coastal climate with hot dry summers (28°C to 40°C) and mild winters (10°C to 18°C). Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the finest seasons. The Jebel Akhdar behind the city is significantly cooler year-round. Benghazi is 2 hours ahead of GMT.
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UK Libyan Community
Dream Fare has served the UK Libyan community for years with specialist knowledge of Libya routes, current conditions and the best available fares. We understand the deep importance of family connections to Libya and provide the most current and honest travel advice available. Call us on 020 8264 0018 for a confidential discussion.
Flights to Benghazi FAQ
How do I fly from London to Benghazi?
The most reliable routings from London to Benghazi are via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) and via Cairo (EgyptAir). Emirates via Dubai and Qatar Airways via Doha also serve Benghazi. Tunisair and Libyan Airlines connect via Tunis. There are no direct flights from London to Benghazi. Dream Fare will find the most convenient and cost-effective routing for your travel dates.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Libya?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Libya. The visa process and requirements can change. Contact Dream Fare or the Libyan Embassy in London for the most current requirements before booking travel to Benghazi. We have specialist knowledge of current Libya entry procedures for UK passport holders.
What is near Benghazi worth visiting?
The ancient Greek ruins of Cyrene (UNESCO World Heritage Site) 80km from Benghazi are among the finest classical ruins in the world. The ancient port of Apollonia is equally extraordinary. The Green Mountain (Jebel Akhdar) plateau with its cool forested villages, Roman ruins at Ptolemais and Tocra and the beautiful Mediterranean coastline make Benghazi one of Africa’s most historically rewarding destinations.
Is Benghazi safe to visit?
The security situation in Benghazi and eastern Libya has improved significantly in recent years. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/libya before booking. Dream Fare monitors current conditions and will provide the most up-to-date and honest assessment of conditions in Benghazi when you enquire.
What is Cyrene and why is it significant?
Cyrene was one of the most important cities in the ancient Greek and Roman world — founded by Greek colonists from Thera (modern Santorini) in 631 BC. It became the capital of the region of Cyrenaica and was home to the Cyrenaics (a philosophical school founded by Aristippus), birthplace of the mathematician Eratosthenes and a major centre of Jewish population in antiquity. The ruins are extraordinarily well preserved and largely unexplored.
How much do return flights from London to Benghazi cost?
Return flights from London to Benghazi start from approximately £449 with Dream Fare. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and EgyptAir via Cairo are typically the most competitive and reliable options. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Libya travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.