The United Kingdom has one of the richest pilgrimage traditions to Lourdes in the world. British Catholics began travelling to Lourdes in the 1870s, and by the early twentieth century the annual national pilgrimage was among the largest in Europe. Today, thousands of British pilgrims travel each year through diocesan pilgrimages, the HCPT (Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust) and independent operators. Whether you are a first-timer or returning pilgrim, this guide covers everything you need to know about getting to Lourdes from the UK.

Flights from the UK to Lourdes

Direct flights to Lourdes-Tarbes-Pyrénées (LDE) operate from London Stansted, Liverpool John Lennon, Birmingham and Manchester during the pilgrimage season. Ryanair and TUI both operate seasonal routes. Outside peak season, connections via Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid or Barcelona offer reliable year-round access. Flying into Toulouse (TLS) is an excellent alternative: multiple airlines serve it from UK regional airports, and a coach transfer takes approximately 90 minutes. Biarritz (BIQ) is another option for those in the south of England, with less traffic and a one-hour transfer to Lourdes.

Coach Pilgrimage Options

Many British pilgrims, particularly those from Catholic communities in the North of England and Scotland, travel to Lourdes by coach, crossing the Channel by ferry or Eurotunnel and driving through France. This is a genuine pilgrimage in the old sense: the journey itself becomes part of the spiritual experience. Coach pilgrimages typically take two days each way and often include overnight stops at hotels in central France. Several operators run coach pilgrimages from specific dioceses and communities, allowing pilgrims to travel with people they know.

The British National Pilgrimage and HCPT

The Catholic Association (CA) organises the British National Pilgrimage to Lourdes each year in late July, one of the largest English-language pilgrimages to Lourdes. It includes hundreds of sick and disabled pilgrims, a full medical team, priests, deacons and hundreds of volunteers. The HCPT (Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust) separately takes children with disabilities to Lourdes each Easter, a programme of extraordinary joy and witness. Individual dioceses from Westminster, Liverpool, Birmingham and beyond run their own annual pilgrimages at various points in the season.

Costs and Best Times to Travel from the UK

Return flights from UK airports to Lourdes in the pilgrimage season typically cost £80–£250, depending on route and booking lead time. Mid-week travel in May, June or September offers the best combination of reasonable prices and manageable crowds. July and August bring the largest gatherings and highest accommodation costs, but also the most vibrant community atmosphere. Book accommodation at least three months ahead in high season. An organised package from the UK including flights, hotel and programme typically costs £700–£1,000 per person for a week.

What British Pilgrims Find at Lourdes

Pilgrims from the UK consistently comment on the scale of the welcome at Lourdes and the strangeness of finding themselves, alongside millions of others, in a place where the priority order is quietly inverted: the weakest are served first, the sick are honoured, the humble are lifted up. British pilgrims also appreciate the English-language Masses available throughout the season, the strong presence of English-speaking Hospitalité volunteers, and the practical familiarity of Lourdes hotels that have been hosting British pilgrims for generations.