London City Airport - Flight Information and Guide (LCY)

How to get to London City Airport

London centre is several kilometres from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 20-25 minutes by DLR, the most direct option.

By Car

Those arriving by car reach the city centre of London in about 30-40 minutes, weather permitting.

By Train

The DLR has a station directly connected to the terminal, reaching the city center (Bank, Canary Wharf) in about 20-25 minutes; fare 3.30-3.90 GBP.

By Bus

Some bus lines connect the airport to the surrounding areas.

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Tips Being the closest to central London among the capital's airports, it is often the preferred choice for short business trips in Europe: verify whether your destinations are served before choosing this airport.

Average travel time to LCY

Train20-25 minutes (DLR, £3.30-3.90)

Shuttle busService available

Taxi / Private hire30-40 minutes (£40-70)

Parking near London City Airport

Parking, modest in size, is located adjacent to the terminal.

Rates are high, in line with standards of a central London hub.

How to get to London from LCY

By Train

The DLR, with a station directly at the airport, reaches the center in 20-25 minutes; fares £3.30-3.90.

By Bus

Some bus lines connect the airport to nearby areas.

By Taxi

A black cab or minicab to the city centre costs around 35-60 GBP for a journey of 30-40 minutes.

Airport transfers you can book in advance

Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.

London: Stansted Airport from/to Central London Bus Transfer

★ 4.3 · 7,449 reviews

from €8.23 per person

Book

London: Stansted Express Airport Transfer to/from Stratford

★ 4.3 · 87 reviews

from €25.88 per person

Book

Car rental at London City Airport

Only some car rental brands have a desk at arrival.

Driving licence, passport and credit card are sufficient for European Union citizens, exempt from the IDP.

Hotels near London City Airport

London City is the airport closest to central London, in the heart of the Royal Docks, with business flights to Europe and the DLR reaching the city in under half an hour. Those with a meeting or an early flight prefer to stay in the Docks, a few minutes from the terminal; those working in Canary Wharf find the financial district convenient, with the DLR just steps away. Those who instead want the historic City, the Tower of London and connections to the rest of London choose the area around Tower Hill and Liverpool Street, about twenty minutes away by DLR.

Airport area

Royal Docks and ExCeL

1-3.5 km from the terminal; taxi in a few minutes, DLR Royal Victoria or Prince Regent just steps away.

Best for: Those with an early morning flight or a meeting at ExCeL who want the shortest journey.

Pros

The shortest journey to the terminal of the whole area.
ExCeL and the exhibition district a few minutes' walk away.

Cons

Area with little going on in the evening outside exhibition hours.
Few independent restaurants nearby.

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Canary Wharf

DLR in about 14 minutes with a change at Poplar; taxi in 15-20 minutes.

Best for: Those working in the financial district who want to stay just steps from the offices.

Pros

Just steps from the offices and shopping centres of Canary Wharf.
Direct DLR connection, with no need for a taxi.

Cons

A change at Poplar is needed to reach the terminal.
Less lively district at weekends.

Recommended hotels

Novotel London Canary Wharf Six minutes on foot from the DLR at Heron Quays, with a pool and a rooftop bar. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

The City and Tower Hill

DLR from Tower Gateway to the terminal in about 25 minutes, with a change at Poplar or Canning Town.

Best for: Those who want the historic City, the Tower of London and connections to the rest of the city.

Pros

The Tower of London and Tower Bridge just steps away.
A hub connecting to the underground and trains across London.

Cons

The longest journey to the terminal of the whole area.
Higher prices and tourist crowds than elsewhere.

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport primarily serves short-haul European flights, heavily used by business travelers due to its proximity to the financial district.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Scottish whisky and luxury goods.

Lounges & relaxation

The airport offers a limited number of lounges for business passengers.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

The free Wi-Fi network is active in every terminal zone.

Families & Children

Families receive basic accommodation, concentrated in the rest areas of the terminal.

Terminal guide

The single terminal, modest in size, predominantly handles short-range European flights.

For flights it is recommended to arrive at least 1.5-2 hours in advance, among the shortest times among the London terminals.

Map of London City Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is London City the closest airport to the centre?

Yes, of London's six airports it has the shortest journey to the centre, thanks to the direct DLR connection.

Q. Is London City used for intercontinental flights?

No, it mainly serves short-haul European flights, very popular among business travellers.

Q. How much does the DLR from the airport to the centre cost?

Roughly £3.00-3.80 depending on the time of day (peak fare on weekday mornings), with the station directly connected to the terminal, about 20-25 minutes.