London City Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

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.

Royal Docks and ExCeL

Airport area · 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 in this area

Moxy London Excel: One kilometre from the terminal, convenient for those working at ExCeL or with an early flight.
Good Hotel London: Floating hotel in the Royal Victoria Dock, a few minutes from the terminal and ExCeL.

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Canary Wharf

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

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

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The City and Tower Hill

Neighbourhood · 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 in this area

Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square: An early-twentieth-century building four minutes from the DLR at Tower Gateway, close to the Tower of London.
St Christopher's Liverpool Street: Hostel with a pub on the ground floor, a few minutes from Liverpool Street station.

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