To get to central London from London City Airport, the easiest option is usually the DLR, the Docklands Light Railway. The airport has its own station in zone 3, making it simple to reach Bank, Canning Town, Canary Wharf or Stratford, then continue by Underground or Elizabeth line depending on your final destination.
London City Airport (LCY) is London's most central airport: it is only about 9 miles (14 km) from central London, and even closer to the City and Canary Wharf. This makes for a very different experience from Gatwick, Luton or Stansted, where getting into London can quickly become a major part of the journey.
In this article, I explain how to get from London City Airport to central London depending on your budget, your luggage and your final destination. You'll see that the trip is often straightforward and fast: DLR, Underground, taxi, ride-hailing service or private transfer, with travel times rarely longer than 30–40 minutes to many parts of London.
- The DLR is usually the best way to get into London from London City Airport: inexpensive, frequent, and directly connected to the terminal.
- London City Airport is in zone 3: you can pay for your journey with an Oyster card, a contactless bank card or Apple Pay/Google Pay.
- To get to the West End or Westminster, the easiest route is often to take the DLR, then change at Bank, Canning Town or Stratford.
- A taxi or ride-hailing service can be a good option if you're traveling with large bags, with children, or if your accommodation is hard to reach by public transport.
- If you can choose between several airports, London City is often the most convenient for getting quickly to central London.
London City, the airport closest to central London
London City Airport is a small airport in the Docklands, in east London, very close to Canary Wharf. It is by far the London airport closest to the city center and one of the fastest for reaching the main tourist or business districts.
At only about 9 miles (14 km) from central London, it has a clear advantage over Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton or Stansted. In most cases, you'll reach your hotel in less time than it sometimes takes just to get out of some large international airports. For a weekend in London or a short stay, this time saving is particularly welcome.
The photo below gives you a good idea of just how close the airport is to Canary Wharf, with the skyscrapers visible behind the runway. The feeling of landing right in the heart of London is quite unique.
London City has only one runway and very limited space, wedged between the redeveloped former docks of east London. This particular layout explains why the airport mainly handles smaller aircraft flying European routes or short- and medium-haul flights.
You notice its smaller scale as soon as you arrive: short walking distances, checks that are often faster, and an atmosphere that is generally calmer than in the big London hubs.
Historically, London City was designed to serve the businesses based in the City and in Canary Wharf. It is still heavily used by business travelers today, but its advantages are just as valuable for tourists who want to make the most of their time in London. The airport also closes every night to limit noise pollution for local residents.
How to get to central London from London City Airport?
From London City Airport, two options are clearly the most common: the DLR, which is affordable and very efficient, and taxis or ride‑hailing services, which are more comfortable but more expensive.
| Option | Time to the center | Approximate budget | Ideal if... |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLR + tube | 25 to 35 min | From £3 to £6 | You are looking for the most economical option. |
| Taxi or ride‑hailing service | 25 to 40 min | About £35 to £55 | You are traveling with luggage, with children, or after a long flight. |
The DLR: the simplest and most economical option
The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is generally the most practical option for getting to central London from London City Airport. The station is right next to the terminal and lets you quickly reach several major London transport hubs.
London City Airport is in zone 3 of the Transport for London (TfL) network. You can use a contactless bank card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or an Oyster card to pay for your journey, exactly as you would on the London Underground.
- Frequency: a train every 4 to 10 minutes depending on the destination.
- Journey time to Canning Town: about 7 minutes.
- Fare zone: zone 3.
- Payment: Oyster card or contactless bank card.
Most travelers first go to Canning Town, which is just three stops from the airport. You can then take the Jubilee line, which serves, among others, London Bridge, Westminster, Bond Street, and Baker Street.
Depending on your destination, it may also be useful to connect to the Elizabeth line, the London Underground, or London Overground. The TfL network makes it easy to reach most tourist areas without needing to take a taxi.
This route is generally the best compromise between price, speed, and simplicity. It avoids London traffic jams while remaining very affordable. Its main drawback is managing luggage and possible transfers, especially during rush hour.
And what about buses? London City Airport is also served by several London bus routes, in particular routes 129, 473, and 474. They let you reach some East London areas such as Stratford, Canning Town, North Woolwich, or Lewisham. For most visitors, however, the DLR remains much faster and simpler for getting to central London. Buses are mainly useful if your accommodation is in the Docklands or in East London.
Taxi or ride-hailing service: a direct trip to your hotel
If you'd rather avoid public transportation, taxis and ride-hailing services offer a comfortable way to get straight to your accommodation.
The famous London black cabs wait just outside the terminal at a dedicated taxi rank. These are London's official taxis, easily recognizable by their distinctive shape. Many vehicles are equipped to accommodate a wheelchair, and drivers are used to helping travelers with their luggage.
For a trip to central London, you can generally expect to pay between £40 and £55 (about $50–$70), depending on your exact destination, the time of day, and traffic conditions. The journey usually takes between 25 and 40 minutes.
You can also book a ride-hailing vehicle in advance via an app or a comparison site such as Minicabit, an airport partner. The main advantage is knowing the price before departure, whereas black cabs run on a meter. Depending on the time and demand, a ride-hailing vehicle can sometimes be slightly cheaper than an official taxi.
In both cases, you get a door-to-door journey, with no transfers and no need to handle your luggage on public transit. This option is particularly useful if you're traveling with young children, bulky suitcases, or after a long day on the road.
Official taxis are available right outside the terminal. If you prefer a ride-hailing service or a private driver, you can also book a vehicle in advance that will be waiting for you in the airport pick-up area.
Which destinations are served by London City Airport?
London City Airport mainly serves European cities and mostly caters to business travelers, although many leisure travelers also use it to visit London.
Thanks to its proximity to Canary Wharf and the City, the airport is particularly popular for business trips. It is served by several airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, SWISS, and ITA Airways.
From London City, you can fly to many European destinations such as Geneva, Zurich, Luxembourg, Dublin, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, Florence, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca, among others. Some routes operate year-round, while others are seasonal. The airport mainly handles short- and medium-haul flights operated by relatively small aircraft, suited to its short runway and urban setting.
For a traveler heading to London, the main advantage of London City remains its location. Few European airports let you land so close to the city center and the main business districts. While flights from Paris to London City were suspended several years ago because they were not profitable compared with the Eurostar, other destinations such as Nice, Zurich, Luxembourg, Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Barcelona, Florence, and Ibiza are still connected to this airport.
More information is available on the London City Airport website.
The Traveler's Memo for London City Airport
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you easily organize your journey between London City Airport and central London.
Conclusion: the simplest transfer among London airports
If there's one London airport I tend to recommend when you have a choice, it's usually London City. Its proximity to central London and the DLR mean you can reach the city quickly without having to arrange a long transfer like you would from Gatwick, Stansted, or Luton. Whether you opt for public transport or a taxi, you'll generally reach your destination in under 40 minutes.
Have a wonderful stay in London, and enjoy discovering the British capital!
