Where Is London City Airport?
London City Airport is located in East London in the Docklands area, close to Canary Wharf and the City of London financial district. Because the airport is located inside London rather than outside the city like Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton, travel times into central London are much shorter.
London City Airport is only around 10 miles (16 km) from central London, and public transport connections are very good via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects directly to the London Underground, Elizabeth Line and National Rail services.
This makes London City Airport one of the most convenient airports for business travellers and short trips to London, especially if you are staying in Canary Wharf, the City of London, London Bridge or central Londo
London City Airport Transfers to London
Travelling from London City Airport to central London is usually the quickest and easiest airport transfer in London because the airport is located much closer to the city centre than Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. London City Airport is located in Docklands in East London, close to Canary Wharf and the City of London, which means travel times into central London are much shorter than from the other London airports.
There are several London City Airport transfer options, but most travellers use the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects the airport directly to London’s public transport network. From the DLR you can easily connect to the London Underground, Elizabeth Line and National Rail services, making it easy to travel to most areas of London without needing a taxi.
The journey from London City Airport to central London usually takes between 20 and 35 minutes, depending on where you are travelling to. This makes London City Airport one of the most convenient airports for business travellers and short city breaks, particularly if you are staying in Canary Wharf, the City of London, London Bridge, Bank, Tower Hill, Stratford or even Westminster.
Another advantage of London City Airport is that it is smaller and easier to navigate than Heathrow or Gatwick. Security queues are often shorter, walking distances are small, and the airport feels much less busy. Because of this, many travellers prefer flying from London City Airport even if flights are slightly more expensive.
When choosing your London City Airport transfer, the main decision is usually between DLR and public transport or taxi/private transfer, depending on your luggage, budget and where your hotel is located.
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from London City Airport
The main way to travel from London City Airport to central London is by using the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The DLR station is located directly next to the airport terminal, and you can walk from arrivals to the platform in just a few minutes. This makes London City Airport one of the easiest airports in London for public transport because there is no need for shuttle buses, terminal transfers or long walks to a train station.
DLR trains run very frequently, usually every 5 to 10 minutes during the day, and slightly less frequently in the evening and early morning. Services normally start early in the morning and run until around midnight, so the DLR is suitable for most flight arrival times. Because trains run so often, you usually do not need to check a timetable — you can simply follow the signs to the DLR station and take the next train that arrives.
The DLR connects London City Airport to several important stations in East and central London, including Canning Town, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bank and Tower Gateway. From these stations you can easily change to the London Underground, Elizabeth Line or National Rail services, which makes it possible to reach most areas of London using public transport.
One of the most common routes is to take the DLR from London City Airport to Canning Town, where you can change to the Jubilee Line. The Jubilee Line runs through Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Waterloo, Westminster and Bond Street, which makes this route very useful for many central London destinations.
Another popular route is to take the DLR directly to Bank Station, which is located in the City of London and connects to several Underground lines including the Central Line and Northern Line. This is often the best route if you are travelling to areas such as St Paul’s, Holborn, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road or King’s Cross.
You can also use the DLR to connect to the Elizabeth Line by changing at Custom House, Canary Wharf or Stratford. The Elizabeth Line is one of the fastest ways to travel across London and is very useful if you are travelling to Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Paddington or even Heathrow Airport.
Typical journey times from London City Airport are:
- Canary Wharf: around 10 minutes
- Bank (City of London): around 20 minutes
- London Bridge: around 25 minutes (with one change)
- Westminster: around 30 minutes (with one change)
- Paddington: around 35 to 40 minutes (DLR + Elizabeth Line)
The DLR uses the London public transport fare system, so you can pay using contactless payment, Apple Pay, Google Pay or an Oyster card, and fares are much cheaper than taxis. For most travellers, the DLR is the best London City Airport transfer option because it is fast, affordable and connects easily to the rest of London’s transport network.
Elizabeth Line Connections from London City Airport
Although the Elizabeth Line does not go directly to London City Airport, it is very easy to connect to it using the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and this is often the fastest way to travel across London from the airport, especially if you are travelling to central or West London.
The Elizabeth Line is one of the newest and fastest railway lines in London and runs across the city from Heathrow and West London through central London to Canary Wharf, Stratford and East London. The trains are modern, spacious and air-conditioned, and they are usually more comfortable than the London Underground, especially if you are travelling with luggage.
To connect to the Elizabeth Line from London City Airport, you first need to take the DLR from London City Airport station and then change trains at one of the Elizabeth Line interchange stations. The easiest stations to change at are Custom House, Canary Wharf or Stratford, depending on where you are travelling to in London.
One of the most common routes is to take the DLR from London City Airport to Custom House, which only takes a few minutes. At Custom House, you can change directly onto the Elizabeth Line, which then runs through Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street and Paddington, and continues west towards Heathrow Airport and Reading.
This means that London City Airport transfers can be very convenient if you are staying near Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Paddington or Canary Wharf, because the Elizabeth Line is often faster than the Underground for travelling across London.
Typical journey times using the DLR and Elizabeth Line are approximately:
- Liverpool Street: around 20 minutes
- Farringdon: around 25 minutes
- Tottenham Court Road: around 30 minutes
- Bond Street / Oxford Street: around 30 minutes
- Paddington: around 35 minutes
- Heathrow Airport: around 60 minutes
The Elizabeth Line runs frequently throughout the day, usually every 5 to 10 minutes in central London sections, so connections from the DLR are usually quick and easy.
For many travellers, the DLR plus Elizabeth Line combination is the fastest way to travel from London City Airport to central London and West London, and it is often more comfortable than using the Underground, especially if you are travelling with luggage.Airport to central and West London, especially if you are travelling across the city rather than staying in East London.
Taxi and Uber from London City Airport
Taking a taxi from London City Airport is another convenient transfer option, especially if you are travelling with a lot of luggage, travelling with children, arriving late at night or staying somewhere that is not close to a train station. Because London City Airport is relatively close to central London, taxi journeys are shorter and cheaper than taxis from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton.
The journey from London City Airport to central London by taxi usually takes around 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and where in London you are travelling to. If you are travelling to Canary Wharf or the City of London, the journey can be even shorter.
Uber and other ride-hailing apps operate from London City Airport, and many travellers find these easier to use than traditional taxis. You can book through the app and meet your driver at the designated pickup area outside the terminal.
Taxis and private transfers are often the easiest London City Airport transfer option because they provide door-to-door transport, which means you do not need to carry luggage on trains or change between different lines. This can be particularly useful if you are staying in West London, South London or somewhere not close to a DLR or Underground station.
For travellers staying in Canary Wharf, the City of London, London Bridge or East London, a taxi from London City Airport can be relatively quick and convenient compared to travelling from other London airports.
Private Transfers from London City Airport
Arriving at London City Airport is generally a smoother experience than most London airports, thanks to its compact layout and proximity to the city. Even so, if you want to avoid navigating public transport with luggage or dealing with peak-time congestion on the DLR, booking a private airport transfer is the most straightforward way to reach your destination quickly and comfortably.
With a private transfer, your driver will meet you directly in the arrivals area, usually holding a name sign and ready to assist with your bags. From there, you are taken straight to your vehicle and driven door-to-door without any stops or transfers along the way. The biggest advantage here is speed and simplicity, particularly after a flight when the last thing you want is to figure out connections or wait on platforms.
Because of the airport’s location in East London, journey times into the city are significantly shorter than from other airports. Most transfers into central areas such as Canary Wharf, The City, London Bridge, or Westminster take between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. If you are staying nearby in Docklands or heading to business districts, the journey can be even quicker, often under 20 minutes, which makes private transfers especially appealing here.
In terms of cost, prices are typically lower than transfers from Heathrow or Gatwick due to the shorter distance. You can expect to pay around £35 to £70 for a standard vehicle into central London. Executive cars, larger vehicles, or late-night bookings will increase the price, but for groups or families, the per-person cost remains competitive, particularly when compared to combining public transport with taxis at either end.
A trusted option for pre-booking is Welcome Pickups, which offers fixed pricing, flight monitoring, and vetted local drivers. If your flight arrives early or late, your pickup time is automatically adjusted, and most bookings include a waiting window, giving you time to pass through arrivals without pressure.
Private transfers from London City Airport are not essential for everyone, given how well connected the airport is, but they are easily the most efficient and hassle-free option. If your priority is a quick, direct journey with minimal effort, especially for business travel or short stays, this is the option that gets you from plane to destination in the simplest way possible.
Book Your Airport Transfer in Advance
Arriving in a new destination can be stressful, especially after a long flight. Welcome Pickups lets you pre-book a private airport transfer, so your driver is ready and waiting when you land.
It is ideal for first-time visitors, late-night arrivals, and travellers who want a smooth, reliable start to their trip. Instead of searching for taxis or navigating public transport, you can head straight to your accommodation.
London City Transfer Comparison
When choosing between the different London City Airport transfer options, the main factors to consider are journey time, cost, convenience and how close the final station is to your hotel. Because London City Airport is much closer to central London than the other airports, transfer times are generally shorter and simpler.
Below is a simple comparison of the main London City Airport transfers to London so you can see which option may be best for your trip.
| Transfer Option | Typical Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLR + Underground | 25–40 min | Low | Most destinations in London |
| DLR + Elizabeth Line | 25–35 min | Low | Central & West London |
| Taxi / Uber | 25–45 min | Medium–High | Door-to-door travel |
For most travellers, the DLR plus Underground or Elizabeth Line is the best option because it is fast, relatively cheap and connects to most parts of London. Taxis are more expensive but may be easier if you have heavy luggage or are travelling late at night.
One important advantage of London City Airport transfers is that there are no long-distance trains required like Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express, and no shuttle bus to a train station like Luton Airport. This makes London City one of the simplest airports for travelling into London.
Which London City Transfer Is Best
The best London City Airport transfer to London depends mainly on where you are staying in London and how much luggage you have. Because the airport is already close to central London, public transport is usually the best option for most travellers.
If you are staying in Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bank, the City of London or London Bridge, the DLR is usually the best transfer option because it connects directly to these areas without needing complicated transfers. The journey is usually quick and trains run frequently.
If you are travelling to central or West London, such as Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Paddington or even Heathrow, the best option is often the DLR plus the Elizabeth Line, which is one of the fastest ways to travel across London.
If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, travelling with children, arriving late at night, or staying somewhere far from a train station, a taxi or Uber from London City Airport may be the easiest option because it provides direct door-to-door transport.
For most visitors, the DLR combined with the Underground or Elizabeth Line is the best London City Airport transfer, because it is fast, affordable and connects easily to most areas of London.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Flying into London City Airport? Here are a few useful tips to make your transfer into London easier:
- The DLR is usually the best option: It connects directly to the London transport network.
- Use contactless payment: You can tap in and out on DLR, Underground and Elizabeth Line.
- Change at Canning Town for the Jubilee Line: Useful for London Bridge, Waterloo and Westminster.
- Change at Custom House for the Elizabeth Line: Fast for central and West London.
- Taxis are quicker than other airports: London City is much closer to central London.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are arriving in London and continuing your journey across the city, make sure to read our Getting Around London Guide, which explains how to use the London Underground, buses, trains, contactless payment and Oyster cards. Understanding London’s transport system will make travelling from the airport to your hotel and around the city much easier.
If you are flying with British Airways, you may also want to read our British Airways Guide, which covers baggage rules, seat selection, check-in, boarding and what to expect when flying with one of the UK’s main airlines. This is particularly useful if you are flying into or out of Heathrow or Gatwick, where British Airways operates many flights.
If you are planning flights within the UK, you should also read our UK Domestic Flights Guide, which explains domestic flight routes, airlines, airports and when flying is faster than taking the train. This is useful if you are travelling between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester or other UK cities.
Reading these guides together will help you plan your journey more efficiently, choose the best airport transfers and understand how to travel around London and the UK more easily.
Last Updated
April 2026
Affiliate Disclosure
This page contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase or booking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue providing detailed, independent travel advice. We only recommend apps and services we personally use or have verified as high-quality.
