London City Airport (LCY) is in the Royal Docks in east London, with a DLR station beside the terminal. Its location can be convenient for the City and Docklands, but actual journey times depend on your accommodation and connections.
Here are the transport options from central London, with guidance on journey times, costs and frequency.
1. Train: DLR (Docklands Light Railway)
The DLR connects London City Airport with Bank and the branch towards Stratford International. To reach the airport, check trains showing Woolwich Arsenal that call at London City Airport; not every DLR branch goes there. The station is beside the terminal and the airport is in Zone 3.
- Journey time: Around 20–25 minutes from Bank as a guide, excluding access to the platform, waiting and walking through the airport.
- Fare: Ordinary TfL fares apply according to the zones and time, with Oyster or contactless; no special airport express train ticket is needed. Check your starting station and London City Airport in TfL’s fare finder.
- Frequency: Check airport-bound departures from your station; these vary with the branch, time and engineering work.
- Operating hours: DLR does not run all night. Check first and last trains for your date, station and direction in TfL’s journey planner rather than relying on one timetable for every day.
When it makes sense: From Bank, you can travel directly to the airport. From Jubilee line stations, compare changing at Canning Town for a Woolwich Arsenal-bound DLR train. Include walks and connections when deciding which route is fastest from your accommodation.
Archive diagram from 2018 showing DLR and Crossrail routes in the area; this is not an updated interchange map. Elizabeth line has no station at London City Airport’s terminal.
2. Local buses
Routes 473 and 474 stop at London City Airport. The 473 connects with Stratford and the 474 with Canning Town, Custom House and other east London areas. The 129 also stops here, with connections towards North Greenwich and Lewisham. These are local buses: from central London you may need another form of transport first.
- Journey time: Depends on the starting stop, route and traffic. Check the complete itinerary from your accommodation rather than assuming 30–45 minutes from every location.
- Fare: From £1.75 with Oyster or contactless.
- Frequency: Check departures separately for the 473, 474 and 129 for your stop and date.
- Operating hours: The 474 is a 24-hour service. Do not assume this also applies to the 473 or 129; check their first and last departures.
Saving money: If you have a stop nearby, a bus may reduce the cost. Compare the time and transport needed to reach that stop too. On TfL buses, touch in when boarding, not when leaving; cash fares are not accepted on board.
3. Taxis and private transfers
Taxis and services such as Uber or Bolt offer the convenience of a direct airport journey, especially with heavy luggage or a group.
- Journey time: Between 25 and 40 minutes may guide some journeys, but is not a guarantee from every London address. Calculate from your pickup point and allow for traffic.
- Fare: Black cabs use a meter; with a minicab or app, check the quote before confirming. The total varies with your starting point, traffic, vehicle and possible airport supplements. For groups, check passenger and luggage capacity.
Convenience: A taxi or private transfer can reduce walking between stations and be useful with lots of luggage.
4. Driving or hiring a car
The airport has parking. Check the price for your date and duration on the official London City Airport website. With a hire car, allow time for returning the vehicle and reaching the terminal. For drop-offs or pickups, check authorised areas and charges.
- Journey time: Depends on your address and traffic. Calculate to your chosen car park or authorised pickup/drop-off point, not just the general airport location.
- Parking cost: Check the total for your dates, duration and booking conditions. Do not treat an old hourly price as the current tariff.
When to consider driving: Compare parking, fuel, any tolls or road charges applying to your route and access time. A same-day return trip alone does not make driving the most convenient option.
5. Overnight transport options
The 474 runs 24 hours a day, but DLR does not run throughout the night and the 473 should not be assumed to share the 474’s hours. Check how to reach the bus stop from your accommodation. London City’s terminal is not open 24 hours: check opening times before planning an overnight arrival.
- Overnight option: Choose an actual 474 departure or a pre-booked transfer that fits the terminal opening time and your airline’s check-in hours.
Which option suits you?
Near Bank, check direct DLR trains. Coming on Jubilee, compare changing at Canning Town. Staying beside a 129, 473 or 474 stop, consider the bus by cost and duration. For taxis or cars, compare the complete journey to the terminal. The best option depends on your address, luggage and departure time.
Choose according to your needs for a straightforward journey to London City Airport.
Two details that help avoid mistakes
- Elizabeth line does not reach the terminal: Custom House and Woolwich are not London City Airport. Check the final connection. From Woolwich, you can connect with DLR at Woolwich Arsenal, allowing for the walk between stations. From Custom House, compare the 474 with other journey planner options.
- Touch in and out even without closed gates: On DLR, use the same Oyster or contactless card or device at both ends. A physical bank card and that card on a phone are counted separately.
Check the official terminal opening hours, particularly at weekends. Building opening times and flight operating hours are different. Allow time for check-in and security; the DLR journey time is not the time to your boarding gate.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026.
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