Can you get an Oyster card at London City Airport?

A Visitor Oyster card can be delivered to your home before your visit, or Oyster cards can be purchased at all London airports and stations. Visitor Oyster card holders also enjoy a range of special offers and discounts across the city.



Yes, you can easily obtain a standard Oyster card at London City Airport (LCY) upon arrival. The airport is served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and you will find automated ticket machines at the LCY DLR station located just a short walk from the arrivals hall. These machines allow you to purchase a new Oyster card for a small deposit (currently £7) and add "Pay As You Go" credit or a Travelcard immediately. However, in 2026, many travelers opt to skip the physical Oyster card entirely in favor of Contactless Payment. You can simply tap your contactless bank card, iPhone, or Android device on the yellow readers at the station for the exact same "capped" fares as an Oyster card. If you specifically need an Oyster card—perhaps for a child's "Zip" discount or to load a specific season ticket—the airport station machines are fully equipped to serve you. For international visitors who want their card ready before they land, "Visitor Oyster Cards" are still available for purchase online and can be mailed to your home address, though they offer the same basic functionality as the standard card available at the airport.

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You can't buy a Visitor Oyster card in London. Go to the Visitor Shop website to buy your card before you leave home and it will be delivered to your home address.

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London City Airport is connected to the London Underground network. The airport has its own stop on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects to Canning Town, Stratford and Bank stations. Services run every eight to 15 minutes.

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DLR trains travel from City airport to the city centre of London every 15 minutes or less and take approximately 22 minutes to reach the tube network in the centre.

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A single DLR train ticket from City airport (zone 3) to the Bank DLR station in the city centre of London (zone 1) costs just €5.10 (£4.50). Tickets can be bought at the DLR station at City airport from the ticket desks or automated ticket machines.

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Facilities at London City Airport (LCY) Free wi-fi for all passengers using the airport. Travelex currency exchange facilities. Cafes on the terminal concourse for pre-security snacks and a choice of pub food, gourmet sandwiches, American meals or baked goods when you head through the gates.

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If you are a non-UK resident , then you choose to either buy a Visitor Oyster card online before you leave home or you can choose to buy one at the TFL visitor centres and Oyster ticket shops in London upon your arrival.

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You can add money to an Oyster card or use contactless (card or device) straight away. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).

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Bus from London City Airport The bus is definitely the cheapest option, but might not be the most convenient from London City Airport depending on your destination. Cost: A ticket costs £1.50. Journeys cannot be paid in cash, you must have a contactless card or an Oyster card.

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Terminal. With space limited in the London Docklands area, and comparatively low passenger volumes, London City Airport is small compared with several other airports serving London, such as Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southend and Luton.

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London City Airport is just opposite London City Airport station on the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) line. DLR trains run from London City Airport to Canning Town station every 4 to 10 minutes.

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London City Airport DLR Station.

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However, the average visitor will use public transportation multiple times each day and the Oyster card can save both time and money. As an example, traveling offpeak from Zone 1 to Zone 2 on the Tube will cost you (as of April 2023) £2.70 using an Oyster card versus £6.70 if you buy a single ticket.

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If you're visiting London for 3 days or less, the best option is to get the Oyster Card, as it's the most cost-effective system. For stays of over 4 days, we recommend getting the 7-day Travelcard, since it's cheaper than getting 7 x 24-hour travelcards.

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It is significantly cheaper to travel in London using an Oyster card than it is to purchase individual tickets for each trip. The only reason you would want to just buy individual tickets is if you are only using public transportation once or twice during your stay.

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