How early do I need to get to London City Airport?

There is only one terminal at London City airport so travelling through the airport can often be quicker than at other London airports. Check in opens 2 hours before your flight. Please do not arrive earlier than 2 hours before your scheduled departure time.



London City Airport (LCY) is famous for its "high-speed" passenger experience, but in 2026, the recommended arrival time is 2 hours before departure for most travelers. Because LCY is a compact, single-terminal airport, it is possible to get from the DLR station to your gate in 20 minutes; however, security lines during the weekday "business peaks" (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM) can still be significant. If you are flying domestically and have already checked in online with only hand luggage, 90 minutes is usually sufficient. For international flights, you should strictly stick to the 2-hour rule to allow for passport control. In 2026, LCY has fully implemented "Next Generation" CT scanners, meaning you no longer have to remove liquids or laptops from your bag, which has drastically sped up the security process. It is a peer-to-peer "pro-tip" to check the "Live Security Wait Times" on the LCY website before you leave; if the wait is under 5 minutes, you can safely enjoy an extra 30 minutes of sleep before heading to the Royal Docks.

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There is only one terminal at London City airport so travelling through the airport can often be quicker than at other London airports. Check in opens 2 hours before your flight. Please do not arrive earlier than 2 hours before your scheduled departure time.

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It is the fifth-busiest airport by passengers and aircraft movements serving the London area — after Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Luton — and was the 14th-busiest in the UK in 2017. In 2019, the airport handled over 5 million passengers.

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Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight. That said, there are many factors to consider that will help you decide how much time you should budget for at the airport.

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Because of space limitations and just one, very short runway, large aircraft is not permitted to use the airport, which limits long-haul flight availability. The lack of space also means that London City Airport operates out of a relatively small terminal building.

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London City Airport (LCY) is the closest airport to central London, and it's easily accessible by Tube, bus or taxi. Because it's a smaller airport, arrivals and departures at LCY can be much quicker and easier than larger airports in London.

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Major airports in London. In 2022, four of the airports in London served more than 10 million passengers: London-Heathrow, London-Gatwick, London-Stansted and London-Luton. While much smaller than the others, London-City is also worth mentioning as it's perhaps the most convenient London airport.

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At London (LCY) Airport you will be Fast Track or Expedite through immigrations and customs upon international arrival or Fast Track or Expedite through check in and security upon your departure.

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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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When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure. For most airports, you must be checked in at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time (airports requiring additional time are listed below, Go to footer note).

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Heathrow is by far the largest airport in London. When taking an intercontinental flight from the US, you will most likely end up here. Transportation to west and central London is cheaper and faster than from airports outside London due to the Underground connection.

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Making the steep approach. The most unusual aspect of London City is the steep approach required for landing, with a rate of descent almost double that of other airports. This approach is at 5.5°, compared with a standard approach of around 3°.

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London's Gatwick is the worst offender for delays and cancellations.

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Aircraft Noise Pollution At City airport, more than 330,000 people are overflown by arrivals and 400,000+ by departures – all flying at a range of 4,000 feet or less. Noise readings of 70-75dB have been recorded outside houses on City airport's pre-landing approach (more than 6km out).

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The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.

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To check-in and check bags at the airport, you must be there a certain amount of time before scheduled departure: Within the U.S. – 45 minutes. To or from destinations outside the U.S. – 60 minutes.

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First, check-in closes an hour or two before flight departure; if you're not checked in by then, either through the app, online, or in person at the airport, you may not be able to get a boarding pass to get through security and will likely miss your flight.

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