How long does it take to get from London City airport to central London?

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.



London City Airport (LCY) is widely considered the most convenient hub for travelers heading to the heart of the city, with a journey to Central London taking approximately 25 to 45 minutes. The most efficient and cost-effective method is the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which connects the airport directly to Bank station (the heart of the financial district) in about 22 minutes. From Bank, you can easily transfer to the Central, Northern, or Jubilee lines to reach areas like the West End or Southwark. If you prefer a taxi or private transfer, the drive to the "City" or Canary Wharf typically takes around 30 minutes in light traffic, though this can stretch to an hour during peak London rush hours. The 2026 completion of various "quiet-way" cycling routes also makes it possible to bike to the city in about 45 minutes. Because of its small size and proximity to the city center, "LCY" allows for some of the fastest "curb-to-office" times in the world, making it a favorite for business commuters.

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London City Airport is a light metro station on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Stratford-Woolwich and Bank-Woolwich Lines; serving London City Airport in East London.

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The distance you are travelling should impact your choice. Hiring a cab in London is quite economical if you are travelling small distances within the city. The fares will usually stay under your budget for short distance travelling. However, for longer routes, the prices can go a little higher when compared with Uber.

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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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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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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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London City Airport is only around 6 miles (9.6km) from the centre of London, the closest airport to the city centre.

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London Underground (aka Tube) from Heathrow Airport Our favourite way of getting from Heathrow Airport to central London is to take the Tube, London's underground train system. It's also one of the cheapest options. The Piccadilly Line runs from three locations in Heathrow Airport, and services all the major terminals.

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London City Airport is a light metro station on the Docklands Light Railway Stratford-Woolwich and Bank-Woolwich Lines; serving London City Airport in East London. It opened on 2 December 2005.

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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.

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Catch a ride just outside our terminal There is a cab rank with licensed London Black Taxis outside the terminal building, many with built-in wheelchair access. Fares can vary according to time of day and traffic conditions – ask your driver for details.

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Tube. The Piccadilly line runs to Heathrow Airport terminals 2,3 and 5.

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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 was ranked best by the study, with the average queue lasting just 12 minutes. Half of travellers reported waiting between five and 10 minutes. It was also the only London airport where customers did not suffer any waits of more than an hour.

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London City had over 4.5 million passenger movements in 2017. 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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London City Airport (LCY) London City Airport is located closest to the city and since it is connected to the Underground network, it gets you there fastest too. Situated near the city center and Canary Wharf, the financial heart of London, City Airport is popular for business trips.

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As was perhaps to be expected, London City Airport, the closest airport to the City, is also the most expensive.

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Airlines Serving LCY
  • British Airways.
  • Lufthansa.
  • KLM.
  • SWISS.
  • LOT - Polish Airlines.
  • Flybe.
  • Finnair.
  • Aer Lingus.


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