In this guide
London City is the simplest London airport for public transport because its station is part of the ordinary TfL network. There is no premium airport train and no special airport fare: walk into London City Airport DLR station, touch in and travel using normal Zone 3 rules.
The short version: use the DLR for almost every journey. Change at Canning Town for the Jubilee line, Custom House for the Elizabeth line, Poplar for Canary Wharf connections, or continue towards Bank. A black cab can be worthwhile for a nearby Docklands or City address.
London City transport at a glance
Prices and normal times were checked on 28 July 2026.
| Option | Typical adult cost | Approximate time | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLR to Zone 1 | About £3.90 peak or £3.30 off-peak | About 20–30 minutes to Bank-area journeys | 4/5 | Most travellers |
| DLR plus Elizabeth line | One continuous PAYG journey; exact fare depends on destination | About 20–40 minutes | 4/5 | Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Paddington and west London |
| DLR plus Jubilee line | One continuous PAYG journey; exact fare depends on destination | About 20–45 minutes | 4/5 | Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Waterloo and Westminster |
| Local bus | £1.75 | Varies | 2/5 | Nearby Royal Docks and local destinations |
| Black cab or private hire | Metered or quoted | About 15–45 minutes for many central/east-London destinations | 4/5 | Nearby hotels, groups and door-to-door travel |
The airport is in Zone 3. Check the TfL Single Fare Finder because the exact cost depends on zones, time and route.
Which route is best for your hotel?
| Hotel area or destination | Usually the best first choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ExCeL or Custom House | DLR | Very short direct journey |
| Canary Wharf | DLR, changing at Poplar if required | Close and inexpensive |
| Stratford | DLR | Direct services are available; check destination |
| Liverpool Street, Farringdon or Paddington | DLR to Custom House, then Elizabeth line | Fast east-west connection |
| London Bridge, Waterloo or Westminster | DLR to Canning Town, then Jubilee line | Straightforward interchange |
| Bank, the City or Tower Hill | DLR towards Bank or Tower Gateway | Direct or a short final walk |
| Greenwich | DLR with the appropriate change | Remain within the step-free DLR network |
| Shoreditch | DLR/Elizabeth line or a short taxi | Compare the final walk |
Using the DLR
London City Airport DLR station is immediately beside the terminal. A lift connects the terminal level and platforms, and all DLR stations are step-free between street and platform.
The DLR is automated, although a passenger service agent is normally on board. Check the destination display because the network branches. Useful interchanges include:
- Canning Town for the Jubilee line;
- Custom House for the Elizabeth line and ExCeL;
- Poplar for other DLR branches and Canary Wharf-area connections;
- West Ham for District, Hammersmith & City and National Rail;
- Stratford for the Central, Jubilee, Elizabeth and Overground networks;
- Bank for the City and Underground.
Cost and payment
Use Oyster, contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay or a Travelcard covering Zone 3. Touch in at London City Airport and touch out at the final rail station, including after an interchange.
The current illustrative Zone 1–3 PAYG fare is about £3.90 peak or £3.30 off-peak. Peak times are normally Monday–Friday 06:30–09:30 and 16:00–19:00; exceptions can apply.
Do not buy an “airport transfer” product for the DLR. It is an ordinary TfL journey and counts towards the appropriate daily cap.
Elizabeth and Jubilee line connections
For the Elizabeth line, change at Custom House. This is useful for Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street and Paddington. Check signs carefully because the Elizabeth line platforms are separate from the DLR.
For the Jubilee line, change at Canning Town. This is normally best for Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Waterloo, Westminster, Green Park and Bond Street.
Buses, taxis and private hire
Local buses serve the Royal Docks and nearby east London. They cost £1.75 with Oyster or contactless and can be useful for a local hotel, but the DLR is normally faster for central London.
Licensed black cabs wait outside the terminal. Because London City is only around six miles east of central London, a taxi is more realistic here than from the outer airports. Traffic around the City, events at ExCeL and road tunnels can still make it slow.
Private hire must be booked. Match the driver, registration and vehicle with the app, and follow the airport pickup instructions.
Understanding London City Airport
London City has one compact passenger terminal. There is no terminal transfer. Its small size usually means shorter walks, but the airport has restricted opening hours and flight schedules because of local operating rules.
Current published airport opening hours are generally:
- Monday–Friday: 04:45–22:00;
- Saturday: 04:45–13:00;
- Sunday: 10:30–22:00.
Special hours can apply, so check live flight information rather than using these as a guarantee.
Travelling to London City for departure
Verify the airline deadline, live flight status and TfL service before leaving. The airport is known for a compact departure process, but this is not permission to arrive after the airline’s bag-drop or boarding deadline.
Check DLR and connecting-line status in TfL Go. If the DLR is disrupted, compare local buses, the Elizabeth line at Custom House and a licensed taxi.
London City currently uses scanners that allow permitted liquids of up to 100 ml to remain in the bag, but security rules can change. Follow the airport’s current instructions.
Wi-Fi, SIM cards and useful apps
Free airport Wi-Fi is available. Because the airport is already inside London, it is usually easy to defer buying a SIM until you can compare a mobile shop, supermarket, eSIM or existing roaming plan.
Read Should You Buy a SIM Card at the Airport? before deciding, or start with the complete travel SIM and eSIM guide.
Useful apps include the airline app, TfL Go, Citymapper or Google Maps and an optional licensed taxi/private-hire app.
Luggage and accessibility
The DLR station and network are step-free, but level boarding and the size of the platform gap can vary. Request airline assistance in advance, check lifts for the complete route and avoid peak commuter periods when carrying bulky luggage.
Common mistakes
- Paying for a special airport transfer when ordinary Oyster/contactless works.
- Taking a taxi into the West End without checking traffic and the DLR alternative.
- Boarding the wrong DLR branch without reading the destination.
- Changing at Bank when Custom House or Canning Town provides an easier route.
- Assuming the airport operates through the night.
- Using a phone to touch in and its physical bank card to touch out.
Related London airport guides
- Heathrow Airport to London
- Gatwick Airport to London
- Stansted Airport to London
- Luton Airport to London
- Southend Airport to London
- Which London Train Lines Accept Oyster?
Information checked on 28 July 2026. Verify fares, operating hours and flight information before travel.
