In this guide
London City Airport (LCY) is the most centrally located airport in London, situated just 6 miles (10 km) east of the City of London in Zone 3.
💡 Quick Verdict: London City Airport to London (2026).
- Cheapest & Fastest Route: Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Standard TfL Zone 3-to-1 pay-as-you-go fare (£3.40 off-peak / £4.10 peak).
- Direct Access: The DLR station is physically attached to the airport terminal (a 2-minute covered walk).
- Best Connections:
- Change at Custom House (2 stops) for the Elizabeth Line to Liverpool Street, Farringdon, and Paddington.
- Change at Canning Town (2 stops) for the Jubilee Line to London Bridge, Westminster, and Waterloo.
- Full TfL Acceptance: Contactless bank cards, Apple/Google Pay, Oyster cards, and Travelcards are fully valid!
🛂 Flying in from abroad? Unless you’re British or Irish, a visa-free visit to the UK now needs an ETA approved before you travel: £20 on GOV.UK or the official UK ETA app, and you can’t get one at the airport.
London City Transport Options Compared
Fares and travel times checked on 2 August 2026.
| Transport Option | Central Destination | Journey Time | Single Adult Fare (Contactless / PAYG) | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DLR ➔ Custom House (Elizabeth Line) | Liverpool Street / Paddington | 20–35 mins | £3.40 (Off-Peak) / £4.10 (Peak) | Fastest route to West End, City & Paddington |
| DLR ➔ Canning Town (Jubilee Line) | London Bridge / Westminster | 20–30 mins | £3.40 (Off-Peak) / £4.10 (Peak) | Direct to South Bank, Westminster & Waterloo |
| DLR Direct | Bank Station / City of London | 22 mins | £3.40 (Off-Peak) / £4.10 (Peak) | Direct to the Financial District & Bank |
| Black Cab / Uber | Door-to-door anywhere in London | 15–40 mins | £30.00 – £60.00 | Door-to-door convenience & heavy luggage |
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Which route is best for your hotel area?
| Hotel Area or Landmark | Recommended DLR Route | Why Take This Route? |
|---|---|---|
| Bank, Monument, The City | DLR Direct to Bank | Direct train in 22 mins. |
| Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Paddington | DLR ➔ Custom House ➔ Elizabeth Line | Fast step-free Elizabeth line interchange (Custom House). |
| London Bridge, Waterloo, Westminster | DLR ➔ Canning Town ➔ Jubilee Line | Fast interchange to high-frequency Jubilee line trains. |
| Canary Wharf & Docklands | DLR ➔ Poplar or Westferry | Direct DLR connection in under 15 mins. |
| ExCeL London (Custom House) | DLR Direct | Just 2 stops away on the DLR. |
Book Airport Transfers & Experiences
DLR Station & Terminal Accessibility
London City Airport has one single compact terminal.
London City Airport terminal. Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE.
- 100% Step-Free Access: The DLR station features lifts and level access between the terminal concourse and platforms.
- TfL Fare Capping: All journeys count automatically towards standard daily TfL fare caps.
5 Common London City transit mistakes to avoid
- Paying for private taxis into Central London unnecessarily: The DLR costs £3.40 off-peak and reaches Bank in 22 minutes without road traffic.
- Going all the way to Bank when heading to Paddington: Change at Custom House for the Elizabeth line—it saves over 15 minutes!
- Switching payment devices between taps: Tapping in with a card and out with Apple Pay results in two maximum fare penalties.
- Forgetting weekend operating hours: London City Airport closes earlier on Saturdays (~13:00) due to local noise regulations.
- Overpaying for paper single tickets: Contactless or Oyster pay-as-you-go is automatic and significantly cheaper.
Related London Transport Guides
- ✈️ Heathrow Airport to London Transport Guide
- ✈️ Gatwick Airport to London Transport Guide
- 🚊 Getting Around London: Complete Transport Overview
- 💷 London Transport Fares and Costs 2026
Fares and travel times checked on 2 August 2026. Always verify live timetables with Transport for London.
