London City Airport is in the Docklands area of east London. It is one of the easiest airports to travel to and from central London by public transport.
Non-European flights usually land at either London Heathrow or London Gatwick airport.
See a map of all London airports.
DLR and tube: London City airport to/from central London
The best way to travel to/from London City Airport is via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
The airport has its own station — ‘London City Airport’ (zone 3). DLR trains from here connect with the underground (tube) network at:
- Canning Town (for the Jubilee line)
- Bank (for the Central & Northern lines)
- Tower Gateway DLR (it’s a short walk to Tower Hill tube station for the District or Circle lines)
See how to to plan a journey.
Journey time & frequency
DLR trains leave every 10 minutes. Approximate journey times, including connection with the underground:
- To/from Victoria – 40 minutes
- To/from King’s Cross or St Pancras – 40 minutes
- To/from Paddington – 45 minutes
- To/from Bayswater – 55 minutes
- To/from Holborn – 35 minutes
DLR/Tube fares: London City airport to/from central London (zone 1)
If you buy ticket from a ticket machine, a single ticket to central London (zone 1) is £6.70
With a Pay as you go Oyster card or contactless debit/credit card it’s either £3.70 if you travel before 9.30am Monday–Friday, or £3 at any other time.
If you plan to use public transport for the rest of the day in London there are three choices:
Use a Pay as you go Oyster card
Top up an Oyster card with £10.00. This is the one day cap for travel in zones 1-3. It’s the maximum amount deducted for unlimited one day travel.
Use a contactless card
If you have a contactless debit or credit card, £10 is deducted from your card.
Buy a One Day Travelcard
If you don’t have a contactless card and don’t want an Oyster card, a zone 1-4 One Day Travelcard costs £15.90.
Single tickets, Travelcards and Oyster cards are available from the ticket machines at London City Airport DLR station.
Please note that there are no ticket barriers at this station. You must tap your Oyster or contactless card/device on the small ticket validator at the bottom of the escaltors up to the DLR platform. If you don’t do this you will be charged the maximum fare (expensive!).
Bus: London City airport to/from central London
There are two bus routes that serve the airport. We would only advise taking a bus if you need to travel to/from certain parts of east London. We do not advise a bus to/from central London. Traffic is very heavy in that part of London.
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Last updated: 24 February 2024