London City Airport LCY Transfer & Departures

Flying from/to London City Airport

If you are planning to fly to/from London City Airport, check out our tips on what’s the best way to travel between the airport and the city centre. It’s always good to know, what’s the most convenient way to get to your destination. You can also find some data on the London City Airport facilities and some local tips on the airport itself.

Travel from London city centre to London City Airport

The closest UK commercial airport to the center of London, London City Airport lies less than 7 miles (11 kilometers) east of the center of the City of London - London's main financial district. It is also near Canary Wharf, London's other main financial hub. Because of its proximity to the city centre, City Airport is the only London airport accessible with the capital's inner-city transport network, making it the most convenient (although smallest) of London's airports. 

What's the best way to get to the airport from the city centre

Because of its closeness to London city centre, the airport is easily accessible by public transport. It is served by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), a part of the London Underground network, and has its own dedicated stop on the line. The DLR line can most easily be boarded from the city centre at Bank station. City Airport is served by several coach routes, including the 474 and 473, although there is no direct coach line from the city centre to the airport, so passengers do need to change if they want to take the coach. A taxi from the city centre is also an option.

How far is it from the city centre to the airport?

travelling directly from Bank station, it takes around 20 minutes on the DLR to get to London City Airport. Since Bank is in the east of the city centre and most tourists stay further to the west, it is often necessary to use a different Underground line to get to Bank. This is straightforward, however, as Bank and its sister station Monument are served by five tube lines that run to destinations throughout the city centre in quick time. travelling from the city centre by coach is possible but a little more difficult. Passengers will need to change coaches at least twice, and the quickest journey by coach takes around 75 minutes. If passengers are taking a particularly early flight and need to be at the airport before the Underground starts running each day (around 5:00 a.m.), then the coach is the best option, as the 474 coach to City Airport runs through the night. 

What facilities are there at the airport?

London City Airport has a good selection of places to have a cup of coffee or a meal before a flight. Reliable options for a sandwich and coffee include Pret A Manger, Panopolis and Brick Lane Brews, while more substantial meals are available at Pilots Bar & Kitchen and The City Bar. There are a few shopping outlets, including Aelia Duty Free and Aspinal of London. For bottled drinks, a magazine or books for the plane, there is a WHSmith. For passengers with mobility requirements, the airport has produced an accessibility guide with AccessAble, which gives detailed guidance for those with limited mobility as to the easiest routes to use to get around the airport. The Airport also has a dedicated team who will provide any assistance necessary, who can be booked through airlines, tour operators, travel agents or with the airport directly.

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility

The DLR line at Bank station is accessible by underground from street-level, and manual boarding ramps are provided at the station - passengers just need to inform a member of station staff if one is required. All London coaches are fully wheelchair accessible with automatic ramps for boarding and a dedicated area inside the coach for wheelchair passengers. For passengers with limited mobility, the best option for getting to London City Airport is to get the coach from where they are staying to Bank station, and to then board the DLR. The DLR station at London City Airport is step-free.

Local tips: how to travel to the airport like a local

A Londoner would take the DLR to London City Airport, likely from Bank station. This is the quickest and most convenient route, especially because of the ease of access to Bank station from the rest of the city. Something to watch out for is the fare zoning. Most of London's attractions are in zones 1 and 2, whereas London City Airport is in zone 3. If passengers are using London's Oyster card system, then this will not be an issue as the Oyster can be used in all London fare zones, but if not, then it is necessary to buy a different sort of travelcard or single fare out to the airport.