London City Airport to Central London: DLR, Taxi

Quick answer

Take the DLR from London City Airport station, next to the terminal, in fare Zone 3. Trains run every 4 to 10 minutes depending on destination, westbound to Bank in the City or north to Stratford International. For the Elizabeth line, change at Canning Town for a Beckton train to Custom House. Pay with contactless or a mobile wallet. Black cabs wait at the rank outside the terminal.

Compare the options

LCY to central London

Option	Best for	Where at LCY	Fare
DLR	The City, Canary Wharf, Stratford	London City Airport station, joined to the terminal	TfL pay as you go, Zone 3
DLR plus Elizabeth line	ExCeL, Liverpool Street, Bond Street, Paddington, Heathrow	DLR to Canning Town, Beckton train to Custom House	TfL pay as you go
Bus 129, 473, 474	Local trips in east and south east London	Bus stops by the terminal	TfL bus fare
Black cab	Door to door, heavy bags, late arrivals	Taxi rank just outside the terminal	Metered, set by TfL

DLR (Docklands Light Railway)

Quickest for the City and Canary Wharf

Station: London City Airport, an elevated station joined to the terminal; a lift links the platforms and the terminal
Zone: Fare Zone 3
Frequency: Every 4 to 10 minutes depending on destination
Westbound: To Bank in the City, or Stratford International
Pay with: Contactless card or mobile pay as you go. Touch in and out on the platform readers.

For Canary Wharf, change on the DLR or ride to Canning Town for the Jubilee line, which also reaches London Bridge and Westminster. The DLR runs step free. Journey times vary by route and time of day, so use the TfL Journey Planner and check before you travel. Airport transport page; DLR station services.

Elizabeth line via Custom House

For ExCeL, the West End and Heathrow

Change: DLR from the airport to Canning Town, then a Beckton-bound DLR train two stops to Custom House
Custom House: Served by the DLR and the Elizabeth line, with a walkway to ExCeL
Elizabeth line: West through the City and the West End towards Paddington, Reading and Heathrow; east to Abbey Wood

No Elizabeth line station serves the airport itself; the line passes about 300 metres south. The airport calls the Elizabeth line a quick switch from the DLR. Custom House station; airport history.

London buses

Cheap, slower, useful at night

Route 129: Lewisham to Galleons Reach
Route 473: North Woolwich to Stratford
Route 474: Canning Town to Manor Park, 24 hours
Superloop: Routes 473 and 474 connect with the SL2 towards Walthamstow at North Woolwich

Buses serving the airport have step-free wheelchair access. Airport transport page.

Black cabs, minicabs and app cars

Door to door

Black cabs: At the taxi rank just outside the terminal, including cabs with built-in wheelchair access
Fares: Metered at TfL rates. Drivers may add £6 on the meter towards the airport drop-off charge. check before you travel
Minicabs and chauffeurs: Must be booked in advance

Airport assisted travel page; drop-off charges; TfL taxi fares.

Book an airport transfer

Transfer booking is not connected here. The DLR is next to the terminal and is the simplest way into the City.

See the DLR

Driving

The terminal postcode is E16 2PX; the car park is E16 2PB. The Drop-off area, Pick-Up area, long stay parking and car hire are reached from the west via Connaught Bridge and from the east via Redgrave Bridge and Albert Road. Every stop on the forecourt is charged; see parking, drop-off and pick-up. Airport transport page; assisted travel page.

Questions travelers ask

How do I get from London City Airport to central London?

Take the DLR from London City Airport station, joined to the terminal. Westbound trains run to Bank in the City; trains run every 4 to 10 minutes depending on destination.

Does the Elizabeth line stop at London City Airport?

No. Take the DLR to Canning Town and change for a Beckton train to Custom House, which is on the Elizabeth line.

What fare zone is London City Airport in?

Zone 3. You can pay with contactless or mobile pay as you go.

Is there a taxi rank at London City Airport?

Yes, just outside the terminal. Black cabs are metered at TfL rates; minicabs must be booked in advance.

Sources

Last checked 12 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Details at the airport change often; the airport's website and your airline have the final word.

Getting from London City Airport into London