This page brings together every common question about London City Airport in one place, covering the DLR, taxis, the drop-off and parking charges, security and the airport's facilities. Prices and times were checked in August 2026, so confirm the specifics on the official London City Airport and TfL sites before you travel.
Getting to and from
What is the fastest way from London City Airport to Canary Wharf? The DLR, about 20 minutes for roughly £2.30 to £2.50 on Oyster or contactless, changing at Canning Town or Poplar. A black cab is about £20 and takes around 15 minutes. See the taxis page and public transport page.
How do I get to the City and Bank from LCY? The DLR runs direct from the station inside the terminal to Bank in about 25 minutes, for £3.00 off-peak or £3.70 at peak.
How do I get to the West End or Oxford Circus? Take the DLR to Bank then the Central line, or change at Canning Town for the Jubilee line. The total trip is about 40 to 45 minutes.
Is the DLR really the best way into London? Yes. It is built into the terminal, roughly a two-minute step-free walk from the platform to check-in, runs every 4 to 10 minutes, and avoids road traffic entirely. Full detail is on the public transport page.
How much is a taxi from London City Airport? A metered black cab is roughly £20 to Canary Wharf, around £40 to the West End and about £45 to Earls Court, all from the rank directly outside arrivals. See the taxis page for the full fare table.
Can I use Uber at LCY? Yes. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all serve the airport. The app shows the designated forecourt pickup zone when you arrive, and it can vary by time and regulation.
What are the last trains at night? The DLR runs until roughly 00:15 Monday to Saturday, with last airport departures near midnight, and until about 23:15 on Sunday. Check TfL for the exact last train.
How do I get from LCY to Heathrow? Take the DLR one stop to Custom House, then the Elizabeth line direct to Heathrow, about 49 to 51 minutes on the train and around an hour or more in total. A taxi is roughly £90 to £130.
How do I get to Gatwick or Stansted from London City Airport? There is no direct link. Travel via central London to a mainline terminus, then take the Gatwick Express or Stansted Express, allowing about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Is there a direct Tube station at London City Airport? No. You reach the Underground via the DLR, either to Bank for the Central, Northern and Waterloo and City lines, or to Canning Town for the Jubilee line.
Which buses serve London City Airport? Route 473 runs to Prince Regent, Custom House, Plaistow and Stratford, and route 474 goes to Canning Town, Silvertown and North Woolwich, both operated by Blue Triangle at the standard TfL bus fare.
How do I get from LCY to Greenwich? Greenwich is about 4 miles away via the Blackwall Tunnel, roughly a 20-minute taxi ride. See the routes page for more destinations.
Parking and drop-off
Is there a drop-off charge at London City Airport? Yes. It is £8 for up to 5 minutes, then £1 per minute to a 10-minute maximum, about £13 for the full stay. It was introduced on 6 January 2026, and you pay online by midnight the next day. Full detail is on the drop-off page.
How do I pay the drop-off charge? The forecourt uses barrierless ANPR cameras, so there is nothing to pay on site. You pay online by midnight on the day after your visit.
Who is exempt from the drop-off charge? Blue Badge holders are exempt, and licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt pending a TfL consultation on integrating the charge with the taxi meter. Private and ride-hailing cars pay the full tariff.
How much is parking at LCY? On-site short-stay is roughly £11 to £16 a day. On-the-day long-stay can reach about £60 for 24 hours, so booking ahead is much cheaper. Off-site providers advertise from around £6 a day when pre-booked. See the parking page.
Is it cheaper to book parking in advance? Yes. On-site parking uses dynamic pricing, and the on-the-day rate is always the most expensive.
How can I avoid the drop-off fee at LCY? Use the DLR, which is built into the terminal, or meet an arriving passenger one or two DLR stops away, such as Canning Town, at no cost.
At the airport
How early should I arrive at London City Airport? About 60 to 90 minutes before a short-haul flight. Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure, security 20 minutes before, and the gate 15 minutes before. See the facilities page for more on security and Fast Track.
Is LCY really as fast as people say? Yes. Hand-baggage passengers who have checked in online can go from check-in to gate in around 20 minutes, and the gate is typically a two-minute walk from security.
How long does security take? It is usually quick, often under 10 to 15 minutes. Newer CT scanners let many passengers keep liquids and laptops in their bag.
Can I take more than 100ml of liquid through security now? Yes. Since 26 January 2026, CT scanners mean containers up to 2 litres are allowed, and liquids, laptops and tablets can stay in your cabin bag.
Is there a lounge at London City Airport? Not currently. The first Aspire-branded lounge is due to open in early 2027. Paid Business and First lounges exist separately at the Private Jet Centre. More on the facilities page.
Does LCY have left luggage? There is no reliable on-site left-luggage or locker facility. Travellers use off-site services near ExCeL or Canary Wharf, such as Stasher, LuggageHero or Bounce. More on the facilities page.
Is there a prayer room at LCY? Provision is unclear. The airport publishes a page on the subject, but other sources say there is no dedicated multi-faith room, so confirm directly with the airport if this matters to you.
How do I arrange special assistance at London City? Book through your airline at least 48 hours before departure, or email assistance@londoncityairport.com for extra help at security.
Can I bring an assistance dog through London City? Yes. The dog must be microchipped, vaccinated and have had tapeworm treatment before travel, and you should notify your airline at least 48 hours ahead.
Is smoking or vaping allowed? No. Smoking and vaping are not allowed inside the terminal. Use the designated outdoor areas only.
Why does London City Airport close at weekends? Noise rules require a 24-hour respite, so the airport shuts from around 12:30 on Saturday to around 12:30 on Sunday. That means there are no Saturday-afternoon flights.
How much is Fast Track security at LCY? Third-party listings put it at around £12.50 per person, bookable in advance. Confirm the current official price when you book.
Practical questions
How many passengers use London City Airport? It handled about 3.6 million passengers in 2024, still recovering toward its pre-pandemic peak of around 4.8 million.
Why is London City the closest airport to central London? It sits in the Royal Docks, about 6 miles from the City of London and just 3 miles from Canary Wharf, closer than any of the capital's other airports.
Why does London City have such a short runway and steep approach? The runway is only 1,508 metres, which forces a steep 5.5-degree approach and limits the airport to specially certified small jets.
Is there free WiFi at London City Airport? Yes, throughout the terminal. See the facilities page for more on WiFi and other services.
Can I travel with children easily at LCY? Yes. The airport is compact and step-free from the DLR, with short walking distances, which makes it straightforward with buggies and young children.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, Facilities, News, Blog.
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Last verified August 2026 by the London City Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official London City Airport website before you travel.