The cheapest and fastest way into London from London City Airport is the DLR, which runs from a station built into the terminal. Bank is about 25 minutes away for £3.00 off-peak or £3.70 at peak, and Canary Wharf is around 20 minutes for roughly £2.30 to £2.50. Trains leave every 4 to 10 minutes. Prices checked August 2026.
The DLR, the signature link
The Docklands Light Railway station sits inside the terminal, on the Woolwich Arsenal branch. From the platform it is roughly a 100 metre, under-two-minute walk to check-in, and the same in reverse from the baggage hall, all fully step-free by lift. This is the shortest airport-to-train transfer of any London airport, and it is the reason most travellers skip a taxi.
On Oyster or contactless, a trip to Bank is about £3.00 off-peak or £3.70 at peak, and Canary Wharf is roughly £2.30 to £2.50. Journey times are about 6 minutes to Canning Town, around 20 minutes to Canary Wharf (changing at Canning Town or Poplar), and about 25 minutes to Bank. Trains run roughly every 4 to 10 minutes. Service is approximately 05:30 to 00:15 Monday to Saturday, with a reduced Sunday timetable of about 07:00 to 23:15.
Elizabeth line and Underground connections
There is no direct Tube to the terminal, but the DLR links you to everything quickly. One stop to Custom House puts you on the Elizabeth line, which runs direct to Liverpool Street, Tottenham Court Road, Paddington and onward to Heathrow. A change at Canning Town gives you the Jubilee line for Stratford, Waterloo and the West End. For the Central, Northern or Waterloo and City lines, take the DLR to Bank. One quirk worth knowing at Custom House: use the front Elizabeth-line gates so you tap the validators correctly when changing between the DLR and the Elizabeth line.
Buses
Two local TfL buses serve the airport, both operated by Blue Triangle. Route 473 runs to Prince Regent, Custom House, Plaistow and Stratford, and route 474 goes to Canning Town, Silvertown and North Woolwich. A single is a standard TfL bus fare, around £1.75 on Oyster or contactless (confirm the current TfL tariff), and the Hopper lets you take unlimited buses within one hour. It is a few minutes to Canning Town and about 10 minutes to Stratford. Buses are cheap but slower and less direct than the DLR for most trips.
Coaches
There is no dedicated National Express-style coach service from the terminal. Long-distance coaches use central London terminals such as Victoria instead, so you would take the DLR into London first and change there.
Public transport at a glance
| Mode | Fare | Time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| DLR to Bank | £3.00 off-peak / £3.70 peak | ~25 min | every 4 to 10 min |
| DLR to Canary Wharf | ~£2.30 to £2.50 | ~20 min | every 4 to 10 min |
| DLR to Canning Town | Oyster/contactless fare | ~6 min | every 4 to 10 min |
| Bus 473 (to Stratford) | ~£1.75 single (indicative) | ~10 min to Stratford | TfL frequency |
| Bus 474 (to Canning Town) | ~£1.75 single (indicative) | a few min | TfL frequency |
When a taxi is worth it
For Canary Wharf and the immediate Docklands, a black cab at around £20 can be quicker door to door than the DLR, and it makes sense with a group or heavy bags. For nearly every trip into central London, though, the DLR is faster and much cheaper. If you are being met by car, remember the drop-off charge starts at £8, so meeting at a DLR stop can avoid it.
Public transport FAQs
Is the DLR the best way into London from LCY? Yes. It is built into the terminal, about a two-minute step-free walk from check-in, runs every 4 to 10 minutes, and avoids road traffic.
How do I get from London City Airport to Heathrow by train? Take the DLR one stop to Custom House, then the Elizabeth line direct to Heathrow. The train is about 49 to 51 minutes, so allow around an hour or more in total.
What time do the last trains leave London City Airport? 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.
Is there a direct Tube to London City Airport? No. There is no Underground station at the terminal. You reach the Tube by taking the DLR to Bank or to Canning Town for the Jubilee line.
More: Overview, Taxis, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
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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.