A black cab from London City Airport is roughly £20 to Canary Wharf, about £40 to the West End and around £45 to Earls Court, all on the metered TfL tariff. The rank sits directly outside the arrivals doors, so there is no long walk. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow also serve the forecourt. Prices checked August 2026.
The official black-cab rank
Licensed hackney carriages, the traditional London black cabs, queue at a rank immediately outside the terminal doors. It is one of the longest taxi ranks in Europe, with capacity cited at around 400 cabs, so even at a busy arrivals peak you rarely wait long. Every driver is Knowledge-qualified, the cab is metered to the standard TfL tariff, and you simply walk up and take the next available car. From January 2026 the minimum black-cab fare rose to £4.40, in line with the wider London tariff, and that took effect on 25 April 2026.
Metered fares versus a fixed price
A black cab runs on the meter, so the final fare depends on traffic and time of day rather than a quote. For short Docklands hops that is usually the cheapest way to travel. For longer runs, a pre-booked private hire minicab with a fixed price is often cheaper than the meter and adds flight tracking, which is useful if your inbound flight is delayed. On a short trip like Canary Wharf the two are usually similar, so the meter is fine.
Typical fares from the airport
The figures below are indicative metered black-cab ranges and vary with traffic and time of day. Confirm the price with the driver or operator, especially for the longer runs.
| Destination | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Wharf | ~15 min | around £20 |
| Bank / City of London | 25 to 35 min | £30 to £40 |
| West End / Oxford Circus | 35 to 45 min | £40 to £55 |
| Earls Court | 35 to 45 min | around £45 |
| Heathrow Airport | 60 to 90 min | £90 to £130 (indicative) |
For the full list of destinations, distances and driving times, see the popular routes page.
Uber, Bolt and FreeNow
Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all operate at London City Airport. On Uber you can request a standard UberX or a Black Cab, and the app shows the exact designated pickup zone on the forecourt when you land. That zone can move depending on regulations and the time of day, so always follow the in-app directions rather than heading to a fixed spot. Late in the evening the number of available drivers drops, so for an early or unsociable-hour departure a pre-booked car is the safer bet.
When a taxi beats the alternatives
For Canary Wharf and the immediate Docklands, a black cab is fast and inexpensive, and it takes you to the door rather than a station. It is also the simplest choice with heavy luggage or a group. For almost everything into central London, though, the DLR from inside the terminal is quicker and far cheaper, reaching Bank in about 25 minutes from £3.00. If someone is driving to collect you instead, compare the drop-off charges first, because there is no free kerbside drop at the terminal.
Taxi FAQs
How much is a black cab from London City Airport to Canary Wharf? Roughly £20 on the meter, taking about 15 minutes. The DLR covers the same trip in around 20 minutes for about £2.30 to £2.50.
Where is the taxi rank at London City Airport? Directly outside the arrivals doors on the forecourt. It is a licensed black-cab rank, one of the longest in Europe, so waits are usually short.
Can I use Uber at London City Airport? Yes. Uber, Bolt and FreeNow all serve the airport. The Uber app shows the designated forecourt pickup zone on arrival, and the zone can vary by time and regulation.
Do black cabs pay the drop-off charge? Licensed black cabs are temporarily exempt from the forecourt charge, pending a TfL consultation on integrating it with the meter. Private cars are not exempt.
More: Overview, Public transport, 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.