London City Airport Transfers: What You Actually Need to Know

London City Airport (LCY) is in East London, about 5 miles from the City of London, and sits in Fare Zone 3 according to the airport's own page. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) serves the airport and connects with the Elizabeth line, the Overground and the Underground; the airport says trains run every 4 to 10 minutes depending on the destination. A taxi rank is just outside the terminal, and three TfL bus routes stop at the airport. Our route database puts Canary Wharf, Stratford and Greenwich about 5 km away and Westminster about 13 km. A pre-booked private transfer is the door-to-door option; the live price to Canary Wharf is from EUR 70.

The airport's page describes a step-free route from the DLR station to the terminal, with a lift, so you can leave the station and reach the terminal without stairs. We did not find an official description of the arrivals hall or baggage reclaim, so this guide does not describe them.

Allow time for baggage before you assume a fixed pick-up time, and tell your transfer provider if your flight changes.

DLR: The railway serves the airport, with connections to the Elizabeth line, the Overground and the Underground. The airport says trains run every 4 to 10 minutes depending on where you are going, and that you can pay as you go by contactless card or mobile.

Elizabeth line: The airport names it as a fast connection. No further detail is given on its page, so check TfL for journey times.

Buses: TfL routes 129 (Lewisham to Galleons Reach), 473 (North Woolwich to Stratford) and 474 (Canning Town to Manor Park) serve the airport. The airport lists step-free access on these buses. Routes 473 and 474 connect with the SL2 Superloop at North Woolwich.

Taxis: There is a taxi rank immediately outside the terminal. No official fare table is published.

Pre-booked private transfer: A pre-booked transfer goes to your accommodation at a price confirmed when you book. If meet-and-greet is included in your booking, the driver meets you as stated in your booking confirmation.

The airport publishes no taxi fare table, so no taxi price is given here. A metered fare depends on distance, time and traffic, so ask the driver how the fare is worked out before you set off.

For comparison, our live price for a pre-booked transfer to Canary Wharf is from EUR 70, and to Stratford it is from EUR 66. Prices depend on the destination and the vehicle, so use the quote tool on this page for your exact route. The DLR is paid for as you go, and we do not quote its fares: check TfL for the current fare.

The airport's page names route 474 as a 24-hour bus service. It does not give DLR operating hours, so we cannot say when the last or first train runs; check TfL before you travel. The taxi rank is outside the terminal, but no hours are stated for it.

If your flight lands late, the safest plan is a pre-booked transfer confirmed before you fly. Give your flight number and address at booking, and check your booking confirmation for how delays are handled.

We found no official family or luggage information beyond a reference to the assisted travel page, so none is given here. The step-free route from the DLR station and the step-free access on the TfL buses may help if you travel with a stroller. We found no official statement on child seats in taxis, so if you need one, request it when you book a transfer, give the child's age and weight, and confirm it in your booking confirmation.

With several bags, tell your provider the group size and luggage count at booking so that the vehicle is large enough.

For a pre-booked transfer the meeting point and driver details are in your booking confirmation. If meet-and-greet is included in your booking, follow the instructions there. The taxi rank is immediately outside the terminal. For the DLR, follow the signs to the station and use the lift if you have luggage.

Keep your booking confirmation and the driver's contact details open on your phone while you walk out.

Use the DLR if: you are going to a station on the network or want to change to the Elizabeth line, the Overground or the Underground, and you travel light.

Use a bus if: your destination is on one of the three listed routes. Route 474 runs around the clock.

Use the taxi rank if: you want to leave straight away and are happy to pay a metered fare.

Book a private transfer if: you have a group, children or heavy luggage, arrive late, or want the arrangement and the price confirmed before you fly.