London City Airport (LCY) — Complete Travel Guide
London City Airport is the most central of London's five airports, sitting in the Royal Docks in East London — just 6 miles from the City of London and 3 miles from Canary Wharf. It opened in 1987 and has built a reputation as the fastest, most efficient airport in the capital: compact, well-connected, and designed around the needs of business travellers and short-haul passengers who want to spend as little time in an airport as possible. This guide covers everything you need to know: where the airport is, how to get there, what's inside, which lounges are worth using, and how to get to and from other London airports.
Need a transfer to or from London City Airport? UK Airport Transfer Services provides fixed-price private hire from LCY to any UK address — meet-and-greet included, free flight monitoring, no hidden fees.
Where is London City Airport?
London City Airport (IATA code: LCY) is located at Hartmann Road, London E16 2PX, in the Royal Docks area of East London. It sits on a former docklands site between the River Thames to the south and the ExCeL London exhibition centre to the north.
Of all five London airports, LCY is the closest to the city centre — approximately 6 miles east of the City of London and 3 miles from Canary Wharf. For comparison: Heathrow is around 15 miles west, Gatwick 28 miles south, Stansted 35 miles north-east, and Luton 33 miles north. This central position is its defining advantage, particularly for passengers travelling to or from the financial districts.
How to get to London City Airport
By DLR (fastest option)
The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) has a dedicated station — London City Airport — on the Woolwich Arsenal branch. It is the fastest and most reliable public transport option.
From Bank (City of London): approximately 22 minutes
From Canary Wharf: approximately 6 minutes
From Stratford: approximately 20 minutes
From London Bridge: approximately 25 minutes (change at Shadwell or Bank)
Trains run every 8–10 minutes during the day
The DLR station is directly connected to the terminal — no shuttle or outdoor walk required.
By Tube
There is no direct Tube line to London City Airport, but the DLR connects to several Tube lines:
Bank station: Central, Northern, and Waterloo & City lines
Stratford station: Central, Jubilee, and Elizabeth lines
Shadwell: Overground connection
From most central London Tube stations, the total journey to LCY via the DLR takes 25–40 minutes.
By bus
Two bus routes serve the airport directly, though both take longer than the DLR:
Route 473: connects to Stratford, Silvertown, and North Woolwich
Route 474: connects to Canning Town, Beckton, and East Ham
Buses are best suited for passengers already in East London, or those travelling outside DLR hours.
By private transfer or taxi
A pre-booked private transfer is the most practical option for passengers with luggage, travelling in groups, or connecting from another London airport. Your driver meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to your destination without changes or station walks.
UK Airport Transfer Services covers pickups and drop-offs at London City Airport to all major London destinations, including transfers to Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton.
By car
London City Airport is accessible via the A1020 (Royal Docks Road) and A13. Short-stay and long-stay car parks are available on-site, though spaces are limited and should be booked in advance. For a one-way trip, a pre-booked transfer is often cheaper than parking costs.
Flights from London City Airport
London City Airport focuses on European business routes and select domestic services. Its compact runway cannot accommodate wide-body long-haul aircraft, so it is used primarily for short and medium-haul flying.
Domestic routes include regular services to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Belfast City, and Manchester — all popular with business travellers commuting between the financial centres.
European destinations from LCY include Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Zurich, Geneva, Dublin, Milan, Paris, Rome, Madrid, and Malaga, among others. British Airways operates a significant share of LCY's European schedule, alongside Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and KLM.
Seasonal leisure routes to destinations in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy are also available, particularly in summer.
Terminals and facilities
London City Airport has a single terminal, which is part of what makes it so quick and easy to use. From kerb to gate typically takes under 30 minutes, even without fast track.
Check-in and security are compact and rarely produce the long queues seen at Heathrow or Gatwick. Arriving 60–90 minutes before departure is generally sufficient for most flights.
Shopping includes duty-free, a WHSmith, fashion and accessories retailers, and a handful of gift and travel essentials stores. The range is smaller than larger airports but covers the basics well.
Eating and drinking options include a mix of cafés, bars, and casual dining — including a Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill airside, which is a notable step above the typical airport offering.
Accessibility — the airport is fully step-free, with assistance available for passengers with reduced mobility throughout the terminal.
London City Airport lounges
No1 Lounge (airside)
The No1 Lounge is LCY's main independent lounge, accessible to all passengers for a walk-up fee or via Priority Pass, Lounge Key, and certain premium credit cards. It offers complimentary food and drinks, barista coffee, Wi-Fi, and a quieter working environment than the main terminal. It's a solid option for business travellers with time to spare before a flight.
Airline lounges
British Airways operates a dedicated lounge at LCY for business class passengers and eligible frequent flyers. Access is included with a BA business class ticket or through Oneworld status.
Transfers from London City Airport to other airports
LCY's location in East London means transfers to west London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick) involve crossing the city. Here are the most practical options:
London City Airport to Heathrow
By public transport: Take the DLR to Bank, then the Piccadilly line west to Heathrow. Total journey approximately 60–75 minutes depending on the terminal.
By private transfer: Approximately 45–60 minutes by road, door to terminal. The most practical option for passengers with luggage or a tight connection.
From: £75 with UK Airport Transfer Services
London City Airport to Gatwick
By public transport: DLR to London Bridge, then Southern or Thameslink to Gatwick. Approximately 60–75 minutes.
By private transfer: Approximately 60–75 minutes by road depending on traffic.
From: £95 with UK Airport Transfer Services
London City Airport to Stansted or Luton
Both require crossing or skirting central London by road. Private transfer is the most direct option — approximately 60–75 minutes to either airport in normal traffic.
Get a fixed-price quote for any LCY transfer →
Frequently asked questions
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London City Airport is located in the Royal Docks in East London, at Hartmann Road, London E16 2PX — approximately 6 miles east of the City of London and 3 miles from Canary Wharf. It is the closest airport to central London of all five London airports.
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The fastest option is the DLR from Bank station (approximately 22 minutes) or Canary Wharf (approximately 6 minutes). The DLR station is directly connected to the terminal. Buses 473 and 474 also serve the airport but take considerably longer.
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Yes. At approximately 6 miles from the City of London, LCY is the closest of London's five airports to the city centre — significantly closer than Heathrow (15 miles), Gatwick (28 miles), Stansted (35 miles), or Luton (33 miles).
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There is no direct public transport link. Via the DLR and Piccadilly line, the journey takes approximately 60–75 minutes. A private transfer by road takes approximately 45–60 minutes and is the most direct option for passengers with luggage or a connecting flight to catch.
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Yes — the No1 Lounge is available to all passengers for a fee or via Priority Pass and compatible credit cards. British Airways also operates a dedicated lounge for business class passengers and eligible Oneworld frequent flyers.
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Most passengers move from entrance to departure gate in under 30 minutes. Security queues are short compared to larger London airports. Arriving 60–90 minutes before departure is typically sufficient, though 2 hours is recommended during busy morning business travel peaks.
Tips for travelling through London City Airport
Travel light if possible. Aircraft at LCY are smaller regional jets, meaning baggage allowances can be stricter than at larger airports. Check your airline's limits before you pack.
Use the DLR. It's direct, reliable, and connects seamlessly to the terminal. During rush hour it avoids the road congestion that can slow car journeys significantly.
Pre-book parking. Spaces are limited and sell out quickly. Book at least two weeks ahead for the best rates.
Check your terminal in advance — there's only one. But confirm which airline desk you're checking in at, as positions within the terminal can vary.
Allow extra time for morning departures. Business travel peaks at LCY are early — the 6–8am window can see longer security queues than usual.
Need a transfer to or from a London airport?
Fixed-price private hire from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City Airport — door to door, free flight monitoring, no hidden fees.
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