Primary planning route
Take the DLR and change according to the live journey planner. TfL lists direct DLR journeys of about 18 minutes from Canary Wharf and 22 minutes from Bank.
Official route information: Transport for London • checkedAirport arrival guide · LCY
London City Airport to central London
London City sits on the DLR network, making it the most urban of the five arrival routes in this guide.
Choose by the last mile
The best route is the one that reaches your hotel simply
Taxi or minicab
Potentially convenient for several travellers or awkward luggage, but road conditions and licensed-provider checks matter.
After baggage reclaim
A three-step arrival plan
- 1
Follow DLR signs from the terminal.
- 2
Decide whether Bank, Canary Wharf or another interchange creates the simplest final leg.
- 3
Use one contactless card or device per traveller and touch correctly.
Payment and luggage
Contactless and Oyster pay as you go are accepted on the DLR.
Keep luggage manageable enough to lift, turn and move through a busy interchange without blocking doors or aisles.
Late arrival
Check the exact DLR and onward service for the arrival date. A short airport leg does not guarantee that the final interchange is still open.
Do not attach a timed fan attraction to flight arrival day unless losing it would be acceptable.
Source and limits
Check again on the travel date
Routes, fares and timetables can change. This page is a decision aid, not a live departure board.
Build the rest of arrival day
Keep it flexible, local to the hotel and easy to abandon if the flight is late.