A London City Airport transfer is the shortest of the airport runs from central London, but short does not mean simple. The airport sits in the Docklands, close to the City and Canary Wharf, and the roads around it fill up at the same times as everyone else’s. We provide a pre-booked chauffeur who collects you from your address and takes you to the terminal, or meets you on arrival and takes you wherever you are going.
How far is London City Airport from central London?
From Trafalgar Square it is 9 miles (14 km), about 30 minutes without traffic. Because the distance is short, the clock matters more than the miles: a clear run at night and a congested one at 8am can differ by a long way. We plan the pick-up from your check-in time, not from the best-case figure.
If you are connecting between airports, Heathrow to London City is 26 miles (41 km) and about 1 hour 10 minutes without traffic. You can see the central London route in Google Maps.
London City Airport transfer, DLR or car?
The Docklands Light Railway is the standard public route, with a station at the airport and links to the Tube. For a traveller with a rucksack, it is quick and inexpensive. Where it is less convenient:
- You are staying outside the DLR corridor and face several changes with luggage.
- You are travelling as a family or group.
- You have an early flight and want to avoid planning around first trains.
- You are arriving and want to go straight to a hotel, a meeting or a home address.
In those cases a private car is the easier choice. Check current rail routes and times on the Transport for London site and the airport’s own travel page before you decide.
What a chauffeur transfer includes
Our cars are driven by professional chauffeurs, and the price is fixed before you book. VAT is included. On airport pick-ups the first hour of waiting is free, which is useful at a small airport where your party may be spread across baggage reclaim and the arrivals hall.
The fleet:
- Mercedes E-Class or BMW 5 Series, up to 3 passengers
- Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series, up to 3 passengers
- Mercedes V-Class or VW Transporter, up to 8 passengers
- Range Rover, up to 4 passengers
- Mercedes Sprinter minibus, up to 16 passengers, quoted on request
London City Airport transfer to a hotel
Many City Airport passengers are on business and heading for a hotel or office in the City, the West End or Canary Wharf. Tell us the exact address and we plan the route. If you are staying a few days and need a car for meetings, we also offer chauffeur service by the hour, with a 4-hour minimum, so the same driver can take you around town.
London City Airport transfer to Heathrow and other airports
A common request is a link between London City and Heathrow, for example when a short-haul flight lands at one and a long-haul departure leaves from the other. It is a long drive across London, so leave generous time. We can quote the leg on request. We also cover Heathrow, Luton, Stansted and Gatwick.
If you are catching a train to Europe, the London City to St Pancras drive is 9 miles (15 km) and about 35 minutes without traffic. See our St Pancras Eurostar transfer page for the details.
Pick-up and drop-off at the airport
Airports set their own rules for where cars may stop and whether a charge applies. These change, so rely on the official London City Airport website for the current arrangements. What we do is tell you in advance where to meet the driver and keep in touch about it, so you are not wandering around looking for the car.
Who uses a London City Airport transfer
London City is a business airport. Its location near the financial district means many passengers are travelling for work, with a laptop bag and a short stay. For them the question is not cost per mile but whether the car is at the kerb at 6am and whether they reach the terminal in time for a short check-in window. Check the check-in and bag-drop times with your airline.
It is also used by leisure travellers flying to European cities, and by anyone connecting from a Eurostar or from another airport. Families with luggage find the car easier than the DLR with cases, particularly at the stations where you have to change.
Arrivals at London City
On arrival, the driver meets you at the agreed point and drives you to your hotel, home or office. Because the airport is small, you are usually out of the building quickly, but our free first hour of waiting covers a delay at baggage reclaim or immigration. If you are expecting a late landing, tell us the flight number.
Return trips and multiple legs
If you are going out and coming back, we can quote both legs together, so the same chauffeur team knows your plan. The same goes for a multi-stop day, for example a drop at the airport after a morning of meetings. For that kind of day, hourly hire with a 4-hour minimum can work better than separate transfers, and we will tell you which is the sensible option for your plans.
Weather and delays
London City operates in the middle of a busy urban area, and delays do happen. If your flight is retimed, let us know and we will move the pick-up. Where the change is large, we will tell you what we can do.
London City Airport transfer cost
Transfers to and from London City Airport are quoted on request, so we do not show a figure here. The quote is a single fixed price, VAT included, with the first hour of airport waiting free. For how we price other journeys, see the prices page.
How to book
- Fill in the form below, or use the contact page.
- Give the date, time, pick-up and drop-off address, passengers and luggage.
- For an arrival, add your flight number.
- We send one fixed price, VAT included.
- Confirm and your chauffeur is booked.
If the airport is part of a wider trip, such as a wedding or a group arrival, we can arrange the cars together. See wedding car hire and minibus and coach hire for larger parties.
Last updated 20 October 2026.
