General
Overview
London City Airport (LCY) is the most central airport, perfectly sized for a 20-minute curb-to-gate experience.
Transfer Options
TfL services — including the Tube, Elizabeth Line, Overground, and DLR — are occasionally affected by industrial action. Check the TfL service status page the evening before travel. If the Tube is suspended, use London buses (unaffected by most Tube strikes) or book a Black Cab or Uber in advance for airport runs.
Luggage Storage
On-Site Storage (Information Desk)
There are no self-service lockers on-site. You must register your items at the Information Desk located in the main terminal concourse.
Pricing: £10.00/24h.
Operating Hours: Usually follows terminal hours, approximately 05:00 to 22:00 on weekdays, with reduced hours on Saturdays (closing around 13:00) and Sundays.
Nearby Alternatives
Because on-site storage is relatively expensive, many passengers use third-party stashpoints located in hotels and shops within a 5-minute walk of the terminal.
Exit the main terminal and walk west along Hartmann Road and Connaught Road to find the Stasher Luggage Storage - London City Airport hosted at the Premier Inn London Docklands hotel.
Handling Large Luggage
Most airport trains terminate at major hubs like Paddington, Victoria, or Liverpool Street, which are rarely within walking distance of your final accommodation.
If you have large luggage, do not attempt to transfer to the Underground (Tube) once you reach the city rail hubs. Instead, follow the “Taxi” signs within the station to the official taxi rank. A 10-minute Black Cab ride from the station to your hotel door is the safest way to avoid the narrow stairs and deep tunnels of the Tube with heavy bags.
Visitor Cards & Transit Passes
Visitor Cards
- London Pass: Provides entry to 110+ attractions; you can add a pre-loaded Travelcard (Zones 1-6) for all Tube, bus, and rail travel. Prices start at £99 for 1 day (up to £259 for 10 days).
- Go City London: Two pass types — the Explorer Pass (choose 2–7 attractions, 30 days to use; from £64) or the All-Inclusive Pass (unlimited attractions for a fixed duration; from £99 for 1 day).
Transport for London (TfL)
London transport operates on a “pay-as-you-go” system with daily and weekly price caps. For most visitors, Contactless/Mobile Pay is the most efficient option.
- Contactless/Mobile Pay: Use any bank card or phone wallet (Apple/Google Pay). Daily caps for Zones 1-2 are £8.90, while the Monday–Sunday cap is £44.70.
- Visitor Oyster Card: Costs £5 (non-refundable) plus your chosen credit. It offers exclusive discounts at West End restaurants and the London Transport Museum.
- Day Travelcard: A paper ticket costing £16.60 (Zones 1-6, off-peak). Recommended if you want to use the “National Rail 2-for-1” entry deals at landmarks like the Tower of London (requires a paper ticket from a National Rail station).
- Discount Linking: Visitors with a Senior Railcard or Disabled Persons Railcard can link it to an Oyster card at a TfL ticket office for a 33% discount on off-peak fares.
Children’s Fares
- Under 5 — always free: Children under 5 travel free on all TfL services (Tube, bus, Elizabeth Line, DLR) when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. No card required.
- 5–10 — free on buses and trams: No card needed. For the Tube, Elizabeth Line, and DLR, one fare-paying adult can bring up to 4 children under 11 for free — they do not need to tap in or out.
- 11–15 — child-rate tickets: Buy a child-rate paper ticket at any ticket machine (roughly half the adult fare) or apply in advance for an 11–15 Zip Oyster photocard for free bus and tram travel.
Where to Buy
London City: Use the ticket machines at the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) station, which is physically connected to the terminal. Contactless is fully supported.
TfL Fares & PaymentsUse the “Step-free mode” in the TfL Go app to find routes that only use lifts/elevators.
Most Londoners use Citymapper. It is more intuitive for first-time visitors, showing exactly which section of the train to board for the easiest exit near the station lifts.
Public Transit
Train & Tube
This is the most convenient airport for central London. The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) runs every 8–15 minutes. It connects to the Underground at Canning Town (Jubilee Line) or continues to Bank in the heart of the City.
The DLR is fully automated and offers level boarding at all stations, making it excellent for travelers with mobility concerns.
Tickets & Validation
For Heathrow, Gatwick, and St Pancras (Tube/Bus), do not buy paper tickets. Simply tap your Contactless Credit Card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay on the yellow readers at the station gates.
- Validation: You must tap in at the start and tap out at the end of your journey (except on buses, where you only tap in).
- Stansted Exception: Ensure you have a pre-booked digital ticket for the Stansted Express.
Unlike in the past, visitors no longer need a physical Oyster Card. Using your own contactless credit card automatically calculates the “daily cap,” ensuring you never overpay for travel across the bus, Tube, and rail networks.
Coach (National Express)
Price and Time
National Express coaches connect Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted to Victoria Coach Station. For Stansted, prices start at £12 and the journey can take up to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
For those with heavy bags, the coach is often preferable as drivers load your luggage into the under-carriage. Always pre-book online to ensure a seat, as “walk-up” fares are significantly higher and buses frequently sell out during peak hours.
Accessibility & Safety
All London airports and major rail hubs offer Special Assistance. Book at least 48 hours before departure through your airline or rail operator.
LCY is a compact single-terminal airport — short distances make it one of the most accessible airports in London. All staff receive annual disability awareness training. Contact LCY ahead of travel for specific requirements.
London City: Special AssistanceNever accept a ride from someone in the Arrivals hall offering a “cheap taxi” or “private car.” These are unlicensed drivers who often overcharge or lack insurance. Always use the official Taxi Rank or a verified app.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
LCY partners with Zero Burden and Not Lost for online registration and claiming. Items are held for a maximum of 30 days.
London City: Lost & FoundFirst Aid
All four airports have on-site first aid teams. In any medical emergency, approach airport staff immediately or call 999.
Pharmacy
Arrival
Official Black Cab
The iconic Black Cab is the gold standard for accessibility in London. All Black Cabs are wheelchair accessible and have flip-down seats for extra passengers.
Price and Time
The taxi rank is just outside the terminal exit. A Black Cab to the City or Canary Wharf is very reasonable, usually £20–£35.
LCY: Taxi RankLondon Black Cab drivers undergo years of training called “The Knowledge.” Unlike rideshare drivers who rely on GPS, a Black Cab driver knows every shortcut to bypass traffic. If you are in a rush to a hotel in a complex area like Soho or Mayfair, the Black Cab is worth the premium.
Rideshare
Rideshares pick up from the short-stay car park, a 2-minute walk from the terminal. Follow signs within the terminal.
London rideshare prices fluctuate wildly based on “surge pricing.” Download both Uber and Bolt to compare prices in real-time; Bolt often offers “Green” or promotional discounts that Uber lacks.
ATMs and Currency
ATMs are located in the baggage reclaim and arrivals halls. Use bank-affiliated machines (e.g., Barclays, HSBC) rather than “Travelex” kiosks for better rates.
London is now virtually a cashless city. Many pubs, cafes, and even street performers only accept cards. Do not withdraw large amounts of Pounds Sterling (£); you will likely find it difficult to spend large denominations like £50 notes.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
Check-in desks open 2 hours before departure. Self-service kiosks are outside the terminal entrance, next to the DLR station. LCY is a compact single-terminal airport — security is a short walk from check-in.
London City: Check-In & Bag DropSecurity Controls
Security & Screening
London City Airport uses CT scanners (Next Generation Security Checkpoints). No plastic bags required — liquids and electronics stay in your hand luggage. A 100ml per container limit was reintroduced by government directive in June 2024.
London City: Security & BaggagePassport Control
There is no passenger passport queue when departing UK airports. UK Border Force conducts exit checks using airline passenger data — you will not queue at a passport desk on the way out.
VAT Refunds
As of January 2021, the UK has abolished the VAT Retail Export Scheme for visitors to Great Britain.
Unlike the EU, you cannot get a VAT refund at the airport for goods purchased on the high street. The only way to shop tax-free is to have the retailer ship items directly to your home address outside the UK, or to buy from Duty-Free stores after clearing security.