A small airport that boasts the tagline “The ONLY airport actually located in London”. Perhaps it’s compensating for its size, and limited destinations (mostly Europe). However, its proximity to the City of London (financial and commercial area) means you’ll fly close to the skyscrapers and blinking lights of Canary Wharf. If you are lucky enough to touch down here, getting from London City Airport into central London is a cheap breeze.
DLR (Docklands Light Railway)
Price: £2.80
Pros: CHEAP, frequent and fast. Ride at the front, pretend to drive the train and you’re into central London in around 30 minutes. Also, it’s overground, much nicer than the Underground and you get cool views over London. Destinations include Tower Gateway (change at Shadwell) or Bank.
Cons: There aren’t any unless you don’t trust driverless trains.
London Bus
Hang out with East London locals (warning, it can get pretty cosy during peak hours) and ride the top deck of the 25 bus to Bank Station for a cheap mini tour by road into central London.
Price: £1.50 with contactless card/Oyster
Pros: SO CHEAP. An adventure! Ride the top deck and see the real London.
Cons: Hardly any room for luggage. Takes ages to get anywhere.
Ditching your luggage
Arriving into London early and don’t fancy hauling your luggage around for the day? Providers like Klook & Luggagent will same-day deliver your suitcase from the airport to your hotel or residence for around £40.00. Just register beforehand and drop your cases off at the desk. They can also pick your luggage up and bring it to the airport for you—potentially giving you an extra baggage-free day of exploring!
