There is no direct train between London City Airport and Heathrow, and the two airports sit on opposite sides of London. By car the journey is about 24 miles and takes 55 to 90 minutes, and by rail it takes about 60 to 75 minutes of travel time with two or three changes. This guide is for anyone connecting between the two airports, in either direction, and for travellers who simply need to get from one to the other with bags.
It covers the distance, the train options, why coach and bus are not worth it, taxi and private transfer, a comparison table, and how much time to leave between flights. If you are connecting between the two airports, our Heathrow airport transfer page explains how a fixed-price car with a driver who tracks your flight removes most of the risk.
Three changes with a cabin bag and a coat felt like a lot. A car took us straight across London and we never worried about missing the next flight.
London City Airport to Heathrow at a glance
|
Method |
Time |
Typical cost |
Changes |
Best for |
|
Elizabeth Line + DLR |
About 60 min plus walking |
About £10.70 to £12.70 |
Two or three |
Light luggage |
|
Piccadilly + Jubilee + DLR |
75 to 90 min |
About £5.90 to £6.70 |
Two |
The lowest fare |
|
Coach and bus |
Over 2 hours |
Low |
Several |
Not recommended |
|
Black cab |
55 to 90 min |
About £80 to £120+ |
None |
Hailing |
|
Private transfer |
55 to 90 min |
Fixed at booking |
None |
Connections, groups, luggage |
The short version
A solo traveller with a cabin bag can make the rail journey work, but it is a long, multi-change trip across the whole of London. For anyone with checked luggage, a group or a flight to catch, a private car is simpler, more predictable and often not much more expensive per person.
How far is London City Airport from Heathrow?
London City Airport (LCY) is in east London, on the Royal Docks. Heathrow is in west London. The distance is about 24 miles, and the drive takes 55 to 90 minutes off-peak, using the M4 and A13 or a route across central London. Between 4pm and 7pm, journeys can stretch to 110 minutes, and peak hours often add 30 to 40 minutes to the usual time.
Why the drive varies so much
The route crosses the whole city, and the choice between the M4 and the A13, the North Circular or a path through the centre depends on live traffic. A driver with live traffic data will pick the faster option on the day, and also deal with the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone where they apply. A single incident in the Blackwall Tunnel or on the Westway can add 30 minutes or more.
Heathrow to London City Airport by train
There is no direct train. Heathrow lists three combinations, each taking 60 to 75 minutes of travel time plus walking and waiting:
-
Elizabeth Line and DLR: Elizabeth Line to Stratford, Jubilee line to Canning Town, then the DLR to London City Airport. About 60 minutes.
-
Heathrow Express route: Heathrow Express to Paddington, Bakerloo line to Baker Street, Jubilee line to Canning Town, then the DLR. About 60 minutes.
-
Piccadilly line route: Piccadilly line to Green Park, Jubilee line to Canning Town, then the DLR. About 75 minutes.
Another option uses the Elizabeth Line to Custom House, where you change to the DLR. Some route planners show it as shorter, but it needs a change, so check the current pattern in a journey planner before you travel.
Fares
Fares vary. Competitors quote about £10.70 off-peak and £12.70 at peak for the Elizabeth Line plus DLR, and about £5.90 to £6.70 for the Piccadilly line plus DLR, which takes 75 to 90 minutes. Treat these as guides, and check the day's prices.
Luggage and the three-change problem
A three-change trip involves stairs, platform gaps and busy trains. If you have large cases, it is hard work, and each change is a chance to miss the next connection. The Elizabeth Line part of your trip may start from Liverpool Street if you are in the City, so see our guide to Liverpool Street to Heathrow for the central section.
Heathrow to London City Airport by coach and bus
There is no useful coach or bus. The journey takes over two hours and requires several changes, and it is rarely cheaper once you add the time. We do not recommend it, except in an emergency when rail is closed.
Heathrow to London City Airport by taxi or private transfer
A private transfer takes you from one terminal to the other with no changes. Booking sites show fixed fares of around £150 to £170 for a saloon in the competitor snapshot, and pre-booked minicabs are quoted at £65 to £95 elsewhere, so quotes vary widely. A black cab can cost £80 to £120 or more on the meter. Your driver will meet you with a name sign, track your flight, help with luggage and drop you at the correct terminal.
Why prices differ
A fixed fare depends on the vehicle, the time of day, whether it includes meet and greet, and how long the driver waits. A quote that looks cheap may exclude waiting time or tolls, so compare like with like. A metered cab is hard to predict across London in traffic.
Groups and families
Family and group vehicles are available, and the cost per person falls quickly for three or four passengers compared with a train for each person. A family of four on the train pays four fares and carries every case through three interchanges. In a car, the bags stay on board and the children stay seated.
Time and cost comparison
Use these as a guide, and re-check the figures on the day.
|
Method |
Time |
Typical cost |
Changes |
Best for |
|
Elizabeth Line + DLR |
About 60 min plus walking |
About £10.70 to £12.70 |
Two or three |
Light luggage |
|
Piccadilly + Jubilee + DLR |
75 to 90 min |
About £5.90 to £6.70 |
Two |
Lowest fare |
|
Coach and bus |
Over 2 hours |
Low |
Several |
Not recommended |
|
Black cab |
55 to 90 min |
About £80 to £120+ |
None |
Hailing |
|
Private transfer |
55 to 90 min |
Fixed at booking |
None |
Connections, groups, luggage |
London City Airport to Heathrow
The reverse trip works the same way. Leave London City Airport by DLR to Canning Town, then take the Jubilee line or change for the Elizabeth Line westbound. Allow extra time on the way back, because Heathrow is large, and you must clear security again for a connecting flight. A car picks you up at the LCY terminal drop-off and takes you directly to your Heathrow terminal.
Check which terminal you need
Heathrow has four terminals in use (2, 3, 4 and 5), and a rail journey drops you at a station that may not be next to your check-in desk. Tell the driver your airline and terminal when you book. If your airline changes terminal, update the booking.
Connecting between airports: how much time to allow
Allow at least two and a half hours between a landing at one airport and the time you need to check in at the other. Transfer companies advise being at London City Airport about 2.5 hours before departure, because it is small but strict about check-in. Do not book a tight self-transfer. If you are changing airports on separate tickets, a missed flight is on you, not the airline. Build in a margin of at least 90 minutes for baggage, immigration and traffic.
A worked example
Suppose your flight lands at Heathrow at 10:00 and you want to take off from London City at 16:00. You clear the aircraft and passport control by 11:00, which can take longer if you arrive from outside the Common Travel Area. You find your driver at 11:15 and drive across London in 60 to 90 minutes, reaching London City at about 12:45. That leaves around three hours before departure, which is comfortable. If your arrival is at 12:00 instead, the same plan leaves very little margin.
If your first flight is late
Tell your driver as soon as you know. A provider that tracks your flight adjusts the pickup, and many allow a reasonable wait after landing. If you are on separate tickets, contact the second airline to see whether it can move you to a later flight.
Luggage and mobility tips
-
Left luggage: Heathrow has left-luggage desks in the terminals. They typically charge about £7.50 to £12.50 per item for 24 hours, so check the current rate.
-
Step-free routes: these exist on the Elizabeth Line and DLR, but the Jubilee line interchanges can involve stairs.
-
Bag limits: London City Airport has strict bag limits on some airlines, so check your allowance.
-
Time of day: avoid the rail journey with heavy luggage at rush hour.
-
Late arrivals: the Tube and DLR do not run all night, so book a car for late connections.
Other airport connections
If you are comparing other airports, read our guide to Heathrow to Gatwick, which covers the longest transfer between London's two largest airports.
FAQs
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to London City Airport?
No. You need two or three changes, using the Elizabeth Line, Jubilee line and DLR.
How long does it take?
About 60 to 75 minutes by rail and 55 to 90 minutes by car.
How much does a taxi cost?
A black cab is roughly £80 to £120 or more, and pre-booked rates vary by vehicle, so check a fixed quote.
What is the cheapest way?
The Piccadilly line, Jubilee line and DLR, at around £5.90 to £6.70, although it takes 75 to 90 minutes.
Is the Elizabeth Line better than a taxi?
The Elizabeth Line plus DLR is faster for one traveller with light luggage. A taxi is better for groups or heavy bags.
How much time should I allow between flights?
At least two and a half hours, and preferably more.
Can I stop on the way?
A private driver can usually make a short stop, so ask when you book.
Is there a coach from Heathrow to LCY?
Not a practical one. The journey is long and needs changes.
Making the London City Airport to Heathrow Connection
There is no direct train, so every option involves some work. The rail route suits a solo traveller with a small bag and plenty of time, and the Piccadilly route is cheapest. A private car is the most dependable choice for a tight connection, heavy bags or a group, and it removes the need to carry luggage through three interchanges. Transpovia can arrange a fixed-price car between the two airports, with a driver who tracks your flight.
