Heathrow to London City Airport taxi from £112. Airport Bee runs fixed-price, pre-booked transfers between Heathrow and London City Airport (LCY) in the Royal Docks, East London, 24/7. Your driver tracks your inbound flight, so pickup happens when you actually land. This page covers transfers to London City Airport, not general trips into central London.
Heathrow to London City Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Heathrow → London City |
|---|---|
| Airport codes | LHR → LCY |
| Road distance | About 25 to 26 miles (roughly 42 km) |
| Typical journey time | About 55 to 90 minutes, depending on central and east London traffic |
| Taxi price (Saloon) | From £112 |
| Route | Cross-city (A4/M4 and A13, or the North Circular); no orbital motorway |
| Heathrow pickup | Terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5 |
| London City drop-off | London City terminal (single terminal) |
| Availability | 24/7, 365 days a year |
Get a fixed quote: Heathrow to London City →
Heathrow to London City Transfer Price
A private Heathrow to London City transfer starts from £112 one way in a Saloon. Your fare is shown before you book and does not change with traffic on the day.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4 passengers + 2 suitcases | £112 |
| Estate | 4 passengers + 3 suitcases + 1 cabin bag | £120 |
| MPV Large (6-seater) | 4 passengers + 4 suitcases, or 6 passengers with cabin luggage | £149 |
| 8 Passenger | Up to 7 passengers + 6 suitcases + 6 cabin bags | £166 |
| Executive | Up to 4 passengers + 2 suitcases + 2 cabin bags | about £177 |
One-way “starting from” fares for the airport-to-airport journey. Your exact price depends on vehicle and any extras such as Meet & Greet. Executive fares are approximate and may differ; the final fare is confirmed in the booking form.
Check your Heathrow to London City fare →
How to Get from Heathrow to London City: Taxi vs Train
This is one of the few London airport pairs where public transport is a real option. The usual rail route is the Elizabeth line from Heathrow towards east London, then the DLR to London City Airport. Heathrow’s own guide puts this at roughly 70 to 85 minutes depending on the route. A private transfer is the better choice with checked luggage, a group, or a tight connection between separately ticketed flights.
| Private transfer | Elizabeth line + DLR | |
|---|---|---|
| Changes | None | At least one (onto the DLR) |
| Typical time | About 55 to 90 min | Roughly 70 to 85 min |
| Predictability | Depends on live road traffic | Fixed timetable |
| Luggage | Door to door, driver assists | Self-managed through interchange stations |
| Best for | Luggage, groups, tight connections | Solo travellers with hand luggage and time |
For current rail times and fares see Heathrow’s guide to travelling between airports and Transport for London.
How Far Is Heathrow from London City Airport?
Heathrow and London City are about 22 to 23 miles apart in a straight line and about 25 to 26 miles by the most direct road route. They are the two closest major London airports to each other, but the road journey crosses the whole city.
How Long Does Heathrow to London City Take?
A private transfer usually takes 55 to 90 minutes. Unlike the orbital airport routes, the time depends on central and east London traffic rather than motorway flow, so a short distance is not always a fast one. Peak periods can push the journey towards two hours.
The Road Route: Drivers Have Options
- A4/M4 into central London, then the A13 to the Royal Docks: shortest by distance, usually fastest outside peak hours
- The North Circular (A406): often the better choice in the morning and evening rush because it avoids central London
- Around the M25 and in from the east: much longer, occasionally used late at night or when central London is disrupted
Your driver picks the route from live conditions rather than following a fixed path.
London City’s Weekend Flight Curfew
London City Airport has no flights from roughly 12:30pm on Saturday to 12:30pm on Sunday because of a noise curfew, plus an overnight curfew on weekdays, and its first flights leave around 06:30. Check your flight time against the airport’s current operating hours when you plan a weekend connection. Our transfer runs whenever your flight does.
Pickup at Heathrow and Drop-off at London City
Heathrow: we cover Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, so confirm your terminal when you book. After you clear baggage reclaim you receive an Arrival SMS with your driver’s details. Meet & Greet at Heathrow costs £9 with 5 minutes of free waiting. See the Heathrow transfers guide.
London City: there is a single compact terminal, so there is no terminal to choose. Premium Meet & Greet is available for £17, and as an express-pickup airport you get 10 minutes of free waiting. The express drop-off charge for departures is £3.50. See the London City transfers guide.
Connecting Between Separately Booked Flights
Heathrow and London City share no airline network, so a same-day connection is a self-transfer: clear immigration, collect baggage, travel by road, then check in and clear security again. The shorter distance helps, but central London traffic is what usually causes delays on this route, so check your airline’s guidance rather than assuming a comfortable connection. If your Heathrow flight runs late, flight monitoring adjusts your pickup to your actual landing time.
Why Book Airport Bee
- Fixed price agreed before you travel: traffic does not change what you pay
- Flight monitoring on your Heathrow landing
- Meet & Greet available at Heathrow and London City
- Licensed private hire vehicles and PCO-licensed drivers
- 24/7 booking and support, 365 days a year
Travelling the other way? See London City to Heathrow. More routes: Heathrow to Gatwick and Heathrow to Stansted, all part of our airport-to-airport transfers.
Heathrow to London City FAQs
How much does a taxi from Heathrow to London City cost?
Airport Bee fares start from £112 one way for a Saloon (up to 4 passengers, 2 suitcases). Estate starts from £120, MPV Large from £149, 8 Passenger from £166 and Executive is about £177. Executive fares are approximate; confirm your exact fare in the booking form.
How far is Heathrow from London City Airport?
About 22 to 23 miles in a straight line and about 25 to 26 miles by road.
How long does it take to get from Heathrow to London City?
A private transfer usually takes 55 to 90 minutes, depending on central and east London traffic.
Why does a short distance take so long?
The journey crosses central and east London rather than following a motorway, so city traffic drives the time, which is less predictable than an orbital route.
Is the train faster than a taxi from Heathrow to London City?
It can be competitive. The Elizabeth line plus DLR takes roughly 70 to 85 minutes with changes. A private transfer has the edge with checked luggage, groups or a tight connection.
Does London City Airport fly on weekends?
Not between roughly 12:30pm on Saturday and 12:30pm on Sunday, because of a noise curfew. There is also an overnight curfew on weekdays. Check your flight time before planning a weekend connection.
Does London City Airport have more than one terminal?
No. London City has a single compact terminal.
What happens if my flight into Heathrow is delayed?
Airport Bee tracks your flight and adjusts your pickup to your actual landing time, so a delay does not mean a missed pickup.
Can I book London City to Heathrow as well?
Yes. See the London City to Heathrow transfer page.
Book your fixed-price Heathrow to London City transfer today: flight-monitored, door to door, no surprises at the terminal.
