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London City Airport and Heathrow are on opposite sides of London, about 26 miles (42 km) apart by road, and there's no direct train between them. Every rail route uses the DLR and the Jubilee line, with at least two changes. This guide compares the rail options and a door-to-door taxi, in both directions.
London City Airport to Heathrow: the quick answer
- No direct train: every rail route involves the DLR and the Jubilee line, with a change at Canning Town.
- Quickest by rail: about 60 minutes, via the Elizabeth line and Stratford, or via Paddington and the Heathrow Express.
- Distance: about 26 miles (42 km) by road.
- Easiest with luggage: a pre-booked taxi from terminal to terminal, with no changes.
London City Airport to Heathrow: All Options Compared
| Route | Changes | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| DLR, Jubilee line, Elizabeth line via Stratford | Two | About 60 min |
| DLR, Jubilee line, Bakerloo line, Heathrow Express via Paddington | Three | About 60 min |
| DLR, Jubilee line, Piccadilly line via Green Park | Two | About 75 min |
| Pre-booked taxi | None | Depends on traffic |
Typical times published by Heathrow, not guarantees. They vary with the time of day and service changes.
Via the Elizabeth Line and Stratford
From London City Airport, take the DLR to Canning Town, the Jubilee line to Stratford, then the Elizabeth line to Heathrow. Heathrow gives about 60 minutes for this route. You can pay with Oyster or contactless.
Via Paddington and the Heathrow Express
Take the DLR to Canning Town, the Jubilee line to Baker Street, the Bakerloo line to Paddington, then the non-stop Heathrow Express. Also about 60 minutes, but with more changes. The Heathrow Express serves Terminals 2 & 3 and Terminal 5; for Terminal 4, change at Terminals 2 & 3. See our Paddington to Heathrow guide.
Via the Piccadilly Line
Take the DLR to Canning Town, the Jubilee line to Green Park, then the Piccadilly line to Heathrow, about 75 minutes. The Piccadilly line serves all Heathrow terminals, and you can pay with Oyster or contactless.
Arrived at the wrong Heathrow terminal? See our Heathrow terminal transfers guide.
Taxi from London City Airport to Heathrow
Every rail route means at least two changes across London with your luggage. A pre-booked taxi goes straight from one terminal to the other. It's usually the easier choice when:
- you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or sports equipment;
- you're travelling as a family or group;
- your flight lands late or your connection leaves early;
- you'd rather not change trains three times.
Book a London City to Heathrow transfer
- Terminal to terminal: pre-booked transfers between London City Airport and Heathrow, 24/7, with TfL-licensed drivers.
- At London City: meet your driver at the Arrivals Hall Information Desk; add Meet & Greet when you book.
- Flight monitoring: we offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information.
- Fixed fares: fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
- Vehicles: saloons to 16-seat minibuses in our fleet. Get an instant fare quote.
Heathrow to London City Airport
The same routes work in reverse: the Elizabeth line to Stratford, the Heathrow Express to Paddington, or the Piccadilly line to Green Park, then the Jubilee line to Canning Town and the DLR to London City Airport. With a pre-booked transfer, your exact Heathrow meeting point is in your booking instructions. Allow extra time for check-in, security and possible delays.
Being dropped off by car or taxi? Heathrow charges £7 for every vehicle entering a terminal drop-off area, including taxis, and London City Airport also has a drop-off charge. Travelling with Banana Cars? Check your quote and booking details for how this airport charge applies to your journey.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Travelling light: the Elizabeth line via Stratford, with two changes.
- Flying from Terminal 4: the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line, which both serve it.
- Lots of luggage, a family or a group: one vehicle, terminal to terminal; see group transfers.
Connecting between other London airports? Read our Heathrow to Gatwick, Stansted to Heathrow and Luton to Heathrow guides.
London City Airport to Heathrow FAQs
No. Every rail route uses the DLR and the Jubilee line, with at least two changes.
About 60 minutes via the Elizabeth line or the Heathrow Express, or about 75 minutes via the Piccadilly line.
About 26 miles (42 km) by road. London City is in east London and Heathrow is to the west, so the journey crosses the capital.
At Canning Town, for the Jubilee line. From there, change again for the Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express or the Piccadilly line.
At the Arrivals Hall Information Desk. Your pickup instructions come with your booking.
It depends on traffic and the time of day, so allow extra time at peak periods. Fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
We offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information. Airport waiting allowances vary between 45 and 60 minutes depending on your flight category, under the terms of your booking. Any additional waiting charges are also subject to your booking terms.
Yes. MPVs, the Executive MPV-7 and 16-seaters suit families and groups. Child seats are free on advance request: Group 0/0+ (infant), Group 1 (toddler) and Group 2/3 (booster). Tell us each child's age and how many seats you need when you book.
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