There's no direct train or coach between Heathrow and London City Airport. The fastest public transport options combine a train or tube leg with the Jubilee line and the DLR, taking around 60 minutes according to Heathrow's own route guide, while a pre-booked taxi runs from roughly £49 to £75 and can take longer once you factor in road traffic across the city.
Why there's no direct route
Heathrow sits west of London and London City sits east, in Newham, with an approximate road distance of 26 miles (42km) between them. There's no direct train, tube, or coach service connecting the two airports, unlike Heathrow's links to Gatwick or Stansted, which both have direct coach options. Every journey between Heathrow and London City means changing at least once in or around central London.
Train and tube options
Heathrow's own published guide sets out three combinations, all taking around 60 minutes:
Option 1
- Heathrow Express between Heathrow and Paddington
- Bakerloo line between Paddington and Baker Street
- Jubilee line between Baker Street and Canning Town
- DLR between Canning Town and London City Airport
Option 2
- Elizabeth line between Heathrow and Stratford
- Jubilee line between Stratford and Canning Town
- DLR between Canning Town and London City Airport
Option 3
- Piccadilly line between Heathrow and Green Park
- Jubilee line between Green Park and Canning Town
- DLR between Canning Town and London City Airport
All three involve at least two changes. Option 2, using the Elizabeth line straight through to Stratford, tends to be the simplest to follow since it needs only one change onto the Jubilee line before a final change onto the DLR. Independent journey planners estimate the full door to door time, including transfers, at closer to 70 to 75 minutes rather than a clean 60, so build in a buffer rather than cutting it fine.
What it costs by train and tube
There's no single published through-fare for this specific combination, since it spans several operators and zones. Pay as you go with contactless or Oyster and the total for the journey is commonly estimated at somewhere between £8 and £17 depending on which route and time of day you travel, given Transport for London's daily fare cap smooths out the cost of multiple changes. If you use the Heathrow Express leg in Option 1, add its own fare on top, since that's a separately ticketed premium service rather than part of the Tube and DLR network. See our guide to Heathrow's train, tube and coach fares for the individual fares that make up these combinations.
Taxi from Heathrow to London City
A pre-booked private taxi or minicab from Heathrow to London City Airport typically starts from around £49 to £75, based on published rates from London airport transfer operators. A metered black cab will usually cost more than that, since London City is considerably further than the roughly £70 to £120 quoted for Heathrow to central London on Transport for London's own fare guide, and the meter keeps running for the extra distance out to Newham.
Journey time by road varies with traffic. Given the cross-city distance, it's realistic to allow at least as long as the train options above, and often longer during peak periods, since the route typically uses the M4, the A4 or the North Circular before crossing east London.
A rule worth knowing for black cabs
Transport for London requires taxi drivers starting a hire at Heathrow to accept any journey up to 20 miles or one hour's duration if the destination is within Greater London. London City Airport, at around 26 miles by road, sits beyond that 20-mile threshold, so a driver at the rank isn't obliged to accept the trip. Pre-booking a minicab or executive transfer in advance removes this uncertainty entirely, since the fare and pickup are agreed before you arrive.
Comparing your options
| Method | Typical time | Typical cost | Changes needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth line + Jubilee + DLR | About 60 to 75 minutes | Roughly £8 to £17 (pay as you go) | 2 |
| Heathrow Express + Bakerloo + Jubilee + DLR | About 60 to 75 minutes | Heathrow Express fare plus Tube/DLR | 3 |
| Pre-booked taxi or minicab | Traffic-dependent, often 60 minutes plus | From about £49 to £75 | 0 |
Which terminal do I need
All three train and tube route options start from any Heathrow terminal, since the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express and Piccadilly line all call at every terminal (T4 and T5 have their own stations, T2 and T3 share one). If you're not sure which terminal your flight uses, check our guide on finding your Heathrow terminal before you set off.
All times and route options here reflect Heathrow's own published inter-airport transfer guide, checked 2026, alongside independent journey planner estimates for total door to door time. Always confirm live times before you travel, since frequencies and any planned engineering works can change the fastest combination on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct train from Heathrow to London City Airport?
No. Every route requires at least one change, typically involving the Jubilee line and the DLR after an initial leg on the Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express or Piccadilly line.
How long does it take to get from Heathrow to London City Airport?
Around 60 minutes by Heathrow's own published route guide, though independent estimates including transfer time put the realistic door to door journey closer to 70 to 75 minutes.
How much does a taxi cost from Heathrow to London City Airport?
A pre-booked minicab or executive transfer typically starts from about £49 to £75. A metered black cab will usually cost more given the distance.
Is there a coach between Heathrow and London City Airport?
No direct coach service runs between the two airports, unlike the direct coaches available to Gatwick and Stansted.
Which train combination is easiest to follow?
The Elizabeth line direct to Stratford, then the Jubilee line to Canning Town, then the DLR, needs only two changes and is generally the simplest of the three official options.
Will a black cab driver at Heathrow definitely take me to London City?
Not necessarily. TfL rules only require Heathrow taxi drivers to accept hires up to 20 miles within Greater London, and London City is around 26 miles by road, so pre-booking removes any risk of being turned down at the rank.