Taking the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from London City Airport to Central London is easy, cheap and fast. This guide shows you exactly how to do it.
Determine Your Route
The DLR from City Airport stops at multiple stations, including:
- Canning Town (for the Jubilee Line and other DLR routes)
- Poplar (for other DLR routes to Canary Wharf)
- Stratford (for Elizabeth Line and Central Line)
- Bank (for Northern, Central, Waterloo & City, Circle and District tube lines).
Therefore you’ll need to decide in advance where to get off. You may also need to transfer to a further Tube line once you’re in London.
To do this, simply use transit directions within Google/Apple Maps, or download the Citymapper app. These apps will give you step-by-step instructions on which lines and stations to use to get to your destination.
You can also consult the DLR map, which shows all stations on the line.
Walk to the DLR Station
As London City is a very small airport, finding the DLR station is easy.
Follow the signs for the Docklands Light Railway or DLR, and they will direct you out of the main entrance, and immediately to the right, where the station is located.
Use Contactless, or Buy Tickets
Once you get to the DLR station, you’ll see machines selling tickets, and some card readers where you can tap in. There are no ticket barriers.
You have three options to chose from to pay for your travel:
- Use contactless – The easiest way to travel is to use a contactless credit/debit card or device, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay on a phone. This way, you don’t need to buy a ticket at all – simply walk up to the ticket gate and touch your card or phone on the reader. The gate will open, and you can walk through with your luggage. Each adult needs their own card or device. The fare to Central London is £3.10, or £3.80 during Monday to Friday morning rush hour (06:30-09:30).
- Buy an Oyster Card from the machine – if you don’t want to use contactless and are going to be doing other travel within London, it’s worth getting an Oyster Card, as it will save you a lot of money compared to buying paper tickets. Oyster Cards cost £7 to buy, and you will be asked how much credit you’d like to add to cover the cost of journeys. You can always bring the card back to a ticket machine to add further credit.
- Buy a paper ticket from the machine – you can also use the machines to buy a single paper ticket. The price is £7.
If you’re using contactless or Oyster, remember to touch in by placing your card against the yellow reader until you hear a beep and a green light. If the machine beeps twice and shows a red light, tap has not registered correctly.
Find the Platform
The DLR station is very simple – once you’ve tapped in, head up the escalator. There is a single island platform, with trains departing from each side.
One side will be signed to Bank and Canning Town, the other side goes to Woolwich Arsenal. If you’re heading into London, you’ll generally want the side that goes to Bank and Canning Town.
Screens on each platform show you the upcoming trains and how long until they arrive. Not all trains go as far as Bank, so if you’re heading there you may need to wait on the platform for the following train if your first one is terminating at Canning Town or Stratford International.
Ride the DLR Train
When the train arrives, board and take any seat. There are no racks specifically for luggage, but there is plenty of space to keep your luggage with you during the short journey.
As the DLR has no drivers, you can sit at the front and enjoy the view.
Screens and announcements show the upcoming stops, so it’s easy to know when to get off.
Once you’ve reached your destination, follow signs for the ‘Way Out’, tap your card/device on the reader, and enjoy your stay!