| From | Rosehill, Sutton SM1 |
|---|---|
| To | London City Airport, Royal Docks, E16 |
| Distance | About 15 to 18 miles |
| Typical drive time | 50 to 70 minutes; highly dependent on traffic |
| Usual routes | Across south London, then under the Thames by tunnel |
Crossing London to the Docklands
London City is the closest airport to central London, but from Sutton it is the one with the most traffic between you and the terminal. Our drivers usually head north-east through south London towards Greenwich, then cross to the north bank through one of the east London tunnels. Some of these tunnels charge a toll at busy times. Which route is quickest changes by the hour, so the driver checks traffic before leaving and plans the journey from there.
Because journey times are hard to predict, we leave a generous margin when you book, particularly for weekday morning flights when the roads into east London are at their busiest.
Who flies from London City?
The airport is small, with one terminal, and it mostly serves business routes to European cities along with some leisure flights. Check-in and security are usually quick, which is one of its attractions. That means it is especially worth arriving on time: a delay on the roads hurts more when the whole process at the airport is designed to be fast.
Drop-off and collection
For years London City was the only big London airport without a drop-off charge, but that has been changing. We will tell you when you book whether any airport charge applies and whether it is included in your fixed fare. When you arrive back, we track your flight. Your driver will call you when you are through, or meet you in the arrivals area if you booked meet and greet.
A good choice for business travel
Many of our London City bookings are made by people travelling for work, often with a return on the same day or the next. You can book both journeys at once and ask for a receipt by email for expenses. If you are meeting clients in the City or Canary Wharf first, add the extra stop to your booking so it is included in the fare. For visitors staying locally, we can collect from and return to your hotel; see our hotel transfer taxi page.
Returning late on a Friday
Many London City flights bring business travellers home on Friday evening, just as the roads across south London are at their busiest. Because we track your flight, the driver will be at the airport when you land. But the drive back to Sutton can take longer than on the way out. If you have plans for the evening, allow for it, or ask the office for an estimate when you book.
Other ways to travel
If you are travelling with lots of luggage or on a long-haul flight, Heathrow or Gatwick may suit you better, and both are closer to Sutton. For budget airlines, see our Stansted and Luton pages. For train connections in the east of the city, our London Bridge station taxi is the nearest main line option. We collect for London City from Wimbledon, Colliers Wood, Sutton and all our other areas.
Questions we get asked
How long does it take to get from Sutton to London City Airport?
Typically 50 to 70 minutes, but it depends heavily on traffic in south and east London. For morning flights, we suggest allowing extra time.
Is there a charge for the river tunnels?
Some east London river crossings charge at busy times. We will confirm what is included in your fixed fare when you book.
Can I book a same-day return from London City?
Yes. Give us both flight numbers and we will book both legs, tracking your return flight.
Can I get a receipt for my business trip?
Yes. Email us with the date and pickup postcode, and we will send one.