A Tolworth to London City Airport taxi takes you across the width of London to the Royal Docks in east London. City Airport is the smallest of the London airports, but it is popular for business trips and short hops to European cities. Its short check-in times make a reliable, well-timed car especially useful.
Getting across London
Unlike the other airports, the quickest way to London City from Tolworth goes through the city rather than around it. Most drivers take the A3 north through Kingston Vale and Wandsworth, then one of two routes:
- along the river through Vauxhall and the Embankment, then east through the Limehouse Link tunnel towards Canning Town and the Royal Docks
- around the South Circular and across the river in east London
Which route is best depends heavily on the time of day and any closures, and the driver will decide on the day. Some river crossings in east London now charge a toll. [State whether tolls and any central London charges are included in your fare.]
| Journey detail | Typical figure |
|---|---|
| Distance | about 18 to 22 miles |
| Off-peak time | 60 to 75 minutes |
| Weekday rush hour | 80 to 100 minutes |
| Early morning (4am to 6am) | 40 to 50 minutes |
These are typical estimates. Central London traffic is hard to predict, so please allow extra time.
Check-in at City Airport
City Airport is known for its short walk from the entrance to the gate. Even so, airlines set their own check-in and bag-drop deadlines, and they are strict. Check your airline's rules and tell us your flight time when you book. We will suggest a pickup time that allows for the drive and a sensible buffer.
Business travel
Many people flying from London City are travelling for work. If you have a meeting to prepare for, a car gives you a quiet space to work on the way. On the way back, we track your flight and time the pickup to your actual landing, and meet and greet is available so the driver meets you in arrivals.
If you are travelling on to or from a central London hotel, our hotel transfer taxi service can link the journeys.
Public transport compared
By train and Underground, the journey from Tolworth to City Airport usually involves a train into Waterloo and then the Jubilee line and the DLR, or the Elizabeth line and a change. That can work well with a small bag in the middle of the day. With luggage, early in the morning or late at night, a car is usually the more comfortable option.
A compact airport
City Airport is small, and the terminal drop-off is right outside the door. Once you step out of the car, check-in and security are only a short walk away, which is one reason business travellers like it. That also means there is little slack if you arrive late, so leave extra time for the drive across London.
Other airports
If your flight is to a destination served by several airports, you might find Heathrow or Gatwick is quicker from Tolworth. For Eurostar trains to Europe, St Pancras International is next door to King's Cross, and for Thameslink trains we also run to London Bridge. We collect from Tolworth and the surrounding areas, including Kingston upon Thames and Surbiton.
Book in the form above or call 020 3642 5921. Fares are fixed when you book, and you can pay by card or cash.