Early Morning Arrival at London City Airport
Landing at London City Airport? Let us take the stress off
Your driver is waiting with a name board the moment you come through customs into arrivals – not in a car park, not on the phone. We track the flight, so a late landing costs you nothing, and the first 60 minutes after the plane lands are free waiting time. Luggage trolleys, a child seat, a wheelchair-friendly car: tell us when you book and it is ready.
SIM card and money on the way. Still carrying your own currency? That is fine: every car takes cards and contactless, so you need no pounds in hand for the journey. If you want a UK SIM or some cash, say so and your driver will point you to the kiosks in arrivals (SIM cards: WHSmith; currency: no bureau de change airside – use a cash machine or change in town) or, usually cheaper, stop at a supermarket, Post Office or bank on the route. Our local drivers know where the fair rates and the working cash machines are – trust them to sort it in minutes.
Disabled-friendly arrival. Special assistance: Book via your airline at least 48h ahead. Step-free: Compact single terminal; DLR station step-free. Airport accessibility page Our driver meets you at the assistance desk if you prefer, carries folding wheelchairs and walkers free, and assistance dogs always travel with you at no charge.
For the 5am to 8am arrivals at London City Airport (LCY): a pre-booked driver in the hall, waiting time included, and a fare into London that was agreed before you took off.
Per car, not per person. No surge, no night surcharge. Free cancellation up to 24h before.
Why early arrivals at London City Airport are the wrong time to queue
The first wave of arrivals at London City Airport lands between 5am and 8am: overnight flights from North America and the Gulf, and the first short-haul rotations. It is the worst moment of the day to be improvising. The DLR does not run before about 5.30am and the airport itself opens for the first 6.20am departures, the taxi rank is at its shortest of staff and longest of queue, and app prices surge with every landing. A pre-booked Rushxo driver is already in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, and the fare into London was fixed when you booked.
How the meet and greet works
We track the flight number, so an early landing or a two-hour delay moves the driver, not the price, and waiting time is included. Meeting points are the arrivals hall for a compact single terminal with a 15-minute security promise; the driver walks you to the car, loads the bags and takes the fastest route in via the A13 and North Circular, plus the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels from south of the river. Central London is about 9 miles, 24-36 min at that time of morning, and the fare covers the airport pick-up charge.
Where we take you
Hotels in the West End, Canary Wharf offices, King’s Cross and St Pancras for an onward train, or straight home to Kent and Essex: one fixed fare per car for any of them, with an V Class if the whole family lands together. Book the outbound leg too and the return is priced at 1.8 times a single.
The other way: London to London City Airport for an early flight
This page is about landing early at London City Airport (LCY) and getting into London. The reverse leg, a 3am or 4am pick-up anywhere in London, Kent or Essex for a dawn departure from London City Airport, is the same fixed fare per car, with leave-time advice and the road and rail picture before sunrise on the partner page.
| Journey (9 miles) | Saloon | V Class |
|---|---|---|
| London to London City Airport (departure, single) | from £135 | from £196 |
| London City Airport to London (arrival, single) | from £135 | from £196 |
| Return, both legs booked together | from £243 | from £353 |
Fares are per car and agreed at booking, the same at 4am as at 4pm, with the airport charge and 45 minutes of waiting included on pick-ups. Full details of the other direction: getting to London City Airport for an early-morning flight.
Early-morning arrival at London City Airport to London: questions
How much is a taxi from London City Airport to central London early in the morning?
From about £135 as a fixed fare per car, the same at 6am as at midday, including the airport pick-up charge and 45 minutes of waiting time.
What if my flight into London City Airport lands early or late?
We track the flight number and adjust the driver automatically. Waiting time is built in and the fare does not change.
Where does the driver meet me at London City Airport?
In the arrivals hall for a compact single terminal with a 15-minute security promise, holding a board with your name. You get the driver name and car details the night before.