How to Get from London City Airport to Gatwick — Taxi, Train and Transfer Guide

London City Airport (LCY) and Gatwick Airport (LGW) are two of London's five international airports, located at opposite ends of the city. LCY sits 7 miles east of Central London in the Royal Docks area of Newham. LGW sits approximately 28 miles south of Central London in West Sussex. Getting from one to the other requires crossing the full north-to-south span of Greater London, covering approximately 45 to 50 miles by road. This guide covers every option available for the LCY to LGW transfer — verified taxi fares, the correct train routes, journey times, a full comparison table, and a complete booking guide.

All Options at a Glance

Pre-Booked Taxi LCY to LGW — The Direct Option

A pre-booked fixed-fare taxi from London City Airport to Gatwick is the only option that provides a direct, no-change door-to-terminal connection between the two airports. The London City Airport to Gatwick taxi fare is approximately £95 for a standard saloon confirmed at booking. LondonAirport-Taxi.com publishes this inter-airport transfer at £95 saloon for 50 miles in 60 to 80 minutes. The london city airport to gatwick transfer by taxi uses either the A13 westbound to the A2 and A23 southbound to Gatwick, or the A13 and M25 clockwise to Junction 7 and M23 south depending on traffic conditions. The driver chooses the fastest route in real time.

The london city to gatwick taxi confirmed fare at booking means no additions for traffic, M25 toll, or time of day. The lcy to lgw transfer by pre-booked taxi is particularly practical for passengers with checked baggage who would otherwise need to carry suitcases through DLR, Northern Line, and Gatwick Express connections. For connecting flights where timing is critical, the direct london city airport to gatwick transfer eliminates the risk of missing a connection due to underground delays or service disruptions on the DLR or Northern Line.

Train Route A — DLR, Northern Line, Gatwick Express via Victoria

The standard london city airport to gatwick train route via Victoria involves three services. Step 1: Take the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) from London City Airport station, located directly inside the terminal, to Bank station in the City of London. This takes approximately 22 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. Step 2: At Bank station, change to the Northern Line southbound towards Morden. Travel to Victoria station, which takes approximately 20 minutes depending on which branch you board. Step 3: At Victoria, board the Gatwick Express for the non-stop 30-minute service directly to Gatwick Airport South Terminal.

Total london city airport to gatwick train time via Victoria: approximately 75 to 90 minutes including platform waits. The Gatwick Express runs every 15 to 30 minutes from Victoria and departs from platform 13 or 14. It serves Gatwick South Terminal only — if you need North Terminal, a free monorail from the South Terminal connects in approximately 3 minutes. Note: the Gatwick Express runs only from Victoria Station. It does not stop at Elephant and Castle or any other intermediate station south of Victoria.

Train Route B — DLR, Jubilee Line, Thameslink via London Bridge

A faster but slightly less well-known london city airport to gatwick route uses the Thameslink service from London Bridge rather than the Gatwick Express from Victoria. Step 1: DLR from London City Airport to Bank (22 minutes). Step 2: At Bank, change to the Jubilee Line eastbound one stop to London Bridge, or walk the 5-minute surface route between Bank and Monument to London Bridge (they are adjacent). Step 3: From London Bridge station, Thameslink runs direct to Gatwick Airport in approximately 30 minutes. Total: approximately 65 to 80 minutes. This lcy to lgw train route is often the faster option as it avoids the longer Northern Line journey to Victoria and the additional connection at a busy terminal.

Thameslink from London Bridge to Gatwick runs frequently throughout the day, stopping at East Croydon (useful if you are connecting from South London) before arriving at Gatwick. Southern Railway services from London Bridge also serve Gatwick at slightly lower fares but with a journey time of approximately 35 to 45 minutes to the station.

Gatwick Terminals — North and South

Gatwick Airport has two terminals: the North Terminal and the South Terminal. When travelling from London City Airport to Gatwick by any method, always confirm your terminal. The Gatwick Express and Thameslink both arrive at the Gatwick South Terminal railway station. A free monorail connects North and South terminals in approximately 3 minutes and runs 24 hours.

North Terminal serves easyJet (primary operator), TUI, Vueling, Wizz Air, and Norwegian. South Terminal serves British Airways, American Airlines, Iberia, Turkish Airlines, and Emirates. Check your boarding pass before travelling from London City Airport to confirm your Gatwick terminal and allow the additional 5 to 10 minutes for the monorail transfer if you are departing from the North Terminal. When booking the london city airport to gatwick taxi, always specify your terminal for the most direct drop-off. See our Gatwick airport taxi transfer page for full terminal details.

LCY to LGW Distance and Journey Time

The london city to gatwick distance by road is approximately 45 to 50 miles. London City Airport is located 7 miles east of the City of London in the E16 postcode. Gatwick Airport is located approximately 28 miles south of Central London in the RH6 postcode of West Sussex. The straight-line distance between LCY and LGW is approximately 35 miles, but road routing increases this to 45 to 50 miles depending on the specific route taken.

How long does it take from London City Airport to Gatwick? By taxi: 60 to 80 minutes off-peak, extending to 80 to 110 minutes during weekday peak hours (7 to 10am and 4 to 7pm) on the M25 and A23 corridor. By train via Victoria: 75 to 90 minutes including connection waits. By Thameslink via London Bridge: 65 to 80 minutes. The london city airport to gatwick time varies most on the taxi route due to M25 orbital traffic conditions, particularly at the M25 Junction 7 and M23 interchange.

Return Journey — Gatwick to London City Airport

The return journey from Gatwick to London City Airport uses the same routes in reverse. By train: Gatwick Express northbound from Gatwick South Terminal to Victoria (30 minutes), then Northern Line from Victoria to Bank (approximately 20 minutes), then DLR from Bank to London City Airport (22 minutes) — total approximately 75 to 90 minutes. Alternatively: Thameslink northbound to London Bridge, then Jubilee Line to Bank, then DLR to LCY — total approximately 65 to 80 minutes.

By pre-booked taxi from Gatwick to London City Airport: approximately £95 confirmed at booking in 60 to 80 minutes. The gatwick to london city airport taxi for arrivals includes the driver meeting you in the arrivals hall of your specific terminal (North or South) with a name board. Flight monitoring is included — if your inbound flight is delayed, the driver adjusts automatically. The gatwick airport to london city confirmed fare does not change regardless of when your flight actually lands. See our London City Airport taxi transfer page for full LCY details.

Vehicle Options and Group Fares

For a group of four sharing a saloon taxi from LCY to LGW at approximately £95 total, the per-head cost is approximately £24 — comparable to two train tickets for the same number of people, while providing door-to-terminal convenience with luggage. For a group of six in an MPV at approximately £117 total, the per-head cost drops to approximately £20. See our 6-seater taxi guide for full group pricing.

Early Morning and Late Night Transfers

The Gatwick Express runs from approximately 5:00am to 12:30am daily. For travel outside these hours — early morning LCY departures before 5:00am or late night arrivals after 12:30am — the train option is not available and the pre-booked taxi is the only practical transfer. The london city airport to gatwick transfer at 3am, 4am, or any other hour operates at the same confirmed £95 saloon fare as a daytime booking. Book early morning LCY to LGW taxi transfers at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee driver allocation.

How to Book Your LCY to LGW Transfer

To book a london city airport to gatwick taxi transfer, use the Gatwick Taxi Transfer online booking form. Enter London City Airport as your pickup, select Gatwick Airport and specify North or South Terminal, enter your flight number, and confirm your vehicle. The lcy to lgw transfer confirmed fare is returned instantly. A london city airport to gatwick booking confirmed online generates an email with driver details sent 24 hours before travel.

Booking Your LCY to LGW Transfer — Step by Step

To book a London City Airport to Gatwick taxi transfer online, go to the Gatwick Taxi Transfer booking form, enter London City Airport as your pickup location, select Gatwick Airport and specify North or South Terminal, enter your LCY flight number for any inbound flight monitoring, choose your vehicle type, and confirm. The lcy lgw confirmed fare appears instantly. For a standard saloon at approximately £95, the booking takes under 60 seconds. You receive a booking confirmation by email with your driver's details sent 24 hours before travel. On the day, the driver meets you at the LCY departures entrance or arrivals exit depending on your journey direction, and delivers you to the Gatwick terminal entrance you specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get from London City Airport to Gatwick?

You have three main options for how to get from London City Airport to Gatwick. Pre-booked taxi: direct, no changes, approximately £95 in 60 to 80 minutes. Train via Victoria: DLR to Bank, Northern Line to Victoria, Gatwick Express to Gatwick South Terminal in 75 to 90 minutes total. Train via London Bridge: DLR to Bank, Jubilee Line to London Bridge, Thameslink to Gatwick in 65 to 80 minutes total.

How much does a taxi from London City Airport to Gatwick cost?

The london city airport to gatwick taxi fare is approximately £95 for a standard saloon confirmed at booking. This is the verified market rate for the 50-mile LCY to LGW inter-airport transfer. The fare is fixed and does not change with traffic.

Is there a direct train from London City Airport to Gatwick?

No. There is no direct train from LCY to LGW. All rail options require at least two changes. The fastest rail route is via London Bridge using Thameslink at approximately 65 to 80 minutes total. The lcy to lgw transfer by pre-booked taxi is the only direct connection.

How long does it take from London City Airport to Gatwick?

The london city airport to gatwick time by taxi is 60 to 80 minutes off-peak. By train via Victoria: 75 to 90 minutes. By Thameslink via London Bridge: 65 to 80 minutes. Peak hour taxi journeys can extend to 80 to 110 minutes due to M25 traffic.

Which Gatwick terminal for trains from London?

Both the Gatwick Express from Victoria and Thameslink from London Bridge arrive at the Gatwick South Terminal railway station. The free monorail connects to the North Terminal in approximately 3 minutes. Always confirm your departure terminal before travelling.

How far is London City Airport from Gatwick?

The london city to gatwick distance is approximately 45 to 50 miles by road. LCY is 7 miles east of Central London; LGW is 28 miles south of Central London.

Can I get from Gatwick to London City Airport by taxi?

Yes. The gatwick to london city airport taxi costs approximately £95 for a standard saloon in 60 to 80 minutes. The driver meets you in arrivals with a name board and includes flight monitoring at no extra charge.

All Your LCY to LGW Questions Answered

How long from London City Airport to Gatwick by each method?

How long from London City Airport to Gatwick? By taxi: 60 to 80 minutes off-peak. By train London City Airport Gatwick via Victoria: 75 to 90 minutes. By London City Airport to Gatwick by train via London Bridge Thameslink: 65 to 80 minutes. London City Airport to Gatwick how long depends most on which transport method and what time of day. Peak hour taxi journeys are the most variable at 80 to 110 minutes due to M25 traffic south of the river.

Gatwick Express and London City Airport — what you need to know

The Gatwick Express London City Airport connection requires boarding the DLR first. You cannot board the Gatwick Express directly from LCY. The DLR to Gatwick Airport indirect route runs: DLR from City Airport to Bank (22 minutes), then Northern Line to Victoria (approximately 20 minutes), then Gatwick Express from Victoria (30 minutes non-stop). The train London City Airport Gatwick via this route takes 75 to 90 minutes total. The Gatwick Express runs from Victoria only — there is no direct train London City Airport Gatwick connection.

London City Airport to Gatwick distance by road

The London City Airport to Gatwick distance by road is approximately 45 to 50 miles. The LCY to LGW road route either follows the A13 westbound to the A2 and A23 southbound, or uses the A13 and M25 clockwise to Junction 7. The London City Airport to Gatwick distance straight-line is approximately 35 miles but road routing adds 10 to 15 miles. The LGW London City distance by train follows a different path through Central London.

Direct train London City Airport to Gatwick — does it exist?

No direct train London City Airport Gatwick service exists. All rail journeys require a minimum of two changes. There is no single train that runs from LCY to LGW without stopping and requiring a platform change at an intermediate station. The London City Airport Gatwick transfer by pre-booked taxi is the only direct connection available. The London City to Gatwick train always involves DLR plus either Gatwick Express via Victoria or Thameslink via London Bridge.

LGW London City — what does it cost?

LGW London City inter-airport taxi transfer: approximately £95 saloon confirmed at booking. London City Airport to Gatwick cost by train: approximately £12 to £30 per person depending on which service (Southern Railway or Gatwick Express) and booking time. For two people, the London City Airport to Gatwick cost by taxi at £95 total is approximately the same as two advance Gatwick Express tickets, with the taxi delivering door-to-terminal directly. London City to Gatwick train is cheaper per head solo; the LCY to LGW taxi wins for groups of three or more.

About the LCY to LGW Journey

London City Airport and Gatwick Airport serve very different passenger profiles, which is why inter-airport transfers between the two are common. London City Airport is primarily a business aviation hub, with its compact single-runway layout, fast security processing, and location in the financial district making it the preferred airport for City workers on frequent short-haul European routes to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dublin, and other business destinations. Gatwick, by contrast, is the UK's second busiest airport and handles a much wider range of traffic including long-haul leisure, package holidays, and budget carrier routes. Passengers connecting between LCY and LGW are typically doing one of the following: arriving at City Airport on a business inbound and departing on holiday from Gatwick; arriving internationally at Gatwick and connecting to a City Airport departure; or using the two airports for separate legs of a multi-city trip.

For any of these purposes, the key question is how to get from London City Airport to Gatwick efficiently given that there is no direct rail connection and the road route crosses South London and the M25. The 45 to 50 mile road distance means the taxi takes 60 to 80 minutes off-peak — comparable to the 65 to 90 minutes needed by the fastest rail connections, and superior once the luggage management and platform change time is factored in. For a business traveller arriving at LCY with cabin luggage only, the Thameslink via London Bridge option at 65 to 80 minutes is the best rail choice. For a family arriving at LCY with checked baggage destined for a Gatwick departure, the direct taxi at £95 total eliminates all luggage transfer between DLR, underground, and Gatwick rail platforms.

The most important correction to make about this journey is regarding the train route. A common error describes the Gatwick Express as stopping at Elephant and Castle. The Gatwick Express runs non-stop between Victoria Station and Gatwick South Terminal only — Elephant and Castle is not served. The correct London City Airport to Gatwick train route via the Gatwick Express requires reaching Victoria Station first: DLR from LCY to Bank (22 minutes), then Northern Line southbound to Victoria (approximately 20 minutes), then Gatwick Express to Gatwick South Terminal (30 minutes). This is the accurate version of the route and totals approximately 75 to 90 minutes. The Thameslink route via London Bridge is approximately 10 minutes faster as it avoids the longer Northern Line journey to Victoria.

Both LCY and LGW are fully served by pre-booked 24-hour taxi transfer services. The london city airport to gatwick taxi at approximately £95 confirmed at booking operates at any hour — including the hours before the DLR begins running in the morning (first DLR from City Airport is approximately 5:30am on weekdays) or after the Gatwick Express stops running at approximately 12:30am. For passengers with early morning flights from Gatwick or late night arrivals at London City, the pre-booked taxi is the only viable inter-airport transfer option at those hours. Use the Gatwick Taxi Transfer booking form to confirm your LCY to LGW fare instantly.

Practical Tips for the LCY to LGW Journey

For passengers using the rail route, a few practical details make the journey smoother. The DLR at London City Airport runs from the platform directly inside the terminal building on the ground floor, accessible without exiting to the forecourt. The DLR runs approximately every 8 to 10 minutes during daytime hours and every 12 to 15 minutes in the evening. No Oyster top-up or ticket purchase is needed at the airport platform if you are using a contactless bank card — tap in on the DLR, change at Bank, and tap out at your final destination.

At Bank station, the Northern Line southbound platforms for the City Branch (Kennington via Bank) run to London Bridge and Elephant and Castle, while the platforms for the Charing Cross Branch (Kennington via Charing Cross) serve Waterloo and eventually Stockwell and beyond. For the Victoria route to the Gatwick Express, take the Charing Cross Branch northbound (towards Edgware or High Barnet) to change at Borough or Waterloo and then connect to Victoria, or take the City Branch and change. The most direct routing is: at Bank, take the Jubilee Line one stop to London Bridge for the Thameslink, or take a Charing Cross Branch Northern Line train to Embankment and change to the District or Circle Line to Victoria. Most journey planning apps including TfL Go and Citymapper will give you the optimal routing for the specific time of travel.

For luggage, the key practical difference between the taxi and rail options is clear. Rail passengers must carry all luggage up and down escalators and through gatelines at Bank, and must store cases in overhead racks or between seats on the DLR and Northern Line. Large checked baggage on the underground during peak hours is difficult to manage and other passengers may not appreciate it. On the Gatwick Express, there is more space for large bags but you still need to have carried them through two underground changes first. The taxi from London City Airport to Gatwick eliminates all of this: the driver loads luggage at LCY departures, it travels in the boot, and is unloaded at the Gatwick terminal entrance. For families with multiple suitcases, this practical advantage is the single biggest reason to choose the taxi over rail for the LCY to LGW journey.

For flight connection timing, allow a minimum of 2.5 to 3 hours between your LCY arrival and your Gatwick departure. This covers the transfer time plus Gatwick check-in and security. At Gatwick, security processing typically takes 15 to 25 minutes off-peak and 30 to 45 minutes during peak morning hours. Gates at Gatwick can be up to 15 to 20 minutes walk from security depending on the terminal and stand assignment. A pre-booked taxi for the LCY to LGW leg provides the most consistent transfer time and allows you to plan the minimum connection window most accurately — the confirmed 60 to 80 minutes is more predictable than the rail option which can vary by 20 to 30 minutes due to DLR frequency and Northern Line crowding.

Related guides and services:

• Gatwick Airport Taxi Transfer — Full Service Guide
• London City Airport Taxi Transfer
• Heathrow Airport Taxi Transfer
• Gatwick Taxi Prices Guide
• 6 Seater Taxi — Group Fares
• Transport for London — Live Journey Planner

About London City Airport and Gatwick

London City Airport (LCY) opened in 1987 on the former Royal Docks site in the London Borough of Newham. It operates from a single short runway capable of handling STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, primarily the Embraer E-Jet family and ATR turboprops. The airport has a single terminal and is known for its extremely fast transit time — passengers regularly clear check-in and security in under 15 minutes at off-peak hours. It is primarily served by British Airways CityFlyer, KLM, Swiss, Lufthansa City, and a range of European business carriers. Its location 7 miles east of the City of London and 15 minutes by DLR from Canary Wharf makes it the most convenient London airport for East London and City-based business travellers.

Gatwick Airport (LGW) opened in its current form in 1958 and is located in the Crawley area of West Sussex, 28 miles south of Central London. With two terminals (North and South) and a single operational runway, it is the world's busiest single-runway airport handling over 46 million passengers per year. Gatwick is the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow and serves a wide range of traffic: easyJet leisure routes from the North Terminal, British Airways long-haul and short-haul from the South Terminal, and a large number of charter and scheduled holiday carriers. For passengers doing the LCY to LGW transfer, Gatwick represents the departure point for the widest range of international and leisure routes not available from London City's limited short-haul-only network.

The combination of LCY's fast check-in and Gatwick's broad route network makes the London City Airport to Gatwick transfer a standard itinerary for business travellers who arrive in London for a meeting or short stay and then depart internationally from Gatwick. The 45 to 50 mile transfer between the two airports is manageable in 60 to 90 minutes by taxi or rail, making same-day inbound-LCY and outbound-LGW itineraries practical with appropriate connection time built in.

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