There's no direct train between London City Airport and Heathrow, so if you're connecting between the two, you're looking at a train into Central London, a change, and another train or Tube out again — with your bags for company the whole way. Most people who've done that once book a taxi the second time.
At LHR Cabs, London City to Heathrow is a route we run every day. Our drivers know the fastest way across London, whether that's the A13/A406 into the A40, or looping onto the M25 when Central London roads are backed up. Below is everything you need to know about booking a London City Airport to Heathrow taxi: the route and journey time, our fixed fares, the correct drop-off point at each terminal, and exactly what the drop-off charges are at both ends.
Booking online takes two minutes and gives you a fixed price before you get in the car. No meter climbing while you're stuck on the A406, and no guessing what you'll owe at the other end.
"How much is a taxi from London City to Heathrow" is one of the most common questions we get, because prices swing a lot between operators depending on how they handle traffic delays and airport charges. LHR Cabs works on a fixed, all-inclusive fare, so the price on your online quote is the price you pay.
These are typical fixed prices for a standard saloon taxi (up to 3 passengers and luggage) covering the roughly 26-mile route. Exact fares depend on your pickup point in East London, time of day, and vehicle type, so always confirm the figure on your quote:
Because this route crosses a large stretch of London, fares can rise noticeably during weekday rush hour or when there's an event affecting Central London roads. Booking a few days ahead and travelling outside peak times is usually your best bet for the cheapest fare.
A proper fixed fare should already account for airport charges, not spring them on you at drop-off. When you book with LHR Cabs, your quote includes:
There are no last-minute add-ons. If traffic on the A406 or M25 runs longer than expected, that's on us, not on you — your fare doesn't change.
The drive between London City and Heathrow covers around 26 miles and, in good traffic, takes roughly 45–60 minutes. Drivers usually head west via the A13 and A406, joining the A40 towards Heathrow, though during busier periods it can actually be quicker to swing out onto the M25 and come in from the west rather than fight through North Circular traffic.
This is a cross-London route, which means it's more exposed to congestion than a straightforward motorway transfer. Rush hour (roughly 7–9.30am and 4–7pm) can easily stretch the journey to 75–90 minutes. Our advice, as drivers who cover this route regularly, is to allow around 1 hour 30 minutes if you're catching a flight from Heathrow, and to tell us your flight time so we can plan your pickup with a proper safety margin.
Search "taxi near me London City to Heathrow" and you'll get plenty of results, but this route genuinely benefits from a driver who knows both ends of the city, not just one. LHR Cabs operates local drivers across East and West London, which means:
That local, on-the-ground knowledge is the difference between a smooth 50-minute run and an hour and a half stuck on the North Circular.
There's a taxi rank right outside London City Airport's terminal, and several local minicab firms operate around the Docklands and East London area. A rank taxi or an unfamiliar local firm will usually run the meter for a trip this long, and on a cross-London route like this, that's a real risk — traffic delays that would cost you nothing on a fixed fare can add a noticeable amount to a metered one.
Pre-booking your London City to Heathrow transfer online gives you a confirmed price agreed in advance, a confirmed pickup time, and a driver assigned specifically to your flight, rather than whichever car happens to be next at the rank.
Heathrow operates four terminals, and being dropped at the wrong one means an extra walk or an unplanned shuttle. Always check your terminal on your boarding pass or airline confirmation and pass it on when you book.
Terminal 2 (the Queen's Terminal) mainly serves Star Alliance airlines, including United, Air Canada, and Lufthansa. Your driver drops you directly at the T2 forecourt, a short walk from check-in.
Terminal 3 handles a mix of carriers including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Delta. The forecourt sits right outside arrivals and departures.
Terminal 4 serves several SkyTeam and other international airlines, including Air France, KLM, and Etihad. It's set slightly apart from the other terminals, so your driver routes accordingly rather than defaulting to the wrong forecourt.
Terminal 5 is British Airways' home terminal, along with Iberia. It's the largest and busiest forecourt at Heathrow, so your driver will aim for a quick, efficient drop given the strict time limit at the terminal.
Both airports on this route now charge for terminal drop-off, so it's worth knowing the numbers before you travel.
At London City Airport, the forecourt drop-off charge is £8.00 for up to 5 minutes, then £1 per additional minute, up to a maximum stay of 10 minutes. Unlike Heathrow, there's no free car park option at London City for a quick drop-off — the Short Stay car park is the nearest alternative, but it's a paid facility, not a free one. If you're not driving yourself, the DLR remains the only genuinely free way in and out of the airport.
At Heathrow, the terminal drop-off charge is £7.00 per visit, with a maximum stay of 10 minutes, enforced by number-plate cameras rather than a barrier. If you want to avoid it entirely, Heathrow's Long Stay car parks offer free drop-off with a complimentary shuttle bus to the terminals — it adds a little time, but there's no charge at all.
With LHR Cabs, the Heathrow drop-off charge is already built into your fixed fare, so there's nothing extra to settle when your driver drops you at the terminal.
Flights land and depart at every hour, so we operate our London City to Heathrow taxi service 24/7, every day of the year. Early departure from Heathrow, late arrival into London City, we're already running.
You can book in whichever way suits you:
Either way, you get the same fixed price and the same standard of local, reliable service.
A standard saloon typically costs around £75–£100 as a fixed fare, including the Heathrow drop-off charge. Larger vehicles and executive cars cost more. Always confirm the exact price on your online quote before booking.
In good traffic, the journey takes around 45–60 minutes over roughly 26 miles. Because it crosses a large stretch of London, we recommend allowing 1 hour 30 minutes if you're catching a flight, especially during rush hour.
Yes. LHR Cabs includes the current £7 Heathrow terminal drop-off charge in your fixed fare, so there's nothing extra to pay when your driver drops you at the terminal.
It depends entirely on your airline. Check your boarding pass or booking confirmation for your terminal (T2, T3, T4, or T5) and let us know when you book so your driver takes you to the right forecourt.
Not directly at the terminal — the forecourt charge applies to every drop-off, and the nearby Short Stay car park is paid rather than free. If you're not driving yourself, the DLR is the free way in and out of the airport.
Yes, our service runs 24/7 and we can usually arrange a pickup at short notice, subject to driver availability. For guaranteed availability, especially during peak times, booking in advance is recommended.
Yes, we cover both directions — London City to Heathrow and Heathrow to London City — with the same fixed-price structure and flight tracking on arrival.
Not usually for this route. Rank and local minicab fares are typically metered, and cross-London traffic can add real cost to a metered fare that a fixed price simply absorbs. Booking online in advance gives you price certainty.
Book your London City to Heathrow Airport taxi online today, or call our team directly for a quick, no-obligation quote. Wherever you're headed and whichever terminal you need, LHR Cabs will get you there on time, for a price you already know.