Car Rental at London City Airport

Airport travel guide

Not much new can be said about London, except that it remains one of the most interesting cities on the planet. Whether you come for the history, the museums, the mix of cultures, or the cuisine, you’re absolutely going to be entertained. These are four attractions that can be found in East London where the London City Airport is located:

• Museum of London Docklands. Located in Canary Wharf, the regenerated part of London that’s now home to many of the city’s largest businesses and highest buildings, this museum is dedicated to the heritage of London riverport and docks. Situated in a 200-year old former sugar warehouse, its interactive exhibition takes up two floors and 13 galleries. Visit the museum’s website to learn more.
• God’s Own Junkyard. Located quite a bit north of the Thames in another repurposed warehouse (though a much less glamorous one than those found around Canary Wharf), God’s Own Junkyard has a huge collection of neon advertisements and artworks from various eras of British history. Put more simply, and in its own words, it is ‘home to the world’s sexiest neon signs’. The admission to the junkyard/museum is free.
• Walthamstow Wetlands. Vast nature areas are probably not the first thing that come to mind when thinking of London, but that’s exactly what you can find in the borough of Waltham Forest. Made up of around ten reservoirs and a network of walking paths, it is a prime birdwatching area, as well as a home to several urban heritage sites from the Victorian era.
• London Buddhist Centre. An interesting fusion of architectural and religious traditions, one of the main hubs of London Buddhists is located in a 19th century redbrick Victorian fire station that was used by the London Fire Brigade as recently as the 1960s (if you want even more historical detain, the Center is located on the Roman Road which is over 2000 years old). Since repurposed into a religious center, nowadays it hosts meditation sessions and mindfulness retreats. 

Top international routes

• Amsterdam
• Milan
• Zurich
• Edinburgh
• Dublin
• Luxembourg City
• Glasgow
• Berlin
• Nice
• Florence

Main airlines

British Airways, Flybe, Swiss International Air Lines, Lufthansa, LuxAir and KLM

Terminals

London City Airport has a single passenger terminal. It has two floors and serves all domestic and international flights.

Location

London City Airport is in East London, in the London Borough of Newham. It’s about 11 km (6.9 mi) from the City of London, while the Canary Wharf area and other important London locations and attractions, such as Greenwich, are even closer.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $22 per day
• Medium cars - from $26 per day
• SUVs - from $28 per day
• Large cars - from $29 per day
• Convertibles - from $428 per day
• Station wagons - from $29 per day
• Vans - from $46 per day
• Premium cars - from $50 per day

Car rental desks

Most offices are located in a separate area right next to the airport terminal. Just follow the signs and you’ll reach them in a couple of minutes walking.

Services and facilities

Despite the airport’s small size, you’ll find a nice choice of cafés, restaurants, and bars, as well as shops, a bookstore, and a duty-free outlet for passengers leaving the EU. There are also ATMs, a pharmacy, and a spa, along with two lounges tucked away in the private jet terminal. There are currently no left luggage facilities available. The airport is fully accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. Do keep in mind that London City Airport is not open 24/7—business hours are 4:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on workdays, 4:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest gas station

There are several gas stations within four miles of the airport, including Asda Beckton on Tollgate Road and Texaco at 200 High Street can also be reached in about 10-15 minutes and are both open 24/7. Additional gas stations at Sainsburys on Claps Gate Lane and Tesco at Gallions Reach Shopping Centre are also within a 10-minute drive. While there are other gas stations even closer to London City Airport, travelers give these gas stations much higher rating.

Popular one-way rentals

• Edinburgh (648 km / 403 mi). The capital of Scotland is a long drive away from London, but this epic trip north is worth it. One of the most picturesque cities of Europe, it combines classy architecture with ancient sites and large nature areas.
• Luton (55 km / 34 mi). Located just northwest of London, Luton is not often thought of as a tourism destination, but the cozy city has its fair share of delights. Visitors appreciate the Luton Museum & Art Gallery, Stockwood Discovery Center, and the city’s two large parks.
• Manchester (317 km / 197 mi). Combining impressive industrial heritage with a touch of innovation and class, Manchester is one of the most interesting cities of North England. Whether you’re here for the famous Village area, amazing food, or the city’s two world-famous football teams, you won’t be leaving disappointed.
• Winchester (172 km / 107 mi). Known as a cathedral city for its famous central religious building, Winchester is one of the most picturesque places in South East England. In addition to the stunning cathedral, the city also boasts the equally impressive Winchester Castle and the interactive Science Center & Planetarium.
• Crawley (84 km / 52 mi). Small and cozy, this West Sussex town is a great place to spend a relaxing day outdoors - located just a short drive south of London, Crawley is surrounded by a number of beautiful gardens, parks, and forests.