Canary Wharf, fourteen minutes from London City

How quick is London City from Canary Wharf?

Very. The car leaves the estate on the A1206 or through the Limehouse Link approach, joins the A1020 and reaches the terminal at the Royal Docks in about 14 minutes off-peak and 18 minutes in the rush. It is one of the shortest airport journeys in London.

For a morning trip to Frankfurt, Paris or Dublin with hand luggage, many Canary Wharf travellers leave their desk about 75 to 90 minutes before departure. Check your airline’s check-in deadline, which may be earlier than you expect, and allow more for a flight with checked bags.

How do pickups work on the estate?

The main roads through Canary Wharf are managed by the estate, and many office towers have their vehicle entrance on a lower level, reached from a service road or a ramp, rather than at the front door. Security staff control access to some of them.

Tell us the building and, if you know it, the entrance your reception uses for cars. The chauffeur will wait at the agreed set-down point, which may be a lay-by on the main road or a lower-level drop-off. For the residential towers around the estate, give us the block name; most have a concierge who can let the chauffeur know you are on the way down.

What about the first flights of the morning?

London City’s first departures leave from about 06:30 on weekdays, and many are business flights to European capitals, timed so that travellers can be in a meeting by nine local time. From a Canary Wharf apartment, a pickup at about 05:15 is usually generous for a flight with hand luggage; the roads to the Royal Docks are empty at that hour, and the terminal is quiet.

We confirm early pickups the evening before, and the chauffeur sends a message when the car is outside your building. If your concierge desk is not staffed overnight, tell us which door you will use.

Is Stansted or Gatwick the better second airport?

They are almost equal in time. Stansted is about 38 miles and around 64 minutes via the A12 and the M11, or 83 minutes in the rush. Gatwick is about 46 miles and around 65 minutes, because the fastest route runs east to the A2 or the A20 and round the M25 rather than across central London.

Choose by the flight. Stansted has more European low-cost routes; Gatwick has more long-haul leisure flights and a wider mix of airlines.

When is the Elizabeth line better for Heathrow?

Canary Wharf has its own Elizabeth line station, and trains run west through central London towards Heathrow. For a single traveller with a small case, at busy times of day, the train is often quicker than a car. We would rather tell you that than sell you a slower journey.

A car is the better choice with heavy luggage, several colleagues travelling together, a family, or a flight before the first trains. By road, Heathrow is about 61 minutes off-peak and 79 minutes in the rush.

Can you handle last-minute business travel?

Yes. Deals close late and meetings move, and many Canary Wharf journeys are booked the same day. Book as early as you can, and message us if your plans change; we will move the pickup where we can. If a meeting runs over and a flight is at risk, we will tell you honestly whether the car can still make it.

Firms that book regularly can set up an account with monthly invoicing and cost codes for each booking.

What about Southend and Biggin Hill?

Southend is about 37 miles and around 58 minutes via the A13 and the A127; its small terminal suits some short-haul flights. London Biggin Hill, for private and business aviation, is about 43 minutes south via the Blackwall Tunnel and the A2 and A21. The tunnel charges, when the route uses them, are part of your fixed price.

Is Canary Wharf inside the Congestion Charge zone?

No. The zone covers central London, and Canary Wharf is well to the east of it. Journeys to London City, Stansted and Gatwick do not enter it. A route to Heathrow may pass through central London; chauffeurs usually use the boundary roads, and if the charge applies in charging hours, it is included.