Free planning tool · Not a taxi
What time should I leave to collect someone from London City?
Live arrival time + live traffic from your postcode.
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Collecting at London City
£10 before you have waited a minute
Twenty minutes in the Pick-Up zone costs £10 whether you use them or not, and going a minute over takes it to £16.90. It is the dearest first stop of any airport here.
Past twenty minutes you have to move
The airport directs you to the Main Stay car park for anything longer, so a delayed flight means relocating rather than sitting tight.
Cashless, and no Amex
All major credit cards are accepted except American Express. There is no cash option and no free alternative published for collections.
Prices as published by London City Airport, last checked 24 September 2026. Their own pick-up page is the only place they are current.
This is
A calculator for the person doing the collecting. Free, no account, no booking.
This isn’t
An airport taxi, Uber or meet-and-greet. We never take payment for a journey.
Frequently asked questions about collecting someone from London City Airport
What time should I leave to collect someone from London City?
It depends on the flight and on your traffic, which is what the planner above works out. As a rule, allow for the passenger to get off the aircraft, clear the border and collect bags before they reach the kerb — around 20 minutes for a domestic or Irish arrival, and longer after a long-haul flight — then add your own drive time on top.
Where do you pick someone up at London City Airport?
The Pick-Up zone, a few steps from the terminal — follow the Pick-Up signs. It is £10 for up to 20 minutes, £16.90 for 20 to 30 minutes and £21.90 for up to an hour. If you need longer, the airport directs you to the Main Stay car park.
Is there anywhere free to wait at London City?
Not one the airport publishes. Its pick-up page lists only the paid Pick-Up zone and the Main Stay car park, so unlike Newcastle or Glasgow there is no free waiting area to fall back on. That makes arriving at the right time worth more here than almost anywhere else.
Can I pay by American Express at London City?
No. The car park is cashless and accepts all major credit cards except American Express — worth knowing before you reach the barrier.
Does FlightPickup arrange the car?
No. It is a free planning tool and nothing more. We do not operate vehicles, employ drivers or take payment for journeys — we tell you what time to set off, and you drive.