London City Airport - advice

[clarkeologist]

Wondering if anyone could advise on hotels which are handy for London City Airport. Would Greenwich be doable if we get an Uber to the airport? Our flight isn’t until mid afternoon so thought it might be nice to stay somewhere where we can have a nice meal/drink/wander the eve before. Thanks for any help.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

Depends on time of day and how much luggage you have but Greenwich and Uber isn't a great idea as you could easily get stuck in horrendous traffic getting through the Blackwall (or Rotherhithe tunnel). The best way from Greenwich to City is DLR/tube (but that depends on how much luggage you have).

Alternatively, stay North of the river if you want to Uber. You'd be much better off staying near Canary Wharf - or even Tower Hill. And if you want to visit Greenwich, just hop on the DLR that evening / morning. Or even walk through the foot tunnel. There are plenty of places to eat/drink/wander around the Wharf.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

Sorry, just re-read you're flying mid-afternoon. I still wouldn't chance the tunnels (and definitely not if it's a Friday!). Stay North of the river instead if you want to Uber.

[clarkeologist]

Thanks - that’s really helpful. We won’t have too much luggage so might go for the Greenwich and then DLR to airport option.

[Brefugee]

I stayed at the Holiday express in Limehouse and got the DLR to the airport last time

[Brefugee]

*Holiday Inn Express

[JorisBonson]

Royal Docks is a good shout.

[clarkeologist]

Thanks all. @JorisBonson is there somewhere to grab dinner at Royal Docks?

[JorisBonson]

Yeah there's quite a few restaurants and places inside hotels too :)

[HundredMilesAnHour]

@JorisBonson

Yeah there's quite a few restaurants and places inside hotels too :)

None of which are good. You'd really be scraping the barrel by London standards. You'd be much better eating around Canary Wharf or Westfield Stratford, both of which are a quick Uber or hop on the DLR away if you're staying at the Docks.

[clarkeologist]

Ah now Westfield Stratford is an idea 💡. We are a direct train route from home to there and often said we should pop up for a night with the kids shopping/bowling and eating. Just didn’t realise it was so close to LCY

[HundredMilesAnHour]

@clarkeologist

Ah now Westfield Stratford is an idea 💡. We are a direct train route from home to there and often said we should pop up for a night with the kids shopping/bowling and eating. Just didn’t realise it was so close to LCY

You could even stay in a hotel at Westfield and Uber to LCY from there. Dinner/shopping/bowling the evening morning and the next morning before your flight, have a wander round the Olympic Park (or even go for a swim in the Olympic pool). Tons to do.

[SapereAude]

LCY-Westfield Stratford is easy on the DLR. I often fly into LCY and stay at the Premier Inn there. I did stay at the PI in Greenwich from there once iirc.

[TuftyRusty]

I agree with PP that the tunnel can be a bit of a gamble but I’d still stay in Greenwich - and just get the DLR. It would be a much nicer place to stay the night/wander round the next morning - it is a UNESCO world heritage site after all.

Royal Docks - wouldn’t advise, there’s not much there. A couple of places to eat but you wouldn’t find anywhere special. It is easy for the airport if all you wanted to do was sleep and catch a flight but not enough to do if you want to spend some time in the area.

Stratford Westfield is fine but it’s just a shopping centre, nothing special. It’s all the regular chain restaurants. Same as Canary Wharf - it’s handy but it’s a bit soulless in my opinion.

[TuftyRusty]

Although agree at least Stratford has the Olympic Park. (But Greenwich has a Royal Park…)

[TizerorFizz]

Anywhere on the DLR. That opens up Tower Bridge area and Shadwell. The travel time is minimised and no Uber needed. It’s easy to do this route. Or try Greenwich. It’s still easy enough to get to City on public transport.

[TuftyRusty]

Tower Bridge maybe but I’m not sure Shadwell is the nicest part of London to hang out an evening out, meal/drink/wander @TizerorFizz unless I’m missing something?

[londonmummy1966]

You could stay in the Premier Inn by London Bridge - lots of nice restaurants around there/GLobe theatre and you could pick up lunch in Borough Market then go London Bridge to Bank (one stop on the Northern Line) and take the DLR from Bank to the airport.

[TizerorFizz]

I made a mistake. I mean Shad Thames. Had one place in mind and typed another! Shad Thames has enough to offer!

[TuftyRusty]

That makes more sense I was thinking, Shadwell is not particularly a place I’d recommend!