London City Airport- how long to Paddington?

[plantastic]

I'm flying into LCY in a couple of weeks and need to get over to Paddington to get a train. I can either give myself 90 minutes or 2.5 hours- it's a long journey so I'd rather just get on the train as quickly as possible.

I'm a frequent flier but never flew into LCY so have no idea how long it takes to move through- I will have a case. Is it doable from landing to Paddington in 90 minutes? My expatriated Londoner self says yes...I know it's a teeny airport.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

The day of the week and what time of day you arrive will also have some bearing here.

Another way of getting to Paddington from City airport is to take the DLR to West Ham (destination board will state Stratford International) and then get a westbound Hammersmith and City Line train all the way to Paddington. Only one change at West Ham and there is a lift to the platform.

[plantastic]

I love how London this thread is. Thanks all!

[randomsabreuse]

I thought I must be missing something - keep forgetting the Jubilee link to DLR at Canning Town is one of the good ones.

The only reason I'd go to bank would be for the Waterloo and City...

[LaurieSchafferIsAllBitterNow]

gawd NEVER EVER change at Bank...you may as well walk the whole journey!

Without looking at the tube map I thought airport to Tower Gateway, sprint across road to Tower Hill and around to Paddington, but I am never really keen on the circle line since they stopped it being a circle :o

[HundredMilesAnHour]

@randomsabreuse

I feel like 90 minutes would be tight because of DLR frequency and going a decent chunk on circle line and they never connect neatly. I might be missing a solution but would always avoid a change at Bank...

The quickest way to Paddington from LCY is DLR to Canning Town, then change on to the Jubilee, change again at Baker St on to the Bakerloo (the change at Baker St is literally a 15 second walk away). Never any need to go anywhere near Bank and definitely not the Circle line.

90 mins is pushing your luck. Most time when I fly into LCY I'm on the DLR within 10 mins of the wheels touching the tarmac (including waiting for my checked bag to come out) but there's too much potential for things to go wrong between the DLR and Paddington.

[plantastic]

OK thanks everyone, looks a bit tight. Flight lands 16.40 on a Friday so nicely busy on the tube. The DLR is the annoying factor. Normally coming from that direction I'd walk from Lancaster gate to avoid the slow rumble round the circle line but that's about 10 minutes walk.

I can book a flexible ticket but it's quite a bit more expensive so will probably just go for the later one and have a more civilized dinner somewhere.

[randomsabreuse]

I feel like 90 minutes would be tight because of DLR frequency and going a decent chunk on circle line and they never connect neatly. I might be missing a solution but would always avoid a change at Bank...

[EileenGC]

You can be out very quickly at LCY, 10-15 minutes from plane touching down to you touching in at DLR if on hand luggage only.

The issue here is checked luggage. It can be delivered immediately or it can take 15-20 minutes. Also, what time of the day do you land? Border control is tiny and if there are 3-4 planes arriving at the same time you may be queuing for a little while.

LCY to Paddington should be approximately 45 minutes. If you only add 20 minutes for getting through passports and bags, it suddenly becomes very tight to make the 90 min connection. All you need is a 15 min delay and you’re risking it.

With hand luggage absolutely, go for the short connection. I’d be wary of trying it with checked luggage though. What’s the risk of missing the first train? Could you a book a flexible ticket that allows you to take a later one perhaps?

[ApolloandDaphne]

It is probably doable but I would allow 2.5 hours as I hate the anxiety about possibly missing a connection. You don't know how long it will take to disembark or get your bag.

[Frazzled2207]

Arriving in Lcy is easy and quick. You can be on the dlr within 5-10 mins if you don’t have to wait for luggage.
I would say 90m is totally doable. I wouldn’t want to rely on it though. If your flight arrives late it could be extremely tight. If you’re booking an onward train I would go for the later one and be more relaxed