London City Airport to Marylebone. Can you advise me please?

[Flowersinthebasement]

Hi to all Londoners!

I will be arriving in LCA and need to get to Marylebone train station for a connection to Thame Haddenham Parkway. I think I've figured out that Marylebone is the station I need.

I just wondered if I have this right having checked the usual maps etc. I haven't a clue since it is nearly ten years since I was in London. Anyhow.... get DLR from LCA to Canning Town, then tube (Jubilee Line?) to Baker Street and walk to Marylebone, that seems straightforward enough! However, do I just tap on with my debit card at LCA getting on the DLR, and tap off in Baker Street? Would I need to tap off at Canning Town and tap on again for the tube. I am not used to the system and am getting a bit bewildered! Will a European debit card work, (Visa/Mastercard) or should I get an oyster thinggy?

I'm hoping to add on three days back in the city when my appointment is done, so if anyone could recommend a nice hotel in London where it is easy to get back to LCA that would be great too! My hotel budget is around 100-150 per night, is that doable? I can stretch it a bit if necessary. I will be travelling on my own so a safe but buzzy area would be good.

I can't wait to see London again. Thank you all.

Yes get the DLR, tap in when you get on and tap out at Baker Street. It’s a 5 min walk from Marylebone. You don’t have to tap out until you are leaving the tfl system.

For your budget it will be difficult to go central but if you go on Booking.com or Expedia and type in ‘Docklands’, loads should come up and you might be able to find something that suits. Don’t be put off if it’s a Holiday Inn or a Travelodge; these hotels have to cater for business travellers attending conferences at Excel all the time so they maintain a standard that you wouldn’t see in the Holiday Inn in a Motorway Service stop.

good luck and enjoy london xx

@Dogsarebetterthanhumans

Thanks for the information, appreciate that. Is Docklands area safe, and would it be a bit dead at night do you know?

Anyway, I'll go online and have a look. I just thought some might have a little gem up their sleeves!

Your debit card will work as long as it has a contactless chip. If not, you'll need to get a ticket.

£150 a night isn't loads but you could get a room in a premier inn (or a premier inn hub which are cheaper) for that. They are clean and safe and perfectly nice for sleeping in. There's one in Covent Garden which is very central, also one near Bank station from which you can pick up the DLR when you head back to the airport.

Docklands is perfectly safe in my experience. I worked there for several years and have stayed there on business.

There is a relatively new Premier Inn 2 mins' walk from Canning Town tube and DLR station. I stayed there with family in the summer- the hotel is absolutely fine.

Your Euro debit card will work if it's contactless, but if you're charged a fee for each transaction I'd get an oyster card.
Hotel cost would depend on your dates. Premier Inn/Hub will be reliable.

Download Citymapper app for getting around.

Thanks all, it's very helpful. I'll get the citymapper and have a look tomorrow.

I had been thinking of staying somewhere in Docklands, but thought it might be a bit quiet at night. Mind you if I am out walking all day I'll be ready for bed early anyway! The type of hotels you all have mentioned sound fine. A nice clean bed and a shower is all you need really if seeing a city.

Looking forward to it now more than ever!