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London City Taxi Services

An airport right in London?

Strange though it may seem, London City Airport is situated right on London’s doorstep and is in fact the only airport in London. Only 3 miles from Canary Wharf and 6 miles from the financial nerve centre, the airport is extremely popular with business travellers who now no longer have to sit in traffic or struggle on the underground to get into London from Heathrow.

It was opened in 1987 and operates services to 29 destinations in the UK and Europe. It is now also possible to fly to New York from London City but, because of the short runway, it is not a non-stop flight, stopping to refuel at Shannon in Ireland.

So do you need a taxi and what’s available?

Although the airport is well served by public transport, many travellers prefer to use a taxi for getting to and from the airport.

Two types of taxi are licensed to pick up and drop off at London City: hackney carriages and private hire vehicles. Drivers of hackney carriages (the traditional black cab) have to pass "the knowledge", which means that they know every single road in the Transport for London area; this can take up to four years. Black cabs are available from the rank outside the terminal building, which is incidentally the longest taxi rank in Europe.

Private hire vehicles (or minicabs as they are often called) are less strictly regulated in London than elsewhere in the country. As they cannot be flagged down you should pre-book by phone, internet or in person.

The official chauffeur company for London City is Quay Cars whose office is situated in the terminal building opposite International Arrivals. All their drivers are security checked, highly trained, wear suit and tie and carry ID. They are happy to act as your assistant, escort or guide.

VIP taxi transfers are also available from a wide variety of companies and if the standard luxury vehicles (usually BMWs and S class Mercedes) are not to your liking, many companies will do their best to source the vehicle of your choice, given sufficient notice. Air conditioning and leather seats come as standard, and internet access, TV screens and DVD players are commonplace. If you fancy a bottle of champagne and canapes for that extra-special event, many companies will be pleased to quote.

Parking charges at London City are expensive (£8 an hour) so make sure that you do not have to pay extra to cover this. Similarly if your taxi company does not track the flight for delays, check whether or not you could be liable for a huge parking bill!

Black taxis operate a system of metered fares and so your fare will vary according to traffic conditions, distance and time of day. If you are travelling outside the Transport for London area make sure you agree a fare first. Minicabs will usually operate on a fixed fare system with different zones/areas or they may operate on an hourly rate with an additional mileage charge.

Although black cabs are allowed to carry up to five passengers, this could pose a problem if you have a lot of luggage, in which case you would probably be better off with a minibus. An 8 seater from the airport to central London may cost around £70 to £75. Minivans which cater for larger groups are also available from a variety of operators.

If your group are carrying golf clubs or bikes, you should give as much notice as possible. Similarly if you require a child seat, you should make arrangements in plenty of time.

London is of course a big place and so it is difficult to give anything other than a guide but taxi fares to or from the airport will normally be between £15 and £40. For instance, it will probably cost about £15 to get to Canary Wharf, £20 to the City, £30 to Oxford St and £40 to Earls Court. If you are travelling further afield, perhaps to Dover Docks or Southampton, it could cost anything between £100 and £150.

There is an official meeting point in the airport, easy to find from Arrivals, and another popular point for meeting passengers is the information desk, again well sign posted.

Most companies welcome account holders.

Where do people go from London City?

With its short check-in times, short security queues and handy location, London City is the favourite airport for many business people, who are likely to be travelling into Canary Wharf, the City, the West End, or to railway stations for onwards travel, either to other parts of the UK or the Continent.

• Canary Wharf - 3 miles/15 mins
• City – 6 miles/20 mins
• West End - 10 miles/30 mins
• St Pancras (for Eurostar) - 10 miles/30 mins
• Paddington - 11 miles/35 mins
• Euston - 9 miles/35 mins

It is also a popular arrivals point for anyone flying in to attend an exhibition at the ExCel Centre or concert at the O2 Arena, both of which are less than 2 miles away and take around 10 minutes in a taxi.

The airport is only 4 miles and a 15 minute taxi journey from the site of the London Olympics which will no doubt see passenger numbers soar in 2012.

For holidaymakers or perhaps the families of business travellers visiting London, all sorts of attractions are on the doorstep.

Greenwich

Greenwich with its parkland, cultural attractions, quirky shops, markets and great views is one of London’s most popular areas for visitors. Best known are the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House but lesser known attractions such as the Fan Museum and St Alfege Church also make for an interesting day out.

Docklands

Once the Port of London, Docklands has been transformed in the last twenty years from one of London’s most derelict areas into a sleek ultra-modern buzzy place to be. It is home to Britain’s tallest building and some well preserved warehouses in West India Quay, which have been turned into trendy bars and restaurants. The Museum in Docklands is also to be found in a warehouse in West India Quay.

St Paul's

The dome of St Paul's Cathedral is one of the best known parts of the London skyline and the cathedral has much to interest visitors, from the Whispering Gallery to the Crypt. Guided tours are available four times a day for a small charge.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is home to an amazing collection of modern art from 1900 and is housed in a former power station, making the architectural features such as the Great Turbine Hall every bit as interesting as the art on the walls.

London Dungeon

For children with an interest in the more gruesome aspects of London’s history, a trip to the London Dungeon is a must. From plague to torture, blood and guts abound and live actors and special effects ensure that you will be suitably scared.