DLR (London City Airport station) · ~22 min to Bank (typical)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
SEN8.5
LCY8.6+0.1
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
SEN7.0
LCY7.0
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
Best for
SEN
easyJet leisure trips when Greater Anglia beats the slog to Stansted or LutonPriority Pass / DragonPass holders who pre-book SKYLIFE on early banksTravellers who want CT 2 L liquids rules and a short single-terminal walk
Watch out for
SEN
Oyster/contactless PAYG ends at Shenfield — buy a National Rail ticket to Southend AirportFood and retail choice is limited; do not expect a major-hub food courtDo not confuse SEN with STN (Stansted), LCY (London City), or SOU (Southampton)
Amenities and tips
SEN
Southend Airport rail stationCT / C3 security (2 L liquids)SKYLIFE LoungeAirside water fountain
SEN · Compact Essex London airport with a rail station ~100 steps away, easyJet’s 2025 base, CT security that allows 2 L liquids in the bag, and a single SKYLIFE lounge — tiny compared with STN/LTN but unusually easy door-to-gate once you are on Greater Anglia.
LCY · Docklands’ steep-approach city runway: DLR in the building, a tiny single terminal, CT screening that still enforces 100 ml, and no real lounge until Aspire’s early-2027 opening — unbeatable for Canary Wharf/City day trips, brittle when noise curfews or weather bite.
SEN6.5
LCY6.6+0.1
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
SEN8.5
LCY9.0+0.5
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
SEN7.3+0.9
LCY6.4
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
SEN6.8
LCY6.8
LCY
City / Canary Wharf business day-trips on BA CityFlyer and European regionalsTravelers who value attached DLR over mega-hub shoppingLight-luggage short-haul within LCY’s steep-approach aircraft limitsPriority Pass dining credits at Soul & Grain or Juniper until the Aspire lounge opens
LCY
No passenger lounge open yet (Aspire targeted early 2027)≤100 ml liquids still enforced despite CT leave-in-bag scannersSaturday afternoon–Sunday morning noise closure — no scheduled flying£8 / 5 min forecourt drop-off since 6 Jan 2026 (then £1/min, 10 min max)
Walk-to-terminal parking
Free airport Wi-Fi
Station is ~100 steps — Oyster stops at Shenfield
Covered walk to Greater Anglia; ~43–52 min to Stratford / Liverpool Street; no Oyster beyond Shenfield.
2 L liquids stay in the bag (CT / C3)
CT screening: ≤2 L liquids + electronics stay packed; Fast Track from £8.
SKYLIFE is the only lounge — airport max stay 2 h
Sole airside lounge 04:00–20:00; airport max stay 2 h; PP/DragonPass accepted.
LCY
London City Airport DLR stationNext Generation CT securityPriority Pass dining (Soul & Grain / Juniper)LCY Airport Free Wi-FiAirside drinking fountain
Ride the DLR — skip the forecourt fee
Attached DLR Zone 3; Bank PAYG £3.90/£3.30; charged kerbside drop-off.
Keep bags packed — but still pack ≤100 ml
CT leave-in-bag process; classic 100 ml limit; no public Fast Track.
No lounge yet — PP is dining credit only
Aspire due early 2027; today PP = £18 at Soul & Grain / Juniper.
