Airport transfers · both directions
London City is about 13 miles from Balham, east through Brixton and the Rotherhithe Tunnel. A fixed £70 saloon each way, usually 40–65 minutes.
A taxi from Balham to London City Airport is £70 in a saloon, £85 in a 6-seat MPV and £95 in an 8-seater. It is about 13 miles and 40 min off-peak, or 65 min in traffic. The same fixed fares apply from London City back to Balham, and every price covers airport charges, flight tracking, waiting time and your luggage.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Balham → London City | London City → Balham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | up to 4 passengers, 2 large cases | from £70 | from £70 |
| MPV | up to 6 passengers, 4 large cases | from £85 | from £85 |
| 8-seater | up to 7 passengers, 7 large cases | from £95 | from £95 |
Per vehicle, not per person. Airport drop-off and pick-up charges, tolls and waiting after landing are inside the price, and it does not change on the day. Book both directions together and the return is 10% off.
The driver heads through Clapham, Brixton and Camberwell to the Rotherhithe Tunnel, then along the A13 to Silvertown.
By rail it is the Northern line from Balham to Bank and then the DLR to the airport, one change.
By public transport: Northern line to Bank, then the DLR, about 45–55 min. The catch is a long interchange at Bank. A car does the whole trip door to door in about 40 min, or 65 min when the roads are full, with your bags in the boot.
Out of Balham (SW12) the route runs through Clapham, Brixton and Camberwell to the Rotherhithe Tunnel and the A13. Coming back from London City the driver follows the A13, the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Camberwell back to Balham. That is about 13 miles: reckon 40 min off-peak and 65 min when Brixton, Camberwell and the Rotherhithe Tunnel approaches is busy.
London City is small and quick. Your driver meets you just outside arrivals with a name board, usually within minutes of you leaving the aircraft.
London City is quick to leave. Your driver waits just outside arrivals.
Most London City flights need you there about an hour before departure. Brixton and the tunnel approaches are busy before 09:30, so allow the full 65 minutes.
Check-in guide for London City Airport: one hour for most European flights. Add 40 to 65 minutes on the road and a small margin, and the booking page suggests a pickup time for your flight.
Balham runs from the shops and cafés of Balham High Road and Hildreth Street to the Victorian terraces between Tooting Bec Common and Wandsworth Common, including the Nightingale Triangle and the big art deco blocks such as Du Cane Court.
Balham High Road is a busy red route with bus lanes. For addresses on it, we usually pick up on the nearest side street, and the driver calls when outside.
We also cover nearby Clapham South, Tooting Bec, Wandsworth Common, Streatham, Clapham, Earlsfield, Tooting and Nightingale Triangle.
Local tip: At £70 each way, London City is the cheapest airport run from Balham. Book both legs together and the return is 10% off.
£70 in a saloon for up to four passengers, fixed at booking.
The same £70 fixed fare, with meet and greet and flight tracking.
Usually 40 to 65 minutes over about 13 miles.
The driver uses Tower Bridge or the Blackwall Tunnel. The fare stays the same.
About 13 miles by road: 40 minutes off-peak and up to 65 minutes in heavy traffic.
A 6-seat MPV is £85 and an 8-seater is £95, each way. Both are fixed at booking.
Yes. Add child seats, boosters and buggies on the booking form and they are fitted before the driver arrives.
No. The fare is fixed when you book. Traffic, tolls and the hour are our problem, not a line on your bill.
Fares are fixed at booking and shown per vehicle. Distances and journey times are approximate and vary with traffic and the exact pickup address. Page reviewed 28 September 2026.