Illustrative comparison based on typical fares and public transport costs. Ticket prices vary by airline, season and booking date.
Luton is about £53 cheaper door-to-door in this comparison — the ticket price gap more than covers the checked bag and the transfer.
Luton's DART rail link plus Thameslink reaches St Pancras in about 40 minutes, so the transfer is workable rather than painful.
Wizz Air and easyJet cover a wide European network from Luton — far more routes than LCY offers.
London City wins on speed: the DLR reaches Bank in about 25 minutes and the whole journey is about 20 minutes shorter.
LCY is a premium small-airport experience — about 20 minutes from plane to DLR — while Luton is functional and budget.
Wizz Air and easyJet from Luton fly to many destinations LCY does not serve.
The price difference is about £53 in this comparison — significant for any traveller.
Luton is better for north London, Milton Keynes, Bedford and the Midlands.
Luton's DART + Thameslink connection reaches St Pancras in about 40 minutes.
If your destination is north London rather than the City, Luton's geography helps too.
Illustrative breakdown. Actual costs depend on your specific flight, baggage and chosen transfer option.
LCY is purpose-built for this — the DLR reaches the office in about 25 minutes.
Wizz Air and easyJet fares are far cheaper than LCY — the saving is real.
Luton is closer to north London than LCY. DART + Thameslink to St Pancras is fast.
About 20 minutes faster door-to-door — more time in London on a short trip.
Wizz Air's LTN base serves Eastern European destinations LCY doesn't touch.
If LCY serves your route, the tiny airport means no long walks and no DART change — less stress.
Add baggage fees, transfer cost and schedule waiting. A £50 saving on the ticket can disappear after one checked bag.
London City is 11km from central London. Luton is 45km. The transfer cost and time differ significantly.
Budget airlines charge around £40 for a checked bag. Full-service airlines often include it.
Luton is better for north London. London City is better for east London and Canary Wharf.
Luton wins on price — about £53 cheaper door-to-door — and has far more budget routes. London City wins on speed: about 20 minutes faster door-to-door, with a DLR transfer of about 25 minutes to Bank.
The DART rail link connects the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway in about 5 minutes (£4.90), then Thameslink reaches St Pancras in about 30 minutes — roughly 40 minutes and ~£15 in total. DART is an automated people mover on rails, not a bus.
The DLR reaches Bank in about 25 minutes (~£3.30 off-peak) and runs every 5–10 minutes. London City has no Elizabeth Line and no Piccadilly Line — the DLR is its only rail link.
Luton typically costs around £100 door-to-door in this comparison; London City around £153 — about £53 more.
Luton serves mainly Wizz Air and easyJet. London City serves mainly BA CityFlyer and niche business carriers.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Next factual review: April 2027
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