For most of south-east London, the question "which airport is nearest" has a surprising answer, and nowhere is it more clear-cut than here. London City Airport is around four miles from Greenwich — closer than Heathrow is to most of west London. It sits directly across the river in the Royal Docks, and the only thing between you and it is a tunnel.
This guide covers Greenwich, Maze Hill, Blackheath, Charlton and Kidbrooke, across SE10, SE3 and SE7. Fares on our site are estimates confirmed when we accept your booking.
The river crossings shape everything
Every northbound journey from here goes through a tunnel, and which one matters.
- The Blackwall Tunnel (A102) is the historic route and the default. The northbound bore has a 4 metre height restriction and a notoriously tight bend, and it has been the defining bottleneck of SE London traffic for decades.
- The Silvertown Tunnel, open since 2025, runs alongside it and takes the pressure off. Both crossings are tolled, with the charge varying by time of day and vehicle.
- The Woolwich Ferry is free but slow and further east — rarely the right answer for an airport run on a schedule.
- The Greenwich Foot Tunnel is pedestrian only, so it is irrelevant here, though people do occasionally ask.
For a pre-booked transfer the toll is factored into your quoted fare rather than billed to you separately at the tunnel. If you are driving yourself, it is not — and the charge must be paid, so check before you go.
Local pickup realities
- Greenwich town centre is tight, one-way in places and extremely busy with visitors at weekends. Around the Cutty Sark, the Old Royal Naval College and the market, stopping is largely impossible. Agree a meeting point on a nearby residential street.
- The A2 at the Sun in the Sands roundabout is the key junction for anything heading east or south. It backs up at peak.
- Blackheath village is small, with limited stopping around the station and the shops. The heath itself has no stopping on most of the crossing roads.
- Maze Hill is a tiny station on a residential street between Greenwich and Westcombe Park — easy to find, but give your house number rather than the station.
- Kidbrooke Village is a large, recently built development with internal roads, several phases and multiple entrances. Give the building and phase name. A bare SE3 postcode will not place you.
- Charlton is straightforward, but matchdays at The Valley close roads around Floyd Road and Charlton Church Lane and slow the A206 considerably. Check the fixture list if you are flying out on a Saturday.
Airport by airport
London City — around 4 miles through the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnel. From Greenwich or Charlton this is barely an airport transfer at all in distance terms, and it is the single strongest argument for flying from LCY if your route is served.
Southend — north through the tunnels then east on the A13 and A127. Around 35 miles, and one of the more straightforward Southend runs from London because the A13 is right there once you are through.
Stansted — north through the tunnels onto the A12 and M11. Around 32 miles.
Gatwick — south-west. Either across through Lewisham and Croydon to the M23, or out on the A2 to the M25 and round. Around 30 miles.
Heathrow — the long westward run, around 25 miles, usually through the Blackwall Tunnel and round the north, or across town depending on the hour.
Luton — north through the tunnels and up the A12 and M25, or through the City to the M1. Around 38 miles.
Greenwich cruise moorings
Greenwich Ship Tier and the Thames moorings put cruise passengers in this area regularly, often combining a sailing with a flight at either end. Our London cruise port transfers guide covers the mooring arrangements and the timing when a ship and a flight fall on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Which airport is closest to Greenwich? A: London City, at around four miles across the river through the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnel. It is closer to Greenwich than Heathrow is to most of west London.
Q: Do I pay the Silvertown or Blackwall Tunnel toll on a booked transfer? A: No, not separately. Both crossings are tolled and the charge varies by time of day and vehicle, but on a pre-booked transfer it is accounted for in your quoted fare rather than billed to you at the tunnel.
Q: Is the Blackwall Tunnel still a problem for airport journeys? A: Much less than it was. The Silvertown Tunnel opened alongside it in 2025 and takes considerable pressure off. The Blackwall northbound bore still has a 4 metre height restriction and a tight bend.
Q: Where can a driver collect me in Greenwich town centre? A: Not near the Cutty Sark, the market or the Old Royal Naval College — those streets are busy, partly pedestrianised and have essentially nowhere to stop, especially at weekends. Agree a meeting point on a nearby residential street.
Q: How do I give my address in Kidbrooke Village? A: Name the building and the development phase in your booking notes. Kidbrooke Village is large, built in stages, and has several entrances off internal roads that a postcode alone will not distinguish.
Q: Do Charlton Athletic matches affect airport transfers? A: Yes. Matchdays at The Valley close roads around Floyd Road and Charlton Church Lane and slow the A206. If you are flying out on a fixture day, allow extra time.
Q: How far is Blackheath from Gatwick? A: Around 30 miles, either south-west through Lewisham and Croydon to the M23, or out on the A2 to the M25 and round anticlockwise.
Q: Is Southend Airport a realistic option from Greenwich? A: More realistic than from most of London. It is around 35 miles, and once you are through the tunnels the A13 runs directly east towards the A127 — a simpler run than going across or around the capital.
Get an estimated fare for your transfer from Greenwich, Maze Hill, Blackheath, Charlton or Kidbrooke.