Then there’s the black cab. This is the VIP move, reserved for when expense accounts are generous or when you’ve had a truly catastrophic morning. The driver will chat about the weather, the congestion charge, and the fact that their uncle once drove a celebrity. It’s a story in itself.
The fare will hurt your wallet, but the journey is hilariously quick if traffic behaves. You’ll sail past Royal Albert Dock, feeling like a minor royal on a budget. Just don’t look at the meter after the first ten minutes. Ignorance is bliss, and so is a credit card with a high limit.
The best bit about arriving by cab? You get to pull up right to the departures entrance. It’s the closest you’ll ever feel to being driven to a private jet. Even if you’re flying to Amsterdam for a three-hour meeting.
The Best Way to Get from City Airport to London
The Thames Clipper: The Watery Hero
Now, here’s the underdog story. The Thames Clipper. Yes, you can take a boat to the airport. It sounds ridiculous, and that’s exactly why it’s brilliant. You buy a ticket, grab a cup of tea, and stand on the back deck like you’re in a spy movie.
The wind whips your hair, you pass the O2 Arena (which looks like a giant golf umbrella), and you feel a smug satisfaction as you glide past the traffic-clogged roads. It’s the most glamorous way to travel to an airport that isn’t in a James Bond film. The only downside? The walk from the pier to the terminal is about seven minutes of exposed concrete. Pack a windbreaker and a sense of adventure.
