Budget Hotels Near London City Airport
London City Airport sits in the Royal Docks in east London, and the budget hotels around it cluster in Docklands, ExCeL, Stratford and Beckton. This page lists the five published options I would consider for a short stay before or after a flight: ibis London Excel Docklands, Moxy London Excel, Travelodge London Excel, Travelodge London Stratford and Premier Inn London Beckton hotel. I describe what each one lists, such as free Wi-Fi, on-site dining, free parking and public transport access, and I suggest checking the route to the airport on a map before you book, because none of the listings gives distances.
London City Airport serves as a gateway for business travellers and those seeking quick access to the financial district and East London. The surrounding area, while not directly adjacent to the airport, offers a practical urban environment with good public transport links. The focus here is on efficiency and accessibility, with hotels reflecting this by providing straightforward, no-frills accommodation that gets you where you need to be without unnecessary expense. It's a functional part of London, geared towards transit and convenience.
Where to stay near the airport
Cheap Docklands stays for London City flights
Why choose a budget hotel near London City Airport
London City Airport is in the Royal Docks, close to the City and Canary Wharf, but a long way from the cheap hotel areas of west London. The hotels around Docklands, ExCeL, Stratford and Beckton are the practical alternative: they sit in east London and are known for straightforward rooms at a fair rate. That is why a budget hotel here suits a traveller with an early flight, a late arrival or a tight budget. I compare the five published options by what they list, since the details that matter on a budget are Wi-Fi, parking, food and how easy it is to reach the terminal.
Moxy London Excel and ibis London Excel Docklands are the two I would look at first. Moxy lists a contemporary budget hotel with air-conditioned, smoke-free rooms, free Wi-Fi, a trendy bar and restaurant and a pet-friendly policy, and it holds an 8.4 rating from more than 1,500 reviews. ibis lists a casual budget hotel with modern, smoke-free rooms, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a pet-friendly policy, with an 8.2 rating from more than 3,200 reviews. Those review counts make both scores reliable guides for a night before a flight. Both are well known chains, which lowers the risk of a surprise on arrival.
Premier Inn London Beckton hotel is the one to choose if you drive. It lists modern, budget-friendly rooms with air conditioning, free parking, free Wi-Fi, on-site dining and a kid-friendly setting, rated 7.8 from more than 1,500 reviews. Travelodge London Excel and Travelodge London Stratford are the plainest options, both rated 7.4 and both listing free Wi-Fi, a pet-friendly policy and on-site dining. The Stratford property also mentions public transport access and is described as ideal for families, which may help if you travel with children. For a family on a modest budget, that familiarity counts for a good deal.
One honest point about all five: the listings give no distance or travel time to the airport, and Stratford and Beckton are further from London City than the Excel hotels. I would look up the route and the travel time on a map before booking, and leave a margin on the morning of your flight. If you arrive late, ask the hotel about check-in hours too. These small checks keep a budget stay near London City simple. For an early flight, I would also ask whether the hotel can offer a packed breakfast or a quick check-out, since a fast exit saves precious time on the morning itself.
A traveler's takeFor a flight from London City Airport, I would choose Moxy London Excel: it holds an 8.4 rating from more than 1,500 reviews and lists a trendy bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi and a pet-friendly policy. For a bigger review base at a similar level, I would look at ibis London Excel Docklands, rated 8.2 from more than 3,200 reviews. I would check the transfer to the terminal before booking.
Budget8.4Moxy London Excel
Budget-friendly stay with a trendy bar and free Wi-Fi near Excel
Why guests love itMoxy London Excel is a contemporary budget 3-star hotel rated 8.4 from more than 1,500 reviews. Rooms are air-conditioned and smoke-free, with complimentary Wi-Fi, and a trendy restaurant and bar and full-service laundry are on site. Pets are welcome, the hotel is kid-friendly and accessible, and breakfast is provided. Parking is available for a fee. Journey time to London City Airport is not given, so I would plan the transfer before booking.
Budget8.2ibis London Excel Docklands
Modern, budget-friendly rooms with Wi-Fi, restaurant, and bar near Custom House
Why guests love itibis London Excel Docklands is a casual budget 3-star that describes itself as suitable for families and pet owners, and the basics are in place: modern smoke-free rooms, free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and a bar, so dinner needs no extra trip. Full-service laundry helps on a longer stay. Custom House is a short walk away, with public transport from there to London City Airport. It holds an 8.2 rating from more than 3,200 reviews. Expect simple comfort, not leisure facilities.
Budget7.8Premier Inn London Beckton hotel
Budget-friendly rooms with free parking and breakfast for kids
Why guests love itPremier Inn London Beckton is a budget-friendly 3-star hotel rated 7.8 from more than 1,500 reviews. Modern rooms are air-conditioned, with free parking and complimentary Wi-Fi, and a restaurant, a bar and accessible facilities are on site. Breakfast is available for a fee, with children under 16 eating free, and the property is smoke-free. Winsor House Brewers Fayre is a short walk away, so it suits families on a budget with a car.
Budget7.4Travelodge London Stratford
Budget-friendly Stratford stay with easy public transport to London City Airport
Why guests love itTravelodge London Stratford is a budget-friendly 3-star hotel rated 7.4 from more than 2,100 reviews, with casual rooms and a laid-back atmosphere. A contemporary cafe with a simple bar and a restaurant are on site, and pets are welcome. Public transport towards London City Airport is a two-minute walk away at Warton Road. For a family on a tight budget, it is a simple stay, and the 7.4 rating says to expect the basics.
Budget7.4Travelodge London Excel
Budget-friendly rooms with free Wi-Fi and a relaxed restaurant
Why guests love itTravelodge London Excel is a 3-star hotel rated 7.4 from more than 1,500 reviews, with straightforward smoke-free rooms and free Wi-Fi. It is pet-friendly and accessible, with a relaxed restaurant and a bar on site. Parking is paid. Public transport connections to London City Airport are available, though the journey time is not given. It is a budget-conscious choice, and the 7.4 rating says to expect the basics.
Good to know
- 1Check the route from your hotel to London City Airport on a map before you book, because the listings do not give distances or transfer times.
- 2Choose Moxy London Excel for the highest guest score on this page, with a trendy bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi and smoke-free rooms.
- 3Pick ibis London Excel Docklands for the largest review base, over 3,200 reviews, with free Wi-Fi, on-site dining and a pet-friendly policy.
- 4Look at Premier Inn London Beckton hotel if you drive, since it lists free parking together with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and a kid-friendly setting.
- 5Consider Travelodge London Stratford if you want public transport access, as its listing mentions it, but check how long the trip to the airport takes.
- 6Expect the Excel hotels to be busy during events at ExCeL, so book early if your flight falls on a conference date.