Docklands Light Railway

Docklands Light Railway, London

Docklands (London Docklands) is a region east of London and is in the district of Greenwich, Tower Hamletse, and Southwark. It is a commercial and residential district in the Port of London. DLR is considered only one line and has several sections. There are 45 stations, is 31 km long and has already been used by more than 110 million passengers per year.

A little history

In 1981, the London government had created the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) to rebuild the London docks (Docklands). The London Docklands Project aimed at turning the neighborhood into an area with more density, buildings and corporate offices.

At this time it was necessary to provide an economical transport solution. For that reason, London Transport began evaluating options for light rail and created the Docklands Light Railway.

There was interest from private companies in the Docklands region after the establishment of the DLR, because it made possible the transport of passengers to the main points of the Greater London area within minutes.

Docklands Light Railway (DLR) was opened in August of 1987. The system was operated by Serco Docklands company for 17 years, and today is managed under management of KeolisAmey Docklands, awarded by Transport for London.

Mind the Gap

How to travel by Docklands Light Railway?

1) Sections and Stations

Tower Gateway - Beckton: Tower Gateway, Shadwell, Limehouse, Westferry, Poplar, Blackwall, Canning Town, Royal Victoria, Custom House for ExCel, Prince Regent, Royal Albert, Beckton Park, Cyprus, Gallions Reach, Beckton

Bank - Woolwich Arsenal: Bank, Shadwell, Limehouse, Westferry, Poplar , Blackwall, Canning Town, West Silvertown, Pontoon Dock, London City Airport, King George V, Woolwich Arsenal

Bank - Lewisham: Bank, Shadwell, Limehouse, Westferry, Poplar , West Indian Quay, Canary Wharf, Heron Quays, South Quay, Crossharbour, Mudchute, Island Gardens, Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich, Deptford Bridge, Elverson Road, Lewisham

Stratford - Canary Wharf : Stratford, Pudding Mill Lane, Bow Church, Devons Road, Langdon Park, All Saints, Poplar, West Indian Quay, Canary Wharf

From Monday to Friday, during peak hours, the path is extended to Lewisham: Heron Quays, South Quay, Crossharbour, Mudchute, Island Gardens, Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, Greenwich, Deptford Bridge, Elverson Road, Lewisham

Stratford International - Beckton: Stratford International, Stratford, Stratford High Street, Abbey Road, West Ham, Star Lane, Canning Town, Royal Victoria, Custom House for ExCel, Prince Regent, Royal Albert, Beckton Park, Cyprus, Gallions Reach, Beckton

Stratford International - Woolwich Arsenal: Stratford International, Stratford, Pudding Mill Lane, Bow Church, Devons Road, Langdon Park, All Saints, Poplar, Blackwall, East India, Canning Town, West Silvertown, Pontoon Dock, London City Airport, King George V, Woolwich Arsenal

2) Connection

Sometimes you need to change platform to reach your destination. You must look at the map to see from which stations you can change platform and to transfer to another section.

London Underground stations that make connection with the DLR: Bank, Tower Hill -Tower Gateway (yellow and green line) and Bow (green line and pink line).

3) Airport Connection

There is a Docklands Light Railway station at London Airport. To get there, you need to take the DLR from any station to Woolwich Arsenal.

Dlr London

4) Languages ​​in the Docklands Light Railway

All announcements are in English.

5) Schedule and frequency

The Docklands Light Railway operates Monday to Saturday from 5:30 to 00:30, Sundays and holidays from 7:00 am until 23:30.

The frequency of trains is 5-10 minutes throughout the day and 3.5 minutes during peak times.

6) Docklands Light Railway Rates

DLR has the same rates as the London Underground. As its path is mainly in zones 1, 2, 3 and 4 must take into account the rates of these areas.

Ride Free:

• Children up to 10 years
• Adults over 60 years
• People with disabilities
• War veterans

7) Cards and tickets

Oyster Card

To travel on the London Underground system and also DLR (its complement system), the top recommended card is the Oyster card, which can also be used on trains and buses.

If you want to spend a few days in London, you can purchase prepaid Oyster Card (pay as you go) without registering; you only have to pay 5 pounds to purchase your card at any underground station or DLR London. With Oyster, you'll be able to use all means of transport in London and always at a discounted rate. It is highly recommended to save on your trip!

TravelCard

TravelCard is a travel ticket that can be used for 1, 3, 7 or 30 days. That is, with TravelCard, you can make as many trips want in the public transport system in London according to the number of days and select areas. To purchase the TravelCard of 7 days or more is necessary to make a photocard, a card that contains your photo and your user name.

Oyster Card and the Travelcard Rates for zones of the Docklands Light Railway

Oyster Card TravelCard 1 day 1 day 1 week Zona 1 l £6.50 £12.10 £32.40 Zona 1-2 l £6.50 £12.10 £32.40 Zona 1-3 l £7.60 £12.10 £38.00 Zona 1-4 l £9.30 £12.10 £46.50

TIP: You can recharge an Oyster Card with the ticket TravelCard, mixing the two systems. This way, you'll be able to add more credits to your Oyster Card and pay the difference to visit other areas of London without buying a new TravelCard.

For more information on cards and rates of Public Transportation System in London, click here.

8) Payment Methods

The Oyster and Travelcard can be purchased in vending machines and retail outlets in all stations, and can be paid by credit card, debit card or cash. The Oyster card can also be purchased at Newsstands and supermarkets, and the £5.00 paid to buy the card are refundable upon return of the card.

9) Special Information

• At the Docklands Light Railway, all stations have lift or ramp to access the platform.
• There are parking areas at some stations.
• It is allowed to take bikes on the DLR after hours on end, and also on weekends.
• Folding bikes can enter the DLR at peak times.
• Smoking and drinking is prohibited at DLR stations. The fine is £80.
• When leaving the station, you must validate your Oyster Card or Travelcard.

What are some interesting points which I can visit from the Docklands Light Railway?

• Royal Observatory of Greenwich: From the Greenwich station is possible to reach the Greenwich Observatory, where there are many interesting attractions such as the Greenwich meridian which divides our globe in East and West, and the Flamsteed House, the original location of the Royal Observatory where the astronomers lived and worked.
• Westfield Shopping Centre: It is the largest shopping center in Europe. It has 250 stores, over 70 restaurants, 17 cinemas and 3 hotels. In addition, it is where the largest casino in the United Kingdom is located. The station closest to the Westfield shopping is the Stratford Station, DLR.
• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: Another interesting walk near Stratford station is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where the London Olympic Games were held. Today it is a space adapted to provide activities for families, and there are also interesting tourist attractions like the boat ride through the Channels of the Park.
• Emirates Air Line Cable Car: The London Cable car Crosses the River Thames from theLondon Royal Docks to Greenwich. It's a nice ride! To reach the starting point of the cable car in Royal Docks, take the DLR to the Royal Victoria Station.