Docklands Light Railway Information
Docklands Light Railway or DLR is a rapid transit / light metro system that serves Docklands area of London. The system began operations on 31st August 1987 and presently has 7 lines that serve 45 stations. This 34 km long network is owned and operated jointly by Keolis-Amey Docklands Ltd. This automated system that practices minimal staffing, carried nearly 110 million people in the fiscal year 2014. The system is undergoing expansions currently and there are several more expansion plans for it in the future.
Docklands Light Railway Map
Map of Docklands Light Railway System showing various lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download Docklands Light Railway PDF Map. To use the official interactive map, click here.
Docklands Light Railway Timings and Schedule
The DLR service starts operations at 5:30 am and runs until 12:30 am from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, the service starts a little late at 7:00 am and runs until 11:30 pm. The frequency of trains is 3.5 minutes during peak times and it is around 5-10 minutes during off peak times and on weekends.
Dockland Light Railway Fare, Tickets and Cards
Passengers have a lot of options with respect to the different types of tickets available. One can use Oyster cards or contactless cards, a paper ticket or a day travel card, there are all types of means of payment available.
The fare system is zone based and the metro system travels through nine of these zone. The most commonly used is the Oyster card that can also be used to travel on bus, tram, DLR, and most national rail services. It is a plastic smartcard that stores credit. 7 days, monthly and longer duration travel cards are available that can be added on to the Oyster card. With Oyster card, riders also get peak and off peak rates. For Students, there is an18+ student oyster card that provides a discount of 30% on 7 day, monthly and longer duration Travelcards. Children aged 5-10 can travel free. For children aged 11-15 and 16+, child fare rate apply.
In addition to Oyster card, Single and Return paper tickets are also available. These can be bought from ticket offices or vending machines. Riders can also buy a Day Travelcard which is also a paper ticket and allows unlimited travel in a day. This can be purchased for different zones. Depending on the time of day the riders want to travel, Anytime Day Travelcards and Off-peak Day Travelcards can be purchased.Group Day Tickets can also be purchased for a group of 10 people or more.
For more information on fares, tickets and cards, you can visit the official website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/fares
Docklands Light Railway Lines
The rapid/light metro transit system currently operates on 7 lines, serving a total of 45 stations. These lines operates between:
● Bank to Lewisham
● Bank to Woolwich Arsenal
● Stratford to Canary Wharf (extended to Lewisham in the Monday to Friday morning peak)
● Stratford International to Beckton
● Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal
● Tower Gateway to Beckton
Dockland Light Railway Parking
The Dockland light railway offer park and ride facilities to passengers along the route. Local park and ride spaces are available at different stops.
Dockland Light Railway Rules and Tips
Bicycles are allowed within the metro network during the non peak hours which is, until 07:30 am in the morning, between 09:30-16:00 and after 19:00 pm. On weekends and other Bank holidays, there are no such limitations to be followed. However, for safety concerns, bicycles are not allowed at the Bank Station.
Foldable bicycles have no such restrictions when it comes to timing of the day or day of the week, they can be carried everyday.
Smoking and drinking is prohibited at the stations and inside trains. Travelling without valid tickets attracts a penalty of £80. The stations and tubes are patrolled by ticket inspectors with Oyster card readers.
Important Stations of Docklands Light Railway
- Tube Station near Greenwich University
- Tube Station near Greenwich Park.