Here’s your survival kit. First, use your phone. The TfL Go app shows live departure times for the exact next train. Check it before you leave the bar. Second, remember the “123 Rule”: use it for journeys ending after 12 AM. It stands for “1 final train, 2 minute window, 3AM weekend party.”
On weekdays, assume the last train leaves central stations (like Bank or Tower Gateway) by 12:30 AM. On weekends, you’re golden until about 5 AM, but only on the main lines. Branches like the one to Stratford International might stop earlier.
The Final Word (Pun Intended)
The DLR is a wonderful, quirky machine. It’s silent, it’s smooth, and it doesn’t have a driver to judge your late-night snack choices. But it has a bedtime. Treat it kindly, respect its schedule, and it will get you home.
So, to answer the question: The DLR stops running when you least expect it—usually around midnight on weekdays, but it parties all night on weekends. Memorize that one fact, and you’ll never be stranded on a cold docklands platform again. Now go forth and enjoy your evening. Just keep one eye on the clock.
