The station is located by the north quay of the Royal Albert Dock.

A previous railway station called Central was located largely on the same site from 1880 to 1940, on the former line from Custom House to Gallions.

Between the two stations, the DLR runs in the median of a major highway built at the same time as the railway.

The stations are located at highway intersections which take the form of roundabouts.

On the approach to the roundabout, the road rises slightly whilst the railway dips slightly; the station is therefore situated in a cutting, under the centre of the elevated roundabout, with pedestrian access at surface level under the elevated roadways and arched over the railway.