London Southend Airport is one of the smaller London airports, but it has repeatedly been voted the best airport in London and the UK. If you're planning to fly in or out of it, it will help to know all about its transfer links. Our guide will take you through all your options, whether you plan to travel to the airport via a Southend to London train or coach, or you'd prefer to drive and park.
Not only that, but we'll also look at your options for a Southend Airport to London private transfer with a car and driver, plus we've got details of where you can stay the night if you need to book a London Southend Airport hotel. Read our guide to get full details and be ready for your big flight!
Photo by califier001
Southend Airport to London: By train
Did you know Southend Airport has its own train station? It's fairly new, having opened in 2011, and it operates services to London Liverpool Street. Trains to Southend from London run around three times an hour and only stop running for a few hours overnight.
Southend Airport doesn't have an express rail link, so trains take approximately 52 minutes to reach Liverpool Street Station. It's only 43 minutes to Stratford in London, though, and there are plenty of rail and tube connections available there.
To find out what trains are available to coincide with your flight times, check out our Journey Planner. It will give you the times of suitable trains and get you the cheapest tickets, too.
Southend Airport to London: By bus/coach
Another option that many travellers find useful is taking a bus or coach. Options are somewhat more limited than at other airports, though.
There is a bus linking London Southend Airport with London Stansted Airport. The service is operated by First Bus and is called the X30 Airlink. It begins its journey at Southend Travel Centre, stopping at Southend Airport and several other stops before reaching Stansted Airport. It runs roughly every half hour for most of the day, becoming less frequent overnight (but it does keep running, even in the small hours).
Several other local buses stop at the airport, so they could provide useful connections to other bus routes in the wider area. Unlike some of the larger London airports, there aren't any coaches operating between the airport and the capital.
If you're interested in finding out what coach options there are for onward travel from London itself, have a look at our Coach Journey Planner to get the best options and prices.
Southend Airport to London: By car
If you're thinking about driving and parking, London Southend Airport offers several options, and there are many good reasons to choose to take your car to the airport. Mostly, it offers more flexibility than any other transport option - you can drive from Southend to London whenever you want, stop wherever you need along the way and fit all your family and luggage in easily!
The downside is the cost. Parking for a seven-night trip will reach into triple figures. That said, as London Southend Airport is relatively small, the cheaper options aren't so bad. The on-site parking furthest from the terminal is still only a five-minute walk away. For a higher cost, you can literally park outside the terminal.
If you're getting a lift to the airport, there are also chargeable pick-up and drop-off spaces. They're charged in bands, starting at 0-10 minutes and going up to 45-60 minutes. After that, short-stay parking prices apply.
If you want to drive, you'll head east out of the city, taking the A13 through Essex until you reach the A127. Simply take that road eastbound until you reach the airport.
Photo by Chris j wood
Southend Airport to London: By taxi
One exclusive option for travelling from Southend to London is a taxi. Airport taxis and chauffeured cars are available to take you and your group to the terminal in easy comfort. It comes with all the benefits, but none of the downsides, of driving your own car.
Obviously, it can cost quite a bit more than some other options, but if you have an entire family, it may well compare quite favourably against parking charges or buying a bunch of individual transport tickets.
Prices range from £90–£200 depending on where you are in London. To find out all about it, enter your flight details (so your driver knows exactly when to meet you) into our Airport Transfers page.
Need to stay at Southend Airport instead?
It's not always easy to make a journey and fly on the same day. If that applies to you, don't worry! The answer is to book a London Southend Airport hotel. There are a couple to choose from.
The Premier Inn Southend Airport is located near the western end of the runway. It's roughly a five-minute journey by car to the terminal. It's too far to walk, but a taxi could easily take you to the airport. The hotel is air-conditioned and has free Wi-Fi and an on-site Beefeater restaurant. Room prices are around £100, or a few pounds more for an upgrade room. Continental breakfast adds on £9 per adult, and £2 more will upgrade that to a Full English.
The Holiday Inn Southend Airport is right on the edge of the airport complex, so is just a five-minute walk from the terminal. They have Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a rooftop restaurant with airport views. Prices are usually in the region of £80-£110, though you'll pay extra for larger rooms and views of the city or the airport. Breakfast adds £12 per room.
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