Southend, the Essex alternative

Who is Southend Airport best for?

Southend makes most sense if you live east of the City, in Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge or across Essex, and your destination is one of the routes it serves. From those areas, the drive is short and avoids central London altogether, and a small terminal means short queues and short walks.

From west London, it rarely makes sense. From Richmond or Hillingdon, the drive is well over an hour and a half, and Heathrow or Gatwick will almost always be quicker to reach. If you are weighing up flights from different airports, tell us your address and we will give you drive times to each.

How long does the drive take?

The route runs out of London on the A13 or the A12 and then the A127 or A130 to the airport. East London journeys are quick; central London journeys depend on traffic on the A13 through Canning Town and Barking.

Times come from road routing, with a rush-hour allowance in the last column.

What does it cost to drop off at Southend?

Southend opened a new Express Pick-up and Drop-off zone directly opposite the terminal in March 2026. Using it costs £8 per visit for a maximum stay of 10 minutes, paid online after the visit and by midnight the following day. Staying longer than 10 minutes, or not paying in time, results in a parking charge notice.

The airport no longer offers a free drop-off option. When you travel with us, the £8 charge is included in your fixed price, and the chauffeur stays well within the time limit.

Is the train quicker than a car?

Southend Airport has its own railway station, a short walk from the terminal, on the line to London Liverpool Street and Stratford. For a traveller heading to the City with light luggage, the train is a reasonable option.

A car is simpler from anywhere that is not close to that line, and for families, groups and anyone with real luggage. It also makes sense for early departures, when a car at the door removes the risk of a first train that runs late or not at all.

Where will your chauffeur meet you?

The terminal is small, and the arrivals area opens directly towards the forecourt. Your chauffeur waits there with a board showing your name and walks with you to the car, which is parked a few minutes away.

Southend’s passengers often clear the terminal quickly, particularly on flights with mostly hand luggage. Your chauffeur follows the flight and is in place before you land, so you are not left looking for them.

How early should you leave for Southend?

Because the terminal is small, the time between arriving at the kerb and reaching the gate is shorter than at the big London airports. Your airline sets its own check-in deadline, so check it, but a two-hour arrival for a short-haul flight is usually comfortable, and many passengers with only hand luggage arrive later.

From east London, that means a pickup a little under three hours before departure in most cases. From central London in the rush hour, allow more: the A13 through Canning Town and Barking is the slowest part of the journey and can add half an hour on a bad morning.

What if my flight is diverted?

Southend is a small airport, and bad weather or runway closures occasionally send flights to Stansted, Gatwick or elsewhere. If that happens, contact us as soon as you land. We will send your chauffeur to the new airport where the distance allows, or arrange the best way to reach you, and tell you straight away if the change affects the price.

Which car suits a Southend trip?

Most Southend passengers are going on holiday or a short city break, which means a mix of families with cases and couples travelling light. The Mercedes E-Class suits two people with a case each; a family of four with holiday luggage should book the V-Class. If your party includes a wheelchair user or anyone who needs extra help getting in and out of the car, tell us when you book so we can plan the right vehicle.