Tilbury, London’s own cruise terminal

How long does the drive to Tilbury take?

From central London, the route runs east on the A13 past Canning Town, Barking and Rainham, then onto the A1089 down to the river at Tilbury. From south London and Gatwick, the route crosses the Thames at the Dartford Crossing and approaches from the M25.

Figures come from road routing, with an allowance for busy periods. The Dartford Crossing can be very slow at peak times and after incidents, so journeys that use it get extra margin.

Why choose Tilbury over Southampton?

For passengers who live in London or the east of England, the difference in travel time is large. From Westminster, Tilbury is about an hour away, while Southampton is closer to two. From north-east London and Essex, the gap is wider still.

Tilbury’s sailings suit particular itineraries, especially Northern Europe, the Baltic and round-Britain cruises on mid-sized and smaller ships, so the choice of port usually comes down to where you want to sail rather than the port itself. If your cruise leaves from Tilbury, you have one of the easiest embarkation journeys in the country.

Who pays the Dartford Crossing charge?

Journeys from south of the river that cross the Thames at Dartford incur the Dart Charge, which is paid online for each crossing. When you travel with us, it is included in your fixed price along with every other road and airport charge on the route.

When should you leave for embarkation?

Aim to arrive near the start of your embarkation window, and work back from it using the busy-period drive time. From central London on a weekday morning, most rush-hour traffic on the A13 is heading into town rather than out, which helps, but the stretch around Barking and the approach to the A1089 can still add time.

Weekend sailings are usually easier by road. If you are flying into Heathrow to join a Tilbury cruise, allow a generous gap: the drive is well over an hour, and the landing, passport queue and baggage reclaim come first.

Which car suits a Tilbury cruise?

Cruise luggage fills cars quickly. For two passengers with two weeks of clothes and formal wear, book the V-Class rather than a saloon. For a family or a group of friends sailing together, the V-Class keeps everyone and every case in one vehicle, which makes the handover to the porters at the terminal quick and simple.

If anyone in your party uses a wheelchair or needs help with mobility, tell us when you book so we can plan the right car and the right drop-off point at the terminal.

What is the drop-off like at the terminal?

The terminal has a drop-off area in front of the building, where porters take checked luggage from the car. Your cases need the luggage tags your cruise line sends before departure, so print or download them and attach them at home. Once the bags are tagged and handed over, you walk into the terminal with only your hand luggage and documents.

Keep passports, tickets, medication and anything you need for the first few hours on board with you. Checked cases are delivered to cabins through the afternoon and can take until the evening to arrive.

Can you collect from Essex and Kent?

Yes. Tilbury is an easy port to reach from much of Essex, including Chelmsford, Brentwood, Basildon and Southend, and from north Kent across the Dartford Crossing. Many passengers from those towns and villages find Tilbury the most convenient embarkation point of any UK cruise port. Enter your full address when you book online, and the journey is priced as a fixed fare.

Can you collect us when the ship returns?

Yes. Give us the ship and the date. Disembarkation at Tilbury happens in the morning in groups, and your chauffeur will wait near the terminal exit. Because the terminal is close to London, many passengers are home by lunchtime, and a car directly to your door is often quicker than any train connection with heavy luggage.