How to get from London to Southend
By tube, train, taxi or car
London Southend Airport is easily accessible
Travelling from Central London to Southend is a breeze, whether you take the train or drive.
Plan your journey
By train
Getting to London Southend Airport by train is simple. In fact, we have our very own train station just 100 steps from the terminal, with convenient links to Central London. It takes just 43 minutes from Stratford Station and just 52 minutes from London Liverpool Street Station.
London Underground & Overground connections
Shenfield, Stratford and London Liverpool Street Stations are well connected by London Underground, Elizabeth Line and other train services too.
The Elizabeth Line provides passengers with new convenient links from Essex to Paddington and beyond, and makes it easier than ever to connect to other London airports. Change at Farringdon for trains to Gatwick or Luton, or change at Paddington to the Elizabeth Line service that travels directly to Heathrow.
Shenfield station is served by the Elizabeth Line.
Stratford station is served by the London Underground – including the Central and Jubilee lines – Elizabeth Line, London Overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR). It’s just 20 minutes from Stratford International to London City Airport when travelling on the DLR.
Liverpool Street Underground station is served by the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, and the Elizabeth Line.
View the full Underground map for more information.
How to get to London Southend Airport from London:
By car or motorbike
London Southend Airport is easy to get to by car or motorbike across the South and East of England. We’re just 41 miles (61 km) east of Central London, with quick connections to the motorway network via the M25, the A12 or A13.
Once you’re in Southend, follow signs for London Southend Airport. If you’re using a sat nav, our postcode is SS2 6YF or locate each of our cap parks using the following What3Words locations:
- Short stay – ///object.cure.jump
- Premium – ///scenes.lame.lanes
- Mid stay – ///wiping.flash.roof
- Long stay – ///mass.daily.drama
Read more about driving to London Southend Airport.
By taxi
Our taxi provider operates to and from London Southend Airport from immediately outside the front of the terminal.
Read more about taxis to and from London Southend Airport.
Need help?
Check out our advice
How far is Central London from the Airport?
Central London is 41 miles away and can be reached in all manner of ways; however, we certainly recommend the easy breezy option of the train from Southend Airport station. Arrive at London Liverpool Street in only 53 minutes.
Visit National Rail for more information on your journey.
Is London Southend Airport in the Oyster or contactless zone?
No, the Oyster/contactless zone ends at Shenfield, where a valid ticket will be required to continue your journey to the airport.
Can I use my Freedom Pass to and from the airport?
The Freedom Pass is only valid within the London zones; an extension ticket will be required from the boundary zone to the Airport.
Is special assistance available at Southend Airport Railway Station?
Yes, our pledge is to make our airport accessible to all and we will do our best to assist with your requirements. We have 24 hour customer service assistants that will be available at the station, please be advised that Greater Anglia operate the trains that service the airport. You will be required to pre book special assistance 12 hours in advance for other stations on the network that you will be travelling to/from, please see below.
Visit: Greater Anglia website
Telephone: +44 (0) 8000 28 28 78
Open daily 08:00-20:00 (Free of charge from landlines)
Mobile: +44 (0) 345 600 7245 (option 4)
Textphone & Minicom: 18001 0800 028 28 78
Learn more about getting extra help at London Southend Airport.