London Southend Airport is on the northern edge of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, near Rochford, and the airport puts it at less than 35 miles from east London. It has its own railway station opposite the terminal, buses stop outside, and the A127 runs all the way from the M25. This page covers the road routes, the train and buses, then what there is to eat, drink and buy inside. For drop-off, security, how early to arrive and which parking to choose, see our guide to flying from Southend Airport.
By car: the postcode and the main route
For sat-nav, the airport postcode is SS2 6YF. If you have booked parking, use the postcode in your booking confirmation instead.
Almost every route ends on the A127, the Southend Arterial Road. Near Southend, follow the airport signs off the A127. The last stretch is short: at the Cuckoo Corner junction the A1159 turns north off the A127 towards the airport.
- From the M25 (Essex, Hertfordshire, the north and west of London): leave at junction 29 onto the A127 towards Southend, and follow the airport signs as you get close.
- From east and central London: take the A12 or A13 and follow the signs for Southend.
- From Kent: cross at Dartford, then either take the M25 north to junction 29 for the A127, or leave at junction 30 for the A13 and pick up the A127, following the airport signs. The Dartford Crossing charge is paid online, not at a booth; gov.uk explains how.
- From Chelmsford and the A12: leave the A12 at junction 17 (Howe Green) for the A130 south, which meets the A127 west of Southend. Head east on the A127.
Once you are in Southend, the airport is well signed. Follow the signs for your car park, or for the Express drop-off opposite the terminal.
By train: Southend Airport station
Southend Airport station is opposite the terminal, joined to it by a covered walkway. The airport describes it as about 100 steps away. Greater Anglia runs the trains, on the line between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria.
- To London: about 52 minutes to London Liverpool Street and 43 minutes to Stratford, with trains also calling at Shenfield.
- How often: off-peak, three trains an hour each way from Monday to Saturday and two an hour on Sundays, with more at peak times.
- Connections: Shenfield, Stratford and Liverpool Street are all on the Elizabeth line. At Stratford you can change for the Central and Jubilee lines, the Overground and the DLR, including direct trains to London City Airport.
- Tickets: Oyster and contactless pay-as-you-go stop at Shenfield, so you need a proper ticket for the rest of the way. There are ticket machines in arrivals and at the station, and the station ticket office is staffed daily from 06:00 to 23:00. The terminal is cashless.
Coming from the c2c line, get off at Southend Central and walk about 10 minutes along the High Street to Southend Victoria for a Greater Anglia train back to the airport, or take the number 9 bus. Check the last train before a late arrival. When it has gone, the airport's official taxi firm, Andrews Taxis, runs a shared late-night taxi to Liverpool Street that has to be booked.
By bus
- 23A LeighLink (Stephensons): Leigh-on-Sea to the airport, up to every 30 minutes, seven days a week. It stops opposite the terminal as you leave arrivals.
- X30 (First Essex): Southend to Stansted Airport via Chelmsford. Only some early-morning and late-evening journeys call at the airport, at the same stop; the rest go via Southend Hospital.
- 7 and 8 (Arriva): Great Wakering and Shoeburyness to Rayleigh station via Thorpe Bay, the airport and Rochford, stopping on Rochford Road. The Great Wakering end runs Monday to Saturday only.
- 9 (Arriva): Shoeburyness to Rayleigh via Thorpe Bay, Southend and Eastwood, stopping behind the Holiday Inn on Eastwoodbury Crescent.
Times change, so check the operator's timetable before an early flight. The terminal opens three hours before the first departure of the day and is not open all night.
By taxi
The taxi rank is directly in front of the terminal, about 50 paces from the arrivals exit. Taxis from the rank are booked at a digital kiosk, where a marshal can help. The official provider is Andrews Taxis, and the airport also points to Minicabit for comparing quotes in advance.
Food, drink and shops
Checked against London Southend Airport's own listings in October 2026; outlets change, so check the airport's site for opening hours.
This is a small terminal, and the airport's listings place the food, drink and shops in the departure lounge after security. Before security there are cash machines, toilets and a quiet room, but no café is listed, so go through before you look for breakfast. The terminal is cashless, so bring a card or phone.
After security
- The Navigator: a British pub with food and an airside bar, open daily from 04:00 until the last departure, with a children's menu.
- SKYCAFÉ: coffee, pastries, sandwiches, snacks and drinks, including alcohol, opposite The Navigator. Open daily from 04:00 until the last departure.
- WHSmith: books, magazines, snacks and travel essentials, opposite gate 7, open from two hours before each departure.
- World Duty Free: perfume, beauty, drinks and confectionery, on the way through to The Navigator. You can reserve online and collect before you fly.
The Pilot Bar is listed as closed. The SKYLIFE Lounge, just after security, is the one pay-in lounge; our guide has the details. To compare parking for your dates, see Southend Airport parking.
Sorted before you fly.
