Southend Airport Taxi
Southend airport taxi transfers to and from London Southend Airport, for Southend-on-Sea, the rest of Essex and east London, at one fixed fare.
- Quick, compact airport
- Strong for Essex & east London
- Fixed fares, no surge
London Southend is the smallest of the London airports and the one people tend to forget about. It is in Southend-on-Sea in south-east Essex, around 42 miles from central London. Passengers who use it like it for the short walk from car to gate and the short queues.
Taxi to Southend Airport from London
The airport sits right on the A127, which runs east from the M25 at junction 29. From central London most trips go out along the A13 or the A12 and then pick up the A127. From the rest of Essex it is usually a direct run.
| Starting from | Typical drive to Southend Airport |
|---|---|
| Central London | 75–105 min |
| Romford | 35–50 min |
| Basildon | 15–25 min |
| Chelmsford | 25–35 min |
| Brentwood | 25–35 min |
| Canary Wharf | 60–80 min |
A different kind of airport experience
Because the terminal is small, it is easy to walk from the car to check-in in a couple of minutes. It also means arrivals can be fast. Your driver will be in the arrivals area with a name board before you come through.
Southend charges £8 for forecourt drop-offs. You will not pay it separately: it is in our fare.
Southend airport taxi transfers across Essex
Most of our Southend Airport passengers come from Essex: Southend itself, Leigh-on-Sea, Rayleigh, Basildon, Chelmsford and Brentwood. We also drive from east London boroughs such as Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge. Need a taxi from Southend-on-Sea to Stansted, Gatwick or Heathrow instead? We cover those runs too. See the areas we cover page.
Train or car to Southend Airport?
Southend Airport has its own railway station, a short walk from the terminal, on the Greater Anglia line to London Liverpool Street via Shenfield. That is handy if you start near that line.
If you are in south Essex away from the railway, or travelling with family and bags, a car avoids the change and the walk. It also works for flights that leave before the first trains.
Popular Southend routes
Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff, Rayleigh and Rochford; Basildon, Billericay and Wickford; Chelmsford and Brentwood; Romford and the rest of east London. We can also take you on to Stansted or into central London.
Southend Airport from further afield
| From | Approx. distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Billericay | 15 miles | 20–30 min |
| Maldon | 20 miles | 30–40 min |
| Colchester | 35 miles | 50–60 min |
| Stansted Airport | 45 miles | 55–70 min |
| Gatwick Airport | 65 miles | 80–110 min |
| Heathrow Airport | 70 miles | 90–120 min |
Southend or Stansted? A quick comparison
Many Essex passengers can choose between the two. Here is how the drive compares from towns we cover often; check which airport your airline flies from first.
| From | Taxi to Southend Airport | Taxi to Stansted |
|---|---|---|
| Basildon | 15–25 min | 45–60 min |
| Chelmsford | 25–35 min | 35–50 min |
| Brentwood | 25–35 min | 40–55 min |
| Romford | 35–50 min | 40–55 min |
| Colchester | 50–60 min | 45–60 min |
Why Essex passengers choose Southend
Mainly Essex residents who would rather not cross London to reach a bigger airport, plus families from east London boroughs. Because the airport is small, our drivers can usually have you in the car within minutes of you coming through arrivals.
Taxi to Southend Airport from east London
From most of east London, the route out to Southend Airport is the A13 through Barking and Dagenham, then across to the A127 for the final stretch. From Redbridge and Havering, the A12 to the M25 and then the A127 is often quicker. Both roads are busy at rush hour, so we build extra time into weekday morning pickups.
| From | Typical taxi to Southend Airport |
|---|---|
| Stratford | 60–80 min |
| Ilford | 50–65 min |
| Barking | 45–60 min |
| Romford | 35–50 min |
| Upminster | 30–40 min |
Taxi from Southend Airport to London
Coming home, the advantage of a small airport really shows. You are often through passport control and baggage reclaim quickly, so your driver tracks the flight and is waiting before you come out. Late arrivals are no problem: the fare is fixed whatever time you land, and there is no hunting for a cab after the last train has gone.
Southend Airport for families and older travellers
Short walking distances make Southend one of the gentlest airports to use with young children or older relatives. Drop-off is close to the terminal entrance, and on the way back your driver meets you in arrivals and helps with luggage to the car. If anyone in your party needs extra help, tell us when you book so the driver knows to expect it.
Taxi from Southend-on-Sea to other airports
Southend has fewer routes than the big airports, so many Southend-on-Sea residents fly from elsewhere. We run fixed-fare transfers from Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea and the surrounding towns to every London airport.
| Southend-on-Sea to | Typical drive |
|---|---|
| London City Airport | 50–70 min |
| Stansted Airport | 55–70 min |
| Gatwick Airport | 80–110 min |
| Heathrow Airport | 90–120 min |
| Luton Airport | 80–100 min |
Booking your Southend airport taxi
Send us your pickup address, flight details, the number of passengers and how many cases you are bringing. We reply with one fixed price that includes the airport drop-off charge. Returns can be booked at the same time, and you will receive the driver and vehicle details before the journey.
Airport parking or a taxi?
Driving yourself and parking is the obvious alternative, and for some trips it works. The sums change on longer holidays: a week or two in an airport car park adds up quickly, and someone still has to drive home tired after a late flight. A taxi to Southend Airport and back avoids both, and on the return leg your driver is waiting in arrivals rather than you walking to a car park with your cases.
- Short trip, one person: parking can be cheaper.
- Week or longer: compare a return taxi fare with the parking cost.
- Late return flight: a pre-booked taxi means nobody has to drive after a long day.
- Family or group: one MPV or minibus avoids squeezing everyone and their luggage into your own car.
Why Southend can make sense for business trips
For Essex-based businesses, Southend can save a long drive to Stansted or across London. Security is usually quick, so a well-timed taxi gets you to the airport without a long wait on the other side. Companies can book for staff and visitors, with invoices sent to the office on request.
Whatever the reason for your trip, the price you agree when you book is the price you pay, including the £8 drop-off charge.
Southend Airport railway station
Southend Airport has its own station a short walk from the terminal, on the Greater Anglia line towards London Liverpool Street via Shenfield. It is a convenient option if you live near that line and travel light. For everyone else, particularly families, early flights and anyone outside the railway corridor, a taxi to Southend Airport from your door removes the change of trains and the walk with luggage.
Whichever way you travel, check your flight times before you book: smaller airports often run seasonal schedules, and some routes only operate on certain days of the week.
Southend Airport FAQs
Is Southend Airport really in London?
No. It is in Essex, about 42 miles from central London, but it is marketed as a London airport.
Can you take me from Southend Airport to Stansted?
Yes. The drive is usually about an hour.
Do I need to book in advance?
We recommend it, particularly for early flights, so the car is allocated and the driver is confirmed.
Ready for a fixed price?
Send us your journey and we reply with one price that includes airport charges. No meter, no surge.