Southend is the airport east London forgets about. It's smaller than Stansted, with a shorter list of flights, but for a family in Romford or Upminster it can be the quickest airport to reach by a long way. Most Southend Airport minibus transfers we plan start in Havering or Barking and Dagenham, along the A127 or the A13, and finish at a terminal small enough to walk across in a couple of minutes.
Southend Airport minibus transfers from east London
From Romford or Hornchurch, Southend is usually around 35 to 45 minutes outside the rush hour, out along the A127. From Upminster it's a little less. From Barking or Dagenham, the A13 is the natural route, and it takes about the same.
From the City and SE1, allow about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, and longer if you leave in the evening rush along the A13. From Stratford or Newham, the A13 or the A12 and M25 both work, at around an hour. From south-east London, the Dartford Crossing and then the A13 eastbound makes Southend a realistic option too.
From north and west London, it's a long way, and Stansted, Luton or Heathrow will usually be closer.
The A127 and the A13
The A127 is the main road from east London to Southend. It runs from Gallows Corner near Romford through Essex to the airport. It's quick when it's clear, but the junctions near Gallows Corner and around Basildon can be slow at busy times.
The A13 runs further south, from Barking through Thurrock. Closer to the airport, the Fairglen interchange near Rayleigh, where the A127 meets the A130, is a known slow spot at peak times. The A13 is usually the better route from Newham, Barking and Dagenham, and for anyone coming from south of the river via the Dartford Crossing.
Summer weekends bring extra traffic, because both roads also carry day-trippers heading for Southend seafront and the beaches beyond it. On a sunny Saturday, that can slow things down near the end of the run.
A smaller airport
Southend is much smaller than the main London airports, and that's most of its appeal. The terminal is compact and the walk from the drop-off to check-in is short. It has its own railway station right next to the terminal, on the line from Liverpool Street, and a hotel next door for anyone flying very early.
Its flights are fewer, and the routes change from season to season. Check the current timetable before booking, because a route that ran last summer may not run this year.
The flip side of a small airport is fewer facilities. Shops and places to eat are limited compared with Stansted, so a long wait airside is less comfortable. Our pickup times aim to get you there with enough time, but not hours to spare. Summer holiday routes are the main draw for families. For many east London families, the shorter drive and smaller terminal make it worth checking first when booking a holiday.
Drop-off and pickup
The drop-off area is close to the terminal entrance, and it's rarely as crowded as the bigger airports, even in the summer holidays. For collections, the driver will tell you where to meet once you've collected your bags. The car parks are close to the terminal, so the walk is short even with cases.
We take your flight number for the return trip, and the driver checks the landing time before setting off. Southend's smaller size often makes passport control and baggage reclaim quicker than at the bigger airports, but a group still takes a little time to come through.
Southend or Stansted
For Havering, Southend is often closer. For a 6am flight, a group from Upminster might leave at about 4am rather than 3am for Stansted. For Redbridge and Waltham Forest, Stansted usually wins. For Barking and Dagenham and Newham, both can work, and it comes down to the flight times and the fares.
Before booking flights, weigh up the drive to each airport, not just the ticket price. A short run along the A127 at 4am is a lot easier than a long run up the M11, especially with young children. On the way home, a short drive matters even more, when everyone's tired and the car seats come out of the cases.
Families and small groups
Southend suits families and small groups. A couple travelling with friends fits easily in an 8-seater. A family of six with luggage fits one too, and the short drive means a reasonable pickup time even for an early flight. Larger groups, like a wedding party flying out together, might need a 12 or 16-seater. Golf groups and anglers heading abroad should mention their kit, because rod tubes and golf bags need room.
Grandparents travelling with the family appreciate the short distances at Southend too. Less walking at the terminal and a shorter drive make a big difference with older relatives.
Tell us the head count, the luggage and your address, and we'll suggest the vehicle and the pickup time.
If anyone in the group lives outside Havering, say in Barking or Ilford, we can plan a route that picks them up on the way out along the A13 or A127, rather than asking everyone to meet in one place at four in the morning. Send us the addresses and we'll put them in order.
For Southend Airport transfers, call 020 7183 0567.