London Southend Airport
Also known as: Southend Airport, SEN Airport. Formerly Southend Municipal Airport.
Private transfer from SENSee pricesSee pricesAbout London Southend Airport
London Southend Airport (SEN) serves Southend-on-Sea and south Essex in England, and is one of the airports for London. It stands between Southend-on-Sea and the town of Rochford, about 3 km (2 miles) north of Southend's center and about 58 km (36 miles) east of central London.
easyJet runs a base here and is the only airline with a regular scheduled service, flying to more than 20 destinations across Europe and North Africa, among them Amsterdam, Barcelona, Geneva, Paris, Málaga, Malta, Marrakesh and the Canary Islands, with Edinburgh and Belfast City added from late October 2026. The airport handled about 720,000 passengers in 2025, more than double its 2024 total.
All flights use one two-story terminal, opened in 2012, with ten departure gates. Southend Airport rail station sits opposite the terminal, on the Greater Anglia line between Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street, with stops at Stratford and Shenfield on the way.
From the airport, most travelers head into Southend-on-Sea and its seafront, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff, Rochford and Rayleigh, or on to Chelmsford, Basildon and Colchester. Others take the train or the road west into London, a drive of about 40 miles that often takes an hour and a half with traffic.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
London Southend Airport Company, majority owned by The Carlyle Group since 2024
- Passengers per year
About 720,000 in 2025
- Runway
One, 05/23, 1,856 m
- Opened
1935, as Southend's municipal airport
- Terminal
One terminal, opened in 2012, with ten departure gates
Arrival tips for London Southend Airport
London Southend is a small, single-terminal airport, and the airport says most passengers get from the plane to their onward transport in 10 to 15 minutes. There are no toilets in arrivals until after passport control, so use the one on board before landing.
International passengers go first through UK Border Force passport control: have your passport open at the photo page, and remember that most visitors who do not need a visa must hold a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation. Baggage claim comes next, then customs, and toilets and baby changing are beside the baggage belts. Domestic flights use their own baggage claim.
You then walk out into the arrivals hall, where SKYCAFÉ is on your right. Southend Airport rail station is about 100 steps away across a covered walkway, with ticket machines in arrivals and at the station. The taxi stand is directly in front of the terminal, and the pickup parking lots are just across the road.
The airport is cashless, so have a card or phone ready to pay.
Ground transportation
The train is the quickest way into London; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage, for addresses around Essex or after the last train.
Compare providers for your exact address
Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.
Book a transfer from SENTrain from Southend Airport
Greater Anglia trains leave from Southend Airport station, opposite the terminal, reaching Stratford in about 43 minutes and London Liverpool Street in about 52 minutes, with trains the other way to Southend Victoria. Service stops late in the evening, so check the last train if you land at night.
Taxi from Southend Airport
Andrews Taxis, the official operator, waits at the taxi stand directly in front of the terminal. Taxis at the stand are booked at the kiosk with the marshal, not in advance.
Buses to Southend and Chelmsford
Stephensons route 23A runs to Leigh-on-Sea and Arriva routes 7, 8 and 9 serve Southend, Rochford and Rayleigh. First Essex X30 links the airport with Chelmsford and Stansted Airport, but only early in the morning and late in the evening.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall and goes door to door across Essex or into London, useful for families, groups and late arrivals.
Car rental
Green Motion provides car rental at the airport.
Terminals
Passenger Terminal
The single two-story terminal handles every flight, international and domestic, with check-in, security and ten departure gates. Southend Airport rail station is opposite, reached by a covered walkway.
Airlines and destinations
All flights use the one terminal.
easyJet Passenger Terminal
Alicante, Amsterdam, Antalya, Barcelona, Berlin, Enfidha, Faro, Geneva, Gran Canaria, Málaga, Malta, Marrakesh, Palma de Mallorca, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Tenerife South and more
Facilities
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal: choose the London Southend Airport network in your phone's settings.
Café in arrivals
SKYCAFÉ is on your right as you exit into the arrivals hall, a convenient place to wait for someone landing.
Food and drink
SKYCAFÉ and The Navigator serve food and drinks in the terminal.
Shops
WHSmith and World Duty Free have stores in the terminal.
Cashless payments
The airport is cashless, so shops, cafés, parking and the lounge take card or contactless payment only.
Toilets and baby changing
In arrivals, toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing are beside the baggage belts, after passport control and before customs.
Shower
A shower is available near check-in, before security.
Security Fast Track
A Fast Track lane at security can be pre-booked online.
Lost property
Report items lost in the terminal through the airport's online lost property form; for items left on board, contact your airline.
Hotel
The Holiday Inn Southend is on the airport site, a few minutes from the terminal.
Airport lounges
SKYLIFE Lounge
After security, straight ahead toward departures, open daily from 4:00 to 20:00 with stays of up to two hours. Pay per entry online or at reception, or enter with Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey or Diners Club International; children under 36 months enter free.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Book special assistance through your airline, tour operator or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly. Without a booking, use the intercom at a parking pay machine or at the ticket desk; pre-booked passengers are helped first.
Reduced mobility
Go to the Special Assistance lane at check-in. The terminal has elevators, escalators and signposted accessible toilets, the arrivals route is step-free from the aircraft, and the rail station has elevators to both platforms.
Hearing and visual support
Hearing loops are fitted at the ticket desk, check-in desks, boarding gates and customer service points, and flight information screens back up the announcements.
Service animals
Guide dogs are welcome when they are registered under the Pet Travel Scheme and accepted by your airline and destination.
Hidden disabilities
Staff recognize the Sunflower scheme for hidden disabilities, and the airport describes itself as dementia friendly.
Parking
Express Pick-up and Drop-off
Directly opposite the terminal, for stays of up to 10 minutes, with barrierless entry and payment online afterward.
Superior
Formerly Short Stay, directly opposite the terminal and the closest to it, with Blue Badge spaces. It is also the main pickup parking lot for meeting arrivals.
Premium
Directly opposite the terminal, a few minutes' walk away.
Budget
Formerly Mid Stay, a couple of minutes' walk from the terminal; the one to use if you expect to wait for an arrival, and the only one for vehicles over 2.0 m tall or 5.0 m long.
Standard
Formerly Long Stay, around the corner from the terminal, about 3 to 5 minutes' walk.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Southend Airport from central London?
London Southend Airport is about 58 km (36 miles) east of central London in a straight line, or about 40 miles by road. Greater Anglia trains from the station opposite the terminal reach Stratford in about 43 minutes and London Liverpool Street in about 52 minutes. By car the trip often takes an hour and a half, longer at rush hour.
How far is Southend Airport from Southend-on-Sea?
The airport is about 3 km (2 miles) north of Southend-on-Sea's center, between the town and Rochford. Trains from Southend Airport station run to Southend Victoria in a few minutes, local buses serve the town and Leigh-on-Sea, and taxis wait at the stand in front of the terminal for door-to-door trips to the seafront.
Is London Southend Airport actually in London?
No. London Southend Airport is in Essex, between Southend-on-Sea and Rochford, about 58 km (36 miles) east of central London. It is marketed as one of London's airports alongside Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City, and it has a direct train line to Stratford and London Liverpool Street.
Is there a train from Southend Airport to London?
Yes. Southend Airport station is about 100 steps from the terminal, across a covered walkway. Greater Anglia trains run to Stratford in about 43 minutes and London Liverpool Street in about 52 minutes, with several trains an hour at peak times. Ticket machines are in the arrivals hall and at the station, which also has a staffed ticket office.
How many terminals does Southend Airport have?
One. Every flight, international and domestic, uses the same two-story terminal, opened in 2012, with ten departure gates. After landing, all passengers exit into the same arrivals hall, and the rail station, the taxi stand and the pickup parking lots are all just outside, so there is no terminal to choose.
Which airlines fly from Southend Airport?
easyJet is the only airline with a regular scheduled service, with a base at the airport since 2025. It flies to more than 20 destinations, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Geneva, Paris, Málaga, Malta, Marrakesh, Palma de Mallorca and the Canary Islands, and adds Edinburgh, Belfast City and Budapest from late October 2026.
Is there a lounge at Southend Airport?
Yes. The SKYLIFE Lounge is straight ahead after security, open daily from 4:00 to 20:00, with stays of up to two hours. You can pay per entry online or at reception, or enter with Priority Pass, DragonPass, LoungeKey or Diners Club International. Children under 36 months enter free.
Where do I get a taxi at Southend Airport?
Andrews Taxis, the airport's official taxi operator, waits at the taxi stand directly in front of the terminal, about 50 paces from the arrivals exit. Taxis at the stand are booked at a digital kiosk with help from a marshal, not in advance. A pre-booked car is the other option for door-to-door trips.
Is there a bus from Southend Airport?
Yes. Stephensons route 23A runs to Leigh-on-Sea from a stop opposite the terminal, and Arriva routes 7, 8 and 9 serve Southend, Rochford, Shoeburyness and Rayleigh from nearby roads. First Essex route X30 links the airport with Chelmsford and Stansted Airport, but only early in the morning and late in the evening.
Is Southend Airport open 24 hours?
No. The terminal is not open 24 hours. It opens three hours before the first scheduled departure of the day, so check your flight time before you travel to the airport. Trains also stop late in the evening, so passengers landing at night often arrange a taxi or car from the airport instead.
What do I need to enter the UK at Southend Airport?
A valid passport, plus a visa or an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) depending on your nationality. EU and US citizens and most other visa-exempt visitors need an ETA, children included; British and Irish citizens do not. UK Border Force checks passports before baggage claim, and customs comes after it.
Can I pay with cash at Southend Airport?
No. London Southend is a cashless airport, so shops, cafés, the SKYLIFE Lounge and the parking machines take cards and contactless payments only. The UK uses the pound sterling, and contactless cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including on Greater Anglia trains and local buses.
Where can I park at Southend Airport?
The airport has four parking lots: Superior, the closest to the terminal and the main one for meeting arrivals; Premium, directly opposite; Budget, a couple of minutes' walk away; and Standard, around the corner. Express Pick-up and Drop-off, opposite the terminal, is for stops of up to 10 minutes, and stopping on the road outside is not allowed.