Southend Airport: London's Best-Kept Aviation Secret

where is london southend airport located

London Southend Airport (IATA: SEN, ICAO: EGMC) is an international airport located on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. The airport is approximately 36 miles (58-64km) from Central London and is accessible by car, bike, train, bus, or taxi. London Southend Airport mainly handles scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and business flights, and has been voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years by consumer group Which? from 2013 to 2015.

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London Southend Airport is 36-40 miles from London

London Southend Airport is located in the town of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England, approximately 36 miles (58 km) from the centre of London. The airport is situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea and straddles the boundaries between the city of Southend-on-Sea and the Rochford District. It is accessible by car via the M25 and has its own train station, providing easy access to central London. The journey to London Liverpool Street station takes around 52 minutes, with trains running every 10 minutes during peak times and every 20 minutes off-peak.

London Southend Airport is considered a London airport despite its distance from the city centre. The branding as a London airport has been a successful tactic for the airport, although it has been criticised as being too far from London to truly be considered a London airport. The airport ranked 32nd busiest in the United Kingdom in 2023, with around 150,000 passengers passing through its doors.

The airport has a single terminal that is easy to navigate, with a hassle-free and relaxed atmosphere. It offers flights to a handful of destinations, with easyJet as the only scheduled carrier currently operating flights to six destinations. Bulgarian carrier BH Air also operates seasonal charter flights to Burgas Airport.

London Southend Airport has won several awards, including being voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years by consumer group Which? from 2013 to 2015. It also won the award for the best London airport for six consecutive years between 2013 and 2019. The airport has a Holiday Inn hotel adjacent to the entrance, which opened in 2012 and featured the only rooftop restaurant in Essex at the time.

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It's in Southend-on-Sea, Essex

London Southend Airport is situated on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea in Essex, England. It is approximately 36 miles (64km or 58km) from the centre of London. The airport is located between Southend-on-Sea and Rochford town and city centres, 1.5 NM (2.8 km or 1.7 miles) north.

London Southend Airport is accessible by car, bike, train, bus, or taxi. The airport is served by its own train station, just metres from the entrance. The airport railway station is located directly opposite the passenger terminal, providing frequent and easy access to central London. Trains to London Liverpool Street Station via Stratford operate from 4:06 am to 11:59 pm Monday to Saturday and from 6:20 am to 11:58 pm on Sundays. The journey takes 44 minutes to Stratford and 52 minutes to London Liverpool Street.

The airport terminal at Southend is easy to navigate, providing a hassle-free and relaxed airport experience. Airlines that operate from Southend include EasyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, and British Airways, transporting passengers to over 200 worldwide destinations. The airport mainly handles scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and business flights, alongside general aviation flying and pilot training (both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters).

London Southend Airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it was known as RAF Rochford and served as a base for fighter squadrons. The former terminal is now operated by the London Southend Jet Centre, providing facilities for executive aircraft. The airport has been recognised for its excellence, being voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years (2013-2015) and the best London airport for six consecutive years (2013-2019) by consumer group Which?.

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It's accessible by car, train, bus, or taxi

London Southend Airport is located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, and is easily accessible by several transport options. If you're travelling by car, the airport is just off the A127, which connects to the M25, and offers on-site parking options. For those using a GPS, the postcode to enter is SS2 6YF.

Taking a train is another convenient option. Abellio Greater Anglia provides direct services from London Liverpool Street to Southend Airport Station, which is located just a 2-minute walk from the airport terminal. The journey time is approximately 53 minutes, and trains run regularly throughout the day.

Bus services are also available, with the X30 providing a direct link to Southend-on-Sea, and the wider area, including Chelmsford and Stansted Airport. This service runs frequently and offers a cost-effective way to get to and from the airport.

Finally, for a more direct and private journey, taxi services are readily available. Local taxi companies offer fixed-price journeys to and from the airport, and you can also use ride-hailing apps to request a cab. The airport's official taxi partner is Airport Cars, but other local firms are also available.

So, whether you're travelling by car, train, bus, or taxi, London Southend Airport is conveniently accessible from across the region, offering a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets. Each mode of transport offers its own benefits, ensuring that travellers can reach the airport with ease and efficiency.

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It's a 52-minute train ride from Central London

London Southend Airport is located 36 miles (approximately 64 kilometres) from Central London. While this distance may seem excessive, it is still considered a London airport. The airport is easily accessible by car via the M25, and there are up to six direct trains per hour travelling into Central London.

London Southend Airport has its own train station, just a short walk from the terminal. The journey from Central London to the airport takes approximately 52 minutes by train. Trains to London Liverpool Street station via Stratford operate from 4:06 am to 11:59 pm Monday to Saturday and from 6:20 am to 11:58 pm on Sundays. During peak times, trains run every 10 minutes, and every 20 minutes during off-peak times.

The airport's location means it enjoys excellent weather conditions. It is also used as a diversion alternative when adverse weather or incidents cause other London airports to close.

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It's the UK's third-busiest airport

London Southend Airport is located in the town of Southend-on-Sea, in Essex, England. It is approximately 36 miles (58-64km) from the centre of London. The airport is situated between Southend-on-Sea and Rochford town and city centres, and it was known as RAF Rochford during World War II.

London Southend Airport is a small airport that mainly handles scheduled passenger, charter, cargo, and business flights, as well as general aviation flying and pilot training. It is run by London Southend Airport Co Ltd, which employs around 250 people. The airport has a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Ordinary Licence that allows flights for public transport and flying instruction.

During the 1960s, London Southend Airport was the UK's third-busiest airport, after Heathrow and Manchester. However, passenger numbers dropped off in the 1970s. In recent years, the airport has seen fluctuations in passenger numbers, with a decline to 874,549 in 2016, and an increase of over 25% to 1,095,914 in 2017. In 2018, the airport saw an increase of nearly 400,000 passengers, with just over 1.4 million passengers passing through.

London Southend Airport has been recognised for its convenience and facilities, being voted the best airport in Britain for three consecutive years (2013-2015) by consumer group Which?. It also won the award for best London airport for six consecutive years (2013-2019). The airport features a modern, purpose-built train station just 100 steps from the terminal, with frequent train services to and from Central London. Additionally, the airport offers convenient car parking options, with four official onsite car parks just a short walk from the terminal.

London Southend Airport is easily accessible by various modes of transport. It has its own train station, with direct trains to and from Central London, as well as bus services and taxi options. The airport is also accessible by car via the M25 motorway.

Frequently asked questions

London Southend Airport is located 36 miles (58-64km) from the centre of London, in the town of Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

The journey from London Southend Airport to central London takes around 52 minutes by train.

You can take a train from London Southend Airport to London Liverpool Street station. Trains run from 4.06 am to 11.59 pm Monday to Saturday and 6.20 am to 11.58 pm on Sundays. You can also take a taxi or drive.

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