Your Complete Guide to London Southend Airport (SEN)
London Southend Airport, also known as London Southend, is an international airport located in the county of Essex. It is situated approximately 3 miles from Rochford and approximately 41 miles east of Central London.
The airport was first opened in 1935 as a Royal Air Force station. The first commercial flights took place in 1950. In 1993, the airport was sold to Regional Airlines. In 2008, it was sold to the current owner, Stobart Group for £21 million.
London Southend Airport is the 19th busiest airport in the United Kingdom, with over 4 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2020. The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including a bar/restaurant, shop, newsagent and children's play area. It also has a VIP lounge, which can be hired out for special occasions.
The airport is located in the Rochford district of Essex and covers an area of approximately 17M. The runway is 1605 metres long and 37 metres wide. The airport has a single passenger terminal, which is divided into 2 sections - the departure hall and the arrivals hall.
- Departures and arrivals
- Services & facilities
- Parking
- Travelling with children
- Airport Transfers
- Things to do near London Southend Airport
- Restaurants to eat from
- Fashion Hub
- Hotels
Departures and arrivals at London Southend Airport
Departures and arrivals: The Departures terminal at Southend Airport is located on the first floor, while the Arrivals terminal is on the ground floor. There are four check-in desks in the Departures terminal, and two in the Arrivals terminal. The airport operates flights to 25 destinations in Europe.
Check-in: It's important to arrive at least two hours before your flight when you're travelling from London.
You can check in for your flight at either the Departures or Arrivals terminal. If you're checking baggage, it's important to arrive early so you have enough time to drop off and weigh your bags and keys.
Preparing for Security: If you're flying internationally, there is a security checkpoint when leaving the Departures terminal that can be accessed by all passengers flying domestically and internationally.
To get through security as quickly as possible, keep in mind that laptops must be charged during screening and carried through in a separate bin. You should also make sure to remove any liquids or gels from your carry-on bag before going through security.
Special assistance: Southend Airport offers a range of special assistance services for those with disabilities or who need extra help. These services include wheelchair rental, assistance with boarding and disembarking, and pre-boarding. You can find more information on the airport's website.
That's everything you need to know about flying from London Southend Airport. For more information, be sure to check out the airport's website. Have a great flight! If you're looking for a smaller and more convenient airport to fly out of, Southend Airport is a great option.
Services & facilities at London Southend Airport
In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to make your journey through London Southend Airport as smooth as possible. We'll start by telling you about the airport's facilities, before giving you some handy tips on getting there and checking in. We'll then take you through security and passport control, before showing you where to find shops, snacks, and other essential services.
To make sure your journey goes smoothly, you need to know where all the facilities are. Here's a list of everything you'll find at London Southend Airport:
Baggage trolleys at Southend Airport:
You'll find these just inside the main entrance, and they're £1 to use. Please return them to the same spot when you've finished.
Baby changing facilities at Southend Airport:
Look out for these in toilets throughout the airport. They're marked with a baby symbol on the door.
Car hire at Southend Airport:
You'll find car hire desks in both the arrivals and departures hall.
Shopping At Stansted Airport:
There's a wide range of shops at London Southend Airport, from fashion to cosmetics, alcohol to chocolates. You'll find them on both the departures and arrivals levels of the terminal building. There's also a First Class Lounge on departures, and a Royal Class Lounge on arrivals.
Eat at Southend Airport:
Try the seasonal dishes at Cucina, try some tapas or burgers at Oh! Calamares, or enjoy traditional British food at the Just Eat Café. There are plenty of other options too - you can see the full list here:
Relax at Southend Airport:
If you need to take a break from your journey, you can relax in one of the airport's two lounges. The Just Relax Lounge is located on the departures level, while the Executive Lounge is on arrival.
Charging points at Southend Airport:
You'll find at least one charging point for your mobile device throughout each terminal building
Parking at Southend Airport
There is a range of parking options available at London Southend Airport, including short-stay and long-stay options, as well as pick-up and drop-off facilities.
Short Stay Parking
There are twelve short-stay parking bays situated within walking distance of the terminals, offering both paid or free options for between 15 minutes and four hours parking. The short-stay car park is located at the front of the South Pier building.
Long Stay Parking
For those wishing to leave their car at the airport for a longer period of time, there are two long-stay parking options available. The first is the 100-car car park, situated between the North Pier and A13 interchange. It is open 24 hours a day at a cost of £35 per day for cars.
Turn-up and Park
For those who do not wish to pre-book their parking, London Southend Airport offers turn-up and park facilities. Drivers can choose from either the Short Stay or Long Stay car parks, both of which are located close to the terminals.
Pick-Up and Drop-Off
In addition to the Short Stay and Long Stay car parks, London Southend Airport also offers a pick-up and drop-off zone. Drivers can park in the North Pier car park before being free to use the dedicated pickup/drop off lanes located immediately outside
Pre-booking parking
For those wishing to pre-book their parking, there is a selection of packages available from most major operators. This makes it easier to plan ahead by knowing exactly where you will be able to leave your car if travelling from London Southend Airport.
Travelling with children
At London Stansted Airport, there are baby changing facilities in both the men’s and women’s restrooms. There are also food options available, including a number of restaurants that offer high chairs and breastfeeding areas. Travelling with young children can be challenging but at Stansted Airport, there are a number of resources to make the experience easier.
Baby changing facilities on arrival
Southend airport is a small airport with many destinations. In this airport, there are baby changing facilities throughout the terminals for your convenience. There are also plenty of amenities to make your wait pleasant and comfortable!
Baby changing facilities on departure
are available in the ladies' and gents' toilets. There is also a baby changing area in the family lounge, which is accessible to passengers with children for between 30 minutes and 1 hour before departure.
Food and other essential items
If you're travelling with children, make sure you pack enough food and drinks for the journey. The airport has a wide range of cafes, restaurants and shops, but prices can be high, so it's best to pack your own food and drinks.
Breastfeeding
Southend Airport offers a comfortable and welcoming environment for breastfeeding mothers and their children. There are several nursing rooms located throughout the airport, all of which are equipped with a comfortable chair, a changing table, and a sink.
Tips:
-
Free play area with fantastic toys to keep your little ones entertained
- Baby changing facilities and car parking next to the terminal for easy access
- Family-friendly shops offer a range of products to make travel easier for mum and dad
- Attached is a kids zone with an indoor soft play area, plus slides, cars and dressing up costumes - perfect for keeping them happy during long wait times.
Airport Transfers at Southend Airport
There are a few different ways that you can get from Southend Airport to your final destination. The most popular option is to take a minicab. There is also a bus service that runs between the airport and the city centre.
Train at Southend Airport
As the UK's fastest-growing airport, Southend Airport is a major transport hub for the southeast of England. The airport has excellent transport links, with a train station located right inside the terminal building.
Stansted Express at Southend Airport
Stansted Express is a fast train service that connects Stansted Airport with central London. The journey time is just 45 minutes, making it a great option for travellers who need to get to the airport quickly.
There are two stations at Southend Airport - one for arrivals and one for departures.
Coach at Southend Airport
Coach travel is a great way to get around, and at Southend Airport, we have a Coach Park where you can wait for your coach. Our Coach Park has a seating area, toilets, and a café.
Our coaches run to and from many destinations, including London Victoria Coach Station, London Stansted Airport and Luton Airport.
Bus at Southend Airport
The bus service at Southend Airport is a great way to get to and from the airport, without having to worry about parking or expensive minicab fares. The bus service operates every day of the week, and there are a number of different routes that passengers can choose from. The bus stop is located just outside of the main terminal.
Minicab at Southend Airport
There are a number of minicab companies that operate from Southend Airport. You can get a quote from each of the companies to compare the prices and services.
Tiklacars Minicabs at Southend Airport is a great choice for airport transfers. They offer a range of services, from private hire to meet and greet, and their drivers are experienced and knowledgeable about the local area. You can rest assured that your journey will be smooth and stress-free when travelling by Tiklacars Minicab. So if you're looking for a reliable minicab service at Southend Airport, they are the way to go.
Things to do near London Southend Airport
While London Southend Airport may be smaller than some of the other airports in the area, it still has plenty to offer visitors. There are a number of things to do near the airport, including restaurants, shopping, and sightseeing.
There are plenty of great places to visit near Southend Airport, including the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea, the city of London, and the charming village of Dedham.
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Tower Bridge
- Tower of London
- ArcelorMittal Orbit
- Tate Modern and Tate Britain
- The Midnight Lounge
- Covent Garden and the London Transport Museum
- Brick Lane
Restaurants to eat from near Southend Airport:
There are plenty of places to eat near Southend Airport, making it easy to find a meal before your flight. Here are some of the best restaurants to try:
- 1935 Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
- Holiday Inn Southend, an IHG Hotel
- Crêpe de la Crêpe
- Premier Inn Southend Airport hotel
- Strawberry Field Beefeater
- The Seafood Shack
- Skewer House- Casa Das Espetadas
- Toby Carvery Southend
- Monsoon Rochford
- McDonald's Southend 3
Fashion Hub near Southend Airport:
From high brands to local unbranded shops, London Southend Airport has a wide range of clothing stores to choose from. Whether you need a new outfit for an upcoming flight or are looking for some souvenirs to take home, there's a store at Southend Airport that will meet your needs.
Here are some of the most popular clothing stores near Southend Airport:
- Cotton Boutique Essex
- Matalan
- Sports Direct
- Argos Southend Airport Business Park
- F&F Clothing
- Peacocks
- Next
- Spirit
- Fields Menswear Ltd
- Yours Clothing
Hotels near Southend Airport
There are a number of hotels near Southend Airport for visitors who need a place to stay. The Premier Inn is the closest, just a five-minute walk away from the airport. The prime location of the airport ensures that it is very easy to find a hotel around the airport.
There are a few hotels that are closest to the airport:
- Holiday Inn Southend, an IHG Hotel
- Premier Inn Southend Airport hotel
- Skylark Hotel
- Premier Inn Southend-On-Sea (Thorpe Bay) hotel
- Travelodge Southend on Sea
- Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend-on-Sea
- Premier Inn Southend On Sea (Eastern Esplanade) hotel
- Muthu Westcliff Hotel
- Seven Hotel
- Southend Airport Bed & Breakfast
Tips For booking Hotel:
- Identify the hotel type you are looking for
- Check for reviews and check awards
- Make use of a booking site
- Look at photos of the hotel rooms to see if you approve
- Choose your room carefully because that is what you get
Whether you’re a first-timer or have visited the airport before, we hope this guide has provided all the information you need for your next visit to London’s Southend Airport (SEN). If there’s ever anything else you need, the airport staff are always warm and welcoming and will ensure your stay is as stress-free as it possibly can be.
