Book Your London City to Southend Transfer
Airportbee runs fixed-price, licensed transfers between London City and Southend, with your driver tracking your inbound flight so pickup happens when you actually land. This page is about London City Airport (LCY) specifically — if you mean central London rather than the airport, the directions differ slightly, though both routes head broadly the same way out of East London.
Get a Fixed Quote — London City to Southend →
Quick facts
- Distance: around 28 miles direct; the road route via the A13 and A127 is typically 35–36 miles
- Typical journey time: 45–65 minutes in normal traffic — the shortest of any Southend route Airportbee covers
- No direct train — reaching Southend by rail means changing at Stratford, taking around 70 minutes
- Pickup: London City Airport terminal (single terminal)
- Drop-off: Southend Airport terminal (single terminal, with its own onsite railway station)
The Shortest Southend Route in Airportbee’s Network
London City sits in East London, and Southend is out along the Essex coast in roughly the same direction — which makes this the shortest and most direct of any of Airportbee’s Southend routes, considerably shorter than the equivalent journey from Heathrow, Gatwick or Luton. By road, they’re around 28 miles apart direct, or 35–36 miles by the standard route via the A13 and A127 (the Southend Arterial Road), staying largely within East London and Essex rather than needing a long motorway loop. Journey time is typically 45–65 minutes in normal traffic.
Getting There Without a Car
There’s no direct train between London City and Southend, but it’s not as poor an option as on some of Airportbee’s longer routes: the DLR connects London City to Stratford, where you pick up a Greater Anglia service on to Southend, with the whole journey commonly taking around 70 minutes — not far off the road time. For a solo traveller without much luggage, it’s a reasonable option; for anyone with bags, a family, or a tight connection, the private transfer avoids the change at Stratford.
Pickup at London City
London City has a single, compact terminal, so there’s no terminal choice to confirm, and the walk from gate to arrivals is short. With Meet & Greet, your driver monitors your flight and adjusts to your actual landing time. Meet & Greet costs £17, and as an express-pickup airport you get 10 minutes of free waiting rather than the standard 5. See the full London City Airport transfers guide for more.
Arriving at Southend
Southend has a single, compact terminal, so there’s no terminal choice to make. It also has its own onsite railway station, a two-minute walk from arrivals, with direct Greater Anglia services to London Liverpool Street — useful if you’re continuing into the city rather than being collected. More detail is on the Southend Airport transfers guide.
Connecting Between Separately Booked Flights
Because London City and Southend have no shared airline network, any same-day connection between separately booked flights is a self-transfer — clear immigration if arriving internationally, collect your baggage, then make the road journey before checking in again. Given how short this particular route is, the transfer itself eats less into your connection than on Airportbee’s longer Southend routes, but it’s still worth checking your airline’s own guidance rather than assuming the short distance guarantees a comfortable connection.
If your inbound London City flight runs late, flight monitoring means your driver adjusts to your actual landing time automatically, so a delay doesn’t mean a missed pickup.
Fixed Price, Confirmed Before You Travel
Airportbee runs fixed fares for every booking channel — phone, app, live chat, email or online — so the price you’re quoted is the price you pay, regardless of traffic on the day. Get your live fixed quote through the booking engine below.
Get Your Fixed London City to Southend Quote →
Choosing Your Vehicle
A Saloon covers most solo and business journeys on this route. Families or anyone with more luggage should look at an Estate or 6-Seater; groups can use the 8-Seater. For a business transfer where comfort matters more than boot space, the Executive option is available.
Why Book Airportbee
- Fixed price agreed before you travel — traffic on the day doesn’t change what you pay
- Flight monitoring on your London City landing and your booking details
- Meet & Greet available at London City
- Fully licensed, TfL-authorised vehicles and PCO-certified drivers
- 24/7 booking and support, 365 days a year
London City to Southend FAQs
How far is London City from Southend Airport?
Around 28 miles direct. By road, via the A13 and A127, it’s typically 35–36 miles — the shortest of any Southend route Airportbee covers.
How long does it take to get from London City to Southend?
Usually 45–65 minutes in normal traffic.
Is there a direct train from London City to Southend?
No, but it’s a reasonable option — the DLR to Stratford, then a Greater Anglia service on to Southend, commonly takes around 70 minutes in total.
Does London City Airport have more than one terminal?
No. London City has a single, compact terminal.
How much does a transfer from London City to Southend cost?
Airportbee runs fixed fares agreed before you travel, so the price doesn’t change with traffic on the day. Get a live quote through the booking engine for your exact route and vehicle.
What happens if my flight into London City is delayed?
Airportbee tracks your flight and adjusts your pickup to your actual landing time, so a delay doesn’t mean a missed pickup.
Book your fixed-price London City to Southend transfer today — flight-monitored, door-to-door, no surprises at the terminal.
