Open Top Bus

Feel the sea breeze, soak up the views and see Southend’s famous coastline from the top deck. The Southend 99 open top bus is one of the best ways to explore the city by the sea, travelling along the coast from Leigh-on-Sea to Shoeburyness East Beach.

Whether you’re planning a family day out, hopping between beaches or just fancy a classic seaside experience, the open top bus is a fun, easy and memorable way to explore Southend. Sit back and enjoy the ride as you pass seafront favourites, beaches, cafés, attractions and wide-open estuary views.

2026 Timetable

The Southend 99 open top bus is due to run every 30 minutes from Saturday 18 July to Sunday 6 September 2026.

The Route

The 99 travels along Southend’s coastline between Leigh-on-Sea, Southend Pier & Seafront and Shoeburyness, taking in places including Leigh Station, Chalkwell, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend Pier, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, Shoebury Common and Shoeburyness East Beach.

Buses call at stops along the route on request, so you can travel one way, enjoy a round trip, or hop on and off throughout the day with a day ticket.

Why ride the open top bus?

There’s something brilliant about seeing the seafront from the top deck. You get panoramic views across the Thames Estuary, a fresh sea breeze and a front-row seat to Southend’s beaches, attractions and coastal communities.

Use it as part of your day out, or make the bus ride the main event. Start with brunch in Leigh-on-Sea, cruise along the seafront, stop off at Southend Pier or Adventure Island, then carry on towards Shoebury for quieter beaches and open space.

Places to explore along the route:

Leigh-on-Sea and Old Leigh

Start your trip in Leigh-on-Sea, with its independent shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants and views from Marine Parade Gardens. For Leigh-on-Sea town centre, get off at the Leigh Broadway stop. For cobbled streets, historic fishing heritage, pubs, seafood restaurants and cockle sheds, hop off at Leigh, and walk over the railway bridge into Old Leigh.

Chalkwell Beach

Get off at Chalkwell Shelter for beach walks, sea views, cafés, ice cream and a more relaxed stretch of seafront.

Southend Pier

Hop off at Southend Pier for the world’s longest pleasure pier, a walk out to sea, the pier railway, coastal views, food and drink, and the Pier Museum back on dry land.

Adventure Island

Right by the main seafront boarding point, Adventure Island is Southend’s famous free-to-enter amusement park, with more than 40 rides and attractions, including five roller coasters.

Sealife Adventure

Stop off at Sealife Adventure to discover sea creatures, penguins, meerkats, monkeys and more, just moments from the seafront.

Southchurch Park

Just a short walk from the seafront, Southchurch Park has formal gardens, sports facilities, a children’s play area, model boating lake and café.

Shoebury Common

Shoebury Common offers beach hut-lined promenade walks, estuary views and classic seaside refreshments from Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Gunners Park Nature Reserve

For a quieter coastal escape, Gunners Park is ideal for walking and wildlife spotting, with estuary views and habitats that attract migrating birds.

Shoeburyness East Beach

At the end of the route, East Beach offers open grassed areas, sand, cafés, toilets, a small play area and watersports activity, away from the busiest central seafront.

Tickets and fares

You can pay the driver on board using cash or contactless, or buy a day ticket in advance through the First Bus app by choosing Southend and Southend Open Top.

Ready to ride?

Grab your sunglasses, choose your stop and enjoy Southend from the top deck! From Leigh’s cobbled streets to Southend’s buzzing seafront and Shoebury’s open beaches, the 99 is a brilliant way to make the most of the coast.