Travelling to Southend by train couldn’t be easier – or more enjoyable. With two direct routes from London, you can step onto a train and be by the seaside in as little as 45-60 minutes. Choose the c2c line from Fenchurch Street to Southend Central, or Greater Anglia from Liverpool Street, both offering frequent, reliable services.

Southend is one of the UK’s best-connected seaside destinations, with multiple trains every hour from London – so you’ve got the freedom to travel when it suits you.

Even better, it’s incredibly simple: with contactless tap & go now available right to Southend, there’s no need to book ahead – just turn up, tap in and go! Once on board, enjoy a smooth, comfortable journey on modern, air-conditioned trains, run by two of the UK’s most punctual operators.

For more information and train times visit:

C2C (London Fenchurch Street to Southend Central)
08457 678765 www.c2c-online.co.uk

Greater Anglia (London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria)
03456 007245 www.greateranglia.co.uk
Take a look at the dedicated journey page here.

There are two major roads which link Southend to the M25, the A127 and A13. From the north Southend is accessible via the A1, M11, M25 (Junction 29 – 20 miles) & A127. From the south, Southend can be reached via the M25 (Junction 30) or from the Dartford Tunnel & A13.

Parking
Visit the Southend-on-Sea City Council website for full information on parking.

To help visitors plan ahead, the following travel guidance sets out straightforward routes to some of Southend’s most popular destinations for those choosing to travel by car.

Shoebury East Beach
George Street, Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 9AD

From Tesco Extra (Prince Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 0JP)

• Follow Prince Ave/A127.
• Straight over the traffic lights at The Bell pub
• Take 2^nd exit at the roundabout onto Priory Crescent and follow the road onto Eastern Avenue
• Continue on Eastern Avenue straight over the next two roundabouts onto Royal Artillery Way
• At the roundabout go left onto Bournes Green Chase
• Continue on Bournes Green chase (over mini roundabout)
• At the next roundabout (which has Angel pub on it), take the 1^st main exit onto Poynters Lane
• Continue on Poynters Lane
• Turn right onto Wakering Road
• Straight over the lights onto High Street
• Turn left onto George Street

Nearest station – Shoeburyness (C2C)
Nearest car park – Shoebury East Beach

Thorpe Bay Beach & Roslin Beach Hotel
Thorpe Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3BG

From Tesco Extra (Prince Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 0JP)

• Follow Prince Ave/A127.
• Straight over the traffic lights at The Bell pub
• Take 2^nd exit at the roundabout onto Priory Crescent and follow the road onto Eastern Avenue
• Continue on Eastern Avenue straight over the next two roundabouts onto Royal Artillery Way
• At the roundabout take the 2^nd exit onto Thorpe Hall Avenue
• At the sea front (Thorpe Esplanade):
  • Turn right for the Roslin Beach Hotel, Thorpe Bay Beach and towards Southend City Beach.
  • Turn left for Thorpe Bay Beach and towards Shoebury East Beach

Nearest station – Thorpe Bay (C2C)
Nearest car parks – Thorpe Esplanade, Southchurch East Park, The Roslin Beach Hotel (for customers of the hotel and restaurant only)

City Beach (Sea Life Centre, King Pins, Adventure Island & The Pier)
Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2ER

From Tesco Extra (Prince Ave, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 0JP)

• Follow Prince Ave/A127.
• Straight over the traffic lights at The Bell pub
• Take 2^nd exit at the roundabout onto Priory Crescent and follow the road onto Eastern Avenue
• Continue on Eastern Avenue straight over the next roundabout
• At the next traffic lights turn right into Bournemouth Park Road
• Continue on Bournemouth Park Road until reaching Southchurch Road
• At this set of traffic lights go straight over onto Southchurch Avenue
• Continue on Southchurch Avenue to Marine Parade
• At the traffic lights:
  • Left for Sealife Centre
  • Left towards Thorpe Bay Beach, the Roslin Beach Hotel and Shoebury East Beach
  • Right for Adventure Island, King Pins, The Pier and the Genting Casino
  • Right towards Chalkwell Beach & Leigh on Sea

Nearest station – Southend Central (C2C), Southend Victoria (Greater Anglian)Nearest Car parks – Eastern Esplanade, Seaway, Chancellor Road, The Royals, Alexandra Street, Clarence Road, Tylers Avenue, York Road

Chalkwell Beach
Chalkwell Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 8JJ

From Progress Rd junction of A127 (Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea)

• Follow Southend Arterial Rd/A127 onto Prince Avenue
• Go straight over traffic lights at Kent Elms
• At the next traffic lights turn right and continue until turning right into Westbourne Grove
• Continue on Westbourne Grove to the end
• At the traffic lights at London Road, turn slight left and then straight across onto Chalkwell Avenue
• Continue on Chalkwell Avenue
• Turn right onto Chalkwell Esplanade

Nearest station – Chalkwell (C2C)
Nearest car park – Chalkwell Esplanade

Leigh-on-Sea Station (for Old Leigh / Leigh Broadway)
Belton Way East, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2ET

From Progress Rd junction of A127 (Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea)

• From Arterial Road/A127, turn right onto The Fairway
• Continue on the Fairway
• At the traffic lights turn right onto Eastwood Road North
• Continue on Eastwood Road North onto Eastwood Road
• At the roundabout, take the 2^nd exit (Eastwood Road)
• At the lights turn right onto London Road
• Turn left onto Salisbury Road
• Turn left onto Hadleigh Road
• Turn right and then immediate left onto Belton Way East (down the hill)
• At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Belton Way East. Leigh on Sea station is on the left
• For Old Leigh, take the 1^st exit at the roundabout onto Belton Gardens
• Turn right onto Belton Bridge

Nearest station – Leigh on Sea (C2C)
Nearest Car Parks – Leigh on Sea station, Belton Gardens North, Belton Bridge, Victoria Wharf

There is an extensive bus network which operates around Southend. For all bus information and timetables visit Arriva or First Buses.

Payment for coach parking can be made via Mobon or RingGo parking apps, Mobon web portal or by calling 01702 680 280 (phone line is for same day booking only).

To make payment for parking on the day of your visit, use location code 602064. Same day parking costs £45

To make a parking reservation at least one day before the day of your visit, use location code 602063.
Paying in advance is at the discounted cost of £20

Further information about the Eastern Esplanade Car Park can be found here.

For further information or questions about your visit please email the Visitor Information Centre at VIC@southend.gov.uk.