Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our London Southend Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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Got there at 11.50, prepared myself to sleep and the security guard came to say they were closing! – ladysarac
SEN Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at London Southend Airport (code: SEN).
What to Expect
London Southend Airport has a small, modern terminal with several eateries and shops. WiFi is available to help pass the time. Additional comfort may be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge.
Sleeping in Southend Airport
The airport is closed from midnight to 4:00 AM, so there is no overnight sleeping. If you are taking an early morning flight, plan your arrival according to its 4:00 AM opening. Daytime sleepers will find a few decent options in this small airport. Travellers point out there are soft benches in the landside zones.
For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel next to the terminal and others nearby. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Good to Know
Because of the train schedule, many reviewers have been stranded outside the airport in the cold, waiting for their morning flights.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our London Southend Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport opens three hours before the first departure and closes one hour after the last arrival. A traveller in 2019 said that was from approx. 3:30 AM until 12:30 AM.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. Not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near London Southend Airport:
- Holiday Inn Southend – A 4-minute walk to the terminal. No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Premier Inn Southend Airport Hotel – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near London Southend Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there is a lounge that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Skylife Lounge – (Temporarily closed) – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: London Southend Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does Southend Airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food services operate with varying schedules. None are open 24 hours. You will find the following available during flight operational hours: The Navigator (Pub) • The Pilot Bar (Café) • Skycafè (Bar).
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
All food services on the Airside provide outlets to charge your devices.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at London Southend Airport.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at London Southend Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available throughout the terminal. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside at check-in and arrivals areas • Airside, lower level, Departure Area.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby change facilities are available both Landside and Airside. Baby milk and food can be purchased at the WHSmith store in the Departure Area, opposite Gate 7. Milk can also be warmed up in any of the cafés in the terminal.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available for £1/euro. They are available in the car park and baggage arrivals area. You can return your trolley in one of the car parks or the check-in area.
Currency Exchange – Travelex offers currency exchange throughout the terminal. Hours: unknown.
Duty-Free & Shopping – A World Duty-Free store is located inside the terminal. You can also purchase newspapers, magazines, snacks and travel necessities at the nearby WHSmith. Location: Departure Area, opposite Gate 7.
Fast Track – Breeze through security with a Fast Track pass. Available for purchase online for £7.
Medical Services – If you are not feeling well, alert any member of the airport staff, who will then arrange for a qualified First-Aider to assist you.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Landside, check-in hall.
Prayer Room – A quiet room is available for passengers of all faiths and denominations. Location: Landside, check-in hall.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking – Not permitted within the terminal, so it is best to smoke outside before you check in in the designated area.
Bus and Coach
The X30 links Southend city centre to London Stansted Airport via Southend Airport and Chelmsford. The bus stop is located near the Holiday Inn Hotel. Tickets can be purchased via contactless payment directly on the bus. Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM. (Mon – Fri) • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. (Sat, Sun, and bank holidays). Arriva Buses 7 and 8 stops are located on Rochford Road, while the stop for bus 9 is on Eastwoodbury Crescent, behind the Holiday Inn Southend Airport Hotel.
Car Rentals
Europcar (Temporarily closed) offers on-site car rental services. Location: Landside. Hours: 08:00 AM – 11:30 PM (Mon–Sat) • 09:00 AM – 11:30 PM (Sun).
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Andrews Airport Cars provides exclusive taxi service for Southend Airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Taxi ranks can be found in front of the terminal building. There’s no need to book in advance.
Train
SEN airport is connected to the rail system with its own station, only a two-minute walk away. Service is available between the airport and central London, with up to 6 trains per hour running between Southend Airport Station and London Liverpool Street Station or Stratford Station. Tickets can be bought at the vending machines in the arrivals and the train station.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.