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.
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 consists of 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. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Southend Airport
The airport is closed from midnight to 4:00AM, so there is no overnight sleeping. If you are taking an early morning flight, plan your arrival according to its 4:00AM opening, otherwise you may find yourself waiting in the cold. For uninterrupted sleep, there is a hotel next to the terminal, and others nearby. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations. Explore our guide to sleeping in London Southend Airport or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
Good to Know
Because of the train schedule, many reviewers have ended up stranded outside the airport in the cold, waiting for their morning flights.
Covid-19 Update
Some airport reviews and tips in this guide and elsewhere on the site were written before March 2020 and may no longer be valid. 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. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information.
For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our London Southend Airport Guide.
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. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
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 to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Skylife Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: London Southend Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near London Southend Airport:
With Covid restrictions constantly changing, we recommend that you confirm shuttle availability prior to booking and/or prior to your arrival.
- Holiday Inn Southend – A 2 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 WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at London Southend Airport.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your 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 (behind the Moneycorp exchange).
Baby Care Facilities – Baby change facilities are available both Landside and Airside.
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available for £1/euro. They are available in the car park, drop-off areas and baggage arrivals area.
Children’s Play Area – When you want to ensure your kids burn off all their energy before their flight, take them to the children’s play area. Location: Airside, Inside Lakers Bar
Currency Exchange – Moneycorp Travel Money offers currency exchange in the Departures Lounge (airside at Gates 4 and 5) and at the Arrivals exit (landside). Hours: unknown.
Duty Free & Shopping – Tax & Duty Free at London Southend Airport is open daily from 4:30AM – 7:30PM. Location: airside, ground floor, opposite Gate 2. You can also purchase newspapers, magazines, snacks and travel necessities at the nearby WHSmith.
Fast Track – Breeze through security with a Fast Track pass. Available for purchase on-line for £2.50.
Food & Drinks – Food services operate with varying schedules. You will find the following available: Bourgee (Champagne and Tapas Bar) • Costa Coffee (Landside and Airside) • Giraffe Stop (Cafe) • The Navigator (Pub).
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.
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.
Mobile Charging – All food services on the Airside provide outlets to charge your devices. If you know of more locations, click here to update this airport guide.
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.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Not available.
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 airport so best to smoke outside before you check in.
Airport Hours
The airport is open from 3:30AM until approx 12:30AM. (updated by a traveller in October 2019)
Airlines
London Southend airport is served by the following airlines: Air Malta • EasyJet • FlyOne • Loganair • Ryanair • Volotea. Note: some of these airlines operate on a seasonal-only basis.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Bus and Coach
The X30 links Southend city center to London Stansted Airport, via Southend Airport and Chelmsford. Buses stop near the taxi rank at the air traffic control tower. Arriva Buses 7, 8 and 9 stop on Eastwoodbury Crescent, behind the Holiday Inn Southend airport hotel.
Car Rentals
Europcar offers car rental services onsite. Location: entrance concourse (landside).
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxi
Andrews Airport Cars provide exclusive taxi service for Southend Airport 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
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 8 trains per hour running between Southend Airport Station and London Liverpool Street Station or Stratford Station. Tickets range from £13.60 – £16.70 for a one-way journey depending on destination.
Last updated: 2022-10-28
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, are 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 web sites. 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.
