✈️ Buses to Southend Airport
4 bus and coach routes serve Southend Airport, the busiest being the X30, about 47 minutes to Chelmsford, Bus Stn. 1 runs 24 hours a day.
First and last times are departures from Southend Airport itself, on weekdays. Buses towards the airport run earlier and later than this at stops along the way — open a route for the timetable at your own stop.
Every route serving Southend Airport
- 23 Southend Airport → Leigh-on-Sea Railway Station ~29 min from airport 17:08–17:08 Stephensons of Essex
- 23A Southend Airport → Leigh Railway Station ~41 min from airport 07:36–19:20 Stephensons of Essex
- X30 Southend, Travel Ce → Chelmsford, Bus Stn ~47 min 24 hours First Essex
- 9 East Beach → Railway Station from airport 05:22–23:27 Arriva Herts and Essex
Journey times are the typical end-to-end run between the airport and the far end of the route, taken as the median across every journey in the published timetable — not a promise for your particular trip. Allow more at peak times.
Night buses to Southend Airport
For very early flights and late arrivals. Nights are the night you set out on, so a 01:30 bus on Saturday morning is listed under Friday.
- X30 Southend, Travel Ce → Chelmsford, Bus Stn Every night 24 hours runs tonight
See night buses across the UK.
Direct buses to Southend Airport from
Places on a route that reaches the airport without changing. The bus may take a long way round from the far end — check the route for your own stop.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the first bus to Southend Airport?
One route runs to Southend Airport 24 hours a day, so there is a bus whatever time your flight leaves. Of the routes with fixed hours, the earliest weekday departure from the airport is 05:22 on the 9. Times from your own stop will differ — open the route for its full timetable.
Is there a night bus to Southend Airport?
Yes. 1 of the 4 routes serving Southend Airport run in the small hours, and 1 run right around the clock. Check which nights each one runs — outside London many run at weekends only.
How long does the bus take to Southend Airport?
It depends on the route. The busiest is the X30, which takes about 47 minutes between the airport and Chelmsford, Bus Stn. Times on this page are the median end-to-end journey from the published timetable, so allow extra at peak times.
How much is the bus to Southend Airport?
Local bus fares in England are capped at £3 for a single until 31 December 2026. Dedicated airport coach services are not part of the cap and are priced by the operator — usually cheaper if you book ahead.
Other airports
Timetables from the operators via the DfT Bus Open Data Service. See all UK airports by bus , or every stop and route at Southend Airport.