Dartford to Southend Airport Taxi
Twenty-eight miles, one river and no motorway to speak of: London Southend is the closest airport to Dartford that most people never consider. Through the tunnel, along the A13 and A127, and you are on the forecourt in under an hour for a fixed fare from £58, crossing and drop-off included. Book online, or text your flight number to 020 8888 9988.
Landing at London Southend Airport? Let us take the stress off
Your driver is waiting with a name board the moment you come through customs into arrivals – not in a car park, not on the phone. We track the flight, so a late landing costs you nothing, and the first 60 minutes after the plane lands are free waiting time. Luggage trolleys, a child seat, a wheelchair-friendly car: tell us when you book and it is ready.
SIM card and money on the way. Still carrying your own currency? That is fine: every car takes cards and contactless, so you need no pounds in hand for the journey. If you want a UK SIM or some cash, say so and your driver will point you to the kiosks in arrivals (SIM cards and currency: limited at the airport – your driver will stop at a supermarket or bank in town) or, usually cheaper, stop at a supermarket, Post Office or bank on the route. Our local drivers know where the fair rates and the working cash machines are – trust them to sort it in minutes.
Disabled-friendly arrival. Special assistance: Book via your airline at least 48h ahead. Step-free: Terminal and station adjacent. Airport accessibility page Our driver meets you at the assistance desk if you prefer, carries folding wheelchairs and walkers free, and assistance dogs always travel with you at no charge.
Eat & shop like a Londoner: fish & chips, roast, afternoon tea, pies, ale, vegan, British brands – with prices (tap to open)
Eat and shop like a Londoner: fish & chips, Sunday roast, full English, afternoon tea, pies, pale ale, vegan & the best British brands
Our drivers get asked for these every day, so here is the shortlist we give in the car. Prices are from the venues’ own menus and booking sites (seen October 2026); tap the Google Maps link for photos, today’s menu and star ratings. Want a stop on the way? Say so when you book and the driver will wait.
Fish & chips
- Poppies Fish & Chips
Spitalfields E1, Soho W1, Camden NW1, Portobello W11
1950s East End chippy, haddock and cod fried to order, mushy peas
cod & chips £21.99, haddock £20.99 (menu)
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Golden Union
Poland St, Soho W1
Proper chippy with a sit-down room, gluten-free batter on request
about £15–£19 for fish and chips
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Sunday roast
- Hawksmoor
Seven Dials WC2, Borough SE1, Air Street W1, Wood Wharf E14, Knightsbridge
The roast most Londoners name first: dry-aged rump, beef-dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding
Sunday roast rump £29.50 (menu); book ahead
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Blacklock
Soho W1, Shoreditch EC2, Covent Garden WC2, Canary Wharf E14
Chop-house roasts with all the trimmings and bottomless gravy
roast about £24–£28 (menu)
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
English breakfast
- E Pellicci
332 Bethnal Green Rd E2
Family caff since 1900, Art Deco interior, fry-ups and Italian specials; cash-friendly, Mon–Sat mornings
full English about £10–£13
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly W1
Grand café breakfast under chandeliers: the full English, kedgeree, eggs Benedict
full English about £20–£24 (menu)
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Afternoon tea
- The Ritz, Palm Court
150 Piccadilly W1
The classic: finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and a pianist; jacket and tie for men, book weeks ahead
£85 a head, £105 with Champagne (2026); 12.5% service added
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Fortnum & Mason, Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
181 Piccadilly W1
Fortnum’s own teas, a trolley of cakes and the famous scones
from £75 a head (2026)
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Pies
- Mother Mash
Carnaby St, Soho W1
Pie, mash and gravy or sausage and mash, choose your mash and your gravy
pie, mash & gravy from about £15
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Pieminister
Leather Lane EC1 and across London
Award-winning British pies incl. vegan and veggie; takeaway or sit in
pie & mash about £12–£15
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
British pale ale
- The Churchill Arms
Kensington Church St W8
Flower-covered Fuller’s pub, London Pride on cask, Thai kitchen at the back
pint about £6–£7
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Fleet St EC4
Rebuilt 1667, Dickens drank here; Samuel Smith’s ales, cellar bars
pint about £5–£6 (no cards in some Sam Smith’s pubs – carry cash)
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Vegan & vegetarian
- Mildreds
Lexington St, Soho W1 (also Camden, King’s Cross, Dalston, Covent Garden)
London’s best-known vegetarian restaurant since 1988, now fully plant-based
about £38 a head (TheFork); mains £15–£20
rated 9.3/10 on TheFork, 2,800+ Tripadvisor reviews
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Gauthier Soho
Romilly St, Soho W1
Michelin-trained French fine dining, 100% vegan tasting menus
tasting menus from about £75
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Souvenirs & British brands
- Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly W1
Tea, biscuits, marmalade and hampers in the famous eau-de-nil tins since 1707
tea caddies from about £10; hampers £50+
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps - Liberty London
Regent St W1
Tudor-fronted store for Liberty print scarves, Barbour, Burberry, Mulberry and British designers
scarves from about £45
website · photos, menu & ratings on Google Maps
Tipping: 10–12.5%% service is often added in restaurants, never in pubs or chippies. Most places take cards; a few old caffs and Sam Smith’s pubs are cash-only. Vegan and gluten-free options are marked on almost every London menu – just ask. The airport shops sell the same tea tins and biscuits at 2–3 times the supermarket price, so buy souvenirs in town.
Full list with prices: London food & shopping guide.
A taxi from Dartford to London Southend Airport costs from £58 for a saloon (sedan), one way, including the Dart Charge and any airport drop-off charge. The 28-mile route runs through the Dartford tunnel, along the A13 and A127 and up the A1159 to the terminal, taking 40–65 minutes. Taxi On The Go tracks flights and operates 24/7.
Dartford to Southend Airport fares by pickup
Saloon (sedan) guide prices for one direction, carrying four with two large bags. The £2.50 tunnel charge and the airport's forecourt drop-off charge are both in the figure. Addresses nearest the crossing are cheapest; Sidcup and Swanley add a few pounds for the extra miles to the tunnel.
| Pickup area | Fare (from) | Journey |
|---|---|---|
| Erith DA8 | £50 | 35–60 min |
| Greenhithe & Stone DA9 | £52 | 40–60 min |
| Bluewater DA9 | £54 | 40–65 min |
| Dartford town centre DA1 | £58 | 40–65 min |
| Bexleyheath DA6/DA7 | £58 | 45–70 min |
| Gravesend DA11/DA12 | £62 | 45–70 min |
| Sidcup DA14/DA15 | £64 | 50–75 min |
| Swanley BR8 | £66 | 50–75 min |
| 6-seat MPV from Dartford | £109 | 40–65 min |
| 8-seat minibus from Dartford | £84 | 40–65 min |
Guide fares; your postcode and vehicle fix the final figure. Pickups from the airport back to Kent cost the same and include 60 minutes of free waiting once your flight has landed.
How we drive from Dartford to London Southend Airport
Southend is on the Essex side, so the first job is the crossing: the A282 into the northbound tunnels, out at Junction 30 of the M25 and straight onto the A13 eastbound. The A13 runs through Thurrock past Lakeside and Basildon, and at the Sadlers Farm junction the driver picks up the A127 towards Southend. A few miles short of the town the A1159 turns off at the Tesco roundabout and leads directly to the airport terminal and its forecourt. No part of this route touches central London, so there is no ULEZ, and the only charge is the Dart Charge, which we pay.
Timings by stretch
- Dartford to the tunnel exit: 10–15 minutes
- A13 from Junction 30 to Sadlers Farm: 15–25 minutes
- A127 and A1159 to the terminal: 15–25 minutes
The A13 around Lakeside and the A127 at Rayleigh Weir are the two places that slow down in the weekday peaks. Before 6am and after 8pm the run is regularly under 45 minutes.
Why Southend is worth a look from north Kent
Southend is a small airport, and that is its appeal. The terminal is one building, security is a short walk from the door, and the low-cost and holiday flights it handles to Spain, the Balearics, Portugal and the Channel Islands are exactly the ones north Kent families take in the school holidays. Compared with Stansted or Luton it is nearer, quicker to get through and easier to leave.
Closer than you think
Twenty-eight miles from Dartford against forty-five to Stansted and fifty-five to Luton. For an early departure that is an extra hour in bed.
Cheaper than the other airports
From £58 fixed, against £80 to Stansted and £90 to Luton from the same address. See our Dartford to Stansted page for the comparison.
No sensible alternative
By rail Southend Airport means London and back out on the Liverpool Street line, two hours at best. There is no direct train or coach from Dartford.
For Kent, the car is the only door-to-door option.
When to be collected for a Southend departure
Southend's schedule leans towards early departures and late returns, which suits a pre-booked car far better than public transport. The airport asks passengers to be there two hours before a short-haul flight, and because the terminal is compact you rarely need more than that.
| Flight departs | Pickup in Dartford |
|---|---|
| Before 07:00 | 2h 30m ahead — empty roads, drive under 45 min |
| 07:00–09:30 | 3h ahead — A13 at Lakeside is busy |
| 09:30–16:00 | 2h 45m ahead |
| 16:00–19:00 | 3h ahead — A127 evening peak |
| After 19:00 | 2h 30m ahead |
Book by the previous evening for any pickup before 6am, so we can place a driver near you. The driver sends a text when the car is outside rather than knocking, and there are 60 minutes of free waiting at the door. If the tunnel is closed for any reason, the driver already knows and goes via the QEII bridge contraflow or the Blackwall Tunnel; the fare does not change. More on night runs on our early-morning taxi page.
Collecting you from Southend Airport for the run home
One terminal, one exit, one short walk: Southend is about as simple as an airport pickup gets. Give us the flight number when you book and the driver watches it from departure. If it lands early or late, the pickup moves with it and the 60 minutes of free waiting starts at touchdown.
- Standard pickup. The driver waits in the short-stay car park directly in front of the terminal and texts you the bay. It is a minute's walk with a trolley.
- Meet and greet. On request, guide charge £10, the driver stands in the arrivals area with a name board. Useful for older passengers or anyone arriving late at night.
- Late arrivals. Evening flights from the Mediterranean often land after 11pm. We are still running, and the road home over the QEII bridge is quiet at that hour.
Passengers landing at Southend and heading for a cruise at Tilbury can be driven straight there without crossing the river; see Tilbury cruise taxis.
Southend Airport runs from Dartford, Bexley and Gravesend
Anywhere on our side of the river is covered. Because the route starts at the tunnel, pickups nearest the crossing are cheapest: Erith, Stone, Greenhithe and the Dartford town centre. Crayford, Bexleyheath and Welling join via the A2 or the A206. Gravesend, Northfleet and Ebbsfleet come along the A2 from the east. Sidcup, Swanley and Hextable are furthest from the tunnel and add a little.
Vehicle choice for a holiday party:
- Saloon (sedan) for up to four with two large cases.
- Estate when the cases outnumber the passengers.
- 6-seat MPV from £109, for a family with a pushchair and beach kit.
- 8-seat minibus from £84, for two families flying together.
Child seats are provided free if you tell us the ages. The Southend Airport transfers page covers pickups from across Kent and Essex, town fares are on Dartford taxis, and longer runs are under long-distance taxis.
Booking a Dartford to Southend Airport taxi
Flight and postcode
Pickup address, flight number, date, time, passengers and bags. Online form, WhatsApp 020 8888 9988 or info@taxionthego.com.
Fixed fare with the extras inside
One figure covering the Dart Charge and the airport drop-off charge.
Driver confirmed
Name, vehicle and registration by text the day before.
Tunnel to terminal
Collected on time, dropped at the Southend forecourt. Settle by card, cash or invoice.
Every booking includes
- Fixed price with the tunnel charge and airport drop-off built in
- Departures at any hour for early flights
- Inbound flights tracked, 60 minutes' free waiting after landing
- Saloon (sedan), estate, MPV or 8-seater for holiday luggage
- Free child seats on request
- Zero booking fee and zero card fee
- Meet and greet with a name board available
- Licensed, insured, DBS-checked drivers
Dartford to Southend Airport — common questions
What is the taxi price from Dartford to Southend Airport?
From £58 for a saloon (sedan) one way, including the Dart Charge and the airport drop-off charge. Erith is from £50, Greenhithe £52, Bexleyheath £58, Gravesend £62. A 6-seat MPV is from £109 and an 8-seater from £92.
How long does it take to get from Dartford to Southend Airport?
Between 40 and 65 minutes for 28 miles. Under 45 minutes early in the morning or late evening; up to an hour when the A13 at Lakeside or the A127 at Rayleigh Weir is busy.
Is the Dartford Crossing charge included?
Yes. Going north through the tunnel costs £2.50 in Dart Charge, which we settle. Coming home over the QEII bridge is charged too, and that is in the return fare.
Does Southend Airport have a drop-off charge?
Any forecourt drop-off charge at Southend is included in your fixed fare, so there is nothing to pay at the barrier or afterwards.
Can you get me to Southend for a 6am flight?
Yes. A 6am departure means a pickup in Dartford around 3:15am. Book by the evening before, and the driver will text rather than knock when the car arrives.
Where do you pick up at Southend Airport?
In the short-stay car park directly in front of the terminal; the driver texts the bay number. Prefer to be met inside arrivals holding a name board? Add meet and greet when booking.
Is there a train from Dartford to Southend Airport?
No direct service. It means London and back out on the Liverpool Street line to Southend Airport station, around two hours, with nothing early enough for the first flights.
Can you take us from Southend Airport to Tilbury cruise terminal?
Yes. Tilbury is on the same side of the river, about 30 minutes along the A13 and A1089, so no crossing is needed. Give us the ship's check-in time and we plan around it.
Related journeys & areas
EU Entry/Exit System (EES): what travellers ask
My flight home might land late because of EES queues. What happens to my transfer?
Give your flight number when you book, so the driver can follow the actual landing time rather than the scheduled one.
Will I go through EES at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted?
No. UK airports do not run EES. When you fly to a Schengen country, you register on arrival at the European airport, and your exit is recorded when you fly home.
Who does not need to use EES?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens (including Irish passport holders) are not included. UK nationals who live in the EU and hold a residence document should show it at the border, as they are not registered in EES either.
Do I need ETIAS as well?
Not yet. ETIAS, the EU's separate online travel authorisation, has not launched, so there is nothing to apply for. The EU will announce a start date months in advance; until then, avoid websites that charge for it.
EES is the EU's digital border check for non-EU travellers, fully in use since April 2026. It is not a visa. Checked September 2026; rules can change, so see the EU Travel to Europe site before you travel.