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 £55, crossing and drop-off included. Book online, or text your flight number to 020 8888 9988.
A taxi from Dartford to London Southend Airport costs from £55 for a saloon, 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 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 | £55 | 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 | £69 | 40–65 min |
| 8-seat minibus from Dartford | £83 | 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 45 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 £55 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 15 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 45 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 for up to four with two large cases.
- Estate when the cases outnumber the passengers.
- 6-seat MPV from £69, for a family with a pushchair and beach kit.
- 8-seat minibus from £83, 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, 45 minutes' free waiting after landing
- Saloon, 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 £55 for a saloon 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 £69 and an 8-seater from £83.
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.