Planning a trip to London or the surrounding areas? London Southend Airport, located on the Essex coast offers a convenient alternative to the larger airports in the capital. With excellent transport links and a growing range of destinations, this small airport is a great option for both business and leisure travelers. Whether you're heading to the heart of the buzzing UK capital city London, the charming coastlines of Essex, or beyond, hiring a car from Southend Airport is a perfect way to get started. The airport serves a number of domestic UK cities, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as France, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, Turkey and Ireland - plus more.

After landing at London Southend Airport (SEN), you can easily pick up your rental car and explore everything the region has to offer. And while London Southend is smaller compared to other airports that serve the city, such as London Heathrow (LHR), London Gatwick (LGW), London Stansted (STN), and London Luton (LTN), it is an increasingly popular choice for travelers looking for convenience, lower costs, and fewer crowds. These alternatives to Southend are located in and around the capital on major highways for convenience with London Heathrow, around 111 km (69 miles) west of Southend, is the busiest airport in the UK, while Gatwick, located 70 km (43 miles) south, and Stansted, around 40 km (25 miles) to the north. With a variety of car hire options available to suit all needs at , you can be on the open road in no time in a nippy compact car for London driving to a larger comfy SUV for longer road trips across the whole of the UK. Southend Airport offers a more relaxed experience, often with cheaper car hire rates and quicker access to key destinations, particularly in Essex and the eastern part of London. The key boroughs of East London and other parts of England are a breeze to reach via an efficient road network. A major arterial route links Southend-on-Sea, and its popular seaside attractions, to East London via the A127, where it connects with the A13 which provides access to Barking, Dagenham, and Tower Hamlets. For those traveling further afield, the M25 London Orbital Motorway is within easy reach, offering connections to the wider national motorway network, including the M11 for routes toward the historic university city of Cambridge and East Anglia, and the M1 for travel to the Midlands.

Hiring a car at London Southend Airport provides easy access to a wide range of destinations, both within London and in the surrounding counties. Drive to the pulsing heart of the UK, historical capital city of London, to explore iconic landmarks such as flag-topped Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the British Museum, and the vibrant West End (63 km / 39 miles). For some fresh, salty seaside air head into the town of Southend-on-Sea itself, a popular beach resort with Londoners escaping the hubbub with its famous pier, fish and chips, and coastal attractions (5 km / 3 miles). The fine city of Chelmsford is just 26 km (16 miles) away and is known for its charming cafes, historic Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation sites and its vibrant shopping and dining scene.