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Cityline Airport TransfersLicensed private hire · RM18
The closest cruise terminal to central London, about 25 miles east on the Thames in Essex.
Tilbury is London's own cruise terminal, on the north bank of the Thames in Essex, roughly 25 miles east of the city centre. It is the nearest departure port to central London by a wide margin, and the one most Londoners join a ship from.
The terminal building is the listed London Cruise Terminal, and the approach is along the A13 and then local roads through Tilbury town. That last stretch is slow and easy to misjudge, which is why we quote a range rather than a single figure.
Cruise departures have hard check-in windows, usually a few hours wide and closing well before the ship sails. We time pickups to land you inside that window with room to spare rather than at the last minute. Tell us your ship and sailing time in the notes when you book and we will work the pickup back from it.
Your driver meets you at the terminal with a name board and helps with your luggage to the vehicle. There is no pickup bay to find and no car park to walk to.
Ambassador Cruise Line and seasonal calls
Terminal entrance on the quayside, where your driver meets you with a name board.
Every fare includes the airport’s own drop-off and parking charges, the Congestion Charge and ULEZ where your route passes through them, meet and greet inside arrivals, help with your luggage, and 60 minutes of free waiting from the time you land. No card fees, and the price never rises with demand.
| Destination | Distance and time | Saloon | Estate | Executive saloon | MPV 5 | MPV 8 | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The City and BankEC1, EC2, EC3, EC4 | 25 mi45–60 mins | £70.00 | £82.00 | £99.00 | £95.00 | £114.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to The City and Bank |
| Canary Wharf and the DocklandsE14 | 22 mi40–55 mins | £65.00 | £75.00 | £92.00 | £87.00 | £105.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to Canary Wharf and the Docklands |
| Mayfair and the West EndW1J, W1K | 28 mi55–70 mins | £75.00 | £88.00 | £107.00 | £102.00 | £123.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to Mayfair and the West End |
| Heathrow AirportTW6 | 42 mi70–90 mins | £101.00 | £117.00 | £143.00 | £136.00 | £163.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to Heathrow Airport |
| London Southend AirportSS2 | 22 mi35–50 mins | £65.00 | £75.00 | £92.00 | £87.00 | £105.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to London Southend Airport |
| Stratford and the Olympic ParkE15, E20 | 20 mi35–50 mins | £61.00 | £71.00 | £86.00 | £83.00 | £99.00 | Book a transfer from Tilbury to Stratford and the Olympic Park |
Distances are by road and journey times are typical, not guaranteed — traffic decides. Peak times run longer; see the journey times below.
Typical door-to-door times by road. Peak figures cover the weekday morning and evening rushes, when traffic is at its slowest.
EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4
45–60 mins
Peak 60–85 mins · 25 miles
Usually via A13 westbound.
E14
40–55 mins
Peak 55–75 mins · 22 miles
Usually via A13 then the Limehouse Link.
W1J, W1K
55–70 mins
Peak 70–95 mins · 28 miles
Usually via A13 then the Embankment.
TW6
70–90 mins
Peak 90–120 mins · 42 miles
Usually via A13, North Circular then the M4.
SS2
35–50 mins
Peak 45–65 mins · 22 miles
Usually via A13 then the A127.
E15, E20
35–50 mins
Peak 50–70 mins · 20 miles
Usually via A13 then the A12.
Your driver waits at the seaport with a name board and walks you to the vehicle.
From your booked pickup time, or from when your ship docks on a return.
Loading and unloading, from the terminal to the door at the other end.
Port charges, Congestion Charge, ULEZ and tolls on your route.
Work back from your check-in window rather than the sailing time — the window usually closes a couple of hours before the ship leaves. From central London we would normally suggest leaving around three hours before your check-in closes, which allows for the A13 and the slow final stretch through Tilbury. Tell us your ship and sailing time and we will pick a time with you.
Yes, and it is worth booking it in advance. Two thousand passengers disembark at once and cars at the quayside are scarce. Give us the ship and the docking time when you book, and your driver will be waiting at the terminal entrance with a name board.
Cruise luggage is the reason to book a size up. A saloon takes two large cases; for a couple with two big cases each, an estate or an MPV is the right choice. Tell us what you are carrying when you book and we will make sure the vehicle fits it.
Yes. Any toll on your route, including the Dartford Crossing where it applies, is included in the fare you are quoted. You are not asked for anything extra on the day.
You may also want our fleet and capacities, how our fares work, the London airports, or to contact the office.
You will see the price before we ask for any personal details, and no card details until you book.