Tilbury, on the Thames
Tilbury cruise terminal transfers
Tilbury is the cruise port closest to London, just downriver in Essex. We drive you from home to the terminal with your luggage, and collect you when your ship comes back up the Thames.
Get an instant price
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Close to London
A shorter trip than the south coast ports.
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Luggage handled at the kerb
Your chauffeur loads and unloads your cases.
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Ship arrival checked
Our team checks your ship before return pickups.
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Licensed drivers
Private hire licensed chauffeurs on every journey.
Where Tilbury is
Tilbury sits on the north bank of the River Thames in Essex, east of London. Of the ports we serve, it is the nearest to the capital, which makes it a practical choice for Londoners who would rather not spend half the day travelling to the coast. Some cruise itineraries use Tilbury for sailings to northern Europe, Scandinavia and beyond.
The terminal is on the river near the town, within the wider working port. Because it is part of an active dock area, signage matters: our chauffeurs follow the cruise terminal route rather than the freight entrances. Journey times depend on traffic and time of day. Getting there from south London usually means crossing the Thames, and the river crossings east of London can be busy, so we factor that in when we plan your pickup.
A short journey, still worth planning
Even though Tilbury is close, it is not always easy to reach by public transport with heavy luggage. Train connections still leave you needing onward transport to the terminal. A private car takes you, your party and your cases from the front door to the drop-off in one go.
Embarkation, disembarkation and meeting your driver
Your cruise line allocates a check-in time. We plan your pickup around it and confirm the time with you in advance. If you are travelling with older relatives or anyone who needs extra help, let us know so we can allow a little more time at both ends.
When your cruise ends, the ship berths and passengers disembark in turn before collecting luggage in the terminal. Please tell us your ship and expected return date. Our team checks the ship's arrival before your pickup, and your chauffeur waits in the terminal pickup area. The free waiting time for Tilbury is shown on this page. For changes and cancellations, see our cancellation policy.
Because Tilbury is east of London, it also pairs well with London City Airport and Stansted if you are flying in or out around your cruise.
Meeting your chauffeur at Tilbury Cruise Terminal
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Step 1: Leave the ship
Disembark and collect your cases from the baggage hall at Tilbury Cruise Terminal as directed by the cruise line.
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Step 2: Come out of the terminal
Follow the exit signs out of the cruise terminal building to the pick-up area.
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Step 3: Find your chauffeur
Your chauffeur waits at the agreed meeting point with a board showing your name.
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Step 4: Load up and go
Your luggage goes into the car while you settle in for the journey home.
Tilbury at a glance
- Terminals
- London International Cruise Terminal
- Meet and greet
- Available
- Free waiting time
- 60 minutes
We pick up from and drop off at London International Cruise Terminal at Tilbury Cruise Terminal.
Meet and greet is available at Tilbury Cruise Terminal at no extra charge.
Free waiting at Tilbury Cruise Terminal is 60 minutes from your booked pickup time; after that, waiting is £0.50 a minute, charged in 5-minute steps.
Tilbury Cruise Terminal is about 27 miles from central London, around 55 minutes by car in light traffic. Allow longer at busy times.
Vehicles for Tilbury
Choose a vehicle that fits your group and your luggage. Your price is shown when you get a quote.
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Estate
Skoda Superb Estate, VW Passat Estate or similar
- 4 passengers
- 3 large bags
- 4 small bags
From £116
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Executive Saloon
Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series or similar
- 3 passengers
- 2 large bags
- 2 small bags
From £147
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Representative image — vehicle may vary.
Prices updated October 2026
Fixed prices to and from Tilbury
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Tilbury Cruise Terminal → any of these 20 areas
Battersea, Belgravia, Bloomsbury, Camden Town, Canary Wharf, Chelsea, City of London, Covent Garden, Islington, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Marylebone, Mayfair, Notting Hill, Paddington, Shoreditch, Soho, Southwark, St John's Wood and Westminster
- Saloon
- £105
- Estate
- £116
- MPV
- £137
- 8 Seater
- £168
- Executive Saloon
- £147
- First Class
- £244
- Executive MPV
- £221
- Luxury SUV
- £257
Fixed prices per vehicle for the journeys shown. Your exact price, including any extras you ask for, is confirmed with your quote.
Prices updated October 2026
Prices are per vehicle, not per person. Extras you ask for, such as an additional stop, are added to your quote before you book.
How it works
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Tell us your sailing
Share your ship, sailing date and London pickup address.
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We confirm
We confirm your booking and your pickup time.
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To the river
Your chauffeur drives you to the Tilbury cruise terminal.
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Collected on return
We meet you at the terminal pickup area when you are back.
Questions about Tilbury cruise transfers
Is Tilbury the closest cruise port to London?
Of the ports we serve, yes. It is on the Thames in Essex, east of the city. Journey times depend on traffic and time of day, including at the river crossings.
We live south of the river. Does that make a difference?
It means crossing the Thames, and the crossings east of London can be busy at peak times. We take that into account when we set your pickup time.
Can you combine a Tilbury transfer with a flight?
Yes. We can take you between Tilbury and any London airport. London City and Stansted are both on the eastern side of London, which can be convenient.
How will you know when our ship is back?
Tell us your ship and return date when you book. Our team checks the ship's arrival before your pickup, and your chauffeur waits at the terminal pickup area.
Sailing from Tilbury?
Get a quote for your transfer to the terminal and home again.
