Tilbury International Cruise Terminal is 22 miles east of central London. After days at sea — often with heavy luggage and tired legs — the last thing you want is a complicated journey home. Here's an honest breakdown of your options.
Option 1: Private Taxi (Recommended for Most Passengers)
A pre-booked private taxi from Tilbury Cruise Terminal picks you up with a meet-and-greet inside the terminal building. Your driver holds a name board in arrivals — you walk straight out to the car without queuing at a rank or navigating public transport with suitcases.
The key advantage is flexibility — your driver meets you when you disembark, not when the timetable says. If your ship docks late or customs takes longer than expected, a good private taxi operator (like Grays CabLine) tracks your ship's arrival and adjusts accordingly.
Option 2: Train from Tilbury Town Station
Tilbury Town railway station is about 1 mile from the cruise terminal. The c2c line runs into Fenchurch Street in the City of London in approximately 35–45 minutes, with trains every 15–30 minutes during the day.
The catch: the walk from the terminal to Tilbury Town station is not straightforward with heavy luggage. The route is roughly 1 mile on foot through Tilbury town — manageable for one bag in good weather, but gruelling after a week at sea with two large suitcases and a cabin bag. There's no reliable luggage trolley or porter service for the station walk.
Train tickets from Tilbury Town to Fenchurch Street cost around £12–18 per person. For a couple, that's £24–36 total — before you factor in the taxi you'll need at the other end unless you live on the c2c line.
Option 3: National Express Coach
National Express operates coach services from Tilbury Cruise Terminal to London Victoria and other destinations on cruise turnaround days. These are pre-bookable and typically cost £15–25 per person, including luggage.
The coach takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to London Victoria depending on traffic, and operates on a fixed timetable — so if your ship disembarks later than planned, you may miss your allocated departure. It's good value for solo travellers heading specifically to Victoria or somewhere on the Victoria line, but less practical for passengers going to Essex, Kent, or the Thames Estuary towns.
Which Option is Best?
Couples or families with luggage
Pre-booked private taxi. Door-to-door, no walking, no timetable risk.
Solo travellers to central London
c2c train or National Express coach, if you travel light.
Passengers connecting to airports
Private taxi — direct transfer to Heathrow/Gatwick/Stansted at a fixed price.
Groups of 3+
Private taxi almost always cheaper per head than public transport, far more convenient.
Booking a Taxi from Tilbury Cruise Terminal
Book in advance with Grays CabLine — ideally 24–48 hours before your sailing day or arrival. Your driver will track your vessel's docking time and be waiting inside the terminal building with a name board. For same-day bookings, call 01375 506162.