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Cruise guide Updated 22 October 2026 · 7 min read
Sailing from Tilbury? The London International Cruise Terminal sits on the north bank of the Thames in Essex, about 25 miles east of central London. This guide explains every way to get there from London, by train, car, coach or door-to-door transfer, plus what to know about parking and drop-off on sailing day.
Where Is Tilbury Cruise Terminal?
The London International Cruise Terminal is inside Tilbury Docks on the north bank of the River Thames, in Essex. It's about 25 miles east of central London and around seven miles from the M25. Despite the "London" name, it's outside the capital, so plan the journey before sailing day.
The postcode is RM18 7NG. Cruise lines including Ambassador Cruise Line sail from here.
London to Tilbury Cruise Terminal: All Options Compared
| Option | Route | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Train | c2c from Fenchurch Street to Tilbury Town | Around 40 minutes, then about a mile to the terminal |
| Car | M25 junction 30, A13, A1089 | Book terminal parking in advance |
| Cruise coach | From Victoria Coach Station | Runs on sailing days for some cruise lines; check with yours |
| Pre-booked transfer | Your London address to the terminal | No changes, room for cruise luggage |
By Train from London Fenchurch Street
c2c trains run direct from London Fenchurch Street to Tilbury Town, taking around 40 minutes. Fenchurch Street is in the City of London, a short walk from Tower Hill and Tower Gateway stations.
- From Tilbury Town to the terminal: it's about a mile, or roughly a 20-minute walk. A local taxi takes around 5 to 10 minutes.
- Save on fares: c2c says booking online more than three days ahead can cut the fare.
- With luggage: a week or two of cruise cases makes the walk from the station hard work, so plan the last mile.
By Car, and Parking at Tilbury
From London, leave the M25 at junction 30 and follow the A13 east, then take the A1089 towards Tilbury. Follow the cruise terminal signs rather than the main port entrance. If you're coming from south of the river over the QE2 Bridge, you'll need to pay the Dartford Crossing charge online or by phone.
The official cruise car park is on Ferry Road, next to the terminal. Spaces are booked in advance, usually through your cruise line, so arrange parking well before you sail. If you park off-site, you'll need a taxi to the terminal, and taxis can be hard to find quickly when a ship returns and many passengers want one at once.
By Cruise Coach from Victoria
Some cruise lines run coaches from London's Victoria Coach Station to Tilbury on sailing days, leaving at set times. Check with your cruise line whether a coach is available for your sailing, and allow extra time if you're connecting from a train or another coach.
By Pre-Booked Transfer from London
Cruise holidays mean more luggage than most trips. A pre-booked transfer collects you from your home, hotel or office in London, loads your cases and takes you straight to the terminal, with no trains, walks or taxi queues. It's especially useful when:
- you're travelling as a family or group with several large cases;
- you're staying in central London, Canary Wharf or Stratford before you sail;
- you want your return journey booked for when the ship comes back.
Book a London to Tilbury cruise transfer
Banana Cars runs cruise port transfers from London, with TfL-licensed drivers and estates, MPVs and 16-seaters for cruise luggage. Book your journey to the port and your pickup when the ship returns together. Compare vehicles in our fleet, or see group transfers.
Get Instant Fare QuoteDrop-Off and Pick-Up on Sailing Day
The drop-off area outside the terminal building is small. Cruise lines ask passengers to arrive at their designated embarkation time, not earlier, and to arrange pick-ups only for their disembarkation time.
- Check your embarkation time in your cruise documents, and time your journey to match.
- Label your luggage with the tags your cruise line sends.
- Keep passports and travel documents in your hand luggage, not your cases.
- For the journey home, book your pickup for your disembarkation time.
Getting Home After Your Cruise
Disembarkation day is often the busiest part of a cruise trip. Most passengers leave the ship within a few hours, collect their luggage and look for onward travel at the same time. Because the terminal sits in an industrial area of Tilbury Docks, taxis can be hard to find quickly when a ship comes in.
- Book your return before you sail, so your journey home is arranged for your disembarkation time.
- Allow time for luggage collection in the terminal before you head to the pick-up area.
- Keep your phone charged so your driver can reach you once you're off the ship.
- Travelling on by train? Remember the mile between the terminal and Tilbury Town station.
Plan Your Sailing-Day Journey
Work backwards from the embarkation time in your cruise documents, then add time for traffic or train connections. A simple plan:
Check your embarkation time
It's in your cruise documents. Arriving much earlier won't get you on board sooner, and the drop-off area is small.
Choose how you'll travel
Train for light luggage, car if you've booked parking, or a pre-booked transfer for door-to-door travel with all your cases.
Add a buffer
The A13 and M25 can be busy, so leave extra time, especially on weekday mornings.
Pack documents in your hand luggage
Passports, boarding documents and any medication should stay with you, not in your checked cases.
Need help with mobility or access? Tell your cruise line in advance, and add any access needs, such as a folding wheelchair, to your transfer booking notes so the right vehicle can be arranged.
Getting to Tilbury from London's Airports
Flying in before your cruise? By road, Ambassador Cruise Line gives these approximate times to Tilbury, depending on traffic:
- London City Airport: about 1 hour.
- Heathrow: about 2 hours.
Many cruise passengers spend a night in London before sailing, so the transfer to the port is shorter and less rushed.
Frequently asked questions
Tilbury Cruise Terminal FAQs
RM18 7NG. The terminal's full name is the London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury, Essex.
About 25 miles east, on the north bank of the Thames in Essex, around seven miles from the M25.
Tilbury Town, served by c2c trains from London Fenchurch Street in around 40 minutes. The terminal is about a mile from the station, roughly a 20-minute walk or a short taxi ride.
Yes. The official cruise car park is on Ferry Road, next to the terminal. Book in advance, usually through your cruise line.
At your designated embarkation time, shown in your cruise documents. The drop-off area is small, so cruise lines ask passengers not to arrive early.
Yes. Choose Round Trip when you book, and add your sailing and return dates. You'll see your fare before you confirm.
Sailing from Tilbury?
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