A taxi from Stansted to Tilbury cruise terminal costs £85.07 in a saloon with Onward Travel Solutions, and Tilbury to Stansted is the same fixed price. It takes up to three passengers with three large cases and you pay the driver on the day.
Both Stansted and Tilbury sit on the Essex side of London, so this is one of the simplest fly-cruise transfers around the capital: down the M11, round the M25 and onto the A13, with no Thames crossing and no central London traffic. Plenty of cruise passengers fly into Stansted on low-cost flights from Scotland, Ireland and Europe to join Ambassador and other ships at the London International Cruise Terminal.
Stansted to Tilbury Taxi Prices
Live fares from the OTS Taxi booking system, per vehicle and fixed before you travel.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large cases | Stansted ↔ Tilbury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saloon | 3 | 3 | £85.07 |
| Estate | 4 | 4 | £96.79 |
| Executive | 3 | 2 | £112.42 |
| People carrier | 6 | 5 | £112.42 |
| 8-seater minivan | 8 | 8 | £124.13 |
| Executive minivan | 6 | 6 | £150.34 |
| 12-seat minibus | 12 | 10 | from £316 |
| 16-seat minibus | 16 | 14 | from £373 |
Cost per person
| Group | Vehicle | Total | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 people | Saloon | £85.07 | £28.36 |
| 4 people | Estate | £96.79 | £24.20 |
| 6 people | People carrier | £112.42 | £18.74 |
| 8 people | 8-seater minivan | £124.13 | £15.52 |
The return leg is 5% off when both are booked together, so a saloon there and back is £165.89 rather than £170.14.
How Long Is the Drive?
It’s about 40 miles: the M11 south to the M25, then east to junction 30 and the A13 to Tilbury. Expect around 50 minutes to an hour on clear roads. Because the route stays north of the river, the Dartford Crossing queues don’t affect it, though the M25 around junctions 27 to 30 can be slow at rush hour.
Taxi or Train?
There’s no direct rail link. The train route is the Stansted Express into Liverpool Street, the Underground to West Ham and the c2c line to Tilbury Town, followed by a 20-minute walk or a short cab to the terminal. That’s roughly two hours with three changes, against an hour by car straight to the drop-off.
At Tilbury Cruise Terminal
Your driver can pull up right outside the terminal entrance, where porters take your luggage. Make sure your bags have their cruise tags on before you leave the airport.
Pickup at Stansted
Stansted has a single terminal, so the meeting point is simple: your driver waits in arrivals. Onward Travel Solutions tracks your flight and gives you one hour of free waiting from the time it actually lands.
Planning Your Day: Stansted to Tilbury
Stansted is the main airport for low-cost flights from Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Europe, so many passengers using this route are on an early flight on the morning of the cruise. With a drive of only about an hour, that’s realistic. A typical plan for a flight landing at 10:00am:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 10:00 | Flight lands at Stansted |
| 10:00 to 10:40 | Arrivals, passport control if flying from abroad, baggage reclaim |
| 10:40 | Meet your driver in the arrivals hall |
| 10:40 to 11:45 | M11, M25 and A13 to Tilbury |
| Around 11:45 | Arrive at the cruise terminal |
Stansted can be very busy in the early morning, with long queues at passport control for non-UK passports during the summer. If you’re arriving from outside the UK on a peak day, add a little extra time between landing and your check-in slot.
Coming Home: Tilbury to Stansted
On the last morning, ships come alongside early and guests leave in groups. Because the drive back to Stansted is short, you can often book an early-afternoon flight home and still have plenty of slack. Tell us your ship and expected disembarkation time, and book the return together with the outbound for 5% off.
Which Vehicle Do You Need?
Low-cost airline baggage rules mean many Stansted passengers travel with one hold case each, but cruise passengers often bring more. Pick the car for the luggage as well as the people:
- Up to three people, three large cases: saloon at £85.07.
- Four people, four cases: estate at £96.79, or £24.20 each.
- Six people: people carrier at £112.42, which takes five large cases.
- Eight people: 8-seater minivan at £124.13, just £15.52 each.
- Larger groups: 12- and 16-seat minibuses, ideal for clubs and family reunions sailing together.
Group Cruises From Stansted
Tilbury sailings are popular with groups: family celebrations, clubs and societies. If your group is flying in on the same flight, one minibus is much simpler than several cars, and the per-person cost is lower. If you’re arriving on different flights, book a vehicle per flight and we’ll track each one separately.
Taxi or Parking?
If you live near Stansted and plan to drive, the cruise car parks at Tilbury charge per night and need booking in advance. A return taxi is often comparable to a week or more of parking, and nobody has to drive home tired after the cruise.
Why Book With Onward Travel Solutions?
A fixed fare agreed in advance, flight tracking, an hour of free waiting, a driver who meets you in arrivals and nothing paid online. It’s a simple, reliable start to a cruise.
Travelling With Children or Reduced Mobility
Child seats can be added in the booking form; give the children’s ages so the right ones are fitted. For a family with young children and cruise cases, the people carrier gives everyone room and keeps the luggage out of the cabin. If anyone uses a folding wheelchair or walking aid, add it to the booking notes. Your driver will help load it, and choosing the estate or people carrier means it fits alongside the cases.
If Your Flight Is Delayed or Diverted
Your pickup time follows the real landing time, with an hour’s free waiting after you land. If the flight is diverted, call the OTS team and we’ll arrange the best way to get you to the ship. It’s also worth telling your cruise line if you’re running late on embarkation day, as they can sometimes hold check-in for a short while.
Staying Overnight Before Your Cruise
If your flight lands late in the evening, or on the morning of an early sailing, a night near Stansted or in east London before the cruise takes the pressure off. You can then book an OTS Taxi from your hotel to Tilbury the next morning; give the hotel’s address as the pickup. The same applies on the way home if your flight is the day after you disembark.
Arriving at Stansted
Stansted has one terminal building, so there’s no risk of waiting at the wrong door. Once you’ve collected your bags and walked through into the arrivals hall, call your driver on the number in your confirmation and they’ll come straight to you.
If you’d like the driver to hold a name board in arrivals, add a note to your booking.
Paying and Changing Your Booking
Nothing is paid online. The fare is fixed when you book and you pay the driver on the day. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup through Manage My Booking; inside 24 hours, call the OTS team. Child seats and extra stops can be added in the booking form.
Related Transfers
- Tilbury cruise port taxi: all routes
- Heathrow to Tilbury cruise terminal taxi
- Gatwick to Tilbury cruise terminal taxi
- Stansted to Harwich port taxi
- Stansted Airport taxi: all routes and fares
Stansted to Tilbury Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Stansted to Tilbury cruise terminal?
£85.07 in a saloon for up to three people with Onward Travel Solutions. An estate for four is £96.79.
Is Tilbury to Stansted the same price?
Yes, the fixed fare is the same both ways.
How long does it take?
Around 50 minutes to an hour on clear roads.
Do we use the Dartford Crossing?
No. The route stays north of the Thames.
What does it cost per person for a group of six?
A people carrier for six is £112.42, which is £18.74 each.
How early should I fly in for a Tilbury cruise?
Because the drive is only about an hour, a morning flight usually works. Allow at least three to four hours between landing and the end of check-in.
Can a group of 12 travel together?
Yes. A 12-seat minibus is available from around £316 for the whole group.
Can you collect us from the ship for our flight home?
Yes. Book the return with the outbound for 5% off, and give us your ship and expected disembarkation time.
Book Your Stansted to Tilbury Cruise Transfer
Enter your flight number and party size in the form at the top of the page to see the OTS Taxi price for every vehicle and book.