Southend-on-Sea

Greater Anglia provides train services to Southend Victoria from London Liverpool Street and all over East Anglia.

Popular trains to Southend

There are two train stations in Southend; Southend Victoria and Southend Central. Greater Anglia operates it's services to Southend Victoria which is a 20 minute walk away from the beach and 15 minutes from the famous Southend Pier. Below are some of the most popular train journeys to Southend. You won't find a cheaper train ticket. In fact, you will save money on your train ticket if you book directly through us as you don't have to pay a booking fee.

The London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria train stops at Southend Airport on the way - check out our dedicated London to Southend Airport page for train tickets and times.

Journey Ticket Price Journey Time
London Liverpool Street to Southend From £6.00 From 0h 59m

Things to do in Southend

Most people still come to Southend-on-Sea to be beside the seaside, but the Blue Flag beaches are just the beginning of the town's attractions. You can also enjoy family fun and entertainment, great shopping, lovely green spaces and interesting local history.

Town centre

From Debenhams and Dorothy Perkins to ice cream parlours and sweet shops, there's something for everyone in Southend-on-Sea's vibrant main town, which mixes big brand names with a good selection of interesting independent establishments. Most of the major stores are on the pedestrianised High Street or in the Victoria Shopping Centre, which also has cafés and offers free WiFi. Closer to the seafront is the Royals Shopping Centre, which features a range of outlets, including branches of Boots and Debenhams, a Toni and Guy hair salon and a Costa Coffee.

Southend-on-Sea's general market takes place every Thursday on the High Street outside NatWest bank. Goods on offer range from fresh fruit and vegetables to ladies' fashions and children's clothes. For high-quality meat and produce there are traditional farmers' markets on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month and visiting French, Italian and German markets on selected dates throughout the year.

Central Museum and Planetarium

Superb collections chart life in the town across the ages and the adjacent Planetarium shows you the glory of the cosmos. The building was commissioned by Scottish-born American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie who also funded the construction of New York's Carnegie Hall concert venue.

Visit Southend Museum website

No visitor to Southend should miss taking a ride on this historic funicular railway, opened in 1912. It takes you from Western Esplanade up to Clifton Terrace with spectacular views of the Pier and estuary.

Find out more about Southend Cliff lift

Explore the fascinating story of this Grade I listed building, from tales of the mysterious Cluniac monks who lived there in the 12th century to the history of the Victorian Scratton family. The excellent visitor centre was completed in 2013 with the aid of lottery money.

Find out more about Prittlewell Priory Museum

This great little museum brings to life the absorbing history of the longest pleasure pier in the world. It's a burst of nostalgia for older people who spent their childhood summer holidays in Southend, as well as an enlightening experience for the younger generation.

Visit Southend Pier Museum website

Just a short walk from the seafront and set in lovely gardens, this elegant Tudor mansion shows you a slice of life in the reign of King Henry VIII. The stunning Great Hall is exactly as it was in the 14th century.

Find out more about Southchurch Hall Museum
Beecroft Art Gallery

This excellent gallery has a permanent collection of over 2,000 works, ranging from the 17th century to the present day, as well as featuring visiting exhibitions throughout the year. The collection includes paintings by Constable, Rossetti and Lear.

Find out more about Beecroft Art Gallery

These two popular theatre and concert halls offer a varied programme of events, including drama, musicals, dance, touring West End shows, ballet, live music and comedy.

Find out more about Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre

South Essex's premier exhibition space for contemporary visual art is also home to a programme of events, including performances, film screenings, talks and educational programmes.

Visit the Focal Point Gallery website

Metal was founded in London in 2002 by Jude Kelly OBE, Southend’s Metal venue is a versatile residency space for contemporary artists in all forms, including painting, sculpture, ceramics and photography.

Find out more about Metal

This is a classic eight-screen multiplex showing all the latest blockbusters and family movies, with special screenings for kids, mothers and babies and over 55s.

Visit Odeon Southend website

Located on the Pier, this purpose-built exhibition and performance space is used for concerts, fairs, arts shows and more. It also houses an artists' studio and café.

Parks and Gardens

For a change of scene, head for one of Southend-on-Sea's delightful parks and gardens where you can relax, play some outdoor games or enjoy a picnic. Priory Park is one of the largest, with a lovely walled garden and a children's play area - in summer you may also find a band playing on the bandstand. Chalkwell Park is a delightful green space with gorgeous ornamental beds, colourful floral displays and a fragrant rose garden.

Adventure Island

Located either side of the pier, the UK's No 1 free admission fun park has an array of amazing rides that roll, spin, twist, drop, loop and splash, such as the super-scary Rage rollercoaster with its 75-foot drop and 360-degree barrel roll. There's excitement for all ages, including special Red Band rides for younger children.

Visit the Adventure Island website

With seven miles of sands there's plenty of places to chill out by the sea, from the lively City and Jubilee Beaches in the resort centre to the quiet seclusion of Bell Wharf Beach at nearby 'Old Leigh'. For a break from swimming and sunbathing, take a walk along the prom to enjoy an ice cream or cold drink from one of the colourful refreshment kiosks.

Get close to some of the world's most amazing sea creatures at the South East's top aquatic attraction. 40 unique displays feature all kinds of global marine life, from sharks to seahorses. There's also the Three Shells café for drinks and snacks.

Visit Sea Life's Adventure Aquarium website

Southend-on-Sea's amazing pier is well over a mile long, but you don't have to walk to the end to enjoy the stunning views over the Thames Estuary. There's a narrow gauge railway to carry you in comfort from the shore to the pier head. The Royal Pavilion features events, concerts and exhibitions.

Find out more about Southend Pier

If you fancy learning to sail, windsurf or jetski, this is where all the action is. The centre offers a wide range of watersports courses for both novices and improvers, including kayaking and powerboating.

Find out more about Southend Marine Activities Centre
Cafes, tea rooms and coffee houses

For morning coffee, a light lunch or afternoon tea, there are plenty of excellent places in the town centre, including branches of national chains such as Costa and Starbucks, rubbing shoulders with welcoming family-run establishments. Alternatively, head for the famous Arches cafés on the Western Esplanade between Southend and Westcliff, where you can enjoy your refreshments with a sea view. The Salt Café in the Royal Pavilion on the pier is another scenic place for a drink and a snack. A short walk from Southend Victoria station is MadHatters Tea Room, serving fine loose-leaf teas, coffees, hot chocolates, freshly-baked traditional cakes and good homemade food.

Whatever your taste, whatever your budget, there's an eatery in Southend-on-Sea for you. There are traditional seaside options serving time-honoured British favourites like fish and chips, pies and mixed grills. You can enjoy a wide range of continental fare, from pizza and pasta to authentic Indian curries. Plus, there's plenty of choice for foodies, with bistros and high-end restaurants on the seafront and in the town centre, including Tomassi's, a family-run Italian restaurant that's been operating in the town since 1934. Some establishments have open-air terraces for al fresco eating and Sands on the Western Esplanade offers fine dining with stunning views over the estuary. Several popular pub chains are also present, including J D Wetherspoons, Slug and Lettuce, and O'Neill's. If it's hot, why not buy something from the Rossi Ice Cream Parlour.

If you prefer to 'grab and go', Southend-on-Sea also has plenty of fast food outlets serving everything from burgers and fried chicken to sandwiches and wraps. The refreshment kiosks on and around the promenade and pier offer all the usual seaside treats, including sticks of rock, doughnuts and hot dogs.

Load stations
Last updated:
Loading...
Staffing level Full time
CCTV Yes
Information systems
  • DepartureScreens
  • ArrivalScreens
  • Announcements
Station operator Greater Anglia
Ticket office opening times
  • Monday to Friday: 05:30 - 22:00
  • Saturday: 06:30 - 21:00
  • Sunday: 06:40 - 22:00
Pre-purchase collection Yes
Ticket machine Yes
Smartcards issued here Yes
Top up Smartcards here Yes
Validate Smartcards here Yes
Smartcards information

Greater Anglia Smartcards can be obtained from www.greateranglia.co.uk/smart

Penalty fares LE
Top up Smartcards here Yes
Customer service information

Monday-Saturday 08:00-20:00Sunday 10:00-20:00Bank Holidays 09:00-18:00

The hours shown are for the Customer Relations team on 0345 600 7245 (option 8).

Closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Left luggage

Available: No

Lost property
  • Monday to Sunday and All bank holidays: 24 hours
Seated area
Yes
Waiting room
No
Station buffet
  • Coffee shop
  • Cold drinks vending machine
  • Food vending machine
Yes
Toilets
Yes

The toilets are located near Platform 1. The National key toilets are located near Platform 1; these toilets are operated by a radar key. The National key toilets are only all toilets including accessible (radar key) toilets are located alongside platform 1

Baby changing facilities
Yes
Wifi
Yes
ATM machine
No

Located on concourse

Shops
  • Mini supermarket
  • Passport Photo Booth
Yes
Helpline

We want everyone to travel with confidence. That is why, if you are planning on travelling on national rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance - now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. For more information about Passenger Assist and how to request an assistance booking via Passenger Assist, please click here .

Note:

0800 028 28 78

URL: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

08:00 - 20:00

  • Monday to Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00
Staff help

Assistance is provided by station staff during the hours of train service operation. Booking is recommended

  • Monday to Sunday: 24 hours
Induction loop available Yes
Ticket machine
Yes
Accessible booking office counter available
Yes
Ramp for train access available
Yes
Accessible taxis information

Taxi rank at front of station

National Key toilets available
Yes
Step free access

This station has step free access to all platforms.

This station is a category A station according to ORR station classification system. https://www.orr.gov.uk/media/10955

Assistance meeting point is the ticket office.

Ticket gates

Southend Victoria station has Secure Station Acreditation

Yes
Impaired mobility set down available
No
Wheelchairs
Yes
Car park 1 Station Car Park
Car park 1 operator National Car Parks Ltd
Car park 1 spaces 14
Car park 1 opening times
  • Monday to Friday: 24 hours
  • Saturday: 24 hours
  • Sunday: 24 hours
Car park 1 charges
  • Off-peak: £6.30
  • Daily: £6.30
Car park 1 contact details

URL: http://www.ncp.co.uk

Onward travel

'First' and 'Arriva' operate a network of frequent local bus routes around Southend city and to nearby towns. For route maps and timetables: www.firstgroup.com/ukbus and www.arrivabus.co.uk

Buy a Southend PLUSBUS ticket with your train ticket, for discount price unlimited bus travel around the town. For details: www.plusbus.info

Bus stops are located directly outside the station on Queensway and also on Victoria Avenue.

Cycle storage available Yes
Cycle storage spaces 62
Cycle storage sheltered Yes
Cycle storage CCTV Yes
Cycle storage location

Beside station building in secure compound

Cycle storage information

86 Sheffield Stand spaces

Cycle storage types
  • Stands
Rail replacement information

Replacement transport stop on station forecourt

Airport

Bus services to Southend Airport

Where to stay

Book your accommodation online with our partner Booking.com