Essex is on London's doorstep and is served by an excellent rail network and local bus routes. The county has accessible travel links from all over the UK & Europe, and is well served by major roads including the M25, M11 and A12. There are main-line rail links into London Liverpool Street and the Olympic Park at Stratford, plus the international gateways at Stansted Airport, Southend Airport and Harwich International Port and Tilbury offering direct links to London Liverpool Street.
By Coach
National Express
Tel: 08717818178
Disabled Travel Line Tel: 08717 818179
Email: nxea.customerrelations@nationalexpress.com
Website: www.nationalexpress.com
Offices open from 8.00am - 8.00pm Monday - Sunday
National Express run coaches to and from over 1,000 destinations throughout the UK, and a regular shuttle bus service operates from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street & London Victoria.
There are also services to and from Essex to Birmingham and the North.
The Essex bus and train map details many rural, inter-rural and town bus, rail and ferry routes in the county. It is produced twice yearly - summer and winter. The map details bus and rail routes throughout the Essex, including Basildon, Billericay, Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Epping, Frinton and Walton, Harlow, Harwich, Saffron Walden, Witham and Wickford among many others. For more information and maps visit the Essex County Council website.
To help you plan your journey contact Traveline who provide information on coach and rail services throughout Essex, the East of England and the whole of the UK. Tel: 0871 200 2233 or go to their website www.traveline.org.uk. For other road information and latest traffic incidents visit www.theaa.co.uk
By Rail
National Rail enquiries
Tel: 08457 48 4950
Overseas:+44 (0)20 72785240
Train Tracker for Text: text station name to: 84950
Textphone (for customers with hearing impairments): 0845 6050 600
Website: www.nationalrail.co.uk
National Rail service is the definitive source of information for all passenger rail services on the National Rail network in England, Scotland & Wales.
The NRE website offers journey planning, timetable and fares information.
Greater Anglia
Customer Services: 0845 600 7245 Open Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm
Website: www.greateranglia.co.uk
Greater Anglia provides a fast and frequent service to London Liverpool Street, whilst connecting major towns throughout Essex and East Anglia.
Stansted Express
Tel: 0845 850 0150
Website: www.stanstedexpress.com
Coaches every 15 minutes to London Liverpool Street from Stansted Airport.
Transport for London
London Travel Information
Tel: 0843 222 1234 (24 hours)
Textphone: 020 7918 3015
Website: www.tfl.gov.uk
London Underground
Tel: 0845 330 9880 Open 8am - 8pm 7 days per week
London Buses
Tel: 0845 300 7000 Open 8am - 8pm Monday - Friday
Transport for London manages the transport service across the capital. Services include:
London buses
London underground
London overground
Tramlink
London river services
Victoria Coach Station
By Sea
Harwich International Port is located 70 miles East of London via the A12, with direct access to the Midlands via the A14.
Esbjerg, Denmark - Harwich - 4 sailings per week (duration 20 hours)
DFDS Seaways
Tel: 0871 522 9955
Website: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
Hook of Holland - Harwich sailings twice a day.
Stena Line
Tel: 08447 70 7070
Website: www.stenaline.co.uk
By Air
London Stansted Airport
Airport telephone information service: 0844 335 1803
Website: www.baa.com & www.stanstedairport.com
London Stansted is the UK's 3rd busiest airport with nearly 19 million passengers passing through every year. Many low-cost airlines have made Stansted their base. It is located just over 30 miles North East of London at Junction 8 of the M11, less than 20 minutes from the M25.
London City Airport
Tel: 020 7646 0088
Website: www.londoncityairport.com
London's business airport is easily accessible from Essex via the A13, M11 and M25. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are just over an hours drive away.
Local coach operators
Kirby's Coaches (Rayleigh Ltd). Renowned since 1952 throughout South East Essex, for luxurious coach travel UK and Europe. For 60 years Kirby's have provided the very best in coach travel for discriminating private hire organizers as well as quality destinations for individuals seeking the unusual and interesting. Our coaches are luxurious, our drivers knowledgeable and friendly. For distinctive, carefree travel Telephone 01268 777777 or visit our website.
Cooks Coaches offer good value for money short breaks and holidays, a comprehensive day excursion programme, and private and contract coach hire. We are a family business having been operating in the Southend-on-Sea area of Essex (40 miles east of London) for over 100 years, during which time we have built up a reputation for reliability, honesty and courtesy. For further information please call 01702 344702 or email info@cookscoaches.co.uk
