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Parking at London Southend Airport

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Frequently asked questions

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Your questions answered about parking, picking up or dropping off at London Southend Airport.

Parking

My flight has been cancelled, how do I amend/refund my parking?

We are happy to refund or rebook any customer bookings that are flexible transactions, please complete your cancellation/amendment online.

Non-flexible bookings are amendable, allowing passengers to make amendments via the online platform.

Cancelled flight bookings should be directed to your airline. If it is a self-cancellation or escalation, we advise that you contact your travel insurance provider.

Parking bookings made via our Airline partners can only be refunded by the Airline with whom the booking was made, using the ‘Manage my booking’ link. Please bear with us whilst we operate with reduced staffing, each request is being reviewed, all parking queries that cannot be resolved through the ‘Manage my bookings’ page should be directed to [email protected].

I’ve pre-booked my parking, what happens when I arrive?

When you arrive at the car park your number plate should be recognised by the ANPR technology at which point a ticket should be issued for you to take, allowing the barrier to lift. In case of any issues, please press the assistance button and have your booking reference to hand to speak to a member of our parking team.

Can I amend or cancel my booking?

You can amend your booking up to 24 hours before you are due to arrive without any cost. Flexible bookings are fully refundable also, up to 24 hours before you are due to arrive.

Your amendable booking is not refundable but will be valid for 12 months from your current booking date. All parking queries that cannot be answered using the ‘Manage my booking’ page should be directed to [email protected].

What happens if I am late or early to the car park or my flight is delayed on my way back?

We understand that people can’t always arrive at our car parks exactly when they say they will, which is why we have a 4 hour grace period either side of your pre-booked entry and exit times. However, if you overstay this grace period, you will be subject to our overstay charges, charged at the 24 hour turn up rate in each of our car parks.

My flight has been delayed, how do I amend my parking?

If the delay is going to mean that the car remains in the car park for longer than the four-hour grace period (which factors in general flight delays) then you cannot extend an active booking.

Please make a new booking from the expired time until your new scheduled return date/time.

For further information, please email [email protected].

Can I pre-book parking for the same day I am travelling?

Yes, you can book parking up to two hours before you are due to arrive at the airport. However, we recommend booking early to guarantee availability and to secure the best prices.

How can I pay to park at the airport?

Bear with us on this answer! It can be a little confusing. Customers can pay by cash or card in Long Stay 1, Long Stay 2 and Short Stay at either the exit barrier or Pay on Foot machine. However, customers in Long Stay 3 can only make a card payment at the exit barrier; alternatively, you can pay by cash or card inside the terminal before you head out to the car park. Please have your ticket ready as you exit through the barrier.

How secure are London Southend Airport’s car parks?

All of our car parks are secure and have all received ParkMark accreditation, which means both ParkMark and the Police have signed them off as being secure places to park your car. They are well lit and our on-site team complete regular patrols.

Why has London Southend Airport made changes to its Short Stay car park?

We have changed the layout of the Short Stay car park in order to help avoid congestion and ensure a smooth, safe and hassle-free passenger experience.

What about people with mobility issues?

We have good provisions in the Short Stay car park for Blue Badge holders. We understand that they may take slightly longer to pick up and drop off. If people with restricted mobility using Short Stay do require slightly longer, we ask them to let us know when they are about to exit the car park, either using our payment machines or exit barriers by pressing the assistance button.

We do also have the free pick up/drop off period in Long Stay 3 that is only a 3-5 minute flat walk from the terminal.

Why are PCNs being issued for stopping on the roadway?

The decision for implementing roadway management services was to deliver a safety focused roadway experience, ensuring all vehicles are kept moving. This was due to an increase in the number of vehicles stopping in potentially dangerous locations across our roads and on/near our pedestrian crossings.

We urge passengers to make use of the 15 minutes free option in the Long Stay 3 car park, which is just a 3-5 minute journey time from the terminal doors. We are proud to be one of the only London airport to provide a free drop off/pick up option just a few minutes’ from the terminal and we encourage our passengers to use this facility, helping to prevent congestion and to keep their fellow passengers safe.

Where is the ‘no stopping’ zone?

Look for the double red lines – this is your best visual aid. The ‘no stopping’ zone starts at the roundabout between the Holiday Inn and the airport retail park and continues through to Long Stay 1 and Long Stay 2 car parks (opposite the Control Tower). It also includes the road that runs behind the Holiday Inn, concluding at the barrier entrance to the Hotel / Staff Car Park.

Prominent signage advising drivers of the importance of complying with the existing highway restrictions are now installed throughout the relevant areas, clearly marked with double red lines.

Can I get special assistance from the car parks to the terminal building?

Please use the help button on the car park barrier entrance should you require support from the car park.

Can I change the car registration details attached to my car park booking?

Yes, your pre-booked parking confirmation email shares a link you can click to manage your parking booking.

Can I pre-book motorcycle parking?

Yes – to do so, simply book your parking as a standard vehicle parking booking, but please use your motorcycle registration details rather than a car registration number.

Do I need to pay an administration fee to amend or cancel my booking?

All parking bookings at London Southend Airport are fully flexible, without any fees for any amendments you might need to make.

How far in advance can I book parking?

You can book your parking over a year in advance.

What if I return later than what I have booked?

We understand that people can’t always arrive at our car parks exactly when they say they will, which is why we have a 4 hour grace period either side of your pre-booked entry and exit times. However, if you overstay this grace period, you will be subject to our overstay charges, charged at the 24 hour turn up rate in each of our car parks.

What is the overstay charge?

If you overstay the grace period, you will be subject to our overstay charges, charged at the 24 hour turn up rate in each of our car parks.

What happens if the car park is full?

We manage the capacities of our car parks very closely, so this should not be the case. However, if you have any issues in accessing our car parks, please use the Intercom available on the entrance/exit barriers.

Are there any height restrictions?

There are no height restrictions in any of our car parks.

Can I arrive early for airport parking?

Of course! We understand that people can’t always arrive at our car parks exactly when they say they will, which is why we have a 4 hour grace period either side of your pre-booked entry and exit times. However, if you overstay this grace period, you will be subject to our overstay charges, charged at the 24 hour turn up rate in each of our car parks.

How long does it take to get to the airport from the Long Stay car park?

All of our car parks are conveniently located just a few minutes from the terminal.

What is the minimum length of time I can park?

Good news! There is no minimum or maximum of time you can spend in the car park, but be mindful that charges generally increase the longer you stay. For the best rate, we always recommend pre-booking in advance.

Pick up & drop off

Do I have to pay if I am picking up or dropping off in Long Stay 3?

Pick up and drop off drivers do not need to pay or validate their ticket prior to exit if they have been less than 15 minutes in Long Stay 3. Drive in, take a ticket, drop-off/pick-up and drive out – the barrier will open for you automatically.

Why do you charge £5 for pick up and drop off in Short Stay?

The vast majority of London airports charge for pick up/drop off – and £5 for up to 10 minutes is in line with various Short Stay car park options at all the London airports.

We are also very proud to be one of the only London airports to provide our passengers with a free drop off/pick up option just a 3-5 minute walk from the terminal in Long Stay 3.

What about local residents dropping off and picking up for the train station?

Passengers that still wish to be picked up and dropped off for free have 15 minutes available by using our Long Stay 3 car park, which is just a 3-5 minute walk from the train station entrance.

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