London Tilbury Cruise Port - A Complete Guide
Here’s everything you need to know about London Tilbury Cruise Port.
If you’ve booked a cruise that sails from the UK, then you might find yourself embarking at London Tilbury.
Despite its deceptive name, this cruise port is actually located in Essex, in a town slightly to the east of Greater London. This means that your journey will require a bit of forward planning in order to make it as smooth as possible.
London Tilbury Cruise Port
Located on the River Thames, London Tilbury has serviced cruise ship passengers since it first opened in 1930, making it nearly 100 years old. The cruise terminal itself is a grade 2 listed building, which was designed by Sir Edwin Cooper and nicknamed ‘The Gateway to the Empire’.
Many historic voyages have either begun or ended in London Tilbury over the last century. This includes the SS Empire Windrush, which brought hundreds of immigrants to England from the Caribbean as part of the Windrush generation.
The terminal also saw the departure of many British immigrants known as ‘Ten Pound Poms’ who were sailing to Australia to start a new life. Although the cruise port was closed in the 1970s when air travel started to become popular, the terminal was reopened in 1995 and has continued to serve cruse ship passengers ever since.
Read on for more information about the cruise lines that sail from London Tilbury today, as well as practical information about its location and facilities.
Cruise Lines That Sail From London Tilbury Cruise Port
Due to its size, London Tilbury is often used as a starting destination by cruise lines which operate smaller ships. One of these is Ambassador, a British low cost cruise line who offer good quality cruise holidays at affordable prices.
Two of Ambassador’s ships, Ambience and Ambition, regularly sail from London Tilbury to destinations around Europe such as Norway, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
Other cruise lines that frequently sail from this port include Viking Cruises, with their ship Viking Radgrid departing from London Tilbury to France throughout 2026. Oceania also frequently sail from here, as do Ponant and Emerald Cruises.
Where Is Tilbury Cruise Port?
The name for this cruise port is slightly misleading, as it’s actually located slightly outside of London.
You’ll find London Tilbury cruise port in Essex, along the River Thames and around 25 miles east of London. If you look on the map below, you’ll see that’s only just outside of Greater London in a town called Tilbury.
Tilbury Cruise Terminal Facilities And Amenities
London Tilbury is a lovely cruise port with lots of amenities. When I arrived for my Ambassador cruise last year, my luggage was swiftly collected from me by a member of staff before I joined to queue to enter the building.
The terminal is a beautiful listed building, and inside you’ll find seating areas and restrooms, as well as the check in area and security. There’s also a taxi rank outside, which is handy if you are disembarking at London Tilbury.
Hotels Near Tilbury Cruise Terminal
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay before embarking on your cruise, then the neighbouring area of Thurrock has plenty of options to choose from. These hotels are all around a 5 - 10 minute drive away from Tilbury Cruise Port, making it super easy to reach the ship on embarkation day.
Premier Inn Thurrock is a good budget option, with free wifi and a variety of room types catering for solo travellers, couples and families. They have a restaurant onsite, so you can enjoy breakfast and dinner here for an additional cost.
Other low fee options include Travelodge Thurrock Lakeside, which offers basic rooms for a low price. They also have a restaurant here, and breakfast includes Lavazza coffee, pastries, and hot food.
Similarly, Ibis Thurrock is a budget option that is easily accessible from the M25. The wifi here is free, and the property has its own restaurant and bar offering a breakfast buffet and evening drinks.
For a slightly higher price you may want to check into the Mercure Thurrock Stifford Hall, which is based in an 18th century manor house with 6 acres of grounds. Their rooms are air conditioned, with modern amenities and historical features.
Alternatively, some travellers choose to stay in central London and then travel to Tilbury on embarkation day.
How Far Is Tilbury Cruise Ship Port From London?
London Tilbury is located 25 miles outside of London.
The journey from central London to London Tilbury takes around 53 minutes by car or 38 minutes by train. Do note that if you take the train, then you will need to either book a short taxi journey or hop on a bus to take you from from Tilbury Town Station to the cruise port.
How To Get To London Tilbury Cruise Terminal
By Train
Trains run regularly from London Fenchurch Street to Tilbury Town, with an approximate journey time of 40 minutes.
Once you arrive at Tilbury Town Station, you will then need to either take a short taxi ride or a bus to the cruise terminal. If you’re planning to take a taxi, then I recommend using a ride hailing app like Uber, just in case there are no cars when you arrive.
Alternatively, buses depart regularly from outside the station to the cruise port.
By Car
If you’re planning to arrive by car, then you should leave the M25 at Junction 30 and follow the A13 eastbound.
Make sure that you don’t turn into the main port entrance, and instead follow the signs to the Cruise Terminal and Ferry, turning left at the mini roundabout in front of the terminal to enter the car park.
Parking here typically costs £11 per night if you prebook in advance.
By Cruise Line Transfer
This option depends on what’s offered by your cruise line. For example, Ambassador usually run a coach service that departs from Victoria Coach Station and is bookable though them.
How To Have A Smooth Departure From London Tilbury Cruise Terminal
Arrive Early
Aim to arrive slightly before the time given to you by your cruise line. When I sailed with Ambassador, I found that there was a queue to get into the terminal, so would recommend arriving in plenty of time.
Plan Your Route in Advance
Train tickets and parking fees tend to be cheaper if purchased in advance, so don’t leave it until the day you sail.
Print off Your Documents Before You Leave
Printed copies of your boarding pass and insurance documents mean that you have them to hand and don’t need to rely on an internet connection.
Check in Online
To speed things up when you reach the cruise terminal, make sure that you check in online before departing. This is usually only available for a certain time window, so make sure you don’t leave it too late.
Wherever you’re travelling, I hope that you have an amazing journey sailing from London Tilbury!