- Recommended
Southend Central Museum and Planetarium
Museum beside Prittlewell Priory covering local archaeology, social history and natural history. A strong introduction to Southend and Essex.
Cheapest price
£24
Average price
£28
Fastest journey
1 h 8 m
Average duration
1 h 8 m
Trains per day
50
Distance
59 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Croydon to Southend-on-Sea is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Croydon to Southend-on-Sea will cost around £28 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £24.
To travel from Croydon to Southend-on-Sea you need to make at least one change.










Compare train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Croydon to Southend-on-Sea run on average 4 times per day, taking around 1h 29m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £16 if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 04:00, the last at 23:58. The fastest train covers the 59 km distance in 1h 53m.
Distance 59 km |
Average train duration 1h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price £16 |
Trains per day 4 |
Fastest train 1h 53m |
First train 4:00 |
Last train 23:58 |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 4 days |
Discover the best of Southend-on-Sea — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Southend-on-Sea trip today.
Museum beside Prittlewell Priory covering local archaeology, social history and natural history. A strong introduction to Southend and Essex.
Historic house museum in Priory Park with restored rooms, monastic remains and displays on local life. Good for history and architecture.
Compact museum at the end of the pier exploring the pier’s engineering, railway and seaside heritage. Worth adding to a pier visit.
Popular beachfront promenade for walking, cycling and sea views, linking the pier, gardens and classic seaside attractions.
Lively old fishing quarter with cobbled lanes, cockle sheds, pubs, small galleries and estuary views. Full of local character.
Large park with formal gardens, lake, play areas and the priory complex. A pleasant green space for walks near the centre.
Freshly landed fish, usually cod or haddock, in batter with chips. A classic Essex seaside meal tied to Southend’s long pier and beachfront chippies.
Briny native or rock oysters from the Thames Estuary area, traditionally eaten very fresh. They reflect the long shellfish heritage of the Essex coast.
Sweet, delicate prawns from the nearby North Sea and estuary waters, often served simply with bread and butter. A long-standing local seafood favourite.
Stylish restaurant in nearby Leigh-on-Sea focused on British seafood and seasonal cooking. Cosy, polished dining room with estuary character.
Historic seafront fish restaurant known for oysters, cockles and classic seafood. Traditional, no-frills atmosphere close to the beach.
Popular seafood restaurant and fishmonger serving fresh local catch, shellfish and grilled fish. Smart but relaxed setting near the seafront.
Moderate for a UK seaside city. Dining and hotels cost less than London, but peak summer stays and seafront areas raise prices. Local buses and trains are standard UK-priced.
Tipping is modest. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is usual if service is not included. Round up taxi fares. Cafés and pubs do not require tips, but small change is appreciated.
Official public transport app
Chalkwell -> Southend Central
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Croydon to Southend-on-Sea by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Southend-on-Sea, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Croydon to Southend-on-Sea trains use the East Croydon to Southend Central station pair, with some services arriving at Southend Airport. Use this guide to compare Croydon and Southend-on-Sea train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
East Croydon is 1 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:
East Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at East Croydon.
Wi-Fi is available at East Croydon. ATMs are available at East Croydon.
Ticket office support is available at East Croydon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at East Croydon: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at East Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at East Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free access to all platforms. Lifts to overbridge from all platforms and side entrance. Long steep ramps to platforms from main entrance. (over 1:10 gradient). Assistance Meeting Point is the Information Point on station concourse, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
West Croydon has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Car Rental.
Food and drink options are available at West Croydon.
Wi-Fi is available at West Croydon.
Ticket office support is available at West Croydon.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at West Croydon: Parking.
Available at West Croydon: Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at West Croydon: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: B2 station category. Step free access available for platform 1 and 3 using the London Road car park entrance . This side gate is kept locked but has help buttons to request use. Step-free access via separate entrance to platform 4 (to Sutton), Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Purley is 5 km from Croydon city centre. Public transport options include:
Purley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office and Bike Parking.
Food and drink options are available at Purley.
Wi-Fi is available at Purley. ATMs are available at Purley.
Ticket office support is available at Purley.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Purley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Purley: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Purley: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station: This station has step-free level access to all platforms. Assistance Meeting Point is on platform 6 above the waiting room, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible ticket machines note: All Southern ticket machines are able to sell tickets with Disabled Persons Railcard discounts. Ticket machines are of an accessible design, however their location and the station itself may not be so please check the station access note for further details, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Wheelchairs available open hours: Wheelchairs may only be available when the station is staffed, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Southend Central has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Southend Central.
Wi-Fi is available at Southend Central. ATMs are available at Southend Central.
Ticket office support is available at Southend Central. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 03457 44 44 22, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Southend Central: Parking, WC.
Available at Southend Central: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Southend Central: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Prittlewell is 1 km from Southend-on-Sea city centre. Public transport options include:
Prittlewell has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Bike Rental.
Food and drink options are available at Prittlewell.
Wi-Fi is available at Prittlewell.
Ticket office support is available at Prittlewell.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Prittlewell: Parking.
Available at Prittlewell: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Prittlewell: Staff help available: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Details of nearest taxis are shown on station information poster, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Southend Victoria has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Southend Victoria.
Wi-Fi is available at Southend Victoria. ATMs are available at Southend Victoria.
Ticket office support is available at Southend Victoria. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: 0800 028 28 78, Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Southend Victoria: Parking, WC.
Available at Southend Victoria: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Southend Victoria: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Accessible car park equipment: Wheelchair users can use car park equipment at this station unaided, Accessible taxis: Taxi rank at front of station, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
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