Regarded as the gateway to London, the historic International Cruise Terminal at the Port of Tilbury is a 1930s Grade II listed building that sees over 100,000 passengers travel through it every year. With several leading cruise lines sailing from the port to various destinations, we share all you need to know about Tilbury Cruise Terminal.
Interesting to know
- Tilbury Cruise Terminal is positioned only 22 nautical miles from Tower Bridge, London, on the north bank of the River Thames just before it opens out to the North Sea.
- In 2019, before the pandemic, more than 170,000 passengers passed through Tilbury.
- Alongside its cruise ship traffic, the Port of Tilbury also handles a range of cargoes, including construction materials, grain, paper and forestry products.
- The cruise terminal is famous for being the departure point for thousands of Britons emigrating to Australia.
Getting to Tilbury Cruise Terminal
Tilbury is well-connected by road and public transport. By car, take junction 30 off the M25 and follow the A13 east, then the A1089 towards Tilbury. Drop-off and pick-up are located immediately outside the terminal entrance.
Long-stay car parking is a short walk from the terminal building and must be booked in advance at the Cruise & Passenger Services website. Your cruise line may be able to arrange this for you. Other options, such as hotel parking and private car parks (found on Just Park or Your Parking Space), are available if you cannot park at Tilbury.
You can travel to Tilbury by train from London Fenchurch Street Station. Tilbury Station is around one mile away from the terminal, with connecting taxis and buses available.
Inside Tilbury Cruise Terminal
Tilbury is a relatively small terminal. However, it offers all the facilities needed while waiting to board your ship. There is a comfortable passenger lounge, as well as a kiosk, which sells hot and cold drinks and snacks. As a single-storey building, Tilbury is accessible for disabled passengers.
Cruise Lines operating out of Tilbury Cruise Terminal
The cruise lines sailing from Tilbury Cruise Terminal tend to have smaller to mid-sized vessels. These include Fred. Olsen Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Ambassador Cruise Line, Seabourn, Oceania and Silversea Cruises.
Where can you sail to from Tilbury?
There is a good range of cruise itineraries that depart from Tilbury. For example, you can find cruise holidays to the stunning Norwegian fjords, the natural wonders of Iceland, the captivating cultural cities in Germany, Holland and Belgium or the winter sun destinations of Madeira and the Canaries.
Visiting London
If you’re looking to visit London for a day trip from Tilbury, the best way to get there is via The Thames Clipper. The journey time is around 40 minutes to the World Heritage Site of Greenwich and 60 minutes to London Bridge. Along the way, you’ll see many of London’s infamous sites, including The O2, The Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, Canary Wharf and Tower Bridge.
Alternatively, you can catch the train to London Fenchurch, which takes around 40-55 minutes. If you don’t have your luggage with you, it’s an easy 20-minute walk to Tilbury station.
There’s so much to see and do once in this buzzing, metropolitan capital, from historical and cultural sites and art galleries to thriving markets and shopping centres and much more, so it’s worth spending a bit of time planning your visit.
