London's only deep-water purpose-built cruise terminal sits 22 miles east of the capital on the historic Thames — the same dock where the Empire Windrush arrived in 1948 and Elizabeth I rallied her troops against the Armada.
Ships dock directly at the London International Cruise Terminal — no tendering. The Grade II-listed 1930s terminal building is steps from the gangway.
💡 Pro move: No luggage storage at the terminal. Book ship excursions with airport drop-off if you have a post-cruise flight.
Tilbury has a single deep-water cruise pier; all ships dock — no tendering at this port.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Ambassador Cruise Line (Ambience, Ambition) | London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury📍 | Docked |
| Fred. Olsen, Saga, Viking, Oceania, Regent | London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury📍 | Docked |
The big draw is London itself — the Tower of London is about 45 minutes by train from Tilbury Town station — but Tilbury Fort right beside the terminal is an excellent independent alternative.
Take the c2c train to Fenchurch Street and walk 5 minutes to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The Sky Garden (free, book ahead) and the Thames River Bus are nearby. Full-day options reach Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and St. Paul's.
Find London day tour packages →A 17th-century artillery fortress built to defend London from seaborne attack — Elizabeth I gave her famous Armada speech near this spot in 1588. The powder magazines, bastions, and moat are beautifully preserved. Walkable from the terminal in 15 minutes.
Book Tilbury Fort tours →Connect via London to Greenwich for the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian, the National Maritime Museum, and the Old Royal Naval College. A maritime-history day that pairs naturally with a Thames arrival.
Find Greenwich tours →Private London Black Cab tours pick up at the terminal and cover the major landmarks — Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge — without the hassle of navigating public transit. Ideal for guests with mobility concerns or tight time windows.
Book a Black Cab tour →A full-day excursion to Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world and an official residence of the British monarch. Reached via London by train, or far more easily on a ship-organized coach tour direct from the terminal.
Find Windsor Castle tours →Tilbury itself is industrial — the one worthwhile independent walk on foot is to Tilbury Fort along the riverfront. For anything beyond that, take a taxi to Tilbury Town station and the train into London.
Exit the terminal and follow the Thames riverfront path east. The Fort's moat and earthworks come into view after about 10 minutes. Great views across the estuary to Kent.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →From Fenchurch Street it's a 5-minute walk to the Tower of London. Stroll the riverside past Tower Bridge, the historic St Katharine Docks marina, and back along the Thames Path — the classic London waterfront walk once your train drops you in the city.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Tilbury, Essex, England (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 13 | 7:57 AM | 4:19 PM |
| Feb | 48°F / 9°C | 37°F / 3°C | 11 | 7:12 AM | 5:13 PM |
| Mar | 51°F / 11°C | 39°F / 4°C | 12 | 6:12 AM | 6:03 PM |
| Apr | 56°F / 13°C | 41°F / 5°C | 9 | 6:02 AM | 7:55 PM |
| May | 62°F / 17°C | 47°F / 8°C | 11 | 5:07 AM | 8:43 PM |
| Jun | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 | 4:41 AM | 9:17 PM |
| Jul | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 11 | 4:59 AM | 9:08 PM |
| Aug | 71°F / 22°C | 57°F / 14°C | 11 | 5:44 AM | 8:20 PM |
| Sep | 67°F / 19°C | 54°F / 12°C | 9 | 6:34 AM | 7:12 PM |
| Oct | 60°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 12 | 7:23 AM | 6:04 PM |
| Nov | 52°F / 11°C | 42°F / 6°C | 12 | 7:17 AM | 4:08 PM |
| Dec | 48°F / 9°C | 40°F / 4°C | 12 | 7:58 AM | 3:49 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Tilbury Town station is a 10–15 min walk from the cruise terminal. c2c trains run frequently to London Fenchurch Street in 34–41 minutes — the cheapest and fastest way into the city.
Multiple transfer companies offer fixed-price door-to-door service from the terminal to Central London. Book in advance; prices vary by vehicle size and exact destination.
Uber operates in the Thurrock and Grays area near Tilbury. Useful for shorter local trips; for Central London the pre-booked transfer rate may be more competitive.
Most cruise lines offer organised coach transfers between the terminal and Central London (Victoria, etc.). Convenient with luggage but less flexible than independent options.
Local Thurrock taxis and minicabs (e.g. Grays Cab Line, Thurrock Taxi Cab) cover nearby towns. Pre-booking is recommended; on-street hails are unreliable at the terminal.
Upcoming cruises that call at Tilbury, Essex, England. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.