Southend Purple Parking Park and Ride

Southend Purple Parking Park & Ride is a low-cost off-airport option with a free shuttle taking around five minutes. Leave your car in an arrivals lane, hand your keys to reception and let the team park while you take the minibus to the terminal.

Transfers operate from around 4am until the final flight has landed. The service uses the Millhead Way parking site and is extremely similar to SACP, so compare the price and booking terms rather than expecting a noticeably different journey.

Why choose Purple Parking?

• Five-minute transfer: a short journey to the terminal.
• Free shuttle: transfers are included in the booking price.
• Staff park your car: no need to search for a space.
• Often competitively priced: regularly among Southend’s cheaper options.
• Secure site: CCTV, perimeter fencing, 24-hour staff and the Park Mark award.

How does Purple Parking compare with SACP?

Purple Parking and SACP use the same Millhead Way location and have essentially the same arrangement: leave your keys, take a five-minute shuttle and collect your car after returning.

Compare the live price, cancellation terms and recent reviews. In practical terms, you are choosing between two rates for a very similar service rather than two completely different car parks.

How does Purple Parking compare with Southend Standard Parking?

Standard Parking, formerly Long Stay, is an official airport car park around a 3–5 minute walk from the terminal. You park yourself and keep your keys. Purple Parking requires a shuttle and key handover but may be cheaper.

Choose Purple Parking when the saving makes the transfer worthwhile. Choose Standard when the prices are close, as walking straight back to your own car is simpler.

Important things to know

You must leave your keys, so remove house keys and unnecessary keyrings. On your return, reach the Short Stay pickup point before calling for the shuttle. Vehicles must fit within a standard 2.4m by 4.8m bay, vehicles with eight or more seats are not accepted and long-wheelbase vehicles may cost extra. Three accessible spaces are available, but the shuttle is not wheelchair accessible. Purple Parking Self Park is a separate product.

Directions

Leave the M25 at junction 29, heading towards Southend/Basildon A127. At the Tesco’s roundabout take the third exit onto Princes Avenue, signposted towards Southend. At the next roundabout turn left into Manners Way. At the next roundabout take the fourth exit onto Southend Road. Turn right onto Sutton Road at the next roundabout. Turn left onto Purdey’s Way at the next roundabout. Take the second road on the right, onto Rochehall Way. Take the first road on the left into Millhead Way. Drive to the end of the road and turn left where you’ll see the entrance to the Purple Parking car park. Follow the signs into the car park and one of the car park attendants will be there to meet you.

Arrival procedure

On arrival, please park in an arrivals lane and head to the reception to check in. You'll be asked to show the team a copy of your booking confirmation and leave your keys. Then take the shuttle bus to the airport.

Return procedure

On your return, please walk to the Short Stay car park and give Purple Parking a quick call on 01702 842 309, select option 2. They'll send a bus out to pick you up and take you back to the car park. When you return to the car park, your car will be waiting for you outside reception. Then pick up your keys from reception, get in your car and drive home.

Please make sure you don't call the car park before you get to the Short Stay car park, otherwise you might have to wait longer for a bus. Buses are only allowed 5 minutes to pick passengers up and can't re-enter the pick-up area for 15 minutes.

Security

The car park has CCTV, entry and exit barriers and is manned 24 hours a day. It has been awarded the Park Mark award.

Disabled facilities

The car park has 3 accessible parking spaces available, so please call them to arrange it.

Additional information

You'll be required to leave your keys.

Purple Parking can only take cars that fit into a standard-size parking space, which is 2.4m x 4.8m. It cannot accept vehicles with 8 or more seats. Please note that if you’re bringing a long wheel based vehicle, you’ll be required to pay an additional supplement on arrival at the car park, which will equal half of the total cost of the booking.

Please make sure you don't call the car park before you get to the Short Stay car park, otherwise you might have to wait longer for a bus. Buses are only allowed 5 minutes to pick passengers up and can't re-enter the pick-up area for 15 minutes.

Purple Parking Park and Ride Non-Flexible / Winter Special

This package cannot be changed, cancelled or refunded once it has been booked.

Purple Parking Self Park

If you choose this car park option, you park your car yourself and keep your car keys, too.