X30 Southend, Southend Airport, Rayleigh, Chelmsford and Stansted Airport
Airlink X30
Our X30 service is your hassle-free and direct route to and from Stansted Airport from Southend, Southend Airport, Rayleigh, and Chelmsford operating every day of the week from early morning until late at night. Our distinctive blue buses have plenty of room for your legs and luggage, as well as comfortable leather seats. And if you're fortunate enough to hop aboard one of our double-decker buses, why not head upstairs and take advantage of our convenient tables? Relax and enjoy the journey with friends and family before embarking on your flight. So ditch your car and save on airport parking costs by benefiting from the Government's £2 fare capping scheme, which is applicable to all our Airlink services.
Download Airlink X30 Full Timetable [PDF] here
Download Airlink X30 Rayleigh to Wolsey Park Timetable [PDF] here
Download Airlink X10|X30 Leaflet [PDF] here
Please note, the timetable only shows timing points. To view all stops, please click here.
Map
In addition to the timetables and leaflets made available above, we've made this handy map showing both our X10 and X30 services, to help make your journey to the airport even easier.
Fares and Tickets
Our X30 service is included in the Government £2 single fare promotion. Available to purchase on the First Bus App or on board from your driver (cash and contactless payments accepted).
Whether you are planning your journey, tracking your bus, or buying tickets - the First Bus app is the smarter way to catch the bus. Download the First Bus App
Travel Alerts
Travel alerts last updated 10/05/2024 - Please continue to check the First Bus app and our social media channels for daily travel information.
Travel alerts last updated 10/05/2024 - Please continue to check the First Bus app and our social media channels for daily travel information.
First Essex | May Bank Holiday 2024
Please note: we will be operating a Sunday service over the May bank holidays, except for the Airlink service X30, which will run to a Saturday timetable.
Monday 6th May 2024 (Early May Bank Holiday) | Sunday Service except for X30 following a Saturday timetable |
Monday 27th May 2024 (Spring Bank Holiday) | Sunday Service except for X30 following a Saturday timetable |
Please plan ahead and refer to timetables: Route maps | First Bus
Great Dunmow | Sunday 26th May 2024 | Ford RideLondon-Essex 100
Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 returns to Great Dunmow on Sunday 26th May 2024.
Due to the location of the race route, the X20 service will be placed on diversion to reduce disruption to journey.
The X20 service will divert, in both directions, via the B1256 and Dunmow Bypass.
The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):
- Oak Industrial Estate
- Gatehouse Villas
- Station Road
- High Street
- Stortford Road
- The Queen Victoria
This is a pre-planned diversion to help reduce disruption to our X20 service - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.
Good luck to all Ford RideLondon-Essex 100 2024 participants!
Maldon | Saturday 25th May 2024 | Ford RideLondon Classique 2024
Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 returns to Maldon on Saturday 25th May 2024.
Stage 2 - Maldon to Maldon
A number of roads will be temporarily closed to traffic whilst the event takes place - we have listed below pre-planned diversions to reduce disruption to our 75 service to/from Maldon.
Market Hill and High Street will be closed for the majority of the day between 04:00 and 20:00hrs.
There are 4 temporary disruptions to the 75 service on Saturday 25th May 2024 only.
- SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 04:00 - 10:30
- SERVICE 75 - UNABLE TO SERVE HEYBRIDGE/MALDON between 11:30 - 15:30hrs
- SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 15:30 - 20:00hrs
- SERVICE 75 - MINOR DELAYS between 11:45 - 12:10hrs
1. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 04:00 - 10:30
towards Maldon - the 75 service will divert after serving Tesco bus stop (Maldon) via Fullbridge, A414, Maldon Bypass, Spital Road, Fambridge Road and Cross Road. The service will terminate at Rydal Drive.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- The Swan Hotel
- Wantz Road
- Victoria Road
- Prom Gates
- Lower Plume School
- Blackwater Leisure Centre
towards Colchester - the 75 service will commence journey at Rydal Drive before diverting via Cross Road, Fambridge Road, Spital Road, Maldon Bypass and A414 before returning to normal line of route to serve Tesco bus stop (Maldon).
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Blackwater Leisure Centre
- Jersey Road
- Meadway
- Berridge House
- Victoria Road
- The Swan Hotel
2. SERVICE 75 - UNABLE TO SERVE HEYBRIDGE/MALDON between 11:30 - 15:30hrs
The Causeway, Heybridge, Maldon WILL BE CLOSED for 4 hours (between 11:30 and 15:30hrs). Due to the location of the road closure - the 75 service will be temporarily unable to serve all Heybridge/Maldon bus stops (from Oak Road to Blackwater Leisure Centre).
The 75 service will terminate at Brewster House bus stop, wait time, and recommence journey at scheduled time back to Colchester.
3. SERVICE 75 - PRE-PLANNED DIVERSION between 15:30 - 20:00hrs
The pre-planned diversion will be enforced between 04:00 and 10:30 and 15:30 - 20:00 only*.
towards Maldon - the 75 service will divert after serving Tesco bus stop (Maldon) via Fullbridge, A414, Maldon Bypass, Spital Road, Fambridge Road and Cross Road. The service will terminate at Rydal Drive.
The following bus stops will not be served:
- The Swan Hotel
- Wantz Road
- Victoria Road
- Prom Gates
- Lower Plume School
- Blackwater Leisure Centre
towards Colchester - the 75 service will commence journey at Rydal Drive before diverting via Cross Road, Fambridge Road, Spital Road, Maldon Bypass and A414 before returning to normal line of route to serve Tesco bus stop (Maldon).
The following bus stops will not be served:
- Blackwater Leisure Centre
- Jersey Road
- Meadway
- Berridge House
- Victoria Road
- The Swan Hotel
4. SERVICE 75 - MINOR DELAYS between 11:45 - 12:10hrs
There will be a rolling road closure between Birch and Tiptree (11:45 and 12:10hrs) - the 75 service could be halted for a short time caused minor delays to service.
These are all pre-planned diversions to help reduce disruption to our 75 service - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.
Good luck to all Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 participants!
Colchester | Friday 24th May 2024 | Ford RideLondon Classique 2024
Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 returns to Colchester on Friday 24th May 2024.
Stage 1 - Saffron Walden to Colchester
A number of roads will be temporarily closed to traffic whilst the event takes place - we have listed below pre-planned diversions to reduce disruption to our Colchester network.
East Hill, Colchester will be closed for the majority of the day between 05:00 and 20:00hrs.
Colchester services that could be temporarily paused for rolling road closures:
82/82A/82B | between 13:20 - 13:50 |
83 | between 13:20 - 13:50 |
88/88B | between 13:20 - 13:50 |
80/80A | between 14:05 - 14:30 |
81/81A | between 14:05 - 14:30 |
Colchester services to be placed on pre-planned diversions:
- 1A
- 2A
- 87
- 102/104
Service 87
towards Brightlingsea - the 87 service will divert after serving The George bus stop via Queen Street, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, Hythe Hill and Hythe Station Road before returning to normal line of route.
towards Great Horkesley - the 87 service will divert after serving o/s Tesco Store bus stop (The Hythe) via Hythe Station Road, Hythe Hill and Magdalen Street before returning to normal line of route.
The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):
- Greyfriars
- The Surgery
- Brook Street
- Greenstead Road
- Kerry Court
- Tabor Road
- Davey Close
- Station Road
Services 1A/2A/102/104
towards Greenstead/Highwoods/Harwich - the 1A/2A/102/104 services will divert after serving The George bus stop via Queen Street, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street, Hythe Hill, Hythe Station Road, Greenstead Road and Harwich Road before returning to normal line of route (the 2A service will further divert via St Andrew's Avenue before returning to normal line of route).
towards Colchester City Centre - the 1A/2A/102/104 services will divert via Greenstead Road (the 2A service will divert beforehand via St Andrew's Avenue and Harwich Road), Hythe Station Road, Hythe Hill and Magdalen Street before returning to normal line of route.
The following bus stops will not be served (in both directions):
- Greyfriars
- The Surgery
- Brook Street
- opp Greenstead Road
- Old Coach Road (1A & 2A only)
- St Andrews Gardens (1A only)
These are all pre-planned diversions to help reduce disruption to our Colchester network - however, due to the nature of the event, there will be increased congestion in and around the area (traffic and crowds) as well as no definitive timings for the days events i.e. road closures could be lifted early or extended dependant on how long it takes race participants to complete sections of the race. Please take this into consideration when making travel plans.
Good luck to all Ford RideLondon Classique 2024 participants!
Services C8-C11-47 & 73 | Springfield Road, Chelmsford | Road closure
*Please note. this service update was amended at 12:00 02/04/2024
Reason for amendment: Unable to access Navigation Road - diversions revised.
A section of Springfield Road, Chelmsford will be closed to traffic from Tuesday 2nd April to Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Essex Highways is widening the junction. This is a partial road closure - north-bound direction only, between roundabout (for Tesco/Bond Street) and Navigation Road. Due to the location of the roadworks there will likely be delays to all traffic in and around the area.
The following bus services will be placed on diversion:
C8 & C11
towards Chelmsford Bus Station - normal line of route
towards Beaulieu Park - Services C8 & C11 will divert via Parkway, Army & Navy Roundabout, Chelmer Road and Sandford Road before returning to normal line of route on Springfield Road. Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive bus stop will not be served. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Chelmsford Prison.
47
towards Chelmsford Bus Station - Service 47 will divert via Byron Road, Sandford Road and Springfield Road before returning to normal line of route on Victoria Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Brockley Road, Wharf Road, Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive. The closest alternate bus stops, nearest Tesco, will be on Victoria Road (Riverside Inn/Riverside Ice and Leisure).
towards Broomfield Hospital - will not serve Town Centre Tesco Store bus stop. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Boswells Drive.
73
towards Chelmsford Bus Station - normal line of route
towards Maldon - Service 73 will divert via Parkway, Army & Navy Roundabout, Chelmer Road and Sandford Road before returning to normal line of route on Springfield Road. Town Centre Tesco Store and Boswells Drive bus stop will not be served. The closest alternate bus stop, nearest Tesco, will be Chelmsford Prison.
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Services S1-74B-87 | The Cross, Wivenhoe | Road closure
*Please note. this service update was amended at 10:25 on 30/04/2024
Reason for amendment: the dates for the roadworks have been changed - no longer taking place Monday 8th April - Monday 6th May 2024.
A section of road on The Cross, Wivenhoe will be closed from Tuesday 30th April - Monday 24th May 2024.
Due to the location of the road closure the S1, 74B and 87 services will be placed on diversion:
The S1 service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road and Belle Vue Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue and Co-op.
The 74B service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue, Co-op and Cemetery.
The 87 service will divert, in both directions, via Rectory Road*. The following bus stops will not be served: Wivenhoe Cross, Rosabelle Avenue and Co-op.
*The following journeys will divert via Rectory Road and Belle Vue Road.
Wivenhoe, o/s Cricket Ground | 20:18 | 21:24 | 22:29 | 23:51 |
Wivenhoe, adj Croquet Gardens | 20:18 | 21:24 | 22:29 | 23:51 |
Wivenhoe Cemetery (S-bound) | 20:19 | 21:25 | 22:30 | 23:52 |
We apologise for the disruption to your bus journey.
Service Changes from Sunday 14th April 2024
South Essex
From Sunday 14th April, we are making improvements to bus services in South Essex. The 21A bus route, serving Carlton Avenue in Westcliff, will be restored starting Monday 15th April 2024.
Essex Bus 21 / 21A
Revised timetable with some journeys to operate via Carlton Avenue in Westcliff. These journeys will be numbered as route 21A and will provide a bus every hour during the middle of the day on Monday to Friday and Saturdays.
There are no changes to the Sunday timetable. The diversion of route 21 is supported by HM Government’s Bus Service Improvement Plan funding, working in partnership with Southend-on-Sea City Council.
To read the full press release, please click here
New timetable listed below: