Harwich International sits at the north-eastern tip of Essex — the county's deep-water gateway, serving cruise sailings and the North Sea crossing to the Netherlands. A composed run up the A12 and A120, timed to your boarding slot.
— No. 01 · Harwich International Port
Harwich International Port occupies the far north-east corner of Essex, where the Stour and the Orwell meet the North Sea. It is the county's deep-water port: a turnaround and calling point for cruise ships, and the British end of the long-standing Stena Line crossing to Hook of Holland.
It is also, for most of Essex, a genuinely awkward drive. The A12 and A120 are straightforward enough in the middle of the day and considerably less so at six in the morning with a sailing to catch. From Basildon or Brentwood allow around ninety minutes; from Chelmsford roughly an hour and ten; from Colchester, a little over half an hour.
Travel in Style Essex runs private transfers to the Harwich terminal door from any address in the county. The vehicle is prepared the night before, the route is planned with alternatives identified, and collection is calculated backwards from your boarding window rather than from the sailing time printed on your ticket.
Because Harwich handles both cruise passengers and ferry foot passengers, the terminal has two quite different rhythms depending on the day. We confirm which entrance you need at the point of booking, so that the car stops where you actually want to be set down.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class · Travel in Style Essex
Harwich is within the county, so there is no motorway crawl around the M25 and no crossing charge — simply the A12 and A120, driven at a sensible hour.
Cruise turnarounds, calling ships, and the Stena Line crossing to Hook of Holland. We confirm your terminal entrance at booking.
Harwich departures often mean leaving Essex before dawn. We operate 24 hours, and there is no unsocial-hours surcharge on advance bookings.
North Sea and Baltic itineraries mean substantial cases. The V-Class swallows a full set for seven passengers.
— No. 02 · The Port & The Route
Harwich sits at the end of the A120, beyond Colchester and Manningtree. The route is simple but unforgiving of a late start, which is precisely the argument for handing it to someone whose job it is to have left early.
Around 90 minutes from Basildon or Brentwood, 70 from Chelmsford, and roughly 35 from Colchester, via the A12 and A120.
Harwich International Port at Parkeston Quay, with separate approaches for cruise turnaround and ferry foot passengers.
Early-morning departures and late-evening returns are routine. No unsocial-hours surcharge on advance bookings.
— No. 03 · How a Journey Unfolds
Your booking is confirmed in writing within the hour. We note your flight number, terminal, passenger count, and any particular requirements — luggage, accessibility, or a preference for a quieter cabin.
From the moment of confirmation, your flight is placed under continuous monitoring. Delays, gate changes, and early arrivals are absorbed without conversation — the schedule adjusts quietly.
The vehicle is cleaned, fuelled, and prepared personally. Refreshments are arranged. A confirmation message is sent when your chauffeur is en route.
For outbound journeys, the car arrives at your address ahead of schedule. Luggage is loaded. Your route has been planned — alternatives identified. There is nothing left to arrange.
For inbound journeys, your chauffeur is present in the arrivals hall from the moment your flight lands — name board in hand. Waiting time for delayed flights is included at no charge.
— No. 04 · Tariff
Harwich is a longer run than Tilbury and is quoted by origin postcode. Return journeys booked together are offered at a preferential rate.
— What Is Included
Cruise luggage is not hand luggage. Cases are loaded, stowed and delivered to the porter at the terminal door — you carry nothing further than your own coat.
Collection is calculated from your boarding window, not from a guess. We build in margin for the crossing, the motorway and the terminal queue.
Ships dock early as often as they dock late. Your return is monitored, and waiting time on a delayed arrival is never charged.
— No. 05 · From Those Who Have Travelled With Us
"I booked as a 60th birthday treat for my husband — Thailand for Christmas and his birthday. I wanted him to arrive in style, and that is exactly what happened. Jamie loaded our bags, gave us a tour of all the facilities, and a gorgeous bottle of bubbly was on ice waiting for us. Chatty but not intrusive. Polite and funny. Very professional."
Marrianne Mason · Verified Facebook Review · January 2025
"Reliable, punctual and friendly service. We were going on a 40th birthday trip and all the little extras certainly made it even more memorable. Would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. First class service."
Kayleigh Smith · Verified Facebook Review · February 2025
— Southend Airport · Your Chauffeur
Travel in Style Essex is not a fleet operation. There is one chauffeur: Jamie Gifford, who founded the service in 2019 and has conducted every journey personally since. When you make an enquiry, you speak to Jamie. When you are collected, it is Jamie at the door.
He holds an advanced RoSPA driving qualification, a clean PCO licence, and a DBS certificate. He drives as he attends to everything else — with composure, without hurry, and with the particular care of someone who takes pride in his work.
"The standard I hold myself to is simple: I ask whether I would be comfortable if the people I most respect could see exactly what I was doing and why. The answer is always yes."
Jamie Gifford · Founder & Chauffeur
— No. 06 · Frequently Asked
— No. 07 · Other Ports & Airports
— Begin
Each engagement begins with a conversation. Reach us by telephone for an immediate response, or submit an enquiry and we will respond within the hour.
