Whether you’re catching an early flight or arriving late at night, knowing the best way to get to Stansted Airport from London can save you time, money, and stress. This detailed guide covers all your options—from the fastest Stansted Express to budget-friendly buses and night travel solutions—so you can choose the best route for your trip.
Fastest Option: Stansted Express (30-45 mins)
The Stansted Express – Your Fastest Route to the Airport (30-45 Minutes)
For travelers looking to get from central London to Stansted Airport quickly and efficiently, the Stansted Express is the undisputed champion. As the fastest dedicated airport rail link, it offers direct, non-stop service with frequent departures and comfortable seating – perfect for both business travelers and holidaymakers.
Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the most of this service.
Why Choose the Stansted Express?
✔ Fastest journey time (as quick as 36 minutes from Tottenham Hale)
✔ Frequent departures (every 15-30 minutes, minimizing wait times)
✔ Comfortable, modern trains with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, and luggage space
✔ Direct service – no changes required
✔ Early/late trains catering to early flights and late arrivals
Route Options & Key Details
The Stansted Express operates from two main departure points in London, giving travelers flexibility depending on their starting location.
1. Liverpool Street → Stansted Airport
- Journey Time: 47 minutes (non-stop)
- Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
- First Train: 4:10 AM (ideal for early flights)
- Last Train: 11:25 PM (covers most late arrivals)
- Ticket Prices:
- Advance Single: £9.50 (best price if booked online early)
- Walk-up Fare: £21.50 (significantly more expensive)
How to Get to Liverpool Street Station:
✔ Tube: Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, or Metropolitan lines
✔ Elizabeth Line: Direct connections from Paddington, Bond Street, Farringdon, and more
✔ National Rail: Served by Greater Anglia and other services
2. Tottenham Hale → Stansted Airport
- Journey Time: Just 36 minutes (the fastest option)
- Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes
- First Train: 4:40 AM
- Last Train: 11:55 PM
- Ticket Prices: Same as Liverpool Street route
How to Get to Tottenham Hale Station:
✔ Victoria Line Tube – Just 7 minutes from King’s Cross
✔ National Rail: Some Greater Anglia services stop here
Pro Tips for the Best Experience
- Book Online in Advance
- Save up to 50% by purchasing tickets early (£9.50 vs. £21.50 walk-up fare).
- Use the Stansted Express app for mobile tickets.
- Choose Tottenham Hale for Speed
- If you’re near the Victoria Line, this route is 11 minutes faster than Liverpool Street.
- Check Train Times Before You Go
- While trains are frequent, last departures are before midnight – plan accordingly for late flights.
- Allow Extra Time for Security
- Even with a fast train, Stansted’s security lines can be busy – arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
- Consider a Railcard Discount
- If you have a 16-25 Railcard, Two Together, or Senior Railcard, you can save 1/3 on fares.
Alternative Options (If the Stansted Express Isn’t Available)
While the Stansted Express is the fastest and most convenient choice, other transport methods include:
- National Express Coaches (cheaper but slower, ~1h 30m)
- Uber/Taxi (expensive, ~1h+ depending on traffic)
- Car Rental (only recommended if staying outside London)
Cheaper Alternative: Greater Anglia Trains (From £8.50)
For travelers watching their wallets, London offers several affordable alternatives to the Stansted Express. Whether you prefer cheaper trains or ultra-low-cost coaches, here’s a detailed breakdown of your best options.
1. Greater Anglia Trains – A Wallet-Friendly Rail Alternative (From £8.50)
If you want train convenience without the Stansted Express price tag, Greater Anglia provides budget-friendly services from Stratford and Liverpool Street with only slightly longer journey times.
Route Details & Savings
Stratford → Stansted Airport
✔ Journey Time: 50 minutes (vs. 47 mins on Stansted Express)
✔ Frequency: Every 30 minutes
✔ Cost: From £8.50 (Advance tickets, booked early)
✔ First/Last Train: Similar to Stansted Express (check real-time schedules)
How to Get to Stratford Station:
- Jubilee Line (from Westminster, London Bridge, Canary Wharf)
- Central Line (from Oxford Circus, Bank, Mile End)
- Elizabeth Line (from Paddington, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf)
- DLR (from Bank, Tower Gateway, Canning Town)
Why Choose Greater Anglia?
✅ Same comfort & reliability as Stansted Express
✅ Significantly cheaper (up to 60% less than walk-up Stansted Express fares)
✅ Good connections via Stratford (easier for East/South London travelers)
When to Avoid?
❌ If you need the absolute fastest option (Stansted Express is 10-15 mins quicker)
❌ If you’re traveling last-minute (walk-up fares may not be much cheaper)
2. Ultra-Budget Option: National Express & Terravision Coaches (From £5)
For the cheapest possible transfer, coaches are the way to go—though they take longer and are traffic-dependent.
Best Bus Routes to Stansted
1. London Victoria → Stansted Airport
✔ Journey Time: 1h 30m – 2h (varies with traffic)
✔ Cost: From £5 (book early for best prices)
✔ Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
✔ First/Last Coach: 24-hour service (great for late-night/early flights)
How to Get to Victoria Coach Station:
- Victoria Line Tube (from King’s Cross, Oxford Circus)
- District/Circle Lines (from Westminster, South Kensington)
2. Liverpool Street → Stansted Airport
✔ Journey Time: 1h 15m (slightly faster than Victoria route)
✔ Cost: From £6
✔ Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
How to Get to Liverpool Street:
- Elizabeth Line, Central, Circle, or Metropolitan Tube lines
Why Take the Coach?
✅ Cheapest option (as low as £5 one-way)
✅ 24-hour services (perfect for early flights or late arrivals)
✅ No advance booking needed (though prices rise last-minute)
When to Avoid?
❌ If you’re short on time (delays are common due to traffic)
❌ If you have lots of luggage (less space than trains)
Final Verdict: Which Budget Option Should You Choose?
| Option | Price | Journey Time | Best For |
| Greater Anglia Train | From £8.50 | ~50 mins | Budget travelers who still want train speed |
| National Express Coach | From £5 | 1h 15m – 2h | Ultra-cheap travel, late-night trips |
Pro Tips for Saving More:
- Book train tickets 4-6 weeks early for the lowest fares.
- Use a Railcard (save 1/3 on Greater Anglia trains).
- Avoid peak coach times (Friday evenings/Sunday nights = higher prices).
Night Travel Options
If you have a super early flight or late arrival, here’s how to get to Stansted when trains aren’t running:
1. Night Buses (National Express A21)
- Runs 24/7
- Departs from Victoria & Golders Green
2. Pre-Booked Airport Taxis
- Fixed price (~£50-£70 from central London)
- Reliable for early flights
🚇 Can You Use the Tube to Get to Stansted?
No, the Tube doesn’t go directly to Stansted, but you can connect via train/bus:
Best Tube + Train Combos:
- Tube to Liverpool Street → Stansted Express (Fastest)
- Tube to Tottenham Hale → Stansted Express (Quicker & less crowded)
- Tube to Stratford → Greater Anglia Train (Cheaper)
✈️ Stansted Airport Tips
✔ Arrive 2-3 hours early for security (Stansted can get busy).
✔ Check-in online to save time.
✔ Pre-book parking if driving.
Final Verdict: What’s the Best Way to Get to Stansted Airport?
Choosing the right transport to Stansted depends on your priorities whether it’s speed, cost, or convenience. Here’s a quick but comprehensive breakdown to help you decide:
Fastest Option: Stansted Express (30-47 mins)
✔ Best for: Travelers who value speed and comfort
✔ Departure Points:
- Liverpool Street (47 mins, frequent services)
- Tottenham Hale (just 36 mins, fastest route)
✔ Price: From £9.50 (booked in advance)
✔ Why choose it? - Direct, non-stop trains
- Free Wi-Fi & luggage space
- Ideal for tight flight schedules
Cheapest Option: National Express/Terravision Coach (From £5)
✔ Best for: Budget travelers who don’t mind a longer ride
✔ Departure Points:
- Victoria Station (~1h 30m, 24-hour service)
- Liverpool Street (~1h 15m)
✔ Price: From £5 (book early for best deals)
✔ Why choose it? - Super affordable
- Overnight services (great for early flights)
- No need to book too far in advance
Late-Night/Early-Morning Option: Night Bus or Taxi
✔ Best for: Flights before 4 AM or after midnight
✔ Options:
- Night buses (limited but cheaper)
- Pre-booked taxi/minicab (~1h, £50-£80)
✔ Why choose it? - Only option when trains aren’t running
- Door-to-door convenience (for taxis)
Quick Decision Guide
| Priority | Best Choice | Time | Cost |
| Speed 🚄 | Stansted Express | 30-47 mins | From £9.50 |
| Budget 💷 | National Express Bus | 1h 15m+ | From £5 |
| Late Night 🌙 | Night Bus/Taxi | Varies | £5-£80 |
Final Travel Tip
- Book train/coach tickets early for the best prices.
- Check schedules if flying very early/late—not all options run 24/7!
- Arrive at Stansted 2+ hours before departure (security can be busy).
Now that you know all your options, you can pick the best Stansted transfer for your trip fast, cheap, or flexible!
