Ealing to Stansted Airport - Transport Guide
Welcome to leafy Ealing, a delightful and mainly residential part of west London. If you need to get from Ealing Broadway to Stansted Airport, this guide is for you. In it, we'll look at the best routes from Ealing to Stansted Airport and compare travel by train and bus.
We'll look at the pros and cons of both and keep you up to date with the cost of travelling. Whether you're off to Brussels for a business meeting or heading down to the Costa del Sol for some much-needed summer sunshine, our Airport Bus Express guide to travelling from Ealing to Stansted Airport will make the start of your journey that bit easier.
Where is Ealing?
Ealing is approximately 79km (49 miles) from Stansted Airport.
The suburb of Ealing has been a favourite for well-to-do Londoners for centuries. This elegant borough to the west of the capital is filled with streets lined with distinctive London Plane trees and Victorian houses. This charming part of the city is also very well connected by road, rail, and underground to the rest of the capital and beyond.
Can you get from Ealing to Stansted Airport by car?
Absolutely, although there are a few things to consider. The congestion around London is notoriously bad, and even though your route will take you on the clockwise circuit of the M25, conditions can be incredibly slow.
Parking at Stansted Airport is limited, and the longer you stay, the more it will cost you to park close to the terminal. You also need to consider that your journey may take you into the London ULEZ zone, which will mean an additional charge on top of your petrol and parking costs.
A taxi or Uber is an option, but again, this will cost a lot more than if you travel from Ealing to Stansted Airport using public transport or a private coach service.
What are your options if you've discounted the car or a taxi?
Route 1 – Catch the coach
This is the most affordable method of getting from Ealing to Stansted Airport. And thanks to the new Crossrail service, it’s easier than ever. For the first part of the journey, use the Elizabeth Line from Ealing Broadway to get across London to Stratford. A two-minute walk from Stratford station will bring you to Bus Stop 20, which is where the Airport Bus Express service departs from every half-hour, 24/7. Your driver will help you with your luggage, and your seat is guaranteed, whether you buy a ticket on the day or pre-book online.
The onward trip to the airport takes you up the M11, avoiding London's congested traffic and arriving 35 minutes later at the Terminal entrance. The entire journey should take around one hour and 50 minutes. A standard return ticket from Stratford to Stansted costs just £16.00 if you buy on the day. However, you can slash that cost to around £9* if you book 30 days in advance online.
Route 2 – Take the train
The Stansted Express train service is a regular connection between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport. You can also connect with this service at Tottenham Hale and Stratford, although for travellers starting from Ealing, Liverpool Street is the closest connection with the most direct link to Ealing Broadway.
Get the Underground Central Line directly to Liverpool Street. On arrival, head to the appropriate platform for the Stansted Express service, which will then take you straight to the airport terminal in around 35 minutes. Total travel time is around one hour and 35 minutes. Tickets cost around £23 for a standard single, but you could reduce this if you have a rail card.
Which is best?
Both have their advantages. The train is fast and reliable but can be delayed by industrial action, weather conditions and various other reasons. You may also struggle to get a seat (which is not guaranteed even if you pre-book a ticket), especially during rush hour.
There is no real difference between the time it takes to get to Stansted. The train is slightly quicker, but it is more prone to delays.
The bus offers a more personalised service, as well as a more relaxed bus experience. Booking your ticket in advance can considerably cut your costs, too. Stratford is also very user-friendly, with all the lines on the surface and no escalators to negotiate. That’s a big advantage if you have the kids and lots of luggage to manage!
*Price for a standard single ticket booked online 30 days in advance. Prices are subject to change.
Ricky