How to Get From Stansted Airport to London - A Complete Guide
Getting from Stansted Airport into the centre of London is quick, easy, and relatively hassle-free. At Airport Bus Express, we provide passengers arriving at Stansted with a comfortable and stress-free connection to central London. Here, we tell you all about Stansted and the different methods of travelling between the airport and the centre of London. Look out for our top tips at the end for a stress-free journey!
We’ll also examine the different forms of transport from Stansted Airport to London available to you, from car hire and taxis to bus services and trains, so you can compare prices, convenience, and comfort. We've included a list of the most frequently asked questions, but if you don't see the answer you need, don't hesitate to contact the team at Airport Bus Express, and we’ll be happy to help.
At Airport Bus Express, we provide passengers arriving at Stansted with a comfortable and stress-free connection to central London. Here, we tell you all about Stansted and the different methods of travelling between the airport and the centre of London. Look out for our top tips at the end for a stress-free journey!
We’ll also examine the different forms of transport from Stansted Airport to London available to you, from car hire and taxis to bus services and trains, so you can compare prices, convenience, and comfort. We've included a list of the most frequently asked questions, but if you don't see the answer you need, don't hesitate to contact the team at Airport Bus Express, and we’ll be happy to help.
About Stansted Airport
Serving over 190 destinations in 38 countries, Stansted Airport is London’s third-largest aviation transport hub for both passengers and cargo flights. This thriving airport has always had an international flavour, as it started life as a combined RAF and US Army Air Force base during WWII.
Playing a significant role in the run-up to D-Day, it then became an RAF Maintenance storage airport and, later, a cargo transport hub. Then someone realised it could be the ideal location to meet the growing demand for passenger flights, and Stansted Airport as we know it was born.
Today, it's the UK's fourth-busiest airport, with over 27 million passengers passing through its gates in 2022 and nearly 160,000 flights in and out annually. It continues to develop and grow, with proposals for a new Arrivals terminal in the mix for the next decade.
Where is Stansted Airport located?
London Stansted Airport is 47km northeast of central London in the county of Essex. It’s close to the sleepy village of Stansted Mountfitchet, a delightful little market town that dates back to Saxon times.
Stanstead Airport's location on the Essex/Hertfordshire border puts it within easy reach of some of the southeast of England's biggest and most exciting towns, including the Roman towns of Colchester, Chelmsford, Hertford and Luton. For travellers who want to explore some of the natural beauty of the UK, the tranquil fenlands of Norfolk and Suffolk are just a short drive to the north.
Transport from London Stansted Airport to Central London – your options
Over 50% of passengers travelling to and from the airport travel by rail, coach or bus. Getting from London Stansted Airport and into the heart of central London is remarkably easy and hassle-free. You don't have to travel as far because you are coming in from the less-congested east rather than the south or west.
The fact that the M11 motorway takes you directly from Stansted right into the central transport hub of Stratford in the East End of London also makes road travel by bus, taxi or car quicker, easier, and less stressful.
Stansted Airport is particularly well served by a variety of different transport options, allowing you to choose your preferred method of getting around. Let's take a look at each of the main transport routes, including the time it takes to get to your destination, where you arrive in London, and how much it will cost.
By Train
Stansted has a fast and efficient train service that runs directly into London Liverpool Street Station. Known as the Stansted Express, it takes around 35-45 minutes to complete the journey from the airport to central London. It departs every 15 minutes from the train station located below the terminal at Stansted and runs from 5:30am until half-past midnight, seven days a week. If you want to know how to get from Stansted Airport to Londonin the shortest time, then the train is definitely the answer.
The Stansted Express has two stops. The first is Tottenham Hale in north London. From this station, you can catch the Victoria Line (part of the London Underground system) and head west of the capital, including the West End and beyond.
The second stop is London Liverpool Street Station, right in the heart of the capital's business and financial districts. This stop is particularly useful for business travellers. From London Liverpool Street station, you can connect with the Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan Underground lines, giving you access to the vast majority of the capital in all directions.
A one-way ticket bought on the day will cost you around £23.00. Prebooked return tickets are open-ended for up to a month.
Pros and cons of taking the train
- It's a fast journey, taking well under an hour to get to the centre of London
- It takes you into the heart of the financial district, which is particularly useful for business travellers
- Trains run every 15 minutes up until 00:30
- Rush-hour trains can be very busy
- It’s more expensive than getting a coach or bus
- If you fly in after midnight, there are no trains until 05:30 the next morning
- Delays are possible, especially during the winter or when there are repairs on the line
- You have to carry your own luggage
Take a Taxi
The comfort and convenience of a taxi, especially after a long flight or that early morning arrival, is obvious. It's much easier to let someone else do the driving while you relax after your flight and are dropped off directly at your destination. If you want to take a taxi from Stansted Airport to the centre of London, there are two main options. You can either prebook a licenced private hire cab or order an Uber.
Bear in mind that there is no facility to simply hail a taxi outside the airport. The only way to take a taxi from Stansted to London (or any other destination) is to either prebook or go to the taxi reservation desk in the International Arrivals concourse.
The main supplier of taxis at Stansted Airport is Street Cars Taxis. You can either book a taxi at their reservation desk or use the courtesy phone in the Baggage Reclaim area to contact them.
The Taxi pick-up and drop-off point is located outside the Arrivals hall at the airport terminal. The journey from Stansted to London will take around 50 minutes in light traffic, but may be more during busy periods or if there are delays on the M11 motorway. The cost will be around £60-£100, depending on the type of taxi service you choose.
The pros and cons of taking a taxi
- It’s comfortable and convenient, giving you a chance to relax after your flight
- It’s quick and easy
- It allows you a little personal space
- A taxi can take you to your exact destination and not just to another transport hub
- It’s by far the most expensive means of transport from Stansted Airport to London
- You cannot hail a taxi from the airport roadside
- There may not be a taxi available when you want one
- The drive into London may be affected by congestion on the M11 or elsewhere
Car Hire – Drive Yourself
The third method of travelling from Stansted Airport to London or any other destination in the UK is to hire a car. Prices vary depending on the car hire company you choose, but it can sometimes be cheaper than booking a taxi.
Currently, three of the biggest car hire agencies in the business operate at Stansted Airport, including Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, and Enterprise. You will find their offices and fleets of rental cars a short distance from the Arrivals Terminal. If you have a lot of luggage, Airport shuttle buses run out to the Car Hire area, so you don't need to struggle with piles of bags.
The cheapest way to hire a car is to go online and book well in advance. This will also ensure that you get the car of your choice. Obviously, the type of car you choose will affect the price, and the more luxurious your car, the more it will cost.
It is also worth checking online what information your car hire company will need (such as forms of identification and any age restrictions).
Pros and cons of car hire
- You can go anywhere and use the car for as long as your hire agreement lasts
- You don’t have to drop your car back at the airport as the hire companies have offices across the UK
- It gives you much more freedom to go where you want
- If you are travelling into London, you will have to add congestion charges to your fees
- You may not get the car you want at peak travel times, such as during the summer holidays
- Congestion in London can make getting around tedious
- Parking in London is extremely limited
Is it best by Bus?
If you don’t want to drive yourself, baulk at the cost of a cab, or don’t want to take the sometimes expensive and crowded train, your best option is to hop onboard one of Airport Bus Express's luxury coaches. Bus services from Stansted to London are the best option for comfort, convenience, and price. They’re no doubt the cheapest way to get from Stansted Airport to London.
The buses leave from bays 24 and 25, directly in front of the main terminal building. That means you don't have to walk far with your luggage. Buses leave every 30 minutes and, unlike the train, they run through the early hours of the morning too. So, if you fly in on the red-eye, you don't have to worry about waiting for the trains to start running.
Buses from Stansted Airport take the M11 motorway into the centre of London, stopping at Stratford in the East End and terminating at London Liverpool Street Station. From Stratford, you can connect with the Central Line, Jubilee Line, and the Docklands Light Railway services, as well as the latest addition to the Underground network, the Elizabeth Line.
The Stansted bus's final destination is London Liverpool Street, where you can pick up the Circle Line, the Metropolitan Line, the Central Line, and the Hammersmith & City Line.
Prices for a standard one-way fare start at just £6.50 if you book 28 days in advance, which is considerably cheaper than any of the other methods of transport from Stansted Airport to London. The journey time is between 45 minutes to Stratford and one hour and ten minutes to London Liverpool Street. You’ll travel down the M11 motorway, avoiding the worst of the congestion as you make your way into the centre of the capital.
**insert book now button**
Pros and cons of taking the bus
- The bus service runs every 30 minutes, including early in the morning, seven days a week
- It is much cheaper than any other transport link into London
- Your seat is guaranteed, and your driver will help you with your luggage
- Your return ticket can be used at any time during a six-month period
- Journey times may be affected by traffic conditions on the M11 motorway
- You will have to continue your journey once you arrive at the London terminals
Our top tips for a hassle-free trip
- Rather than taking the bus all the way into London Liverpool Street, book your bus from Stansted to London Stratford and then continue your journey either by public transport (such as the Underground), Uber, or London taxi. This will help you beat the congestion.
- If you’re travelling in a large group, hiring a minibus rather than a car is a more cost-effective option. Alternatively, take advantage of Airport Bus Express’ group discounts to save even more money. **insert link**
- If you’re a frequent traveller, becoming a member of Airport Bus Express gives you access to discounts of up to 10% on every journey.
- Shop around and book well ahead online if you are hiring a car.
- Think about what time you'll be arriving at Stansted so that you don't have to wait around for too long to continue your journey. For example, if your flight lands at 2am and you decide to travel to London by train, remember that you'll have to wait for three and a half hours before the first train leaves Stansted!
FAQs
We think that covers just about everything, but here are a few of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Airport Bus Express about how to get from Stansted Airport to London.
What's the cheapest way to get from Stansted Airport to London?
Without a doubt, it's the bus every time. If you prebook your ticket with Airport Bus Express well in advance online, it could cost you as little as £6.50* for a standard one-way ticket. If you want to travel around for several days, car hire is surprisingly cost-effective, but don’t forget you’ll have to pay congestion charges if you go into London.
What about the other way - how much does it cost to get to London from Stansted Airport?
Again, if you book early, it can cost you just £6.50*. If you buy a ticket on the day, it will still only cost you £16, which is cheaper than any other method of transport between Stratford or London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport.
What's the fastest way of getting to London?
The fastest way is by train, which only takes 30-45 minutes. However, the bus isn't far behind, taking just 45 minutes to get to Stratford and one hour and 10 minutes to get to Liverpool Street.
What’s the best transport method for groups?
If you're travelling around, the most economical choice would be to hire a minibus from one of the car rental companies. Again, it's a matter of doing some online comparisons before you travel and budgeting for extras such as fuel, congestion charges, and so on. If you are travelling from Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street, a group ticket on one of Airport Bus Express' luxury coaches makes the most sense, with discounts for groups that can save you £2 per person.
How much luggage can I take on the bus?
You can take two standard-size suitcases and one piece of hand luggage (which must be able to fit underneath your seat or in the overhead rack). If you have additional luggage, a charge of £5/item is applicable.
*£6.50 price is for a single bus ticket when booked at least 28 days in advance. Prices are subject to change.
Ricky