London Stansted — Stansted Express
London Stansted (STN) to London — Updated 2026
London Stansted has one direct rail option — the **Stansted Express** to Liverpool Street station. £20.70 single, 50 minutes, every 15 minutes during the day. The train operates from a dedicated station directly under the terminal — 2 minute walk from arrivals via escalators. There are no other rail options to central London. For cheaper alternatives, **National Express coach** runs at £10-£15 to Victoria or Stratford (90-120 minutes), and **easyBus** runs a budget service for £8-£12 to Baker Street. Stansted is significantly further from central London than Heathrow or Gatwick (40 miles vs 15 + 30) — bus tends to take 90+ minutes regardless of operator. The Stansted Express is the only sub-60-minute option.
Stansted Express stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Stansted Airport | 0 min | Station directly under the terminal |
| Tottenham Hale | ~38 min | Connects to Victoria Line + Overground |
| Stratford | ~45 min | Connects to Jubilee + Central + DLR + Overground + Elizabeth Line |
| Liverpool Street | 50 min | Terminus — Central Line + Circle + Hammersmith&City + Metropolitan + DLR + Elizabeth Line |
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Stansted Express vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted Express | £20.70 | 50 min | Direct to Liverpool Street. Best option. |
| Greater Anglia local | £18-£20 | 60-75 min | Slower stopping service — sometimes cheaper if booked ahead. |
| National Express coach | £10-£15 | 90-120 min | Direct to Victoria Coach Station + Stratford. |
| easyBus coach | £8-£12 | 90-120 min | Cheapest to Baker Street. |
| Taxi (black cab) | £100-£130 | 90-150 min | M11 traffic at peak. Expensive. |
| Uber | £75-£100 | 90-150 min | Cheaper than black cab. Same traffic risk. |
FAQ
Is Stansted Express worth the £20.70?+
Yes — it's the only direct fast rail option from Stansted. The 50-minute journey time to Liverpool Street is unmatched by bus (90-120 min) or driving (90-150 min with traffic). Buying online ahead saves £2-£3. Anytime Single £20.70 standard; off-peak return £24.70 (best value if returning).
How early do I need to leave central London for a Stansted flight?+
For a 09:00 departure (3-hour airport arrival = 06:00 at Stansted): take the 04:45 Stansted Express from Liverpool Street (50 min train + 30 min walk + buffer). Allow 5 hours minimum door-to-gate from central London. Stansted has the longest commute time of any London airport.
Late-night Stansted Express?+
Stansted Express runs roughly 04:30 to 00:30. After that: National Express coach (£10-£15, 90-120 min to Victoria) or taxi. Greater Anglia local rail also runs slightly later. The first Stansted Express from Liverpool Street is 03:40 — useful for very early morning departures.
Why is Stansted so far from London?+
Stansted was historically a US Air Force base, located in Essex 40 miles northeast of central London. It was redeveloped as London's third commercial airport in the 1990s + has remained Ryanair's main UK base. The trade-off vs Heathrow/Gatwick: cheaper flights but longer commute. Plan accordingly.
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