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Stansted to Central London

Step-by-step directions from Stansted Airport to Central London, with every option compared by time, price and luggage-friendliness. Route the whole trip offline with CityNav.

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Your options from Stansted Airport to Central London

Stansted to Central London: options compared
Option Duration Price Frequency Luggage
🚄 Stansted Express ~50 min from £13 (cheaper in advance) Every 15–30 min, 05:30–00:30 🧳🧳🧳🧳 4/5
🚌 National Express coach ~75-120 min from £6 Every 15–30 min, 24h 🧳🧳🧳🧳 4/5
🚕 Taxi / Uber ~70-100 min from £90-£130 On demand, 24h 🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳 5/5

Step-by-step, each option

🚄Stansted Express
⏱ ~50 min 💷 from £13 (cheaper in advance) Luggage: 🧳🧳🧳🧳 4/5
⚡ Fastest🧳 Best with luggage
  1. Follow signs down to the station beneath the terminal
  2. Board the Stansted Express toward Liverpool Street
  3. Change at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line, or ride to Liverpool Street
🚌National Express coach
⏱ ~75-120 min 💷 from £6 Luggage: 🧳🧳🧳🧳 4/5
💷 Cheapest🌙 Late night
  1. Go to the coach station outside the terminal
  2. Board an A6/A7/A9 service to Victoria, Liverpool St or Stratford
  3. Runs 24/7 — good for very late or early flights
🚕Taxi / Uber
⏱ ~70-100 min 💷 from £90-£130 Luggage: 🧳🧳🧳🧳🧳 5/5
🌙 Late night👨‍👩‍👧 Best for families
  1. Use the official rank or rideshare pickup
  2. Confirm your London destination
  3. Expect M11/A406 traffic at peak times

Insider Tips

💡 Book the Stansted Express online in advance to save.
💡 24-hour coaches make Stansted convenient for red-eye flights.
💡 Tottenham Hale connects the Express to the Victoria line for north/central London.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Stansted to central London?

From £13 on the Express (cheaper in advance), £6-£8 by coach, or £90-£130 by taxi.

How long does it take?

About 50 min on the Express; 75-120 min by coach.

Cheapest way?

National Express or Terravision coaches, from ~£6-£8.

Best with luggage?

The Express (luggage racks) or a taxi door-to-door; coaches store bags in the hold.

Late-night?

National Express coaches run 24/7 to Victoria, Liverpool St and Stratford.

Contactless?

Contactless works onward in London, but buy an Express/coach ticket for the airport leg.

Related guides

Data last checked: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Stansted Express, National Express. Fares are approximate and can change.

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