In this blog-post I will show you the easiest ways to get from the Stansted Airport to the city centre of London. I will show you three different options.
There is only one terminal at Stansted Airport, so that’s makes it easier to navigate, as all passengers will exit the customs through the same exit. When you exit, it looks like this:
Here you can see the directions for Uber, train station and the bus (coach) station. There is also a monitor, showing the next trains departing to London.
Stansted Airport is the London Airport that is located furthest away from London, together with Southend Airport.
1st option
taxi or Uber
Taxi or Private Transfer
- Black cabs from Stansted to central London cost around £99+.
- Private car services offer fixed prices, usually £80–£120 depending on drop-off location.
uber
- Available from Stansted Airport Uber Pick-up Area.
- Prices depend on demand, time of day, and drop-off point.
- Expect £40–£120 for central London.
- Usually cheaper than black cabs, but surge pricing can make it more expensive.
2nd option
Stansted Express (Train) – Fastest Option
- Frequency & Speed: Trains depart every 15 minutes during the day and take around 46–50 minutes to reach London Liverpool Street.
- Key Stops: Some services stop at Tottenham Hale (for the Victoria line), plus occasional stops at Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop’s Stortford, or Harlow Town.
- Cost: Advance fares start around £9.90, while standard prices may be closer to £25 if booked later.
- Payment notes: Oyster and contactless cards are not valid for travel to/from Stansted Airport—ensure you purchase a proper Stansted Express ticket to avoid penalties.
3rd option
Coaches — Cost-Effective and Versatile
- National Express: Nearly 200 trips per day to major London stations — Paddington, Victoria, King’s Cross, Stratford, and more.
- Journey times range from about 50 minutes (to Stratford) to over 100 minutes (to Paddington).
- Advance tickets start around £7; on-the-day fares about £17.
- Flibco: Runs 24-hour services every 30 minutes to Liverpool Street and Stratford.
- Airport Bus Express: Operates the A21 route to Liverpool Street via Stratford.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Travel Time | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted Express | ~46–50 minutes | Fastest, reliable, direct to Liverpool St | More expensive without advance ticket |
| Coach | 50–115 minutes | Cheapest, multiple destinations | Slower, traffic dependent |
| Taxi (Black Cab) | ~56 minutes | Door-to-door, fixed meter pricing | Expensive (£99+) |
| Uber | ~56 minutes | Cheaper than taxis, app-based convenience | Surge pricing possible (£70–£120) |
| Private Transfer | ~56 minutes | Pre-booked, fixed price | Still costly (£80–£120) |
Thanks for reading this blogpost. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or maybe some advice.
See my YouTube video for more details on the subject:
