Gatwick to Stansted Airport bus shuttle transfer

National Express airport coach service - only direct public transport link between LGW & STN

National Express buses will take you from Stansted to Gatwick Airport

National Express coaches run direct, frequent coaches between all of London's four major airports, including a Stansted - Gatwick Airport Bus.

 

Although the only direct Gatwick to / from Stansted public transportation it is not the fastest.

Gatwick to & from Stansted

Train/Indirect

Public Bus

Private Car/Bus

 

The fastest way to travel between Gatwick and Stansted airports, is the Gatwick - Stansted train option via central London.

However, the big drawback travelling between Gatwick and Stansted airports by train is you need at least three separately ticketed trains.

Two are airport the express trains that connect the respective airports to Victoria and Tottenham Hale stations in London and the London Underground train that connects Victoria and Tottenham Hale.

National Express bus between Gatwick & Stansted Airport

The Stansted - Gatwick Airport Bus is operated by National Express with comfortable coaches complete with on board washrooms.

 

Gatwick and Stansted Airports are opposite sides of London, the National Express coach goes around London's orbital motorway/freeway.

 

Half way around the orbital motorway is Heathrow Airport where coaches make several stops at Heathrow passenger terminals.

National Express also run separate services between both Stansted Airport and Gatwick Airport and Victoria Coach Station in the centre of London.

Although you need to change National Express coaches at Victoria, this is normally cheaper than buying a ticket on the direct bus.

Minimum times between flights?

The journey time on the bus is scheduled at around 3 hours. Absolute minimum time with no contingency between flights that you should contemplate making a transfer between Gatwick and Stansted is 6 hours using this service. Remember the fastest way between Gatwick Airport and Stansted Airport is not direct via coach but indirect via Central London with a change of transport.

Perhaps because of the slow speed of this option this is not the most frequent inter-airport bus service either, typically running around every 2 hours.

 

You may well find that it's quicker to do the journey indirect with a change of National Express coach at Heathrow Airport. Consult the National Express travel planner through the banner below.

Road Congestion Warning!

Most of the route between Gatwick and Stansted is along some of the most heavily congested motorway/freeway in Europe.

 

It only takes one accident or lane closure and the whole road comes to gridlock with major delays

Mondays to Fridays between 6.30am and 10am and 3.30pm and 7pm traffic congestion is routine, expect delays at this time.

 

There can also be severe congestion late Sunday afternoon/ early evening. But at anytime the slightest incident can bring the road to gridlock.

Finding the National Express bus at Gatwick & Stansted

Stansted Airport

In front of Stansted Airport's passenger terminal is a very large bus station. All the different buses are lined up with their own bays. There is a waiting room and somewhere to get a coffee and snacks. When you come out of the customs area, just look up and follow the signs downstairs to the bus station.

 

Gatwick Airport

At Gatwick the National Express bus visits both North and South Terminals. For boarding and drops the the coach bays are well signed and are directly in front of the passenger terminals, a few yards out of the door.

National Express luggage allowance

You can carry two medium-sized suitcases - weighing up to 20kg (44lb) each - plus one small piece of hand luggage per person. Drivers loading the baggage do not weigh bags.

 

Customers will be permitted to pool their individual allowances if they are travelling in a group or as a family, but they must be travelling on the same ticket.

Over this allowance and steep excess luggage charges kick in.

 

If you need to take extra luggage on your journey, this can be arranged either in advance or on your day of travel when you arrive at the coach station. However buying your extra luggage online in advance is much cheaper.

 

National Express bus routing

The direct Gatwick - Stansted buses are not dedicated Gatwick to Stansted buses. Most of the buses terminate/start at Gatwick Airport and service Heathrow and Stansted airports before continuing north to Cambridge and Norwich.

You can also buy a single tickets for two separate separate National Express services that connect with one another. National Express operate services from both Gatwick and Stansted to London's only coach station in the Victoria district of Central London. Journey times are typically longer, but fares are cheaper.

National Express fares - the key points

Remember: with National Express you book a seat on a specific bus schedule.

National Express fare types

National Express have three fare types:

Restricted Fare: online only - not amendable

This fare is the cheapest fare of all for a reason - it is neither refundable nor amendable.

Standard Fare: the cheapest fare. Amendable (for a fee) but not refundable

This ticket is not refundable but the journey date and time can be changed prior to your current departure date and time. Amendments must be made prior to the journey. An amendment fee will apply.

Fully Flexible Fare: unlimited amendments and refunds allowed before travel

The most expenstive option means that you can make unlimited amendments anytime prior to departure without incurring an amendment fee. You can also receive a full refund up to 24 hours before travel if you need to.

The Airport flexible add on - (Change & Go) The flexibility to switch schedule if your flight is early/late

(£5 each way)

For peace of mind if your flight is early or delayed with this add-on you may board any available coach 12 hours before or 12 hours after your original departure time you have selected on reservation.

You can amend your ticket to a new departure date as well - free of charge.

You can obtain a refund on your ticket up to 24 hours before departure.

You add the Change & Go Add On during the booking process, not at the original selection screen where you select your schedule and fare.

The option comes up on a subsequent screen with other supplemental options like excess luggage and travel insurance are offered and before payment.

National Express Group Discount (for 3 people or more)

If you're travelling on the National Express services in a group of four or more, you can travel between London's airports for just £20 per person.

Luggage supplements

The National Express coaches come with a free luggage allowance of either 2 medium or 1 large cases for the hold of the bus.

Medium cases should be no more than 70cm x 45cm x 30cm.

Large cases no more than 75cm x 50cm x 32cm.

Neither case should weigh more than 20kg (44lb).

An item of hand luggage is allowed in the passenger cabin but only laptop/handbag size.

There are steep excess luggage charges if you exceed these limits.

For supplement prices please click through on the link below.

3 extra cases is usually around twice the price to just one extra case if you book in advance, but will cost up to three times as much if you leave it to the day.

You will usually save at least a couple of pounds (or more if multiple extra bags) by booking in advance, in addition to guaranteeing yourself a space (extra luggage space can't be guaranteed on the day).

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Stansted - Gatwick Airport private transfers

A private car or bus with a clear run takes around 80 minutes to make the journey between Stansted and Gatwick.

As well as being the most convenient and stress free option, private vehicles can make real sense, especially if there is a group of you or you have lots of luggage.

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