Stansted Express trains to/from central London

Fastest most frequent transport between Stansted Airport and central London

Fastest way to central London: Stansted Express train

The London Stansted Express train is a dedicated airport train service running into London's Liverpool Street Station.

 

The Stansted Express train station is beneath the passenger terminal at Stansted Airport, the end of the line from London. Simply descend the escalators on coming out of arrivals and you're on the platform.

Stansted Express trains are the fastest way into central London from Stansted Airport, scheduled journey time is 45 minutes.

On most journeys the train will make two stops, one at Tottenham Hale. This is an interchange with the London Underground which can save you time to may parts of London, so it is worth checking out.

The Liverpool Street terminus of the Stansted Express is in the business area of London, a fair way from where most leisure travellers will have their London accommodation.

 

As the Stansted Express train has no traffic to contend with, it is the most reliable transfer option too between Stansted and London.

The competing airport buses are cheaper but with many routes that may well stop much nearer your hotel in London than the Stansted Express. The airport buses also operate a full 24/7 timetable.

Stansted Express operating hours

Stansted Express runs at frequencies of every 15 minutes during the day, and 30 minutes in the early morning and late evenings.

 

From Stansted Airport first train is at 06:00. On Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the first train is at 05:30. Last train: 00:30.

 

From Liverpool Street first train is 04:40 (Additional journey 03:40 (Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays only) and 04:10 (Mondays, Friday, Saturday and Sundays only). The last train is at 23:25.

 

Journey time between Stansted and Liverpool Street is around 50 minutes.

You should bear in mind that the first trains leave Liverpool Street Station well before the first Underground trains start to arrive about 5.30am and the last train arriving from Stansted arrives after the last Underground train leaves. There is a good network of night buses from Liverpool Street to most area of central London when the London Underground is closed. However, there is now a 24-hour service on the London Underground on Friday and Saturday on the Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.

There are also many flights that arrive at Stansted well after the last Stansted Express trains leave for London. Alternative airport bus services operate a near 24/7 service.

 

Liverpool Street Station

The terminus of the Stansted Express train in London is Liverpool Street Station. The key aspect for visitors, new to London is that Liverpool Street is a long way from where most leisure travellers have their accommodation in London. Liverpool Street Station is in the heart of the City of London, London's business area.

 

During the week the area is a hive of activity with what hotels there are priced more for international financiers on an expense account than leisure travellers. At the weekend it is a ghost town and room rates can be a bargain.

In terms of facilities there is everything you could possibly need both inside and outside the front doors of the station from chemists to fast food to historic pubs. The London Underground is directly underneath the train station. There is a left luggage facility in the station.

 

Stansted Express passenger cabin

Stansted Express interior luggage rack

Tottenham Hale Station

All trains operating when the Underground is running stop at Tottenham Hale Station. This is about 10 minutes on the train from Liverpool Street towards Stansted Airport.

 

The earliest train that leaves Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, at 03:40 does not stop at Tottenham Hale Station. Tottenham Hale station opens at 05:20 Monday-Friday, so if you need the earlier train you will need to travel from Liverpool Street station.

 

Because Liverpool Street is not the most convenient place in London for many people, a stop is made at Tottenham Hale, so that you have the option to use the Victoria Line of the Underground.

The Victoria Line is one of the newer Underground lines with longer distances between stations than the older lines. For many people it's quicker to use Tottenham Hale and the Victoria Line to many of the main hotel districts in London. The fare on the Stansted Express is also slightly cheaper.

The first Underground train from central London arrives at about 6am at Tottenham Hale with the last one departing Stansted around 11.15pm weekdays and 11.45pm at weekends.

 

Luggage

Luggage on the Stansted Express is only limited by your ability to carry it on the train. There are luggage racks like that pictured right and also for smaller bags overhead shelves.

 

At Stansted Airport the train station is beneath the passenger terminal accessed directly by lifts and escalators. At Liverpool Street the trains are at ground level.

 

First Class v Standard Class

First Class tickets are currently unavailable on the Stansted Express.

Historically the vast majority of passengers and most of the seats provided are standard class regardless.

Free wi-fi is available throughout the train.

 

A first or business class class ticket gets a quieter carriage with more room including extra-large seats with more legroom. Complimentary newspapers are provided.

 

First class will get you a fast-track Security Pass through customs at Stansted and at Liverpool Street entry to the Greater Anglia First Class Lounge.

Stansted Express Fares 2024 Stansted Express On-Line Ticketing
	London Station
	Liverpool Street	Tottenham Hale
Standard Tickets
Standard Class - One Way	£21.90	£21.40
Standard Class - Return*	£34.60	£33.80
Ticket Offers
Advance Offer Standard Class - One Way (limited availability)†	from £9.90	from £9.70
Advance Offer Standard Class - Return (limited availability)†	from £19.80	from £19.40
Web Duo (2 people traveling) - One Way†	from £30.46 (for 2)	£37.70 (for 2)
Web Duo (2 people traveling) - Return*†	from £60.90 (for 2)	£59.40 (for 2)
Group Offer (3 or more people traveling) - One Way†	£43.50 (for 3)	£42.60 (for 3)
Group Offer (3 or more people traveling) - Return†	£68.90 (for 3)	£67.00 (for 3)
Child Fares (half price of adult fares) apply to 5 - 15 years olds only. Under 5's travel FREE. † Promotional fare only available at Stansted Express website, may be withdrawn at any time * Return travel must be made within 30 days of the outward journey on return tickets Advanced Offer tickets are always the cheapest because they are non-refundable and non exchangeable.

Stansted Express Tickets & promotional fares

There are no seat numbers/reserved seats on the Standard Express, a ticket buy you the right to travel on the train between the points stated on your ticket. Passengers must buy their tickets before boarding the train.

One way tickets are valid only on the date displayed on the ticket. Return tickets are valid for any journey for 30 days after the first leg.

Advance purchase tickets

If you are travelling as an individual this is your cheapest ticket option. (Group tickets of 3 or more are usually a tiny bit cheaper.)

Book online in advance from the Stansted Express website and tickets will be almost half the price of a standard ticket. However, these tickets have limited availability and the cheapest fares you will need to book well ahead. The discount on these tickets gets less and less until the allocation of tickets for that date is sold out.

Advanced Offer tickets are always the cheapest because they are non-refundable and non exchangeable.

Group Offer

The group discount applies for groups from three to up to nine people and will allow all in the group to travel for roughly the same or a little less than the cheapest possible tickets which are the Advanced Purchase.

WebDuo - online only discount when 2 travel together on standard adult fare

2 adults can buy 2 standard Class Anytime Return tickets online for a discounted rate. This is an online only rate and only for adults.

This ticket is a cheaper ticket to the standard fare, but not as cheap as the Advance Purchase ticket. It does however allow for flexibility of changing dates/refunds.

Railcards

You can use Railcard discounts on the Stansted Express.

Railcards - more information

2 for 1 sightseeing promotion

Return train tickets on the Stansted Express qualify you for the 2 for 1 admission programme at many of London's most famous attractions.

2 for 1 - more information

London - Stansted Airport Comparison of Fares 2024
Service	Standard Adult Fare
	One-Way	Return
Stansted Express - Liverpool Street	£21.90	£34.60
Stansted Express Advance booking	£16.50	£30
National Express - Stratford	£10-£17 †	£17-£32 †
National Express - Kings Cross via Liverpool Street	£10-£17 †	£17-£23 †
National Express - Victoria via Waterloo	£11-£17†	£23 †
Airport Bus / Terravision - Stratford /Liverpool Street	£14	£20
Airport Bus / Terravision - Baker Street/Victoria	£14	£20
# Fare only available at Stansted Express website, non refundable or exchangeable † Lowest fare online only advance purchase Funfare tickets - limited number of tickets, the earlier you book the better the availability. Higher fare is for payment on the day or at short notice online.

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