Luton to Stansted Airport bus shuttle transfer

National Express airport coach service, only direct public transport link between LTN & STN

The only direct public transport between London's Luton and Stansted airports are the National Express coaches which shuttle between the two airports. Both Luton and Stansted airports are about 35 miles (56km) north of London.

 

The National Express coaches going direct between the two airports do so without coming into London itself.

Note - there is no direct train service.

 

National Express bus between Stansted & Luton Airport

The Luton - Stansted Airport Bus is operated by National Express with comfortable coaches complete with on board washrooms. Stansted and Luton Airports are about 55 miles (88 km) apart to the north of London.

 

This coach service is the fastest public transport travelling between Stansted and Luton airports. Scheduled time is around 75-90 minutes and there are 1 or 2 buses an hour each way for most of the day.

 

The buses are not dedicated Stansted to Luton buses.

There are several routes which terminate at Stansted and go to Luton Airport before going onto other English cities like Oxford, Birmingham and Northampton.

 

Minimum times between flights?

The journey time on the bus is scheduled at around 90 minutes. Absolute minimum time with no contingency between flights that you should contemplate making a transfer between Stansted and Luton is 5 hours using this service.

 

Remember both Luton and Stansted are dominated by the low cost budget airlines where missing your flight means losing your ticket.

 

Finding bus at Stansted & Luton

Luton Airport

In front of the main front doors of Luton Airport's passenger terminal is a very large bus station, you cannot miss it.

 

Everyone has to walk through it to get to the other forms of transport like the taxi rank and car park shuttles. All the different buses are lined up with their own bus bays.

 

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.

 

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 on-line in advance is much cheaper.

National Express bus routing

The Stansted - Luton buses are not dedicated Stansted to Luton buses. There are three different services that terminate /start at Stansted Airport and travel by two different routes to Luton airport before continuing onto their eventual destination.

 

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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