Stansted Airport bus by National Express into central London

24/7 shuttle, Stansted - London Victoria service via Waterloo Station with fares, times & comparison

The Stansted Airport Bus run by National Express offers a high frequency shuttle service operating 24 hours per day, seven days a week to London Victoria.

This Stansted - London service also covers London south of the river with stops at Southwark and Waterloo Railway Station.

This Stansted Airport to central London service runs at least every 30 minutes through the night, 3 to 4 times an hour during the day providing a frequent and truly 24/7 Stansted Airport service.

 

The National Express Stansted Airport to London Victoria service is one of four National Express services between Stansted Airport and central London.

 

Is this the right Stansted airport bus service for you?

The National Express Stansted Airport - London Victoria service is the only National Express Stansted transfer service that goes south of the river and is the longest of the four National Express routes.

However, if you are going to Victoria, Stansted Citylink operate a direct non-stop airport bus service between Stansted and Victoria.

The National Express coach also stops at Southwark and Waterloo, convenient for the hotels around County Hall as well as Waterloo Railway Station before terminating at Victoria.

If you are staying in the County Hall, Southwark hotel districts the Victoria - Stansted National Express service is the obvious benchmark to compare alternatives against.

 

Victoria is also the closest Stansted transfer to the vast Kensington hotel district with a direct Underground link to Gloucester Road, Earls Court and Kensington High Street.

The only real negative of this service is that you are more exposed to traffic congestion delays than other airport buses as the bus travels through central London.

National Express Stansted Airport Services to/from central London

A7 Stansted - London Victoria
via Bow Church, Mile End, Whitechapel, Southwark and Waterloo.

 

A6 Stansted - Portman Square
via Golders Green, Finchely Rd, St John's Wood, Baker Street, Paddington & Marble Arch

 

A8 Stansted - London Kings Cross
Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Liverpool Street & Farringdon

 

A9 Stansted - Stratford
- direct non-stop

Avoiding the risk of traffic congestion delays by going to Stratford?

A lot of locals minimise the risk of delays through traffic congestion in the centre of London by just taking the bus from Stansted to Stratford.

Stratford is near the end of the motorway/freeway grade road from Stansted just before you enter the urban area of central London.

By taking a Stratford service and walking straight onto the London Underground at Stratford you can avoid most of the probable traffic bottlenecks in the centre.

National Express Stratford - Stansted Service - full details

National Express Stansted 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 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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Alternative Stansted - London Victoria Airport Bus by Airport Bus Express / Terravision

Airport Bus Express Stansted run head to head with National Express on the Stansted - London Victoria route.

 

The Airport Bus Express services operates a simple flat fare, whilst National Express operate a dynamic fare structure. National Express online fares can be cheaper than Airport Bus Express if you book well in advance, or more expensive if you don't.

Airport Bus Express operate a similar service to the National Express format using full size buses with large luggage holds.

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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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