National Express Stansted - London Stratford

24/7 airport coach service, fast budget route into London from Stansted Airport

National Express: Stansted Airport coach - Stansted coach station

The National Express Stansted to Stratford airport coach service is the shortest airport bus transfer of the total of six Stansted airport bus services now available.

Stratford is to the east of Central London at the end of the motorway from Stansted Airport. From Stratford further into London its stop/go urban travel prone to traffic congestion.

 

The Central Line and Jubilee Line of the London Underground link Stratford with Central London, offering avoidance of any traffic congestion.

This Stansted Airport to Stratford service runs at least every 30 minutes, 24/7.

 

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

Is this the right airport bus service for you?

Stratford is the key transport hub near the end of the motorway from Stansted with Underground, rail and Docklands Light Railway connections onward into London. Alternative airport buses to and from Stansted continue into London with stop/start journeys through an urban environment.

So book this service if your destination is in East London, including Docklands or you want to minimise the risk of being delayed in traffic.

 

Stratford is in zone 2/3 of the London public transport system. This means your fare on the Underground or DLR is charged from either zone 2 or zone 3, the zone used being the zone resulting in the lowest fare for your journey.

Note, the London Underground and DLR are closed between around midnight and 5am.

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

 

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 on-line 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).

Alternative Stansted - London Stratford bus by Airport Bus Express

Airport Bus Express Stansted compete head to head with National Express on the Stansted - Stratford 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.

Although Terravision no longer operate the service they do provide ticketing for this Airport Bus Express service.

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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