Stansted sits about 31 miles north-east of central London, just off the M11 at junction 8. Its defining fact is the rail link: the Stansted Express reaches London Liverpool Street in about 48 minutes, with advance singles from £9.90. Coaches are cheaper still, from about £7. A fixed-price taxi runs roughly £75 to £120, and drop-off at the terminal costs £10 for 15 minutes. Prices checked August 2026.
Getting to and from Stansted at a glance
| Option | Price | Time to central London | Runs at night? | Door to door? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Express / coach | from ~£7 single | 60 to 100 min | Yes, most routes | No, London stops |
| Stansted Express train | from £9.90 advance | ~48 min | Limited late night | No, Liverpool Street |
| Pre-booked taxi / private hire | ~£75 to £120 | 70 to 95 min | Yes, 24/7 | Yes |
| Uber | demand priced (~£73) | ~63 min | Fewer cars late on | Yes, from Mid Stay |
| Drive and park (Long Stay) | from ~£59.99 / 8 days | 60 to 90 min | Yes | Yes |
Stansted handled roughly 29.8 million passengers in 2024, which makes it the UK's fourth-busiest airport and the country's largest low-cost base, dominated by Ryanair. It runs from a single Norman Foster-designed terminal, with gates in three airside satellites reached by a free transit shuttle.
In this guide
- Taxis, Uber and private hire
- Public transport
- Parking
- Drop-off and pick-up
- Popular routes
- Latest news and updates
- Airport facilities and lounges
- Travel blog and guides
- FAQs
The quick answer
If you are travelling light and watching the cost, public transport wins. The coach to Liverpool Street starts from about £7, and the Stansted Express is the fastest way in at about 48 minutes, with advance singles from £9.90 and departures roughly every 15 minutes at peak. The train beats the coach on speed, the coach beats the train on price.
If you are two or more people with luggage, or you land late, a pre-booked taxi makes more sense. Stansted has no black-cab rank, so fares are fixed rather than metered, usually £75 to £120 to central London. Booking an independent licensed operator ahead of time is almost always cheaper than the Street Cars desk on arrival. Uber runs here too, but it collects from the Mid Stay car park rather than the terminal front.
If someone is collecting you, know that the Express Set Down zone costs £10 for up to 15 minutes and £28 up to 30 minutes. The free alternative is the Mid Stay car park, which gives 60 minutes free with a shuttle to the terminal. Driving yourself? The cheapest parking is Long Stay or JetParks, pre-booked from about £59 for eight days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Stansted to London? National Express and other coaches to Liverpool Street, from about £7 one way. They are slower and more traffic-dependent than the train, taking 60 to 100 minutes. See the public transport page.
How long does the Stansted Express take? About 48 minutes direct to London Liverpool Street, with advance singles from £9.90 and services roughly every 15 minutes at daytime peaks. More on the public transport page.
How much is a taxi from Stansted to central London? A fixed fare of roughly £75 to £120, taking about 70 to 95 minutes. There is no metered black-cab rank, so pre-booking is usually cheaper. See the taxis page.
How much is drop-off at Stansted? The Express Set Down zone is £10 for up to 15 minutes and £28 for 15 to 30 minutes, effective from 19 March 2026. The free option is the Mid Stay car park, up to 60 minutes free. See drop-off and pick-up.
Is Uber allowed at Stansted? Yes. Uber collects from the Mid Stay car park Free Set Down area, not the terminal front, and a free shuttle runs to the terminal. See the taxis page.
How we verified this
The prices and facts on this site were checked in August 2026 against the airport's own website and the named operators (the Stansted Express, National Express, Street Cars and Uber). Tariffs and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Stansted Airport site before you travel.
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Last verified August 2026 by the London Stansted Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official London Stansted Airport website before you travel.