The cheapest way from Stansted into London is the coach, from about £7 one way to Liverpool Street. The fastest is the Stansted Express train, which reaches London Liverpool Street in about 48 minutes with advance singles from £9.90. Between them they cover most budgets and timetables, 7 days a week. Prices checked August 2026.
Stansted Express (rail)
The Stansted Express runs direct to London Liverpool Street in about 48 minutes, calling at Tottenham Hale (for the Victoria line) and, on some services, Stansted Mountfitchet and Bishop's Stortford. Trains run roughly every 15 minutes at daytime peaks and every 30 minutes off-peak, 7 days a week. Fares depend on when you book: advance online singles start from about £9.90, a standard online single is around £21.90, a walk-up single is around £25 to £26.70, and a standard return is around £38. Booking ahead online is the difference between £9.90 and £26 for the same seat, so it pays to plan. The station is a short covered walk from the terminal.
Coaches to London
Coaches are the cheapest way into London overall. National Express runs to London Liverpool Street from about £7 one way (that includes a £1.50 booking fee, which is waived in the app or My Account), and to London Victoria and Stratford from about £9.50 one way. FlixBus, Airport Bus Express and Terravision also run into London, with typical fares roughly £7 to £16 one way. Journey time varies with London traffic, usually between 60 and 100 minutes depending on the destination and stops. The trade-off is simple: coaches undercut the train on price but are slower and far more sensitive to traffic.
Onward connections
At Liverpool Street you are on the Central, Circle, Hammersmith and City, and Metropolitan Underground lines, plus Elizabeth line and national rail services. If your final destination is in north or west London, changing at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line can be quicker than staying on to Liverpool Street, so check both before you book.
At a glance
| Mode | Fare (from) | Time to London | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stansted Express | £9.90 advance single | ~48 min (Liverpool Street) | Every 15 min peak |
| National Express coach | ~£7 single | 60 to 100 min | Frequent, most of the day |
| FlixBus / Terravision / Airport Bus Express | ~£7 to £16 | 60 to 100 min | Varies by operator |
When a taxi is worth it instead
Public transport is the clear winner if you are travelling solo or light, and the train in particular is hard to beat for speed into the City. Where it makes less sense is late at night when frequencies drop, or when you are a group of two or more with luggage heading somewhere off the rail and coach network. In those cases a fixed-price taxi to the door can be the better value once you add up separate fares. If someone is collecting you by car, see the drop-off page for the charges and the free alternative.
Public transport FAQs
What is the cheapest way from Stansted to London? Coaches, from about £7 one way to Liverpool Street with National Express. FlixBus, Terravision and Airport Bus Express are similar, roughly £7 to £16. They are cheaper than the train but slower.
How long does the Stansted Express take to London? About 48 minutes direct to London Liverpool Street, calling at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line and, on some services, Bishop's Stortford.
How often does the Stansted Express run? Roughly every 15 minutes at daytime peaks and every 30 minutes off-peak, 7 days a week.
Is the train or the coach better from Stansted? The train is faster (about 48 minutes, from £9.90 advance) but the coach is cheaper (from about £7) and slower, and more affected by traffic. Choose on whether speed or price matters more.
More: Overview, Taxis, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
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.