The most common trips from Stansted are into central London, out to Cambridge, and to the nearby Essex and Hertfordshire towns such as Bishop's Stortford and Harlow. Below are road distances, typical driving times and indicative taxi fares for each. The central London range is sourced; other fares are indicative and vary by vehicle and time of day. Prices checked August 2026.
Routes table
| Destination | Approx distance | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central London (West End / City) | ~40 miles | 70 to 95 min | £75 to £120 |
| Cambridge | ~31 miles | 35 to 50 min | £55 to £75 |
| Bishop's Stortford | ~3 to 4 miles | 12 to 17 min | £18 to £30 |
| Stansted Mountfitchet | ~2 miles | 8 to 12 min | indicative, confirm at booking |
| Harlow | ~8 miles | 20 to 25 min | £15 to £30 |
| Colchester | ~34 miles | 40 to 55 min | indicative, confirm at booking |
| Chelmsford | ~22 miles | 30 to 40 min | indicative, confirm at booking |
| Bishop's Stortford station (rail) | ~4 miles | ~15 min | £18 to £28 |
Distances and times are road estimates and change with traffic. Taxi fares are indicative fixed-price ranges from comparison and minicab operators, except the central London range, which is sourced. Confirm the exact fare with the operator when you book, since Stansted has no meter and every price is quoted up front.
Key destinations
Central London is the busiest route. By taxi it is a fixed £75 to £120 and about 70 to 95 minutes down the M11. For most solo travellers the Stansted Express is faster and far cheaper at about 48 minutes from £9.90, or the coach from about £7. A taxi earns its place for groups, luggage or late arrivals.
Cambridge is a natural route north, about 31 miles and 35 to 50 minutes by road, with indicative taxi fares of £55 to £75. There are also rail and coach connections north from the area, so weigh a taxi against public transport for solo trips.
Bishop's Stortford and Harlow are the closest sizeable towns, 12 to 25 minutes by road and the cheapest taxi routes here at roughly £15 to £30. Bishop's Stortford station is also on the Stansted Express line, so the train can be the simpler option if you are heading there or onward.
Stansted Mountfitchet sits right next to the airport, a 2-mile hop of 8 to 12 minutes. Fares are short and quoted on booking. For any of these, compare the taxis page and the public transport page before you decide.
Routes FAQs
How much is a taxi from Stansted to central London? A fixed fare of roughly £75 to £120, taking about 70 to 95 minutes by road. There is no meter, so pre-book to fix the price.
How far is Stansted from Cambridge? About 31 miles, or 35 to 50 minutes by road. Indicative taxi fares are £55 to £75, though these vary by vehicle and time of day, so confirm at booking.
What is the shortest taxi route from Stansted? Stansted Mountfitchet, about 2 miles and 8 to 12 minutes, followed by Bishop's Stortford at 3 to 4 miles. These are the cheapest local fares.
Is it cheaper to get the train or a taxi from Stansted to London? The train, by a wide margin for one person: the Stansted Express is from £9.90 against a £75 to £120 taxi. A taxi makes more sense for groups or late-night travel.
More: Overview, Taxis, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, FAQs.
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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.