A taxi from Stansted to central London is a fixed price of roughly £75 to £120 one way, taking about 70 to 95 minutes down the M11. Stansted is unusual among London airports in having no black-cab rank, so fares are quoted, not metered. The official on-airport operator, Street Cars, has a reservation desk in the International Arrivals concourse. Uber runs here too. Prices checked August 2026.
The official operator and where to book
Street Cars is the airport's contracted private-hire partner. You can book at the Street Cars reservation desk in the International Arrivals concourse at the north end of the terminal, by phone on 01279 211111, or online. There is also a courtesy phone in the domestic baggage-reclaim area that connects straight to the desk. Because there is no metered rank, the desk price on arrival is a fixed quote, and it is usually higher than booking an independent licensed operator in advance.
Fixed fares, not a meter
Unlike Heathrow or Gatwick, Stansted has no Hackney Carriage rank, so you will not find a metered black cab waiting at the kerb. Every fare is a fixed price agreed before you set off. That makes pre-booking straightforward: you know the total up front, with no surge risk if you land late at night or several flights arrive together. Pre-booked comparison and minicab services advertise fixed fares from around £81 to central London.
Typical fares to the city and beyond
The central London range below is sourced. Other destinations are indicative and should be confirmed with the operator when you book, because fares vary with vehicle size and time of day.
| Destination | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|
| Central London (West End / City) | 70 to 95 min | £75 to £120 |
| Bishop's Stortford | 12 to 17 min | £18 to £30 |
| Harlow | 20 to 25 min | £15 to £30 |
| Cambridge | 35 to 50 min | £55 to £75 |
| Chelmsford | 30 to 40 min | £45 to £65 |
For the full list of destinations, distances and driving times, see the popular routes page.
Uber and ride-hailing
Uber operates at Stansted, and it quotes roughly £73 for the trip to central London, subject to demand pricing. The catch is the pickup point: Uber does not collect from the terminal front. Instead, drivers are directed to the Mid Stay car park Free Set Down area (postcode CM24 1PJ), which is free for up to 60 minutes, and a free shuttle bus runs from there to the terminal. That trips up first-timers who expect a kerbside pickup, so allow a few extra minutes to reach the meeting point. Coverage for Bolt and FreeNow at Stansted is less consistently documented, so check the app on the day.
When a taxi beats the alternatives
If you are two or more people with luggage, a fixed-price taxi can work out close to the coach or train per head once you have paid separate fares, and it takes you to the door rather than a London terminus. It is also the simplest choice for an unsociable-hour flight, when trains thin out. If you are travelling solo and light, the cheaper options are on the public transport page, where coaches start from about £7 and the Stansted Express from £9.90. If someone is dropping you off by car, compare the drop-off charges first, because the terminal Set Down zone costs £10 for 15 minutes.
Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Stansted to central London? A fixed fare of roughly £75 to £120 one way, taking about 70 to 95 minutes. There is no meter, so the price is agreed before you travel and pre-booking is usually cheaper than the desk.
Is there a black-cab rank at Stansted? No. Stansted has no Hackney Carriage rank. The only on-airport operator is Street Cars, via a reservation desk in International Arrivals, and all fares are fixed prices rather than metered.
Where does Uber pick up at Stansted? At the Mid Stay car park Free Set Down area (postcode CM24 1PJ), not the terminal front. It is free for up to 60 minutes, and a free shuttle bus runs to the terminal.
Is it cheaper to pre-book or use the desk? Pre-booking an independent licensed operator is almost always cheaper than booking Street Cars at the desk on arrival, and the fixed price removes any late-night surge risk.
More: Overview, Public transport, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, 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.