Travel by Stansted Express

Oyster cards and contactless payment cards are not accepted on Stansted Express train services to and from Stansted Airport. You must purchase a valid ticket before boarding. Book your Stansted Express tickets in advance. Pre-booked fares are always cheaper than same-day purchases, helping you reduce the cost when you travel by train to London Stansted Airport.

Save money when you travel by train to London Stansted Airport by using eligible railcards to get discounts on your Stansted Express tickets. Stansted Express accepts the 16-25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard, Two Together Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard, Network Railcard, and HM Forces Railcard.

Railcards can only be used when purchasing tickets in person at Stansted Express ticket offices. Railcard discounts are not available when booking Stansted Express tickets online. To use your railcard discount, visit a ticket office at Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, Stratford, or Stansted Airport station and present your valid railcard when purchasing. Remember to show your railcard when travelling, as ticket inspectors may request to see it during your journey.

Railcard discounts cannot be combined with other promotional offers or online booking discounts. You must choose between advance online fares or railcard discounts purchased at the station.

Single tickets from London to Stansted Airport start from approximately £9.45 per person when booked in advance. Return journey tickets start from £18.90 when purchased ahead of your travel date. Get the lowest prices and save money on your journey, and book your tickets online as early as possible.

Stansted Express services run frequently throughout the day with trains departing approximately every 15 to 30 minutes. The exact frequency depends on your departure station and time of day, with more frequent services during peak travel times.

Timetables can vary, so we recommend checking departure times online before your journey. Visit the official Stansted Express website or National Rail Enquiries for live train times, platform information, and the most up-to-date journey schedules to plan your trip accurately.

The Stansted Express is the fastest way to travel by train from central London to Stansted Airport, with direct services from three major stations.

Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport: Just 48 minutes, making it the quickest route from central London to the airport.

Tottenham Hale to Stansted Airport: Approximately 37 minutes, ideal for north London travellers.

Stratford to Stansted Airport: Around 1 hour, convenient for east London and connections to the DLR and Elizabeth Line.

Journey times make the Stansted Express significantly faster than driving or coach services, with no traffic delays to worry about when you travel by train to Stansted Airport.

Stansted Express services run every 15 minutes throughout the day, seven days a week, making it easy to travel by train between London and Stansted Airport.

From Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport, the first train departs between 03:40am and 04:40 depending on the day, with the last train at 23:25.

From Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street, services start at 05:30 (06:00 Tuesday-Thursday) with the final departure at 00:30.

These early and late services accommodate both early morning flights and late arrivals. Always check the official Stansted Express timetable before you travel, as times may vary on public holidays.