The Cheapest Ways to Get to Stansted Airport in 2024
Tucked away in the rolling Essex countryside, 50km from central London, is the capital's third-largest airport. A vital link to hundreds of destinations in dozens of countries worldwide, London Stansted Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK, welcoming over 27 million passengers annually.
It's home to many of the UK's budget airlines, including easyJet, Tui and Ryanair. If you want to catch your flight but don’t want to spend a fortune on taxis or parking charges, what is the cheapest way to get to Stansted Airport?
In this guide, we'll give you some great advice on how to get from the centre of the city to the airport, as well as how to plan your journey if you're travelling from further afield. Look out for our Top Tips that could help you choose a cheap Stansted Airport transfer that won’t eat into your holiday funds.
Stansted Airport's location
This thriving international airport started life as a vital RAF and USAAF base during WWII. Today, it speeds sun-starved Brits to the shores of the Mediterranean and entrepreneurial businessmen and women to the capital cities of Europe. The airport is close to the Saxon village of Stansted Mountfitchet and is also within easy reach of Colchester, Chelmsford and Luton.
Its location northeast of London makes it an excellent departure and arrival point for passengers travelling to and from London and the rest of the southeast of England.
Transport connections
Don't be fooled by the name—London Stansted Airport is well outside the M25! Unfortunately, unlike London Heathrow, you cannot get to Stansted Airport directly by Tube.
However, you can use the Tube to get to one of the main transport hubs in London and then connect to the airport via various transport connections.
Taxi and driving yourself
Let’s deal with the most expensive first – by taxi. While it may be ultra-convenient to get picked up from your door and taken all the way to Stansted by cab, it will cost you! And if you’re looking for the cheapest way to get to Stansted Airport, a London taxi is not your best option. If you want to take a cab, we suggest using Lyft, Bolt or Uber and booking well in advance.
Our top Tip: Phone around, as some cab firms offer special Airport rates and discounts for mini-buses if you have a larger group travelling to Stansted.
If you want to drive, bear in mind that you will have to factor in the cost of fuel from and to the Airport, possible ULEZ congestion charges if your route takes you through London, and parking costs at the airport.
Our Top Tip: If you want to drive yourself, pre-book your parking at the airport well in advance. Not only will this guarantee you a space, but it could save you hundreds of pounds compared to just turning up on the day. You can also use off-site parking centres and the Park and Ride system, which works out much cheaper than the airport parking rates.
Let the train take the strain
Stansted Airport has a train station right beneath the Arrivals terminal. The Stansted Express train service runs directly from London to the main Terminal, making it very easy to get to the airport.
The Stansted Express leaves from London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, and Stratford, making it a good choice if you are travelling from north London, Middlesex, Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire.
Book your ticket in advance. The Stansted Express is one of the cheapest ways to reach Stansted Airport. Even an on-the-day ticket from Tottenham Hale will only cost around £22, so it's a budget-friendly option if you're travelling solo. Don’t forget to use your rail card if you have one (such as a student card or Senior Railcard) and save even more on your trip. The journey is around 35 minutes, so it's quick and easy.
Our Top Tip: Try to catch the Stansted Express from either Tottenham Hale or Stratford to avoid the congestion and crowds at London Liverpool Street.
It’s best by bus
The bus is the cheapest way to get to Stansted Airport and also one of the easiest, as you can plan your journey with no hassle, thanks to a 24/7 service from our Stratford base. You can travel from London Liverpool Street with Airport Bus Express, but remember that our service from Liverpool Street only runs between 20:15 and 04:30, whereas our Stratford service runs every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Use your Oyster Card to get the Tube to London Stratford. The station is connected to the Mainline service, London Overground and Central Line Underground network, as well as the Docklands Light Railway, the Jubilee Line, and the Elizabeth Line. Then head to Bus Stop 20, a two-minute walk from the Tube station, and you're ready to take one of our luxury air-conditioned coaches straight up the M11 motorway to Stansted Airport. The journey time from Stratford is just 45 minutes, so it's almost as quick as taking the Stansted Express train service. Buying a ticket on the day will only cost you £16.00 for a standard single.
Our Top Tip: Book in advance! Not only will this guarantee you a seat, but the earlier you book, the less you'll pay. Book 28 days in advance, and that bus ticket could cost you as little as £9*.
In summary
If you’re looking for a cheap Stansted Airport transfer, the bus comes out on top. The most convenient method will depend on your starting location. So, for example, if you live in Stratford or Ilford, an Uber to our Stratford transport hub and then the coach to Stansted is comfortable, quick, and affordable.
If you’re travelling across the capital from Wimbledon, Ealing or even further south or west, take the Tube to our Liverpool Street or Stratford hubs (depending on your time of travel) and then connect with our bus service. If you’re travelling from north London, you can also take the Stansted Express from Tottenham Hale or Airport Bus Express from Stratford.
With a little bit of planning, it’s easy to cut costs and find the cheapest way to get to Stansted Airport and still arrive fresh, comfortable, and ready for that holiday in the sun!
*Price for a standard single ticket booked online 28 days in advance. Prices are subject to change.
Ricky