Arrival and transport

Stansted Airport to central London

Terminals, the rail, Tube, coach and taxi links into London with their operators, and step-free notes. Times and fares appear only as the airport or operator states them, with the date we read them.

Facts last checked Nov 1, 2026. Britlens is independent: see our editorial policy.

Stansted Airport terminal building seen from the railway platform
Photo: Richard Vince, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Coaches parked at the bays inside Victoria Coach Station in London, with passengers waiting
In London: Coaches parked at the bays inside Victoria Coach Station in London, with passengers waitingPhoto: Martin Addison, CC BY-SA 2.0
Red and blue London Underground roundel with the station name Victoria
In London: Red and blue London Underground roundel with the station name VictoriaPhoto: R/DV/RS, CC BY 2.0

Is it operating?

Stansted's own pages were read on Nov 1, 2026. They list Stansted Express trains, National Express coaches and a recommended taxi firm.1

Terminals and stations

The railway station is directly beneath the terminal building, which the airport says is about a two-minute walk from the departure hall.2

Into central London

  • Stansted Express. Operator: Stansted Express. Direct to Tottenham Hale, Stratford and London Liverpool Street. The airport's page gives about 48 to 50 minutes to Liverpool Street and about 35 minutes to Tottenham Hale, with trains every 15 minutes through the day (another answer on the same page says every 15 to 30 minutes, so check the timetable). On Nov 1, 2026 it gave fares to Liverpool Street from £9.90 one way. Change at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line, at Liverpool Street for the Central and Elizabeth lines, and at Stratford for the Jubilee line and DLR.3,2 Official page for Stansted Express (opens in new tab)
  • Coach. Operator: National Express. National Express runs 24 hours a day with 38 pick-up points, 15 of them in central London. On Nov 1, 2026 the airport gave fares from £5.00 one way. It states no journey times.1 Official page for Coach (opens in new tab)
  • Taxi. Operator: 24x7 Taxis. The airport recommends 24x7 Taxis, with a reservation desk in international arrivals. It quotes no fares.1 Official page for Taxi (opens in new tab)

For fares and city passes, see local transport. For live disruption, use the travel status links. Just landed? Our first 24 hours guide covers money, phones and getting around.

Step-free access

Stansted says the station has step-free access throughout its three platforms, with lifts, escalators and ramps to the terminal and induction loops. National Rail lists it as step-free category A. Greater Anglia's assistance team asks for requests at least 24 hours before your journey.2,4

Assistance and accessibility

Pre-book assistance through your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before your flight.5

Airport assistance information (opens in new tab). More on getting around with a disability: accessible travel.

In our guides

Official site

Stansted Airport official website (opens in new tab)1

Other airports

Other London airports: Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Luton Airport, London City Airport. Elsewhere: Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport, Bristol Airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, East Midlands Airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Edinburgh Airport, Glasgow Airport, Aberdeen International Airport, Inverness Airport, Belfast International Airport, George Best Belfast City Airport, Cardiff Airport, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Exeter Airport, Southampton Airport, Bournemouth Airport, London Southend Airport, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, Kirkwall Airport, Sumburgh Airport, Stornoway Airport. The airports hub lists them all.

Sources

Pages we opened and read on Nov 1, 2026, and sites we could not read. Schedules, fares and rules change: check the source before you travel.

  1. Stansted to London (opens in new tab), London Stansted Airport.
  2. Stansted Airport train station (opens in new tab), London Stansted Airport.
  3. Stansted Express (opens in new tab), London Stansted Airport.
  4. Stansted Airport station (opens in new tab), National Rail.
  5. Requesting assistance (opens in new tab), London Stansted Airport.