- Must visit
Mountfitchet Castle & Norman Village
Open-air reconstructed Norman motte-and-bailey castle with period village scenes and roaming animals; one of the village’s signature heritage attractions.
Cheapest price
$64
Average price
$68
Fastest journey
5 h 10 m
Average duration
5 h 10 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
95 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet will cost around $68 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $64.
Of the 3 buses that leave Reading for Stansted Mountfitchet on Sat, Jun 20, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 95 km distance in an average of 5 h 10 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 10 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 5 h 10 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 43m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $24, and a bus costs an average of $63.
Distance: 59 miles (95 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$71 Average price | $37 Average price Cheapest | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 3m Average total duration 2h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 13m Average total duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 35m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet:
A train is $35 (€28) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet costing on average $71 (€58).
Other travel options to Stansted Mountfitchet take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 33m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator National Express | Departure Time 02:20AM | Arrival Time 07:30AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:20AM | Arrival Time 08:30AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $63 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 03:40AM | Arrival Time 08:50AM | Duration 5h10 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $65 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 12:05PM | Arrival Time 05:55PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 01:05PM | Arrival Time 06:55PM | Duration 5h50 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 10:03PM | Arrival Time 03:15AM | Duration 5h12 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Sun | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator National Express | Departure Time 11:03PM | Arrival Time 04:30AM | Duration 5h27 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $77 |
The table below shows live departures for Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:03 PM Reading | 5h27 | 4:30 AM Stansted Mountfitchet | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
![]() | 2:20 AM Reading | 5h10 | 7:30 AM Stansted Mountfitchet | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:20 AM Reading | 5h10 | 8:30 AM Stansted Mountfitchet | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:40 AM Reading | 5h10 | 8:50 AM Stansted Mountfitchet | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet run on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $63 (€52) but you can travel from only $24 (€19) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 00:10, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 59 miles (95 km) distance in 5h 10m.
Distance 59 miles (95 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€52) |
Buses per day 13 |
Fastest bus 5h 10m |
First bus 12:10 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Stansted Mountfitchet — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stansted Mountfitchet trip today.
Open-air reconstructed Norman motte-and-bailey castle with period village scenes and roaming animals; one of the village’s signature heritage attractions.
Large toy museum beside the castle, known for extensive displays of dolls, model railways, games, and vintage childhood memorabilia.
Important modern art destination in nearby Perry Green with sculpture displays and landscaped grounds associated with Henry Moore’s work.
National Trust-managed ancient royal hunting forest with lakes, woodland walks, and photogenic open landscapes close to the village and airport.
One of the village’s characteristic streets, lined with historic buildings and useful for experiencing Stansted Mountfitchet’s traditional settlement character.
Privately owned gardens nearby, known for seasonal planting, landscaped grounds, and visual appeal among garden lovers and social-media visitors.
Traditional pork sausages associated with Essex, often served with mash or in a breakfast. They are a familiar regional comfort food.
A classic dish in South East England of savory meat pie with mashed potatoes, often served with parsley liquor. It is a long-standing local staple.
A historic dish from the wider London and Thames estuary area, made by cooking eels and setting the broth into a jelly. It is a traditional regional specialty.
Popular wine bar and restaurant in Stansted Mountfitchet serving refined small plates and modern European food in an intimate setting.
Well-known local restaurant offering Turkish and Mediterranean grilled dishes in a modern, welcoming setting near the village center.
Established village pub in Stansted Mountfitchet known for traditional British dishes, ales, and a relaxed historic atmosphere.
Costs are moderate by UK standards. Airport-area food and transport can be pricier than nearby towns.
Service is often included at restaurants; if not, 10-12.5% is usual for good service. Round up taxis. Tipping in pubs and cafes is optional, not expected.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Reading to Stansted Mountfitchet by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stansted Mountfitchet, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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