Stansted Express: Tickets, Timetables and Facilities

Stansted Express: buy tickets conveniently and easily with Omio

If you are planning a trip from Stansted Airport to central London, the Stansted Express is the fastest and most convenient option. With Omio you can now book Stansted Express tickets easily and hassle-free.

We make the entire booking process easy for you and help you save time and money. On Omio you can find all tickets for Stansted Express at low prices and in a simple, user-friendly environment. Moreover, we show you many interesting offers and discounts for your trip to the British capital. Besides, here you can find the timetable and all the important information about your trip with Stansted Express.

Find affordable tickets for your trip with Stansted Express 

With Omio you can now find affordable tickets for your trip with Stansted Express. We offer you all the available deals and discounts so you can buy your ticket at the best price. With us, you can be sure that you will get fair and transparent prices, without any hidden costs or fees.

With Omio you can choose from different ticket categories depending on your needs. Whether it's a one-way trip or a round-trip, you'll find the right offer for you. We offer a wide range of different payment options, including PayPal, credit card or instant bank transfer.

Everything you need to know about the Stansted Express

The Stansted Express is a fast, reliable and convenient connection between Stansted Airport and central London. The journey time is up to 60 minutes (depending on the stop) and the train runs on average every 30 minutes. The Stansted Express stops at three stations in London: Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, and Stratford. The trains are modern and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and power outlets and USB ports at every seat.

Today, the Stansted Express belongs to the Greater Anglia company. The rail line between the airport and London dates back to 1986. The line and the traction technology of the trains have been improved over the years. It is now the most popular and most frequently used connection between Stansted Airport and central London. Passenger numbers are rising continuously and now reach several million per year.

Station London Liverpool Street. Source: Pixabay

As flexible as you like – train ticket types at Stansted Express

Stansted Express offers a wide range of different types of train tickets. Below we present you the different types of tickets:

Standard ticket

The Standard ticket is the most common ticket on Stansted Express. It can be purchased online up to six months in advance as well as at the station. The Standard ticket is booked for one date and can be used flexibly. This means that you can take any connection of the Stansted Express on the day of validity.

Advance ticket

The Advance ticket is a cheaper option than the Standard Ticket. However, you need to book it well in advance to get the maximum savings of up to 54 percent. The earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket usually is. Advance tickets are limited, available online only from six months in advance. You are also flexible with the Advance ticket; you can take any train on the day of validity. If you bought the return trip at the same time, it can be used at any time within a month.

If you unexpectedly can't make your trip, you should know that Advance tickets are refundable up to 100 percent in certain cases. This includes many unexpected events such as illness, extreme weather, family emergencies, etc.

Group ticket

The Group ticket is perfect for groups who want to travel together. It is available for groups of three or more and offers a discount of up to 33 percent on the regular price. The ticket is flexible on the day of validity, you can buy it online or at the station.

WebDuo ticket

WebDuo ticket is a cheap option for couples who want to travel together. It can only be booked online and offers a discount on the regular price.

Season Ticket

The Season ticket is the best option for commuters or frequent travelers, as it is valid for a longer period of time. It is available for a week, a month or a year and offers a significant discount compared to one-way tickets. You can buy the ticket online or at the station.

The different classes in the train

There used to be a first class on the Stansted Express. But since the new trains were introduced in 2019, all passengers enjoy the same, first-class standard and service on board. So now there is only one class. Standard class gives you a comfortable seat, free Wi-Fi, and many other amenities, such as USB ports and power outlets under the seats, and spacious overhead bins.

What kind of train is the Stansted Express?

The Stansted Express is a fast train that runs between Stansted Airport and London. However, unlike other trains in the UK, the Stansted Express is not a general transport option that connects major cities in the country. Instead, it is a fast connection from Stansted to London. Due to its speed and reliability, the Stansted Express is the perfect choice for travelers looking for a quick and easy connection between London and Stansted. In a way, this train connects you with the whole world, because from Stansted Airport you can reach all national and international destinations by plane.

Timetable information: Stansted Express timetables and timetable changes

If you are planning a trip with Stansted Express, it is important to find out about the timetable. Stansted Express offers a regular connection between Stansted Airport and London. Trains run every 30 minutes on average, so there are about two connections per hour in each direction. Exact departure times vary depending on the day of the week and time of day. 

Please note, however, that last-minute changes to the timetable are possible at any time. It is therefore advisable to check online for changes in the timetable before you travel to avoid delays.

Stansted to London

Monday to Sunday

	Route	Time	Duration	From
	Stansted to London Liverpool Street Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun only	5:30am	0h53	21€
	Stansted to London Liverpool Street	6:00am	0h49	21€
	Stansted to London Liverpool Street	00:30am	1h11	21€

London to Stansted

Monday - Friday

	Route	Time	Duration	From
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport Mon & Fri only	03:40am	0h50	21€
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	4:40am	0h59	21€
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	10:55pm	1h11	21€

Saturday

	Route	Time	Duration	From
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	03:40am	0h50	21€
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	11:25pm	0h48	21€

Sunday

	Route	Time	Duration	From
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	04:10am	0h48	21€
	London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport	11:25pm	0h48	21€

Stansted Express Stops: Routes between London and the airport

The Stansted Express connects Stansted Airport with three stops in London: Tottenham Hale, London Liverpool Street and Stratford. To get to Stratford, you have to change trains at Tottenham Hale. Here are the connections at a glance:

Stansted Airport – Tottenham Hale – Liverpool Street

The journey from the airport to Tottenham Hale takes only about 37 minutes. From there, the train continues and reaches London Liverpool Street after about 13 minutes. So, the journey takes about 50 minutes in total.

Stansted Airport – Tottenham Hale – Stratford

This connection takes about 37 minutes to Tottenham Hale. There you have to change trains once and you reach Stratford after about 14 minutes. The journey takes about 60 minutes with a change of trains.

Sustainable travel with Stansted Express

With Stansted Express, you travel from Stansted to London in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way thanks to modern, electric drive technology and digital tickets. You'll also save yourself the hassle of finding a parking space at the airport. Did you know that train travel uses 80 percent less carbon than car travel?

Tips for your train journey with Stansted Express

If you want to travel by Stansted Express, there are some things you should consider when preparing your trip. To make sure that you are well prepared for your train journey, we have put together some useful tips for you.

Booking and ticket

To avoid unnecessary stress and waiting time, you should book your Stansted Express ticket in advance. This is especially important if you need to be at the airport at a certain time to catch your flight. Online bookings are easy and quick with Omio. An eTicket, which you can download directly to your smartphone, is a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional paper ticket.

Carriage of luggage

With Stansted Express, there are no restrictions on the size or number of your bags. That means you can take as much luggage as you need. However, make sure that you can store your luggage safely and comfortably on the train so that you don't get in the way of your fellow passengers. You will find comfortable luggage compartments in the trains, where you can safely store even larger suitcases. The luggage compartments in the trains are arranged in such a way that you can always keep an eye on your luggage from your seat. If you need help loading or unloading your luggage, do not hesitate to ask the train staff for assistance. By the way, they have thought about luggage carrying when planning the stations. The platforms are easily accessible even with heavy suitcases, so you won't have a problem getting your bags from the airport to the train.

Seat reservation

There is no seat reservation on the Stansted Express. Seats are allocated on a first come, first serve basis. However, if you prefer to definitely have a seat, you should make your way to the platform early to get a seat. If you need a specific seat due to limited mobility, please speak to the train staff.

Travel with children

Children are welcome on the Stansted Express and even travel free of charge up to the age of five. For older children, there are discounted fares and family offers.

When traveling with a baby, the Stansted Express offers you a special service. On the trains you will find toilets with a separate area for changing diapers and a place where you can breastfeed your baby undisturbed. This service is also available at the stations. You will find storage space for your folded stroller under the seats or in the luggage rack.

Wi-Fi and other amenities

Stansted Express offers free Wi-Fi on all trains. This allows you to work online, listen to music or stream movies during your journey. In addition, the trains have power outlets and USB ports where you can charge your phone or laptop.

Discover the world with Stansted Express: the main destinations

Are you planning your trip and thinking about traveling with Stansted Express? Then we have some interesting destinations for you, which you can reach with this train provider. Of course, the focus is on the beautiful capital London. But other places can also be explored wonderfully from here.

For a sightseeing tour in London, Liverpool Street station is a good starting point. From here you can quickly and easily get to many sights such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge or St. Paul's Cathedral. The famous shopping center Westfield Stratford City is also not far away. More exciting sights in London can be found in our travel guide The Window Seat.

Tower Bridge in London. Source: Pixabay

Other interesting places nearby include tranquil Cambridge, known for its venerable university and charming alleys. Here, a visit to King's College or a leisurely stroll along the river Cam is worthwhile. Another destination is the historic town of Colchester with its impressive castle and the remains of the Roman temple.

But also outside England you can discover the whole world by plane from Stansted Airport. Whether you want to travel to Spain, Italy, Greece or the USA – Stansted Airport offers many international connections.

Stansted Express: offers and deals

Would you like to travel with Stansted Express, but also want to save some money? Then you should definitely check out the different offers and discounts of the provider.

Combi tickets for sightseeing, art and culture in London

For your trip to London, Stansted Express offers you interesting combination tickets. For example, there is the 2FOR1 offer, where you get a ticket for an attraction in London such as Madame Tussauds or various museums with your Stansted Express ticket.

With the Theatre tickets you get a discount of up to 60 percent for various theater and musical performances.

Discounts for groups and students

For group travel, the GroupSave offer is the best choice. You save up to 34 percent on the regular price when traveling with a group of three to nine people. For larger groups of ten or more, there are even lower fares.

If you travel regularly by train, a Railcard could also be worthwhile. With this discount card, you get up to a third off all train journeys in Great Britain. And if you're a student, you'll of course get a special discount on your train journeys.

However, be aware that these offers and discounts usually have certain conditions, such as limited validity or specific restrictions on usage.

Stansted Express: FAQ