Stansted Express Off-Peak times: When can I buy cheaper tickets?

Jay Harlow

Published: Aug 8, 2025

Updated: Sep 15, 2026

Stansted Express Off-Peak times: When can I buy cheaper tickets?

Looking to save with off-peak tickets on the Stansted Express? Then you’ve come to the right place! This guide details all you need to know about off-peak travel and how it works for the Stansted Express, offering you tips for getting cheap train tickets to and from the airport. Read on to find out how you can save.

Photo by Hugh Llewelyn

When are Off-Peak Stansted Express tickets valid?

Stansted Express offers Off-Peak tickets to help you save money and enjoy a quieter, less crowded journey outside of busy commuter hours. There are two main types of off-peak tickets available:

Off-Peak Single tickets: These are semi-flexible, one-way tickets. On weekdays, they are not valid from London before 09:30 or between 16:00–19:00. If you are departing from Stansted Airport, they are not valid before 09:30.
Off-Peak Day Return tickets: These are semi-flexible, same-day return tickets, perfect for airport meet-and-greets. On weekdays, they are not valid before 09:30. Your outbound journey must be on the booked date, but your return journey is fully flexible until 04:29 the following morning.

Weekend & Bank Holiday Travel: The best part? There are absolutely no time restrictions on weekends or Bank Holidays for either ticket type, meaning you can travel at any time of the day!

Note: With off-peak tickets, you cannot start, break, resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station.

When are Super Off-Peak Stansted Express tickets valid?

Stansted Express does not currently offer Super Off-Peak fares. However, if you need to travel during the morning or evening rush hours when standard Off-Peak tickets aren't valid, you don't necessarily have to pay full price.

You can still save money during peak times by booking Advance fares, or by taking advantage of Duo and Group ticket offers if you are travelling with others.

Super off-peak tickets, when available with other operators, are usually valid on trains departing after 10:00 on weekdays. Some restrictions on times and routes may apply. Luckily, you'll find all this information clearly displayed on Trip.com.

Are Off-Peak Stansted Express tickets refundable?

Yes, your tickets are refundable if your plans change! Off-Peak tickets can be refunded provided you request the refund by 23:59 on the day before the ticket becomes valid for travel (a £5 administration fee may apply).

If you miss this deadline, refunds are only available for up to 28 days if you choose not to travel because your train was cancelled, delayed, or you were affected by an exceptional circumstance. Please check the official Refund page.

How to find Off-Peak Stansted Express tickets

To find the cheapest fares for the Stansted Express, simply enter your departure and arrival stations, along with your travel dates, into the Journey Finder on Trip.com. Off-Peak tickets can easily be purchased online before you travel.

You can use the 'Cheapest' search filter to view the lowest cost fares available for your time of travel. Don't forget, discounts, like the Duo ticket for 2 people travelling together, are automatically calculated when you search on Trip.com.