You can reach Stansted Airport from central London in less than an hour by rail with Greater Anglia’s Stansted Express, which runs almost every 20–30 minutes day and night, serving London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale and Stansted Airport. Onboard, you’ll find plenty of luggage space, WiFi and other services for your comfort, although only Standard Class seating is available. With plenty of ramps, escalators and lifts at the airport station, you can get from the platform to the main terminal in only 2 minutes.
So, how much is the Stansted Express? Finding the right ticket type and fare for you or your group can sometimes be tricky. No problem - you’re in the right place. Here are all the Stansted Express fares explained, plus ways you can make tickets even cheaper.
Photo by Romazur
How much do Stansted Express tickets cost?
The cost of your journey to and/or from Stansted Airport will vary according to your station of departure/arrival, seating class and how far you book tickets in advance. Tickets are released up to six months before the journey date. First Class is no longer available on Stansted Express trains; passengers can buy seats in Standard Class only.
Find the average Stansted Express price for single and return journeys below. Read on for more information on ticket options and available discounts for frequent commuters and group tickets.
London Liverpool Street to/from Stansted Airport
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard Class - One-Way | From £25.00 | Buy now > |
| Standard Class - Return | From £38.00 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
Tottenham Hale to/from Stansted Airport
| Ticket type | Purchased online via Trip.com | Link to purchase |
| Standard Class - One-Way | From £23.10 | Buy now > |
| Standard Class - Return | From £37.10 | Buy now > |
Note: Prices and discounts are subject to change. Always check the latest fares before booking.
Single Stansted Express fares
Travel one way on a fixed date with a single ticket. The Stansted Express cost is around £25.00, and you can hop on any train on the travel date you booked.
Advance Stansted Express tickets
Advance tickets are single tickets for selected journeys booked ahead of time. For many train operators in the UK, these tickets are usually much cheaper than standard rail fares. The Stansted Express is no exception. The earlier you book, the more you save. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, and intermediate stations can’t be used to start, break, resume or end your journey.
Return Stansted Express fares
The Stansted Express offers an open return, allowing you to return within one month of your departure date. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. For journeys with a return date later than a month after the outbound travel date, you can buy an Advance-offer single for your return trip. This discounted ticket also can’t be refunded or exchanged.
You can book Stansted Express tickets here
Kids’ Stansted Express prices
Children below the age of five travel free on the Stansted Express, and kids aged 5–15 pay half the adult fare. 16–17-year-olds can get most fares at up to half price with a 16–17 Saver railcard.
Stansted Express season tickets
If you’re regularly jetting off or commuting between the capital and Stansted, you can save time and money with a season ticket. Choose from weekly, monthly or annual season tickets.
Can I use an Oyster Card or contactless payment on the Stansted Express?
Stansted Airport is located outside of the Transport for London (TfL) zones, so Oyster Cards aren’t accepted on journeys to/from the airport. Similarly, contactless payments with a bank card or a device can’t be used on the Stansted Express, including replacement coach services.
The Oyster Card is nevertheless a handy and affordable way to travel when you reach the city. You can purchase one from the Oyster Ticket Shop at the train station before leaving the airport.
Photo by Sunil060902
How to save on Stansted Express costs
On top of the fast and comfy journey to/from the city to Stansted Airport, hopping on the Stansted Express is affordable and hassle-free. There are plenty of discounted Stansted Express fares to benefit from. Here’s how:
Slash the Stansted Express cost with an Advance ticket
Book early to get the cheapest price for your trip to or from Stansted Airport. Fares generally start from £9.90 one way from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport or from £9.70 from Tottenham Hale. Stansted Express tickets are released up to six months before you travel and are only available online, with a limited number of discounted fares.
You can book advanced Stansted Express tickets here
Book together for Stansted Express group discounts
Buying Stansted Express tickets for your entire group instead of separately can save you up to 34% off standard adult fares. Discounts are available for groups of three or more. Larger groups with at least ten people travelling together on the entire journey can get Advance fares from about £10.00 per person.
Buy Stansted Express Duo train tickets for two
Whether you’re travelling with a friend, colleague, relative or partner, save on the standard Stansted Express price with a Duo ticket. Return journeys can be booked, and the cheapest fare is approximately £16.73 per person each way.
Apply railcard discounts to Stansted Express fares
If you have a railcard, add it to your booking online or show it at the station for cheaper airport train tickets. Travel with your railcard and show it with your ticket. These are just some of the discounts available:
- 16–17 Saver Railcard: Up to 50% off most fares
- 16–25 Railcard: Up to 1/3 off most fares
- Network Railcard: Up to 1/3 off tickets and 60% off for kids
- Senior Railcard: Up to 1/3 off full-fare tickets
- Disabled Persons Railcard: Up to 1/3 off fares
Find out more about Railcards (and buy yours now) here
Cover frequent trips with a Stansted Express season ticket
Weekly, monthly or annual season tickets save you more than standard fares for the Stansted Express. To save time, book online and order a free Smart Card to avoid queuing at the ticket office.
Why travel with Stansted Express?
Providing the fastest way to the airport from the city, Stansted Express fares offer great value and even greater benefits. Here’s why transfers to/from Stansted by rail are a wise choice:
Faster travel
Far quicker than the coach or car, journeys between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport take less than an hour. If you're travelling to and from North London, the trip is even faster, taking about 35 minutes.
Perks when hopping on and off
Your ticket for the Stansted Express gives you access to free WiFi, plug sockets and an unlimited luggage allowance. If you fancy skipping the queues at security, you can purchase a FastTrack pass for £7.00 per passenger. Stansted Express tickets are also eligible for a range of discounts on attractions and landmarks in the capital, such as 1/3 off river cruises or 2FOR1 tickets at the Tower of London.
Fully flexible tickets
Experiencing delays on your flight or connections? No problem! You can always find a train to and from Stansted when needed. Stansted Express fares are valid at any time on the outbound travel date, and if you purchased a return ticket, your inbound journey can be made within 30 days.
Plenty of ways to save
Make the Stansted Express cost cheaper with a range of discounts and offers. Advance tickets can save you as much as 54%. You can also make savings when travelling with company. Groups of two or more and railcard holders can make the most of discounted travel, plus under-5s can board free of charge.