How much does the Stansted Express cost? Airport train prices explained

Rosaline Nancy Kargbo

Published: May 15, 2025

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

How much does the Stansted Express cost? Airport train prices explained

You can reach Stansted Airport from central London in less than an hour by rail with Greater Anglia’s Stansted Express, which departs from London and Stansted Airport every 15 minutes during the day, seven days a week, 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.

How much do Stansted Express tickets cost?

The cost of your journey to and/or from Stansted Airport will vary according to your departure/arrival station and how far in advance you book tickets. Great value Advance tickets are released up to six months before the journey date.

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.

Photo by Romazur

London Liverpool Street to/from Stansted Airport

Ticket type	Purchased online via Trip.com	Link to purchase
Standard Class - One-Way	From £21.00	Buy now >
Standard Class - Return	From £41.00	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 £14.50	Buy now >
Standard Class - Return	From £29.00	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.

Find out more about Season Tickets here

Can I use an Oyster Card or contactless payment on the Stansted Express?

You can use contactless, but you cannot use an Oyster card. Stansted Airport is located outside the Transport for London (TfL) zones, meaning Oyster cards are not valid for journeys to or from the airport.

However, you can use pay-as-you-go contactless payments (such as a bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay) on all Stansted Express services. Simply tap in on the reader before boarding and tap out at your destination using the same card or device.

Tip: The Oyster card is still a great way to travel once you reach London. You can buy one at the airport train station to use later, but you will need to tap your contactless card or buy a regular train ticket for the Stansted Express journey itself.

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 lowest 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.

Find out more about Season Tickets here

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.