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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Stansted Airport by train

It takes an average of 54m to travel from London to Stansted Airport by train, over a distance of around 31 miles (50 km). There are normally 167 trains per day travelling from London to Stansted Airport and tickets for this journey start from £14.50 when you book in advance.

First train

02:40

Last train

00:25

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Stansted Airport

Journey time

From 45m

Distance

31 miles (50 km)

Frequency

167 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £14.50

Train operators

Greater Anglia

London to Stansted Airport train times

Check out the next trains departing from London to Stansted Airport for Thursday 25th April 2024 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
20:10 On timelondon liverpool street20:57 On timestansted airportPlat. 3 greater anglia PeakGet tickets47m, direct
20:25 On timelondon liverpool street21:11 On timestansted airportPlat. 4 estimatedgreater anglia PeakGet tickets46m, direct
20:40 On timelondon liverpool street21:27 On timestansted airportPlat. 7 estimatedgreater anglia PeakGet tickets47m, direct
20:55 On timelondon liverpool street21:44 On timestansted airportPlat. 4 estimatedgreater anglia PeakGet tickets49m, direct
21:10 On timelondon liverpool street21:57 On timestansted airportPlat. 6 estimatedgreater anglia PeakGet tickets47m, direct

How to travel by train from London to Stansted Airport in just 47 minutes

Jetting off somewhere exciting and need more information on the journey from London to Stansted Airport by train? Look no further! 

Usually, the journey from London to Stansted Airport takes around 54 minutes, but can take just 47 minutes on the fastest services. As there are direct services available from London to Stansted Airport, you can sit back and look forward to your trip, as there is no need to make any changes along the way.  

When travelling on this route, you’ll board a Greater Anglia train at London Liverpool Street station. Once you’ve found your seat, you can start to enjoy the onboard amenities, including free WiFi and comfortable seating. If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Greater Anglia First Class and you can take advantage of quieter carriages, a table, more spacious seats and complimentary food and drink. Also, before your journey, you can relax in Greater Anglia’s First Class lounge at London Liverpool Street station. In just over 45 minutes, you will travel through the heart of the capital and arrive at London Stansted station. 

Once you’ve hopped off the train, you’re just a 2-minute walk from London Stansted Airport. You don’t need to worry about taking a shuttle but you can access the airport using lifts, escalators and ramps.  

If you’d like to snap up the cheapest train tickets, try travelling Off-Peak as tickets tend to be cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to busy times. Also, if you travel by train frequently, why not get yourself a Railcard? You’ll save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year! 

Ready to get started? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Stansted Airport in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. For more information, continue reading for our timetable, tips on how to find cheap train fares and FAQs. 

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Stansted Airport? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from London to Stansted Airport take?

The average journey time by train between London and Stansted Airport is 54 minutes, with around 167 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between London and Stansted Airport by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Stansted Airport is 45 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Stansted Airport cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Stansted Airport can start from as little as £14.50 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from London to Stansted Airport?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Stansted Airport without having to change trains. There are 167 direct trains from London to Stansted Airport each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from London to Stansted Airport leave?

The first train from London to Stansted Airport leaves at 02:40. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from London to Stansted Airport leave?

The last train from London to Stansted Airport leaves at 00:25. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between London and Stansted Airport by train?

Trains travelling from London to Stansted Airport cover a distance of around 31 miles (50 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Stansted Airport to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Stansted Airport.

Cheap train tickets from London to Stansted Airport

Train tickets from London to Stansted Airport start at £14.50 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Stansted Airport is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.

London to Stansted Airport on the Stansted Express

I travelled from London Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport on the Stansted Express. There are regular Stansted Express services to the airport from London, beginning early in the morning and running until around half-past eleven at night. I had a relatively early flight to catch so I found myself on an early-morning service. Liverpool Street has plenty of TfL connections (several underground lines, an overground line and plenty of bus services), so I had no problem getting to the station.

Boarding the train

There is only one class on Stansted Express trains and I did not have a seat reservation, so I stored my luggage away and found an empty seat. I had an Anytime ticket – which in theory allowed me to take any train that day – but I made sure I was getting to Stansted Airport in good time before my flight!

The journey

The journey went by smoothly. It took around 50 minutes from start to finish, calling at a handful of stations along the way. I travelled on one of the new trains in the Stansted Express fleet, meaning I had access to a USB plug under my seat. The carriage had plenty of room for luggage (as you’d expect on an airport transfer service!) and free WiFi.

Arriving at Stansted Airport

The train station is directly underneath the airport – super convenient for getting to the departures lounge. In two minutes I was in the airport ready to go through security. The Stansted Express is definitely one of the most efficient airport transfer services I’ve used; it’s the best way to get from London to Stansted Airport!

About Freddie

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between London and Stansted Airport.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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