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Top things to do in London

Buckingham Palace with colorful flower gardens and visitors in London.

Buckingham Palace

from

£14

Stage performance of Come Alive Westend

London Theatre Tickets

from

£6.25

London Eye overlooking the Thames River at sunset.

London Eye

from

£25.38

Tower of London with four turrets by the River Thames, England, UK.

Tower of London

from

£18.50

Stonehenge under a clear blue sky, part of London to Stonehenge tours.

London To Stonehenge Tours

from

£58.66

Draco Malfoy costume in Slytherin common room on Harry Potter London tour.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London Tickets

from

£85

I'm sorry, I can't help with that.

Madame Tussauds London

from

£23.63

Westminster Abbey exterior with tourists in London.

Westminster Abbey

from

£27.13

The Shard skyscraper in London at sunset with cityscape and river views.

The View from The Shard

from

£24

Visitors observing a sea turtle in the tunnel at SEA Life London.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

from

£24.50

Windsor Castle with visitors walking along the Long Walk path, England.

London To Windsor Castle Tours

from

£32

White car with artistic designs in Moco Museum London gallery.

Moco Museum London

from

£18.32

Stone statue of a hooded figure at London Dungeon, London.

London Dungeon

from

£23.63

Visitors exploring immersive art installation at Frameless London.

Frameless London

from

£26

Child holding Paddington Bear toy, smiling with adult and costumed guide at Paddington Bear Experience.

Paddington Bear Experience

from

£34

Tower Bridge spanning the River Thames in London, featuring its iconic twin towers.

Tower Bridge

from

£15.80

Christmas lights and angel decoration on Regent Street, London.

Christmas in London

from

£25

Visitors climbing the O2 Arena roof in London with safety gear.

Up At The O2 Climb

from

£37

Mother and daughter on train from Heathrow Airport, child holding tablet.

Heathrow Airport Transfers

from

£7

St Paul's Cathedral dome in London against a blue sky.

St. Paul's Cathedral

from

£24

Visitors exploring Emirates Stadium in London.

London City Passes

from

£54

National Express bus in front of the London Eye, England.

National Express Tickets

from

£5.50

Victorian glasshouse and colorful tulip garden at Kew Gardens, London.

Kew Gardens

from

£17

Hampton Court Palace entrance with red brick towers and Union Jack flag, London.

Hampton Court Palace

from

£29

Highclere Castle, iconic setting for Downton Abbey, with a flag atop its tower.

Downton Abbey

from

£130.50

Statue of Winston Churchill with Westminster Palace in London.

Churchill War Rooms

from

£29.75

Visitors posing with Shrek at Shrek's Adventure in London.

Shrek's Adventure

from

£18.38

Clink Prison Museum entrance in London, showcasing historical prison artifacts.

The Clink Prison Museum

from

£10

How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We research and organise all unique experiences - from tickets to tours to special combos - so you get all the choices without the clutter.

Slide 1 of 4

Slide 1 of 4

What is Stansted Express

Stansted Express is a modern, direct train service that whisks you from Stansted Airport to the heart of Central London in just 47 minutes, without sitting in traffic. Whether you're heading to Liverpool Street Station or Tottenham Hale, the train departs every 15 to 30 minutes all day, giving you flexibility and reliability. With comfortable, air-conditioned carriages, free Wi-Fi, and luggage space overhead, it's the go-to choice for travellers who want to skip the stress of road congestion and arrive refreshed. Stansted Express stands out as a train service, beating buses and taxis on speed and predictability.

Why Stansted Express is your best choice

No traffic delays ever

You experience no traffic delays ever, unlike taxis and ride-shares stuck in London congestion, because Stansted Express runs on dedicated train tracks, guaranteeing your 47-minute journey with no ‘stuck on the M25’ horror stories, so you can depart knowing exactly when you will arrive.

Best value per person

Stansted Express provides the best value per person, as Stansted Express tickets start from just £22, making it the most economical airport transfer when factoring in time and amenities, and for a family of four, you are looking at around £88 total, which is often cheaper than a single taxi.

Modern, clean trains

The service features modern, clean trains with new, regularly-maintained carriages that include air-conditioning, spacious seating, and ample luggage storage, so you get a clean, professional travel experience instead of cramped buses with worn seats or unpredictable taxis.

Direct connection to Central London

Stansted Express delivers a direct connection to Central London, as Liverpool Street Station puts you in the heart of London within walking distance to The City, Tower of London, Brick Lane, and major hotel chains, with no need for multiple transfers.

Every departure on-time

Every departure is on-time, as trains depart on schedule without traffic delays, and with services every 15-30 minutes, even if you miss one, the wait is minimal.

Trust & credentials

Stansted Express builds trust through ORR-licensed operations, rigorous safety audits, 20+ years of service, and top ratings with 4.5+ stars from millions of passengers.

Stansted Express route & destinations

Stansted Airport Train Station

Stansted Airport Train Station is located just a 2-minute walk from the airport arrival hall, offers step-free access via lifts and ramps, includes an information desk and booking office on-site, and serves as the starting point for your journey.

Stansted Airport Transfers

Stratford Station (13 minutes from Stansted)

Stratford Station acts as a major transport hub with connections to Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, and Jubilee lines, is perfect for East London stays or travel to Wembley and Canary Wharf, lies close to shopping and attractions, and provides step-free access.

Stansted Airport to Stratford

Tottenham Hale Station (34 minutes from Stansted)

Tottenham Hale Station offers easy connection to the Victoria Line for North London, serves as a less crowded peak-time alternative, is close to local amenities and residential areas, and is fully accessible with lifts.

Tottenham Hale to Stansted Airport

Liverpool Street Station (47 minutes from Stansted)

Liverpool Street Station functions as Central London's premier hub with Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, and District lines, and is within walking distance to The City, Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Tower of London, and has hotels and shops nearby with step-free access throughout.

Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport

Operating hours

Stansted Airport to Liverpool Street

  • Service: 5:30am to 12:30am
  • Duration: 47 minutes
  • Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes

Stansted Airport to Tottenham Hale

  • Service: 6am to 11pm
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes
  • Duration: 36 minutes

Stansted Airport to Stratford

  • Service: 6:14am to 11pm
  • Duration: 73 minutes
  • Frequency: Every 15 minutes

Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport

  • Service: 4:40am to 11:25pm
  • Duration: 47 minutes
  • Frequency: Every 15 to 30 minutes

Tottenham Hale to Stansted Airport

  • Service: 4:59am to 11:37pm
  • Duration: 36 minutes
  • Frequency: Every 30 minutes

Stratford to Stansted Airport

  • Service: 5:30am to 10:28pm
  • Duration: 65 minutes
  • Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes

Stansted Express ticket types & price comparison

Stansted Express prices vary by time and demand, with tickets from £22, and you can choose from flexible options below, including combos that save 7%, so book early for the best Stansted Express ticket rates.

One-way ticket

From £22 per person. Single journey to Liverpool Street, Stratford, or Tottenham Hale. Valid for one trip. No seat reservation. Includes Wi-Fi, power, and luggage space.

Recommended ticket: Train Transfer: Stansted Airport to/from London by Stansted Express

Round-trip ticket

From £40 (save vs. two one-ways). Two journeys with a flexible return date. Book outbound and return together for Stansted Express price discounts.

Recommended ticket: Train Transfer: Stansted Airport to/from London by Stansted Express

Combo ticket (Save 7%)

Stansted Express one-way + London Eye tickets from £43.24. Perfect add-on for arrivals.

Recommended ticket: Stansted Express One-Way Transfers + London Eye Tickets

Comparison: Stansted Express vs. alternatives

Transport optionTypical priceJourney timeDoor-to-doorLuggage fees

Stansted Express

From £22

47 mins

Station-to-station

Included

Taxi/Minicab

£40-70+

45-60+ mins (traffic)

Yes

Included

Ride-share (Uber)

£35-55+

50+ mins (traffic)

Yes

Included

Airport bus

£15-25

60-90+ mins

Limited

Included

Private car hire

£50-100+

Variable

Yes

Included

What to expect on board Stansted Express

Stansted Express trains deliver a smooth, stress-free ride with airport-traveller perks like generous luggage space and reliable connectivity, as every carriage is designed for comfort, accessibility, and convenience over the 47-minute journey.

Seating & comfort

  • Modern, spacious seats with ample legroom. 
  • Overhead luggage racks for carry-ons. 
  • Large windows for views. 
  • First-come seating; priority areas marked.

Connectivity & power

  • Free Wi-Fi throughout. 
  • Power sockets under every seat. 
  • USB ports at each seat. 
  • Strong signal from the airport to the city for work or streaming.

Climate & cleanliness

  • Fully air-conditioned year-round. 
  • Regular sanitisation between services. 
  • Modern ventilation for fresh air. 
  • Hygienic, well-maintained interiors.

Facilities onboard

  • Accessible toilets with baby changing. 
  • Mobility-friendly restrooms. 
  • Waste bins everywhere. 
  • Info screens for stations and progress.

Luggage & storage

  • Overhead racks for suitcases. 
  • Bulk areas for larger items. 
  • No size/weight limits. 
  • Staff assist with heavy bags.

Wheelchair access & mobility support

  • Step-free from the platform to the train. 
  • Wheelchair spaces (max 1200mm x 700mm x 300kg). 
  • Staff-deployed ramps. 
  • Trained assistance onboard.
  • Disability-aware staff. Contact: +44 20 8522 0258 or stanstedexpressnationalrail.co.uk/assist.

How to book Stansted Express

Booking Stansted Express tickets takes under 2 minutes and tracks your flight for delays, so you receive instant confirmation with on-time guarantees.

Step 1: Choose your journey

Choose your journey by selecting Stansted Airport, Liverpool Street, Stratford, or Tottenham Hale as a start point, choosing a date and time, and adding a return if needed.

Step 2: Select ticket type

Select ticket type by picking one-way (£22+), return, or combo, viewing live Stansted Express prices, and applying railcard discounts.

Step 3: Provide passenger information

Provide passenger information by entering name(s), email, phone for SMS, and noting special needs like wheelchair access.

Step 4: Choose payment method

Choose a payment method by paying securely via card or PayPal, adding promo codes, and reviewing the total.

Step 5: Receive confirmation

Receive confirmation via instant email and SMS with reference, QR ticket, and times for app access or printing, and for flight delays, you get auto-adjustment or call +44 20 8522 0258.

Frequently asked questions about Stansted Express tickets

The Stansted Express is a train that connects the London Stansted Airport to Central London. This London airport transfer is a speedy, efficient, comfortable and affordable means of transport that can be pre-booked online.