Getting to London Stansted is straightforward once you know your options. Coaches remain the easiest one-seat ride, trains win on raw speed, taxis and ride-shares trade cost for door-to-door ease, and driving can be cheapest when two or more people share fuel and tolls. Below, you’ll find the main choices—each in its own paragraph so you can jump straight to the mode that suits you.
Getting to the airport by coach
When it comes to buses to Stansted Airport, newcomer Flibco pairs wallet-friendly fares with inter-city-style comfort and a host of extra perks. The green coaches leave Stratford and Liverpool Street every 30 minutes day and night, reach the airport in about 50 minutes from Stratford (90 minutes from Liverpool Street) and include Wi-Fi, USB power and generous luggage in the base fare, from £13.99 one-way. Plus, it offers free travel for children under four (one child per paying adult) and kids between 4 and 13 years old just pay 5.99 per tickets.
Flibco launched UK operations on 1 April 2025 to compete head-on with the train, claiming a 40-minute run in light traffic and often under-cutting rail fares when bought return.
The other player which is historically present and still operating this route is National Express.
The train Stansted Express
The Stansted Express leaves Liverpool Street every 15 minutes and does the trip in 48 minutes, with advance singles from £9.90. A handful of Stansted Express services stop at Stratford, taking about an hour door-to-door. Trains will still set you down just a two-minute walk from the terminal but lifting heavy suitcases on and off the carriages—and into the overhead or end-of-car luggage racks—can be awkward if you’re travelling with bulky bags.
Taxi & ride-share
A licensed black-cab or minicab will take roughly 50–60 minutes outside rush hour; The metered fare is about £150-£180.
Ride-share apps are cheaper but can surge: Uber’s own route guide quotes an average £73 for the 37-mile trip and about 58 minutes’ travel time. Both options pick you up anywhere in Zone 1 or Stratford and set you down at the terminal forecourt, even if this is the most expensive option.
Driving or car-hire
Stansted sits just off junction 8 of the M11, about 36 miles from central London; it will take you about 53 minutes in clear traffic and fuel costs of £9-£13 for a small petrol car.
Parking ranges from short-stay curbside to multi-day economy lots bookable online through the airport, and many hire-car desks operate 24/7 in the arrivals hall. Factor in the M11 link’s popularity—queues build fast on Friday evenings and Sunday nights.
Plan ahead, weigh up each transport option against your budget and baggage, and leave plenty of time for the journey so there’s no stress at the airport. Safe travels!
