Trains

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Some 45% of our passengers use public transport to get to or from the airport.

Transport: our approach

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Trains

Where to catch trains

Stansted Airport rail station is directly below the terminal building. Tickets can be bought in advance or at the station.

Regular services link the airport with central and east London, and with eastern England and the Midlands.

Train times and fares are subject to change, so please confirm with the operator before you travel.

Trains to London Stansted Express

Fast, frequent and convenient trains run between the airport and London Liverpool Street from early until late.

  • Trains depart every 15 minutes.
  • Average journey time 46 minutes to Liverpool Street and 35 minutes to Tottenham Hale.
  • Express class single fare £18 (discount for online booking).
  • Also calls at Bishop's Stortford, Harlow Town and Tottenham Hale.

For London Underground services, change at Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line) or Liverpool Street (Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith & City lines).

Visit the Stansted Express website
Stansted Express timetable (1MB PDF)

National Express East Anglia

Regular trains run to and from London Stratford via stations in the Lea Valley.

  • Hourly off-peak service, Mondays to Saturdays only.
  • Journey time one hour.
  • Single Anytime fare to Stratford £17.
  • Also calls at Stansted Mountfitchet, Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth, Harlow Mill, Harlow Town, Roydon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt, Enfield Lock, Angel Road, Northumberland Park and Tottenham Hale.

For London Underground services, change at Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line) or Stratford (Circle and Jubilee lines, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground).

Visit the National Express East Anglia website

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Trains to eastern England and Birmingham CrossCountry Trains

Long-distance services link the airport with Cambridgeshire and the Midlands. Connections are available to the North and Scotland.

  • Hourly daytime service, reduced on Sundays.
  • Journey times (approx): Cambridge 35 min; Leicester 2 hr 30 min; Birmingham 3 hr 25 min.
  • Fares vary, discounts for advance booking.
  • Trains run to Audley End, Cambridge, Ely, Peterborough, Leicester and Birmingham.

Change at Peterborough for Leeds, York, Newcastle and Scotland. Change at Leicester for Derby and Sheffield.

Visit the CrossCountry Trains website

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Further information Special needs

All trains have facilities for passengers with special needs. Please see the relevant train operator's website for details and contact information.

Stansted Airport rail station is staffed every day except Christmas Day. Induction loops are fitted, and the whole station has step-free access. If you'll need assistance at the station, please email nxea.assistedtravel@nationalexpress.com at least 24 hours before you travel.

Bicycles on trains

Stansted Express: Only fully-folded cycles which have been flat-packed may be taken on board.

National Express East Anglia (other services): Cycles can be carried on most trains but there are restrictions on some peak-time services.

CrossCountry Trains: Cycles are carried only when booked in advance.

There is no charge for carriage of bicycles on any of these services.

Links for further help

National Rail Enquiries (tel 0845 748 4950 or outside the UK +44 (0)20 7278 5240)

London Underground (tel +44 (0)20 7222 1234)

Stansted Express (tel 0845 850 0150)

National Express East Anglia (tel 0845 600 7245)

CrossCountry Trains (tel 0871 244 2389)

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