Bus from Stansted Airport
Buses from Stansted Airport
London Stansted Airport is located halfway between London and Cambridge. The airport has excellent bus links to London and the rest of the UK. In fact, many choose to take the bus from there, since doing so is cheaper than trains, taxis and airport parking.
National Express operate direct services from Stansted Airport to London, Cambridge, and other major UK towns and cities. The buses depart from just outside the London Stansted Airport terminal.
Read on to learn more about the different buses, including how frequently and what time buses run, and where they run to.
Travelling from London Stansted Airport by Bus
Using Trainline, you can book cheap bus tickets to major locations in the UK from London Stansted Airport in just a few clicks.
This will save you money on taxis, which is great if you’re on a tight budget after your holiday. We recommend that you book tickets well in advance to get the cheapest fares.
National Express runs four round-the-clock regular bus services from Stansted Airport to London City Centre. Buses go to 22 London locations, including Paddington Station, Victoria Coach Station, Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Stratford, Marble Arch, Baker Street, and Golders Green. Journeys from Stansted Airport to Central London take around 50 minutes, and ticket prices start at £3.50. National Express also runs regular services from Stansted Airport to Birmingham, Cambridge, Colchester, Coventry, Ipswich, Norwich, Oxford, Luton Airport, and Heathrow Airport. Connections are also available to major UK towns and cities.
London Stansted Airport Terminal doesn’t have a hotel within the building. However, if you have an early flight, you can find a Radisson Blu hotel and a Hilton hotel within a five-minute walk.
Things to do around London Stansted Airport
Two historic market towns are within easy reach of Stansted Airport: Saffron Walden and Bishop’s Stortford.
Saffron Walden is famous for its mazes, and the townhouses three historical ones including the largest remaining turf labyrinth in Europe. Saffron Walden also boasts a museum that covers the history of north-west Essex from ancient to modern times, the Grade II listed Bridge End Garden, and an art gallery. 20-minutes’ stroll from Saffron Walden, you can find Audley End House and Gardens where there are a stately home and a Victorian stable yard.
Bishop’s Stortford is a quaint market town that lies upon the River Stort. It contains a ruined castle, a 52-metre high church, a couple of museums, and a selection of local shops, all within historical buildings. The town has plenty of decent places to eat and drink.
Local buses also run from Stansted Airport to Mountfitchet Castle. This is a reconstructed Norman Motte and Bailey Castle, complete with its own historical village. It’s a great place to learn more about the Norman history of the area. Mountfitchet Castle is also popular with kids, largely due to it housing the biggest toy museum in the world. Buses to all these tourist attractions depart from London Stansted Airport Coach Station.
Looking for other ways to travel from London Stansted Airport? You can also take the train from London Stansted Airport.
Recommended itineraries
Need inspiration for your next trip to the UK? Pick one of our recommended itineraries below.