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Trains to Stansted Airport

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Stansted Airport is located about forty miles out of Central London. It’s a great choice for low-cost holidays, with airlines like Ryanair and Jet2, offering flights to a range of European and international destinations. Some popular routes from Stansted include cities like Dublin, Barcelona, Rome, and Amsterdam, making it a hub of European travel. The airport is well-connected for public transport users, and accessible for travellers heading to and from London and beyond.

How to get to Stansted Airport by train:

Utilising Stansted Airport station is one of the easiest ways to start your holiday. There are multiple regular services leaving the station every day, including the Stansted Express from London Liverpool Street and CrossCountry trains towards the midlands. Hop on board a CrossCountry train from Cambridge, Peterborough, or Birmingham New Street to start your holiday in style and comfort.

When travelling with CrossCountry, be sure to check your train times in advance to ensure a smooth journey and prompt arrival.

Cheap Train Tickets to Stansted Airport

When you travel to the airport's train station with CrossCountry, there are lots of ways to save money on the price of a ticket. Here are some of our favourite ways:

Book in advance: You can save money on your journey with Advance Tickets, available for purchase up to 12 weeks in advance.

Travel off-peak: Trains that run outside our peak hours (before 9.30 and between 15.30 and 18.30) are generally much cheaper. Pick up an Off-Peak Ticket and you’ll know what we mean.

Use a Railcard: If you’re eligible for a Railcard, it can save you up to a 1/3 on each and every journey you take.

Two suitcases at an airport terminal

Facilities at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is well set up for travellers of all faiths, offering 24-hour prayer rooms in the main terminal and departure areas for anyone to use. Washing facilities are available nearby so that Muslim passengers can perform ritual washing before prayer. They also have a chaplaincy team that provides pastoral care, and confidential support.

If you require additional assistance to get to your flight, you can contact the relevant airline to make a booking. There is also assistance available throughout the building to aid your journey. At security, there is a designated line for passengers needing assistance. If you have a hidden disability, you can be provided with a Sunflower Awareness Lanyard so that staff know you may need extra assistance. The airport also has a range of additional facilities available to those who need it. There are accessible toilets on the main concourse and all departure lounges, a changing area in the Landside Arrivals area and quiet seating areas in the departure lounges.

Stansted has also partnered with a BSL Interpreting Service that allows passengers to connect with customer services through a BSL interpreter, removing any potential communication barriers. To learn more about this service head to SignLive.

For a relaxed start to your journey, pre-book a seat in the Escape Lounge. There’s a delicious food menu available, created by their talented in-house chefs, as well as unlimited hot and cold drinks, free ultra-fast private WiFi, and charging points. There’s also unlimited free WiFi access throughout the rest of the terminal, meaning you can stay connected as you travel.

Stansted Airport Shops & Restaurants

If you’ve got time, there’s plenty of shopping to do at Stansted Airport, from staples to luxury brands, like Tommy Hilfiger and Mulberry. For some mementos or gifts to take to your next destination, pay a visit to the souvenir shop for a treasure trove of trinkets and collectables.

There’s so much food on offer too. If you fancy a sit-down meal, you'll find pub classics, street food, Italian dishes, and more throughout the terminal. Or, if there's not much time before you jet off, enjoy a sandwich or burger at one of the many grab-and-go establishments.

Stansted Airport Travel Connections

Stansted Airport offers several convenient ways to travel. National Express provide services connecting the airport to various locations across the UK. There’s also the Airport Bus Express available to pre-book that leaves every thirty minutes. This bus travels to London Liverpool Street via Stratford. You can also grab First Essex bus services if you’re heading back to Basildon, Southend, and Colchester.

Street Cars Taxis are the airport's main providers, they have a reservation desk at the international arrival concourse or you can book a taxi online. The Stansted Express train service also runs directly to London Liverpool Street, with regular departures every fifteen minutes. From Liverpool Street, you can easily connect to other parts of the city and beyond.

If you're driving, Stansted Airport is conveniently located just off the M11, providing easy access to other major routes like the M25. They offer a range of parking options, including Long Stay, which is a short bus transfer from the terminal, and the Mid Stay car park, ideal for shorter visits.

Discover More Airport Connections

Heathrow Airport

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Southampton Airport

With just 99 steps from Southampton Airport Parkway Station to the terminal building, why wouldn’t you take the train to Southampton Airport?

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Birmingham International

Start your holiday early by taking the train to Birmingham International Airport

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