Can you Oyster card to Stansted?
You can only use your Oyster Card on the Stansted Express on journeys between London Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale. If you are travelling to or from Stansted Airport you will need to buy a ticket that covers you for the whole journey that you are making on the Stansted Express.
Passengers are not able to use Oyster cards or contactless payment cards on the Stansted Express services to Stansted Airport. It is advised that passengers book tickets in advance or, alternatively purchase tickets at the train station. By booking in advance you are able to save money on their journeys.
The National Express coach is the cheapest ways to travel to/from Stansted airport, especially if you book in advance. The Stansted Express is the only train to the airport. It is the quickest way to travel to London (Liverpool St station).
You can add money to an Oyster card or use contactless (card or device) straight away. You only pay for the journeys you make and it's cheaper than buying a paper single or return ticket (train companies may offer special deals on some journeys).
It takes an average of 54m to travel from London to Stansted Airport by train, over a distance of around 31 miles (50 km). There are normally 97 trains per day traveling from London to Stansted Airport and tickets for this journey start from $27.57 when you book in advance.
You can't use Oyster or Contactless payment cards on Stansted Express services to/from Stansted Airport.
Train tickets from London to Stansted Airport start at £20.70‡ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we'll help you find the cheapest tickets.
Stansted London Airport – you can buy Oyster cards at Stansted Airport train station, before continuing your journey into Central London with the Stansted Express. London City Airport – exit the airport and follow the signs for the Underground. You can buy an Oyster card at the airport DLR station cashier window.
To cover the distance, a taxi is considered one of the most convenient ways to opt for. A taxi between central London and Stansted Airport may cost between £65 and £75 for an average saloon car with a capacity of 4 passengers, 2 check-in luggage and 2 hand luggage. It takes about 1 hour to reach the destination.
The average price of an Uber transfer between London and Stansted is £40 each way, 30% cheaper than normal taxis, so it's a good price if you're travelling in a group and you split your payment as you're not charged per person but per journey.
What are the disadvantages of the Oyster card?
There will always be leftover funds: Because Oyster is a pay as you go system, you have to have funds on the card to use it. Because trips vary in fee, it's almost impossible to get the card to zero. So if you stop using the card, there will be leftover money on it.
Generally, using an Oyster card is better value than buying a Day Travelcard. Oyster cards have daily and weekly spending caps which are the same as the cost of a Travelcard.
Always follow your airline's guidance on how early you need to be at the airport before your flight. As a general guide, you will need to have checked in and be ready to go through security at least 2 hours before your flight departure time. Worried about queues? FastTrack will help you get through security faster.
Stansted Airport by Train
Stansted has its own station which is located underneath the terminal building. This station is served by the Stansted Express. The Stansted Express runs every 15 minutes to half an hour, depending on the time of day.
Security screening at Stansted Airport had an average waiting time of 10.9 minutes. 31 percent of respondents from a 2019 survey reported queuing approximately one to five minutes.
Please buy your ticket online before you travel. If you do not buy a ticket or you use Contactless or Oyster you will be liable for a £100 Penalty Fare at Stansted Airport, plus the full single fare for your journey. Please buy your ticket online before you travel.
Save up to 54% when you book in advance online, and pay from just £9.90 for a one-way ticket between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport – the earlier you book, the more you save!
Trains from Stansted to London
With the Stansted Express service, you will be in Central London (London Liverpool Street) in just 50 minutes* and with specially designed spacious carriages, you won't need to worry about luggage space.
Rail services connect London Stansted Airport to all major destinations across the UK. Getting the train to the airport is easy, because the Station is located directly under the airport. With lifts, escalators and ramps to transport your luggage, it takes just two minutes to walk to and from the terminal.
Yes, it is possible to travel from Stansted Airport to London without having to change trains. There are 112 direct trains from Stansted Airport to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
Can a foreigner buy an Oyster card?
Many overseas agents sell London travel tickets if you're planning your trip to London. Save time and money by buying a Visitor Oyster card or a Travelcard before you leave home. Ask individual agents for more details.
Great value. Pay as you go fares are cheaper than buying a paper single ticket or Day Travelcard. Your Visitor Oyster card offers daily capping. This means you can travel as much as you like in a single day and the amount you pay for your travel is limited (or capped).
The distance you are travelling should impact your choice. Hiring a cab in London is quite economical if you are travelling small distances within the city. The fares will usually stay under your budget for short distance travelling. However, for longer routes, the prices can go a little higher when compared with Uber.
We recommend all passengers arrive at the check-in or bag drop desk at least 2 hours before they are due to fly. If you have booked through an Online Travel Agent, have been required to verify your booking, and wish to do so at the airport, please make sure you arrive at the airport 2 hours before your flight.
Uber is available at STN Airport, so you can enjoy a comfortable and convenient trip to wherever you need to go. What are the Uber airport rates for Stansted? Even if a trip is not very long, Uber rates to and from Stansted Airport may still be affected by time, traffic, and other factors.
References
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