Flying Ryanair, easyJet or Wizz Air? Then you will almost certainly land at Stansted, Gatwick or Luton, not Heathrow.
Stansted has been my airport for years: I fly Ryanair and easyJet, and I have done the trip into London by coach, by train and, more than once, close to midnight. This guide covers the three big low-cost airports: how to get from each one to central London, how long it takes, roughly what it costs and which option makes sense for you. Landing at Heathrow instead? See our Heathrow to central London guide.
- Stansted: Stansted Express train to Liverpool Street (about 50 min) or National Express coach (cheaper, 1h30 or more)
- Gatwick: Southern or Thameslink trains with contactless (cheapest), or Gatwick Express to Victoria (about 30 min)
- Luton: DART shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway, then the train to St Pancras (about 35 min in total)
Fares in this guide are approximate and change often: always check the operator's website before you travel.
Stansted to Central London
Stansted is about 40 miles north-east of London and the main base for Ryanair. Trains and coaches both leave right by the terminal, so you never need a shuttle.
Stansted Express (train)
- Where it goes: Liverpool Street, with a stop at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line
- Journey time: about 50 minutes
- How often: every 15–30 minutes, from early morning to around midnight
- Price: roughly £20–25 for a single; booking online in advance is cheaper
- Where to find it: the station is directly below the terminal building
National Express coach
This is how I usually travel. The coach station is just outside the terminal, a short walk from arrivals, and the coaches stop at several points across London, so you can often get off closer to home than with the train. I normally use the Golders Green stop, both arriving and leaving. Depending on the route, coaches also stop at places like Finchley Road, Baker Street, Paddington, Stratford and Victoria Coach Station.
- Journey time: about 1h30 to 2h, depending on the stop and traffic
- Price: usually around £10–15, sometimes less if you book early
- Runs: day and night, so it is a good option for very early or very late flights
The Golders Green stop is by the station and bus station, so you can change straight onto the Northern line or a local bus. It is a handy stop if you are staying in north London, in Golders Green, Hampstead or Finchley. Read more about the area in our Borough of Barnet guide.
Other options: easyBus runs smaller coaches to Baker Street, often at low prices, and Greater Anglia has slower stopping trains that are sometimes a little cheaper than the Stansted Express.
Gatwick to Central London
Gatwick is about 30 miles south of London and the main London base for easyJet. It has the best train links of the three, and you can pay with a contactless card or Oyster, just like on the Tube.
Southern and Thameslink (the best value)
- Southern: to London Victoria, about 35 minutes
- Thameslink: to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras, about 30–45 minutes, handy for the City and King's Cross
- Price: usually much cheaper than the Gatwick Express, especially off-peak with contactless
Gatwick Express
- Where it goes: non-stop to London Victoria
- Journey time: about 30 minutes
- Price: roughly £20–25 for a single, with a discount if you book on its website
The Gatwick Express is comfortable, but the Southern train to Victoria takes only a few minutes longer and costs less. Unless you have a lot of luggage, take whichever train leaves first.
By coach: National Express runs coaches to Victoria Coach Station. They are slower than the train (around 1h30 or more) but can be cheaper if booked early.
Luton to Central London
Luton is about 35 miles north of London, used mainly by easyJet, Wizz Air and Ryanair. The terminal is not on the railway line, so there is one extra step.
DART shuttle + train
- DART: a driverless shuttle from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway station, about 4 minutes. It costs £4.90 if you buy it separately, but it is included if your train ticket is to or from "Luton Airport" (not "Luton Airport Parkway").
- Luton Airport Express (East Midlands Railway): non-stop to St Pancras, about 25–30 minutes. Fares start at around £10 booked in advance and are higher on the day.
- Thameslink: slower but stops at St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge.
By coach: National Express and Green Line 757 run to central London and Victoria. They take about 1h15 to 1h30 and usually cost less than the train.
At a Glance: Train or Coach?
| Airport | Fastest | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|
| Stansted | Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, ~50 min | National Express or easyBus, ~1h30–2h |
| Gatwick | Gatwick Express or Southern to Victoria, ~30–35 min | Southern/Thameslink with contactless |
| Luton | DART + Luton Airport Express to St Pancras, ~35 min | Coach to central London, ~1h15–1h30 |
Arriving Late at Night
Low-cost flights often land late, and delays happen. When I have landed at Stansted close to midnight, I took the train: the station is right below the terminal and it is the quickest way home. If you miss the last train, the coaches are your friend: they run through the night from Stansted, Gatwick and Luton. Gatwick also has some trains during the night, and the Luton DART runs 24 hours (except 25–26 December).
Where to Stay
If your flight is very early, a night near the airport or near the right London station can save you a 3am alarm. For Stansted, look around Liverpool Street or Stratford; for Gatwick, Victoria or London Bridge; for Luton, King's Cross and St Pancras. Browse our places to stay in London by borough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheapest way from Stansted to London?
Usually the coach (National Express or easyBus), especially if you book early. The Stansted Express is faster but costs more.
Can I use contactless or Oyster from the airports?
At Gatwick, yes: contactless and Oyster work on trains to London. At Stansted and Luton you normally need a train ticket, which you can buy online, in the app or at the station.
Is the Luton DART included in my train ticket?
Yes, if your ticket says "Luton Airport". If it says "Luton Airport Parkway", you have to pay for the DART separately.
Which London airport is closest to the centre?
Of these three, Gatwick has the quickest train (about 30 minutes to Victoria). London City Airport is the closest of all, but it is mainly used by business flights.
For trips around London once you arrive, check the Tube status and plan your route with our Journey Planner.
About this article: Written by Tonio Viva, London Residence, based on years of flying in and out of Stansted. Routes, journey times and fares checked in October 2026; fares change often, so always check the operator's website before you travel.