Luton to Stansted Airport — Every Way to Get There (and Back)
Luton Airport and Stansted Airport are about 40 miles apart, roughly an hour's drive by road when traffic is clear. They're two of London's five major airports — both used heavily by low-cost carriers like easyJet and Ryanair — and the journey between them comes up regularly for travellers making self-connections, switching airlines, or simply travelling between the two. This guide covers every transport option: coach, train, taxi, private transfer, and driving yourself. It also covers the return journey from Stansted to Luton, since the questions and options are the same.
Need a private transfer between Luton and Stansted? UK Airport Transfer Services offers fixed-price door-to-door transfers between both airports. No hidden fees, no surge pricing — just a confirmed price before you book.
How far is Luton from Stansted Airport?
The distance between London Luton Airport and London Stansted Airport is approximately 38–42 miles by road, depending on the route. There is no straight motorway connection — most routes go via the A505 and M11, or cross via the A1(M). Journey time by car or private transfer is typically 55 to 75 minutes in normal traffic, and up to 90 minutes or more during peak hours.
Option 1 — Coach (National Express)
National Express operates a direct coach service between Luton Airport and Stansted Airport, with no need to travel through central London.
Journey time: Around 75 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic and stops
Frequency: Roughly every 1–2 hours
Price: From around £10–15 when booked in advance online
Where to board at Luton: Luton Airport Parkway bus station, a short walk or shuttle from the terminal
Where to arrive at Stansted: Stansted Airport's main bus/coach station, directly connected to the terminal
Good for: Travellers on a tight budget with flexible timing and minimal luggage.
Watch out for: Fixed departure times — if your inbound flight is delayed, you may miss your booked coach and need to rebook. Also plan for time getting from Luton's terminal to the coach stop.
Option 2 — Train
There is no direct train between Luton and Stansted. Any rail journey requires travelling into central London and changing stations — typically:
Luton Airport Parkway → London St Pancras (Thameslink, ~30 mins) → walk or Tube to Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale → Stansted Express to Stansted (~47 mins)
Total journey time: 2 to 3 hours, including connections and waiting
Price: £25–40+ depending on time of day and how far in advance you book
Practical verdict: The train is the slowest and most expensive option for this specific route. It makes sense if you need to stop in central London, but for a direct airport-to-airport transfer it's rarely the right choice.
Option 3 — Taxi or Private Transfer (recommended for connections)
A pre-booked private taxi or private hire vehicle is the most direct and reliable way to travel between Luton and Stansted, particularly for passengers with a confirmed connection or a specific departure time to hit.
Journey time: 55 to 75 minutes in normal traffic
Price: Typically £80–120 for a standard saloon with a fixed-price operator
Door-to-door: Your driver picks you up at arrivals and drops you at departures — no additional transfers or station walks
Flight monitoring: Reputable operators track your inbound flight and adjust pickup time automatically if you land early or late
UK Airport Transfer Services operates fixed-price transfers between Luton and Stansted with meet-and-greet included. All vehicles are DBS-checked and driven by licensed private hire drivers. Family vehicles and 8-seater MPVs are available for groups.
Book your Luton to Stansted transfer →
Option 4 — Driving yourself
If you have your own car or a hire car, the route is straightforward:
Route: Leave Luton Airport via the A505 East, join the A1(M) southbound briefly, then take the A505/A602 to pick up the M11 northbound toward Stansted. Total distance approximately 40 miles.
Journey time: 55–70 minutes in clear traffic; allow extra time during morning or evening rush hours, or on Friday afternoons
Parking at Stansted: Mid-stay and long-stay car parks are available. Short-stay drop-off is available for a fee directly at the terminal.
Note that parking costs at Stansted can add up quickly — for a one-way trip, a taxi or private transfer often works out cheaper and simpler than driving and paying for parking.
Luton to Stansted — quick comparison
Coach (National Express) — the cheapest option, taking around 75–90 minutes, with prices from about £10–15 if booked in advance.
Train (via London) — usually takes between 2 and 3 hours depending on connections, with fares starting from around £25–40 or more, and advance booking is recommended.
Private transfer or taxi — the fastest and most comfortable direct option, taking around 55–75 minutes, with prices typically between £80–120 depending on the vehicle and time of travel.
Driving with your own car — usually takes around 55–70 minutes depending on traffic, with costs limited to fuel and airport parking, and no booking needed unless reserving parking in advance.
Stansted to Luton — the same journey in reverse
The same options apply in the opposite direction. National Express coaches run from Stansted Airport to Luton on a similar frequency, and private transfer operators (including UK Airport Transfer Services) cover both directions at the same fixed price.If you're travelling from Stansted to Luton and have a connecting flight, the same timing advice applies: allow at least 3 hours between your scheduled arrival at Stansted and your departure from Luton, and more if travelling during peak hours.
Frequently asked questions
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The National Express direct coach takes approximately 75 to 90 minutes between Luton Airport and Stansted Airport. Journey time varies depending on traffic on the A505 and M11 corridors. Always check live departure times when you book, and factor in time to get from the terminal to the coach boarding point.
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No. There is no direct train between Luton and Stansted. Any rail journey requires changing in central London — typically at St Pancras and then Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale — making total journey time two to three hours. For an airport-to-airport connection, the coach or a private transfer are significantly more practical.
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A fixed-price private transfer between Luton Airport and Stansted Airport typically costs between £80 and £120 depending on the operator and vehicle type. Metered taxis may cost more, particularly during peak hours. UK Airport Transfer Services provides confirmed fixed pricing before you book — no surprises on arrival.
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For a self-connection — where you're booking two separate flights and responsible for making your own way between airports — allow a minimum of 4 hours between your scheduled arrival at Luton and your departure from Stansted. This accounts for: baggage reclaim (20–30 mins), clearing the terminal (15 mins), the transfer itself (60–75 mins), and checking in and clearing security at Stansted (60–90 mins). If travelling during peak hours or a Friday, allow 5 hours to be safe.
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Uber operates in both areas and can be used for this journey. However, Uber pricing is dynamic and can increase significantly during busy periods. For a confirmed time-sensitive connection, a pre-booked fixed-price transfer is more reliable — you'll have a confirmed driver, a confirmed price, and flight monitoring included.
Book your Luton to Stansted transfer
UK Airport Transfer Services provides fixed-price private transfers between Luton and Stansted Airport — and in the opposite direction. All bookings include meet-and-greet at arrivals, free flight monitoring, and 30 minutes of free waiting time.
Standard saloon and estate vehicles for 1–4 passengers
Executive Mercedes for business travel
8-seater MPVs for families and groups
Child seats available on request
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