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There's no direct train from King's Cross or St Pancras to Stansted Airport, but the journey is simple with one change: the Victoria line to Tottenham Hale, then the Stansted Express to the airport, just over an hour in total. You can also go via Liverpool Street, or take a taxi straight to the terminal. This guide compares each option in both directions.
King's Cross to Stansted: the quick answer
- Quickest by rail: Victoria line from King's Cross St. Pancras to Tottenham Hale, then the Stansted Express, just over an hour in total.
- Stansted Express: 36 minutes from Tottenham Hale, every 15 minutes during the day.
- Paying: contactless works on both the Tube and the Stansted Express; Oyster is not valid on the Stansted Express.
- Easiest with luggage: a pre-booked taxi from your door to the terminal, with no changes.
King's Cross to Stansted: All Options Compared
| Option | Changes | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria line + Stansted Express via Tottenham Hale | One | Just over 1 hour |
| Underground to Liverpool Street + Stansted Express | One | Stansted Express 48 min, plus the Tube |
| Pre-booked taxi | None | Depends on traffic |
Typical times published by Stansted Express, not guarantees. They vary with the time of day and service changes.
Via Tottenham Hale: Victoria Line and Stansted Express
Stansted Express recommends this route from King's Cross and St Pancras. The Stansted Express doesn't call at King's Cross, so you change at Tottenham Hale.
- Step 1: take the Victoria line (light blue) northbound from King's Cross St. Pancras Underground station to Tottenham Hale.
- Step 2: change to the Stansted Express at Tottenham Hale. It takes 36 minutes to the airport.
- Frequency: Stansted Express trains run every 15 minutes during the day.
- At Stansted: the station is under the terminal, a two-to-three-minute walk to check-in.
Via Liverpool Street
The Stansted Express starts at London Liverpool Street, 48 minutes from the airport. From King's Cross, take the Underground to Liverpool Street and board there. It's an option if you'd like to start from the first station, but the Tottenham Hale route is usually quicker from King's Cross. See our Stansted to central London guide for more on the Stansted Express.
Tickets, Contactless and First Trains
- Contactless: tap in and out with a contactless card or mobile wallet on the Tube and the Stansted Express.
- Oyster: valid on the Victoria line, but not on the Stansted Express to or from Stansted.
- Stansted Express tickets: don't cover the Underground, so pay for the Tube leg separately. Advance tickets are usually cheapest.
- First trains: the first Stansted Express from Tottenham Hale leaves at around 04:52 to 04:59, depending on the day. For a very early flight, check that the Underground is running in time, or pre-book a taxi.
Taxi from King's Cross to Stansted
The rail route means a Tube ride and a change at Tottenham Hale with your luggage. A pre-booked taxi goes straight from your door or the station to the terminal. It's usually the easier choice when:
- you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or sports equipment;
- you're travelling as a family or group;
- you have an early flight before the first trains;
- you're arriving at St Pancras on the Eurostar and connecting to a flight from Stansted.
Book a King's Cross to Stansted transfer
- Door to terminal: Stansted airport transfers to and from any London address, 24/7, with TfL-licensed drivers. Book a train station transfer from King's Cross or St Pancras.
- Arriving at Stansted: your driver meets you at Costa Coffee in the Arrivals Hall; add Meet & Greet when you book.
- Flight monitoring: we offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information.
- Fixed fares: fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
- Vehicles: saloons to 16-seat minibuses in our fleet. Get an instant fare quote.
Stansted to King's Cross
The same route works in reverse: take the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale, then the Victoria line southbound to King's Cross St. Pancras. Or stay on the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street and take the Underground from there.
Being dropped off at Stansted by car or taxi? Stansted charges vehicles that use the Express Set Down zone outside the terminal. Travelling with Banana Cars? Check your quote and booking details for how this airport charge applies to your journey. See our Stansted drop-off and pick-up guide.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Travelling light: the Victoria line and Stansted Express via Tottenham Hale.
- Very early flight: check the first trains, or pre-book a taxi.
- Lots of luggage, a family or a group: one vehicle to the terminal; see group transfers.
Flying from Heathrow instead? Read our King's Cross to Heathrow guide. Staying nearby? See central London airport transfers.
King's Cross to Stansted FAQs
No. Take the Victoria line to Tottenham Hale, then the Stansted Express to the airport, just over an hour in total.
The same way as from King's Cross: the Victoria line from King's Cross St. Pancras Underground station to Tottenham Hale, then the Stansted Express. Stansted Express gives about 1 hour 2 minutes in total.
36 minutes to Stansted Airport. Trains run every 15 minutes during the day.
Only on the Underground. Oyster isn't valid on the Stansted Express to or from Stansted, but contactless works on both.
No. Stansted Express tickets aren't valid on the Underground, so pay for the Tube leg with contactless, Oyster or a Tube ticket.
Your TfL-licensed driver meets you at Costa Coffee in the Arrivals Hall. Your pickup instructions come with your booking.
It depends on traffic and the time of day, so allow extra time at peak periods. Fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
Yes. MPVs, the Executive MPV-7 and 16-seaters suit families and groups. Child seats are free on advance request: Group 0/0+ (infant), Group 1 (toddler) and Group 2/3 (booster). Tell us each child's age and how many seats you need when you book.
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