.png){kind=small}
On This Page
Stansted and Heathrow sit on opposite sides of London, about 60 miles (96 km) apart by road. There's no direct train between them, so you'll choose between a direct coach, a train journey with a change in central London, or a door-to-door transfer. This guide compares each option, explains which train serves your Heathrow terminal, and shares tips for connecting between the two airports with luggage.
Stansted to Heathrow: the quick answer
- Direct coach: National Express runs direct coaches between the two airports, taking from about 80 to 90 minutes.
- Train: no direct service. Take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (about 46 minutes), then the Elizabeth line direct to Heathrow (about 40 minutes).
- By road: about 60 miles, mostly on the M11 and M25.
- Door to door: a pre-booked transfer takes you and your luggage straight to your Heathrow terminal, with no changes.
Stansted to Heathrow: All Options Compared
Each option suits a different kind of traveller. The coach is the simplest public transport choice, the train gives you more departures through the day, and a transfer is the easiest with heavy bags or a group.
| Option | Changes | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | None | About 80 to 90 minutes | Travellers on a budget who want no changes |
| Train via Liverpool Street | One | About 46 minutes plus 40 minutes, plus your change | Light luggage and daytime travel |
| Pre-booked transfer | None | Depends on traffic | Heavy luggage, families, groups and tight connections |
Stansted to Heathrow by National Express Coach
National Express runs direct coaches between Stansted and Heathrow on routes 727 and 728. It's the only public transport option with no changes, so you stay with your luggage the whole way.
- Journey time: Heathrow gives about 80 minutes; National Express gives the fastest journey as 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Frequency: Stansted Airport describes the service as roughly hourly. It doesn't run all night, so check the first and last coaches if you're travelling early or late.
- Tickets: book with National Express in advance, or buy on the day.
Finding the coach at Stansted
Stansted's coach station is opposite the main terminal entrance, about a two-minute walk away, with step-free access. It has waiting facilities, a coffee shop, a newsagent and toilets, which helps if you have time to wait for the next departure.
Where the coach stops at Heathrow
The coach stops at different places depending on your terminal, so check yours before you travel:
| Heathrow terminal | Coach stop |
|---|---|
| Terminals 2 and 3 | Heathrow Central Bus Station |
| Terminal 4 | Terminal 4's own coach stop |
| Terminal 5 | Terminal 5's own coach stop |
Stansted to Heathrow by Train via Liverpool Street
There's no direct train from Stansted to Heathrow, but you can make the trip with one change in central London. The station at Stansted is directly beneath the terminal building, reached by lifts, escalators and ramps.
Stansted to Heathrow by train, step by step
- Stansted Express to Liverpool Street: about 46 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes.
- Change to the Elizabeth line: follow the signs to the Elizabeth line platforms at Liverpool Street.
- Elizabeth line to Heathrow: about 40 minutes direct to the airport, with no further changes. Check the train is going to your terminal (see below).
From Liverpool Street, you have two other ways to reach Heathrow. Changing at Paddington for the Heathrow Express takes about 30 minutes. The Central line and Piccadilly line take about 65 minutes. Either way, you'll need to manage your luggage through busy London stations, so allow extra time if you have a flight to catch.
Which Train Goes to Your Heathrow Terminal?
Heathrow has three rail stations: one shared by Terminals 2 and 3, one at Terminal 4 and one at Terminal 5. Not every train serves every terminal, so this is the most important thing to check if you're travelling by rail:
| Terminal | Elizabeth line | Heathrow Express |
|---|---|---|
| Terminals 2 and 3 | Six trains an hour | Every 15 minutes, about 15 minutes from Paddington |
| Terminal 4 | Four trains an hour, via Canary Wharf | Change at Terminals 2 and 3 for the free transfer train (about 4 minutes, every 15 minutes) |
| Terminal 5 | Two trains an hour, via Stratford | Every 15 minutes, about 5 minutes longer than to Terminals 2 and 3 |
Terminal 5 has the fewest Elizabeth line trains, so if you're flying from Terminal 5 and miss one, the Heathrow Express from Paddington may get you there sooner.
Stansted to Heathrow by Pre-Booked Transfer
A transfer is the simplest way to connect between the two airports, especially with heavy bags, children or a group. Your driver collects you at Stansted and takes you straight to your Heathrow terminal, with no changes and no carrying luggage between platforms.
| Coach or train | Banana Cars transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Changes | None by coach; one or more by train | None, door to door |
| Luggage | You carry it between stops and platforms | Your driver loads it at Stansted |
| Flight delays | You may miss your booked coach | Flight monitoring when you add your flight number, with free waiting time |
| Price | Per person | Fixed fare per vehicle, same rate day or night, no extra charge for traffic delays |
| Arrivals | Find the coach station or train | Optional Meet & Greet in arrivals |
Because the fare is per vehicle rather than per person, a transfer can work out well for families and groups travelling together. All our drivers are vetted and TfL-licensed, and child seats are available. Choose a vehicle for your luggage in our fleet, or book a group transfer for larger parties.
We run transfers from Stansted Airport to every Heathrow terminal: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
Connecting Between Stansted and Heathrow for a Flight
If you're landing at Stansted and flying on from Heathrow, you're travelling between two separate airports. Your bags won't be transferred for you, so plan on collecting your luggage at Stansted and checking in again at Heathrow.
- Collect your bags and leave Stansted: after landing, you'll go through passport control (if arriving from abroad), baggage reclaim and customs before you can start your journey.
- Check your Heathrow terminal first: coach stops and train stations differ between Terminals 2 and 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5.
- Arrive at Heathrow in good time: Heathrow advises arriving at least 2 hours before UK and European flights, and 3 hours before long-haul flights.
- Build in a buffer: a delay to your incoming flight, a missed coach or road traffic can all eat into your connection time.
- Travelling early or late? Check coach and train times before you book, as public transport doesn't run all night.
Need more airport help? Read our Stansted drop-off and pick-up guide and our Heathrow Terminal 3 guide, see can you get a taxi from Heathrow Airport, or browse all the London airports we serve.
Stansted to Heathrow FAQs
About 60 miles (96 km) by road, mostly on the M11 and M25.
No. Take the Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street (about 46 minutes), then the Elizabeth line direct to Heathrow (about 40 minutes).
Yes. National Express runs direct coaches on routes 727 and 728, roughly hourly, taking from about 80 to 90 minutes.
For Terminals 2 and 3, at Heathrow Central Bus Station. Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 each have their own coach stop.
Yes, but not every train. Terminals 2 and 3 get six trains an hour, Terminal 4 gets four and Terminal 5 gets two, so check your train's destination before boarding.
If you book a Banana Cars transfer, add your flight number. We monitor your flight, so your pickup can follow your actual arrival time, with free waiting time.
The Heathrow Express doesn't stop at Terminal 4. Get off at Terminals 2 and 3 and take the free transfer train, which runs every 15 minutes and takes about 4 minutes.
Generally not. They're separate airports, so plan to collect your bags at Stansted, travel to Heathrow with them, and check in again for your next flight.
Know someone travelling soon? Send them this guide.
