Are there 24/7 buses?

Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.

Is it safe to take taxis overnight?

Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.

STNUnited KingdomTPL: night-owl-plan

London Stansted Airport

London, United Kingdom

Drop-off

Central London (Liverpool Street / King’s Cross area)

Pin before customs

Fastest

Stansted Express

rail · 15m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: Stansted Express
Headway: 15
Backup: National Express A8 · 20-30m

Note

Direct train from the station beneath London Stansted Airport terminal to London Liverpool Street, with an intermediate stop at Tottenham Hale for Underground and mainline rail connections. Typical journey time is about 48 minutes and services run every 15 minutes, 7 days a week; advance tickets are required as standard TfL contactless/Oyster are not generally accepted on this service at present.

Late arrivals

London: Night-Owl Operations

After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes. Targets queries likelondon airport busandstn to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Lines that keep running

Brief

This is the overnight lifeline when the metro or flagship express shuts down.

Service: National Express A8
Mode: coach
Freq: 20-30m
Note: 24-hour coach linking Stansted Airport with central London via King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch and Tottenham Hale, providing direct access to key rail and Underground hubs. Coaches run frequently day and night as part of National Express’s LondonStansted network, with journey times from about 45 minutes from Tottenham Hale depending on traffic.

Backup when rail sleeps

Brief

If even this pauses, default to the licensed taxi rank or approved ride-hailing pickup outside arrivals.

Service: National Express A8
Mode: coach
Freq: 20-30m
Note: 24-hour coach linking Stansted Airport with central London via King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch and Tottenham Hale, providing direct access to key rail and Underground hubs. Coaches run frequently day and night as part of National Express’s LondonStansted network, with journey times from about 45 minutes from Tottenham Hale depending on traffic.

Ticketing tips

Brief

Load balance onto the local transit card before midnight because some kiosks shut or stop accepting bills after hours.

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FAQs

01Are there 24/7 buses?: Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.
02Is it safe to take taxis overnight?: Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.