London Luton and London Stansted are about 55 miles apart, on opposite sides of Hertfordshire. There is no direct train between them, so the choice is a direct coach, the train with changes in London, or a taxi from one terminal to the other. This guide compares them honestly, for either direction.
Coach and train details are taken from London Luton Airport’s own website and were checked in October 2026. Timetables change, so check before you travel.
At a glance
| Option | How it works | Changes | Typical time | At night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | National Express 737, airport to airport | None | About 1 hour 35 minutes | First coach from Luton around 3am; none overnight |
| Train | Thameslink to St Pancras, Tube to Liverpool Street, then the Stansted Express | Two, plus the Luton DART | About 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, plus waiting for connections | Limited late at night |
| Taxi | Terminal to terminal | None | Usually a little over an hour, longer at busy times | Any hour, 24/7 |
Luton to Stansted by coach
National Express route 737 runs directly between the two airports, up to 8 times a day in each direction. The journey takes about 1 hour 35 minutes. From Luton the first coach leaves around 2:55am and the last around 9:20pm; from Stansted the coaches run from around 0:45am to 10:00pm.
The coach is the cheapest way if you book ahead and travel light. With only 8 a day, a delayed flight can mean a long wait for the next one.
Luton to Stansted by train
There is no direct train. The usual route is:
- The Luton DART from the terminal to Luton Airport Parkway (under 4 minutes).
- Thameslink to London St Pancras.
- The Tube to Liverpool Street.
- The Stansted Express to Stansted Airport.
London Luton Airport puts the whole trip at about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes. In practice, add time for each change, and for carrying luggage between the Tube and the trains in central London.
Luton to Stansted by taxi
A pre-booked taxi takes you from one terminal to the other with no changes and no luggage limits beyond the car’s size. It is about 55 miles, usually a little over an hour, longer at busy times.
- Fixed price: the price you are quoted includes the airport charges, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day.
- Any hour: we work 24/7, so an early-morning or late-night connection is booked the same way as a midday one.
- Late flights: we track your flight, so your pickup moves to the actual landing time at no extra cost, however late it is, and your driver waits 45 minutes free from the time it lands.
- Meeting your driver: your driver meets you at the airport’s pickup point or a meeting point you agree, or inside the arrivals hall if you add Meet & Greet (£10).
- Groups: one MPV takes up to 8 passengers, and the fare is per vehicle, not per person.
See our Luton Airport transfers and Stansted Airport taxi pages, or get an instant fixed price.
Which should you choose?
- Travelling alone and light, with time to spare: the coach.
- Travelling light in the daytime and happy to change in London: the train.
- A family or group, lots of luggage, a tight connection or a late arrival: a taxi, because there are no changes and the fare is for the whole car.
Common questions
How far is Luton Airport from Stansted Airport?
About 55 miles by road, usually a little over an hour by car.
Is there a direct train from Luton Airport to Stansted?
No. You change at St Pancras and Liverpool Street in London.
Is there a direct coach between Luton and Stansted airports?
Yes. National Express route 737 runs directly between the two airports, up to 8 times a day, in about 1 hour 35 minutes.
Can I book a taxi from Stansted to Luton Airport?
Yes. We cover both directions at a fixed price, at any hour.
Get your fixed price
Get an instant fixed-price quote for your transfer between Luton and Stansted, or call us 24/7 on +44 1582 800333. Heading into the capital instead? Read our Luton Airport to London guide.
