Stansted and Gatwick sit on opposite sides of London, and every public transport option between them involves at least one change. The train — Gatwick Express, one Underground change, then Stansted Express — is the fastest at around 2 hours. The coach is genuinely direct in the sense of one ticket, but now requires a change of coach in London and typically takes around 5 hours.
This guide sets out exactly what each option involves, so you can plan a connection between flights with realistic timings rather than guesswork. Pre-booked fixed-fare transfers between Stansted and Gatwick from Stansted Airport Taxi, a TfL-licensed private-hire operator. Reviewed September 2026.
⚙ Quick Answer: How Should You Travel Between Stansted and Gatwick?
For speed, the train wins clearly. Gatwick Express to Victoria (30 minutes), the Underground across to Tottenham Hale (around 20 minutes), then the Stansted Express (36 minutes) — three separately-ticketed services, two changes, but a realistic total of around 2 hours.
The coach is one ticket but far slower. National Express runs up to 16 daily services, but its own current site confirms the route now requires a change of coach in London — expect a journey of around 5 hours based on published first and last departure times.
For a genuinely tight connection between flights, a pre-booked taxi covers the roughly 76-mile road journey directly via the M25, in around 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic, with a fixed fare confirmed before you travel.
Stansted ↔ Gatwick Airport: All Options at a Glance
The three real ways to make this journey — none of them genuinely non-stop.
| Train (Gatwick Express + Underground + Stansted Express) | Coach (National Express, change in London) | Private taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes | Two — at Victoria and Tottenham Hale | One — a change of coach in London | None — door to door |
| Journey time | ~1h 55m to 2h 39m | ~5 hours | ~1.5–2 hours |
| Frequency | Frequent — every 15 minutes on each leg | Up to 16 daily services | Any time, pre-booked |
| From | Typically £35+ combining all three legs | Check current fare — three separate legs if via Victoria | Fixed fare, quoted at booking |
| Runs overnight? | No — both airport rail services have overnight gaps | Limited — check specific times | Yes — 24/7 |
Fares and schedules change with each timetable season. Figures above reflect published times and fares at the time of writing — always check the current timetable for your travel date before booking.
Quick Answers
Is there a direct train from Gatwick to Stansted?
No. It's three separately-ticketed services — Gatwick Express to Victoria, the Underground to Tottenham Hale, then the Stansted Express — with two changes, taking roughly 2 hours in total.
Is there a direct coach from Gatwick to Stansted?
National Express runs this route with a single ticket, but its own current site confirms a change of coach is required in London — it isn't a non-stop service, despite some older guides describing it that way.
What's the quickest way to travel between the two airports?
The train, by a wide margin — around 2 hours against the coach's roughly 5 hours. A pre-booked taxi is faster still, at around 1.5–2 hours door to door.
How much does it cost to travel between Stansted and Gatwick?
The train typically costs £35 or more combining all three legs; the coach varies by current operator pricing. Check Trainline, National Rail and National Express directly for your specific date.
Is there a dedicated shuttle between Stansted and Gatwick?
Not a separate dedicated service — the National Express coach is sometimes informally called a "shuttle," but it's the same connecting coach service described above, not a standalone direct minibus link.
What's the easiest way to connect between flights at these airports?
The train for most connections, given generous time. For a genuinely tight gap between flights, a pre-booked taxi removes the timetable risk entirely.
Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport by Train
Three separately-ticketed services, two changes, but the fastest public transport option by a clear margin.
| Leg | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Gatwick Express | Gatwick Airport → London Victoria, ~30 minutes, every 15 minutes |
| 2. London Underground | Victoria Line, Victoria → Tottenham Hale, ~20 minutes, every 3 minutes |
| 3. Stansted Express | Tottenham Hale → Stansted Airport, ~36 minutes, every 15 minutes |
| Total journey time | Roughly 1h 55m to 2h 39m including interchange time |
Alternative routing. You can also travel via London Liverpool Street instead of Tottenham Hale — the Stansted Express runs from both, taking around 48 minutes from Liverpool Street against 36 minutes from Tottenham Hale. Which is faster overall depends on your Underground connection from Victoria.
Tickets. These are three separate tickets (Gatwick Express, Underground, Stansted Express) unless you find a combined fare — compare both ways, since split tickets often work out cheaper. Your Stansted Express or Gatwick Express ticket does not cover Underground travel; buy this separately or use contactless.
Stansted Airport to Gatwick Airport by Train
The same three-leg journey in reverse.
Take the Stansted Express from the airport station into London Liverpool Street (~48 minutes) or Tottenham Hale (~36 minutes), change onto the Victoria Line Underground to reach London Victoria (~20 minutes from Tottenham Hale), then board the Gatwick Express for the final leg (~30 minutes). Allow 20–30 minutes at each interchange for exiting, navigating the station and boarding the next service — don't rely on the theoretical minimum connection time, especially with luggage.
Operating hours. The Stansted Express runs from around 05:30 (varies by day) until 00:30 at the Stansted end. Check current first and last train times for your specific date before relying on rail for an edge-of-day connection.
Gatwick to Stansted Airport by Coach
One ticket, but not a non-stop journey — worth understanding clearly before you book.
Route. National Express operates up to 16 daily services on this corridor. Their own current website is explicit: "our services between Gatwick and Stansted require a connection in London." This is worth flagging directly, since several older third-party travel guides still describe this as a "non-stop" service via the M25 and Heathrow — that description no longer matches National Express's current published routing, which requires changing coaches in London.
| Detail | Gatwick → Stansted |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Up to 16 daily services |
| First departure | 03:35 from Gatwick South Terminal, arriving Stansted ~08:30 (with a change in London) |
| Last departure | 23:30 from Gatwick, arriving Stansted ~04:35 the next day (with a change in London) |
| Approximate journey time | ~5 hours, based on the published first/last departure and arrival times |
Luggage. One large suitcase (or two medium cases) plus one soft hand luggage item is included per passenger on the coach legs.
Given the journey time, the train is the stronger public transport choice for this route unless you have a specific reason to prefer coach travel — the coach's single-ticket simplicity doesn't offset roughly 3 extra hours compared with the train.
Stansted to Gatwick Airport by Coach
The same route in reverse.
National Express also runs the return direction with up to 16 daily services, again requiring a change of coach in London. Exact first and last departure times for this direction should be checked directly on nationalexpress.com for your travel date, since published times can differ from the outbound direction.
Is There a Stansted to Gatwick Airport Shuttle?
Worth clarifying directly, since the term gets used loosely.
There is no separate, dedicated minibus shuttle confirmed to operate specifically between Stansted and Gatwick. The National Express coach service described above is sometimes referred to informally as a "shuttle" because it's the only single-ticket coach product on this corridor — but it is the same connecting service, with a change of coach in London, not a standalone non-stop link. If a dedicated shuttle operator does emerge on this route, verify their operating hours, journey time and fare directly before booking, since this kind of service can be seasonal or short-lived.
Bus vs Train vs Coach vs Shuttle
This table is here to help you choose the mode that fits your situation — not to declare a single universal winner.
| Factor | Train | Coach | Private taxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changes | Two | One | None |
| Journey time | ~2 hours | ~5 hours | ~1.5–2 hours |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes per leg | Up to 16 daily | Any time, pre-booked |
| Booking | Trainline, National Rail | National Express | Pre-booked directly |
| Luggage | Standard allowance, carried across two changes | Hold included, one change | Vehicle capacity, no changes |
Choose the train when speed matters most and you're comfortable managing two changes with luggage. Choose the coach only if you specifically prefer a single ticket and have several hours to spare. Choose a taxi when your connection is tight, your luggage is substantial, or you simply want the journey removed as a variable.
How Long Does Stansted to Gatwick Take by Public Transport?
There's no single answer — it depends heavily on which mode and how the connections line up.
- Train: roughly 1h 55m to 2h 39m, including two changes.
- Coach: around 5 hours, including the required change of coach in London.
- Waiting time at connections: if your connecting service isn't immediate, add the wait to your total — this is the biggest source of variation on the train route.
- Airport terminal transfer: allow 10–15 minutes at each end for walking between the terminal and the transport terminus.
- Disruption: road and rail delays can extend any of the above — build in a buffer, particularly for a flight connection.
Stansted to Gatwick Timetables and Service Times
Where to check current times, and what's typical.
Where to check: Trainline and National Rail (nationalrail.co.uk) for train times; National Express for coach times; Traveline for a combined journey planner across all modes. Always verify for your specific travel date rather than relying on a remembered timetable.
Typical operating pattern: the Stansted Express runs from around 05:30 to 00:30; the Gatwick Express and Underground both run from the early morning into the late evening. First and last coach departures on the National Express route were 03:35 and 23:30 from Gatwick at the time of writing — always confirm current times, since schedules are updated by season.
Where to Catch Your Bus, Train or Coach
Departure and arrival points at each airport.
Gatwick Airport. The train station serves both terminals, though South Terminal has direct access — North Terminal passengers should follow signage or use the free inter-terminal transit. The coach terminal is at the same general area, reached via ground-transport signage from either terminal.
Stansted Airport. The bus and coach station sits opposite the main terminal entrance. The railway station is directly beneath the terminal, reached by lift or escalator in a couple of minutes.
Tickets, Fares and Booking
What to expect, and how to find the current best price.
Train: figures from Rome2Rio and Trainline suggest combined fares typically start from around £35, rising well beyond that depending on how far ahead you book and which route (via Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale) you take. Coach: check National Express directly for current pricing, since this varies by date and how far ahead you book.
Booking tips: booking 7–14 days ahead typically secures better fares than a same-day purchase. Compare buying each leg of the train journey separately against any combined fare offered — split tickets often work out cheaper on multi-operator routes like this one. Tickets are available online via Trainline, National Rail or the relevant operator's own site, or at station and terminal ticket machines.
Luggage on Public Transport Between Stansted and Gatwick
What's typically included, and what to check for your specific booking.
- Hand luggage: a personal bag or small suitcase (typically up to around 55–60cm) is included with all operators on this route.
- Larger bags: standard checked-size luggage (up to around 23kg, typically 70cm) is generally included or carries a minimal charge.
- Train: standard luggage is fine across all three legs; large items such as sports equipment may be restricted or charged — check with the specific rail operator.
- Coach: typically one large suitcase (or two medium cases) plus one hand luggage item per passenger; additional bags may be charged.
Luggage rules differ by operator — check the specific rail operator or National Express directly for your booking rather than assuming a blanket policy across the whole journey.
Planning a Stansted to Gatwick Flight Connection
The single most important thing on this route: build in a genuinely realistic buffer.
The sequence: your flight lands at Stansted, you collect any checked baggage (allow 15–30 minutes), then travel to Gatwick (roughly 2 hours by train, or considerably longer by coach), then complete Gatwick's own check-in and security procedures for your onward flight.
Recommended buffer: allow 3 to 3.5 hours or more between your Stansted landing time and your Gatwick departure time, to accommodate baggage collection, the transport journey itself, airport procedures at the Gatwick end, and any unexpected delay. If your connection is under 3 hours, treat it as high risk — a delay on any leg of the journey could mean missing your onward flight, and this guide cannot guarantee any connection is feasible for your specific itinerary.
Early-morning travel: check the first available train or coach service for your travel date before booking an early connection — don't assume a service you've seen before still runs at the same time. Late-night travel: the last public transport service on this route is typically limited, so verify final departure times directly; if nothing suitable is running, a private transfer may be your only realistic option for a very late or very early connection.
Taxi From Stansted to Gatwick Airport
For a connection that genuinely can't risk a delayed change, a pre-booked transfer covers the direct road route without depending on any timetable.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Indicative fare (~76 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Saloon | Up to 4, light luggage | £122.30 |
| Estate | Up to 4, more luggage | £127.05 |
| MPV5 | Up to 5 | £134.53 |
| MPV6 | Up to 6 | £141.00 |
| MPV7 | Up to 7 | £153.23 |
| MPV8 | Up to 8 | £158.99 |
| Executive | Up to 4, premium | £163.80 |
| Executive MPV | Up to 7, premium | £191.10 |
Fares shown are calculated on distance and vehicle class for this route via the M25, and are paired with the standard disclaimer: the final fare is confirmed at booking. Your specific pickup terminal, date, time, passengers and luggage will determine your exact quote.
Public Transport vs Private Airport Transfer
The trade-off in brief.
Public transport ties you to a published timetable, may require connections (the coach needs one change; the train needs two), and runs terminal-to-terminal rather than door-to-door. A private transfer removes all of that — one direct journey via the M25, at a time that suits your actual flight schedule rather than a fixed departure. For full detail on fares and booking, see our dedicated Stansted to Gatwick Airport taxi page.
Common Mistakes on the Stansted–Gatwick Corridor
The errors that turn a connection between flights into a missed one.
- Assuming the coach is a non-stop service. Older guides describe it that way, but National Express's own current site confirms a change of coach is required in London.
- Underestimating the train's two changes. Both interchanges need realistic time, not the theoretical minimum, especially with luggage.
- Booking a connection under 3 hours. Treat this as high risk on either public transport option — a single delay can cascade across the whole journey.
- Not checking which Stansted Express route is faster. Via Tottenham Hale is often quicker overall than via Liverpool Street, depending on your Underground connection.
- Assuming trains run early or late enough for any flight. Both airports' rail services have overnight gaps — check specific first and last times for your date.
- Comparing headline fares without checking booking windows. Both train and coach fares rise closer to travel — compare like-for-like dates.
Check It Yourself — Official Sources
Timetables and fares on this route change with each schedule season — verify the current position directly before you travel.
- National Rail Enquiries — current Gatwick Express, Underground and Stansted Express times.
- National Express — current coach times and connection details for this route.
- Traveline — independent journey planning across bus, coach and rail operators.
- London Stansted Airport — official site — the airport's own official travel guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get from Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport by bus?
A: There's no separate local bus route — the National Express coach service is the relevant option, though it now requires a change of coach in London rather than running non-stop.
Q: Is there a bus from Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport?
A: The National Express coach covers this route with up to 16 daily services, but requires a connection in London — check Traveline and National Express directly for current routing.
Q: How do I get from Stansted Airport to Gatwick Airport by bus?
A: The same National Express service runs in reverse, also requiring a change of coach in London. Check current timetables directly for your travel date.
Q: Where does the bus leave from at Gatwick Airport?
A: The coach terminal at Gatwick, reached via ground-transport signage from either terminal — follow signs from South or North Terminal.
Q: Where does the bus leave from at Stansted Airport?
A: The bus and coach station opposite the main terminal entrance at Stansted.
Q: How do I get from Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport by train?
A: Take the Gatwick Express to London Victoria (~30 minutes), the Underground Victoria Line to Tottenham Hale (~20 minutes), then the Stansted Express into the airport (~36 minutes) — three separate tickets, two changes.
Q: Is there a train from Gatwick Airport to Stansted Airport?
A: Not a direct one, but a well-connected route via London Victoria and Tottenham Hale, taking roughly 2 hours in total including changes.
Q: Is the train from Gatwick to Stansted direct?
A: No. It's three separately-ticketed services requiring two changes — the Underground connection between the Gatwick Express and Stansted Express legs.
Q: How many changes are needed?
A: Two by train (at Victoria and again at Tottenham Hale or Liverpool Street), or one by coach (a change of coach in London).
Q: How do I get from Stansted Airport to Gatwick Airport by train?
A: Take the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale, change onto the Underground to reach London Victoria, then board the Gatwick Express for the final leg.
Q: Is there a coach from Gatwick to Stansted Airport?
A: Yes, operated by National Express with up to 16 daily services, though the operator's own site confirms it requires a change of coach in London rather than running non-stop.
Q: Is there a coach from Stansted Airport to Gatwick Airport?
A: Yes, the same National Express service in reverse, also requiring a change of coach in London.
Q: How long does the coach journey take?
A: Around 5 hours, based on National Express's published first and last departure and arrival times, which include the required change in London.
Q: Is there a shuttle from Stansted Airport to Gatwick Airport?
A: No separate dedicated shuttle is confirmed — the National Express coach is sometimes called a "shuttle" informally, but it's the same connecting service described above, not a standalone non-stop link.
Q: Where does the shuttle leave from?
A: If referring to the National Express coach, it departs from the coach terminal at each airport — the same departure points used for standard coach services.
Q: What is the quickest public transport option between Stansted and Gatwick?
A: The train, taking roughly 2 hours against the coach's approximately 5 hours, despite requiring two changes rather than the coach's one.
Q: How long does public transport between Stansted and Gatwick take?
A: Around 2 hours by train, or roughly 5 hours by coach — there's no single universal journey time, since it depends heavily on mode and how connections line up.
Q: How much does it cost to travel between Stansted and Gatwick?
A: Train fares typically start from around £35 combining all three legs; coach pricing varies by current National Express rates. Check operator websites 1–2 weeks before travel for current pricing.
Q: What is the easiest way to travel between Gatwick and Stansted for a flight connection?
A: The train for most connections with a generous buffer. For a genuinely tight gap between flights, a pre-booked taxi removes the timetable and connection risk entirely.
Pre-Booked Transfers Between Stansted and Gatwick — Fixed Fare, Any Hour
On this route, the train is the fastest public transport option at around 2 hours despite two changes; the coach, while one ticket, now takes roughly 5 hours due to its required London connection. For a tight flight connection, heavy luggage, or simply wanting the journey removed as a variable, Stansted Airport Taxi runs pre-booked, fixed-fare transfers between Stansted and Gatwick at any hour, as a TfL-licensed private hire operator.
- ✔ Fixed fare confirmed at booking — calculated on distance and vehicle class
- ✔ 24/7 availability, including outside rail and coach operating hours
- ✔ Flight monitoring so a delayed landing doesn't disrupt your pickup
- ✔ Saloon, Estate, MPV5–8, Executive and Executive MPV — matched to your group and luggage
👉 Get your fixed-fare quote in under two minutes — book online or call +44 20 3617 7825.
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Last reviewed September 2026 · Next review December 2026 · Train routing checked against National Rail, Stansted Express and Gatwick Airport's own site; coach routing checked directly against National Express's current published page · Stansted Airport Taxi editorial team.
