Cardiff to Stansted bus with National Express

Wed 17 Jun
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Cardiff to Stansted

Showing times and prices for 17 Jun

Cheapest price

£23

Average price

£26

Fastest journey

6 h 35 m

Average duration

6 h 49 m

Buses per day

3

Distance

241 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Cardiff to Stansted is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.

The average ticket from Cardiff to Stansted will cost around £26 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £23.

Fast coaches

Of the 3 buses that leave Cardiff for Stansted every day 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

These direct buses cover the 241 km distance in an average of 6 h 49 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 35 m .

The slowest buses will take 7 h 2 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

  • National Express
    19:237h02
    Cardiff
    2:25Stansted
    £231One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    11:306h50
    Cardiff
    18:20Stansted
    £241One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    13:306h35
    Cardiff
    20:05Stansted
    £311One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Cardiff to Stansted

Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Cardiff to Stansted among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £21. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, and a train costs an average of £42.

Distance: 241 km

Compare bus with

Most popular
Coach
Train

£34

Average Price

Cheapest

£57

Average Price

5h 22m

Average total duration

4h 52m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 23m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 53m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

Great Western Railway

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Cardiff to Stansted bus times

The table below shows live departures for Cardiff to Stansted coaches for today, Tuesday 16 June. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National ExpressNX201 · NX7285:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
5h10
10:35 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX201 · NX727
On time
7:20 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
5h05
12:25 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX201 · NX727
On time
9:25 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
5h05
14:30 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX509 · NXA8
Delayed
11:30 10:30Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h50
17:20 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX202 · NX727
On time
12:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h30
19:05 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX509 · NXA8
On time
13:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h35
20:05 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX201 · NX727
On time
14:35 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h05
20:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX201 · NX727
On time
16:30 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h10
22:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX507 · NXA8
On time
18:00 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
6h20
0:20 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change
National ExpressNX509 · NXA6
On time
19:15 Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
7h10
2:25 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station		1 change

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Cardiff to Stansted by coach or train

Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Wed
17 Jun
Thu
18 Jun
Fri
19 Jun
Sat
20 Jun
Sun
21 Jun
Mon
22 Jun
Tue
23 Jun

Why should you book Cardiff to Stansted coaches with Omio?

National Express operates all coaches services from Cardiff to Stansted.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Cardiff to Stansted.

Why book with Omio vs National Express?

  • Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
  • Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare National Express with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Cardiff to Stansted.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Cardiff to Stansted.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Cardiff to Stansted

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Cardiff to Stansted run on average 15 times per day, taking around 4h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 if you book in advance.

The earliest coach runs at 01:05, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 241 km distance in 5h 15m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
241 km
Average bus duration
4h 52m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Buses per day
15
Fastest bus
5h 15m
First bus
1:05
Last bus
23:50
Cheapest Month
Jan
Cheapest Day
Sat
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Wed
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
49 days
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: National Express from Cardiff to StanstedYou can travel by bus between Cardiff to Stansted with National Express for as low as £21. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

National Express

About
National Express is the UK’s leading long-distance coach company, operating over 550 services per day and serving more than 900 destinations nationwide. It also runs frequent services to major UK airports — including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Bristol — 24 hours a day. All National Express coaches are air-conditioned and offer free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Most vehicles are equipped with seat belts and power outlets at every seat, allowing you to charge your phone or laptop during your journey. Ticket options include Restricted Fare, Standard Fare, and Fully Flexible Fare, with the latter providing maximum flexibility for cancellations or changes.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
5h 15m
Cheapest Price
£21
Luggage included
Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Additional luggage
10€ per additional bag.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority seating; Accessible toilets.
Bikes
Folding Bikes are allowed; non-folding bikes are not allowed.
Learn more about National Express

FAQs: Cardiff to Stansted coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cardiff to Stansted by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stansted, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Cardiff to Stansted can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Cardiff to Stansted is £34; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by coach from Cardiff to Stansted is 5h 15m to travel the 241 km long route. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest coach from Cardiff to Stansted leaves at 1:05. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Cardiff to Stansted leaves at 23:50.
There are 15 coaches a day from Cardiff to Stansted which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Cardiff to Stansted, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Stansted. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Cardiff and Stansted and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Stansted from Cardiff is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 5h 15m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from Cardiff to Stansted is January.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cardiff and Stansted including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Cardiff to Stansted:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Cardiff to Stansted for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Cardiff to Stansted depends on the coach companies:
  • National Express
    • You can cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before departure for a refund minus a cancellation fee. Changes can be up to 24 hours before departure for a fee.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the coach with coach company National Express.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
No, there is no food available to purchase on board the coach from Cardiff to Stansted.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Stansted:
  • National Express
    • Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a coach ticket from Cardiff to Stansted:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Cardiff to Stansted.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Cardiff to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Cardiff to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Cardiff to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Cardiff and Stansted

Cardiff
Stansted
Cardiff, Sophia Gardens
information
Cardiff, University
information
Cardiff, North Road (St Josephs Convent)
information

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