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The cheapest and fastest coaches from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU)
Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept
Cheapest price on 05 Sept
£26
Average ticket price on 05 Sept
£33
Fastest journey on 05 Sept
4 h 55 m
Average journey duration on 05 Sept
5 h 5 m
Buses on 05 Sept
4
Distance
159 km
Cheap tickets
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) will cost around £33 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £26.
Fast coaches
On Sat 05 Sept, we found 4 buses from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU), including 4 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 159 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 55 m .
The slowest buses will take 5 h 35 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.
21:054h55London Stansted Airport2:00Southampton Central (SOU)£261One-way0 changes- 20:354h55London Stansted Airport1:30Southampton Central (SOU)£291One-way0 changes
- 15:155h35London Stansted Airport20:50Southampton Central (SOU)£351One-way0 changes
- 19:354h55London Stansted Airport0:30Southampton Central (SOU)£411One-way0 changes
- 20:354h55London Stansted Airport1:30Southampton Central (SOU)£291One-way0 changes
- 19:354h55London Stansted Airport0:30Southampton Central (SOU)£411One-way0 changes
- 21:054h55London Stansted Airport2:00Southampton Central (SOU)£261One-way0 changes
- 15:155h35London Stansted Airport20:50Southampton Central (SOU)£351One-way0 changes
Travel Information
Compare coach and train for London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU)
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £24 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 3h 1m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, while a train costs an average of £28.
Distance: 159 km
Compare bus with
| Coach | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£24 Average Price Cheapest | £28 Average Price | £32 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 44m Average total duration 4h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 1m Average total duration Fastest 2h 31m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 29m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
The cheapest way to travel from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is a coach with an average price of £24.
This is compared to other travel options from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU):
A coach is £4 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) costing on average £28.
The fastest way to travel from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is by train with an average journey time of 2h 31m.
Other travel options to Southampton Central (SOU) take longer:
Coach takes on average 4h 14m.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London Stansted Airport and Southampton Central (SOU) including taking a coach and train.
Take the bus. It's the cheapest way to make this trip, and the price gap is usually bigger than people expect.
Tickets start at around £24 compared to roughly £32 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £8. The journey takes 4h 14m versus 2h 29m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Live departures
London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) bus times
The table below shows live departures for London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) coaches for today, Friday 4 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
Last updated at
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:45 London Stansted Airport | 5h35 | 15:20 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 10:40 London Stansted Airport | 6h25 | 17:05 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 19:35 London Stansted Airport | 4h55 | 0:30 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 20:35 London Stansted Airport | 4h55 | 1:30 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 21:05 London Stansted Airport | 4h55 | 2:00 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
| 22:05 London Stansted Airport | 4h55 | 3:00 Southampton Central (SOU) | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) 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.
Sat
05 Sept
05 Sept
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06 Sept
06 Sept
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07 Sept
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08 Sept
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09 Sept
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11 Sept
11 Sept
Why should you book London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) coaches with Omio?
National Express operates all coaches services from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
Journey information
Overview: Bus from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Buses from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) run on average 12 times per day, taking around 4h 14m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £19 but you can travel from only £15 by train.
The earliest coach runs at 18:55, the last at 22:50. The fastest coach covers the 159 km distance in 4h 55m.
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £15
Distance 159 km |
Average bus duration 4h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price £19 |
Buses per day 12 |
Fastest bus 4h 55m |
First bus 18:55 |
Last bus 22:50 |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £15
Bus providers: National Express from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU)You can travel by bus between London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) with National Express for as low as £15. 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 National Express Duration
4h 55m
Cheapest National Express Price
£19
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.
What's included in each class
Compare National Express classes and the amenities included in each one.
FAQs: London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) 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 Southampton Central (SOU), this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap coach tickets from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) can start from as little as £19 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is £24; 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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is 4h 55m to travel the 159 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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) leaves at 18:55. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) leaves at 22:50.
There are 12 coaches a day from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU), you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Southampton Central (SOU). You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between London Stansted Airport and Southampton Central (SOU) and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
A trip to Southampton Central (SOU) from London Stansted Airport is worth doing but not as a day trip with a journey time of 4h 55m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) is November.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between London Stansted Airport and Southampton Central (SOU) including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU):
- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) 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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU):
- 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 London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU):
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU).
You can reserve your seat on the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU) with the following coach company: National Express.
Most popular bus connections from London Stansted Airport
More options for your journey from London Stansted Airport to Southampton Central (SOU)
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Southampton Central (SOU) and London Stansted Airport
Most popular bus connections
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