The cheapest and fastest coaches from Manchester to London Stansted Airport
Cheapest price
£32
Average price
£41
Fastest journey
6 h 40 m
Average duration
7 h 12 m
Buses per day
5
Distance
244 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Manchester to London Stansted Airport is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Manchester to London Stansted Airport will cost around £41 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £32.
Of the 5 buses that leave Manchester for London Stansted Airport every day 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct buses cover the 244 km distance in an average of 7 h 12 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 40 m .
The slowest buses will take 7 h 55 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.










Travel Information
Compare coach and train for Manchester to London Stansted Airport
Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Manchester to London Stansted Airport among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the coach with prices starting from £24. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 4m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £24, and a train costs an average of £34.
Distance: 244 km
Compare bus with
Most popular Coach | Train |
|---|---|
£35 Average Price Cheapest | £87 Average Price |
6h 24m Average total duration 5h 54m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Manchester to London Stansted Airport bus times
The table below shows live departures for Manchester to London Stansted Airport coaches for today, Monday 16 February. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NX540 · NX737 | Delayed 11:45 09:30Manchester, Coach Station | 6h00 | 15:30 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA6 | On time 11:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 6h40 | 17:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA8 | On time 11:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h55 | 19:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NX737 | On time 13:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h00 | 20:30 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX590 · NXA6 | On time 14:00 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h50 | 21:50 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX121 · NX777 | On time 14:30 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h55 | 22:25 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NX737 | On time 15:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 6h55 | 22:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA8 | On time 16:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h35 | 00:20 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA8 | On time 17:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h15 | 01:00 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX540 · NXA6 | On time 19:15 Manchester, Coach Station | 6h10 | 01:25 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX120 · NX777 | On time 21:45 Manchester, Coach Station | 6h50 | 04:35 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
NX424 · NX777 | On time 23:55 Manchester, Coach Station | 7h20 | 07:15 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Manchester to London Stansted Airport 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.
17 Feb
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24 Feb
25 Feb
26 Feb
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28 Feb
01 Mar
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Manchester to London Stansted Airport
Buses from Manchester to London Stansted Airport run on average 14 times per day, taking around 5h 54m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £24 if you book in advance.
The earliest coach runs at 05:15, the last at 21:45. The fastest coach covers the 244 km distance in 5h 55m.
Distance 244 km |
Average bus duration 5h 54m |
Cheapest ticket price £24 |
Buses per day 14 |
Fastest bus 5h 55m |
First bus 05:15 |
Last bus 21:45 |
Bus providers: National Express from Manchester to London Stansted AirportYou can travel by bus between Manchester to London Stansted Airport with National Express for as low as £24. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
National Express
FAQs: Manchester to London Stansted Airport coach
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Manchester to London Stansted Airport 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 London Stansted Airport, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- National Express
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Accessible toilets.
- 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.
- National Express
- Two medium-sized suitcases up to 20kg each and one small piece of hand luggage.
- National Express
- 10€ per additional bag.
popular bus stations
Important Stations and Airports in Manchester and London Stansted Airport
- 05:00-23:30
- Free Wi-Fi
- Available outside the interchange.
- Elevators, ramps
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 42, 43, 135 Tram: Metrolink
- 06:00-22:00
- Free Wi-Fi
- Café at the Station (in the station)
- Fast Food Express (in the station).
- Available outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, assistance
- Available in the station.
- Bus: 50, 192, 201, 203, 205, 219, 255, 256 Train: Manchester Piccadilly Metro: Piccadilly Gardens
Most popular bus connections from Manchester
More options for your journey from Manchester to London Stansted Airport
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

