Southampton to Stansted bus with National Express

Sat 05 Sept
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Southampton to Stansted

Showing times, prices and bookable tickets for 05 Sept

Cheapest price on 05 Sept

£34

Average ticket price on 05 Sept

£55

Fastest journey on 05 Sept

3 h 25 m

Average journey duration on 05 Sept

3 h 50 m

Buses on 05 Sept

14

Distance

158 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Southampton to Stansted will cost around £55 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £34.

Fast coaches

To travel from Southampton to Stansted you need to make at least one change.

  • National ExpressNX032 · NXA8
    2:055h15
    Southampton, Coach Station
    7:20Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station
    £341One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NXA8
    2:205h00
    Southampton, University
    7:20Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station
    £341One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NXA8
    12:155h47
    Southampton, Coach Station
    18:02Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station
    £381One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX727
    19:153h25
    Southampton, University
    22:40Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change
  • National ExpressNX032 · NX727
    16:054h35
    Southampton, University
    20:40Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station
    £561One-way
    1 change

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Southampton to Stansted

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Southampton to Stansted among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £29 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 53m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £29, while a train costs an average of £29.

Distance: 158 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train
Driving

£29

Average Price

Cheapest

£29

Average Price

£27

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

4h 18m

Average total duration

3h 48m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 53m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 23m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 18m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

National Express

Most popular bus company

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Southampton to Stansted is a coach with an average price of £29.

This is compared to other travel options from Southampton to Stansted:

A coach is £0.33 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Southampton to Stansted costing on average £29.

The fastest way to travel from Southampton to Stansted is by train with an average journey time of 2h 23m.

Other travel options to Stansted take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 48m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Stansted 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 £29 compared to roughly £27 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £-1.41. The journey takes 3h 48m versus 2h 18m 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

Southampton to Stansted bus times

The table below shows live departures for Southampton to Stansted coaches for tomorrow, Saturday 5 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National ExpressNX032 · NXA82:05 Southampton, Coach Station
5h15
7:20 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NXA82:20 Southampton, University
5h00
7:20 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX7284:15 Southampton, Coach Station
4h40
8:55 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX7285:40 Southampton, University
4h55
10:35 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX7286:45 Southampton, Coach Station
3h50
10:35 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX7279:15 Southampton, Coach Station
5h10
14:25 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NXA812:15 Southampton, Coach Station
5h47
18:02 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72713:35 Southampton, University
5h05
18:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72714:45 Southampton, Coach Station
3h55
18:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72715:45 Southampton, Coach Station
4h55
20:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72716:05 Southampton, University
4h35
20:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72719:00 Southampton, Coach Station
3h40
22:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change
National ExpressNX032 · NX72719:15 Southampton, University
3h25
22:40 Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station1 change

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Southampton 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.

Sat
05 Sept
Sun
06 Sept
Mon
07 Sept
Tue
08 Sept
Wed
09 Sept
Thu
10 Sept
Fri
11 Sept

Why should you book Southampton to Stansted coaches with Omio?

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

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Southampton to Stansted

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Southampton to Stansted run on average 17 times per day, taking around 3h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £20 but you can travel from only £20 by train.

The earliest coach runs at 00:30, the last at 23:50. The fastest coach covers the 158 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £20
Distance
158 km
Average bus duration
3h 48m
Cheapest ticket price
£20
Buses per day
17
Fastest bus
5h 15m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
23:50
Cheapest Month
Dec
Cheapest Day
Tue
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Thu
Least Busy Day
Thu
Best time to book
91 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
Cheapest alternative travel mode
Train from £20

Bus providers: National Express from Southampton to StanstedYou can travel by bus between Southampton to Stansted with National Express for as low as £20. 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
5h 15m
Cheapest National Express Price
£20
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.

Standard
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Power plugs

FAQs: Southampton to Stansted coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southampton 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 Southampton to Stansted can start from as little as £20 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Southampton to Stansted is £29; 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 Southampton to Stansted is 5h 15m to travel the 158 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 Southampton to Stansted leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Southampton to Stansted leaves at 23:50.
There are 17 coaches a day from Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton and Stansted and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Southampton , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University . When arriving in Stansted , you can end your route in coach stations like Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Southampton, Coach Station, which is located around away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station, located 1 away from the city centre.
A trip to Stansted from Southampton 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 Southampton to Stansted is December.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Southampton and Stansted including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Southampton to Stansted:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Southampton to Stansted for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Southampton 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 Southampton to Stansted.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Southampton 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 Southampton to Stansted:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Southampton to Stansted.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Southampton to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Southampton to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Southampton to Stansted with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Southampton and Stansted

Most Southampton to Stansted buses use the Southampton, Coach Station to Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Southampton and Stansted bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.

Departure bus stations in Southampton
Arrival bus stations in Stansted

Which Southampton station do buses to Stansted leave from?

Buses from Southampton to Stansted leave from Southampton, Coach Station. The station is from Southampton city centre at Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United Kingdom.
Southampton, Coach StationHarbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1BA, United KingdomWifiParkingDiningATMTaxisAccessibilityWCTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, Coach Station from Southampton city centre

BusX4, X5 · 5m · £2 · every ~20 min

Southampton, Coach Station bus station facilities and services

Southampton, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.

Food and drink

Food options include: Café Express (in the station), Sandwich Bar (in the station).

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance for cash withdrawals.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton, Coach Station.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.

Southampton, UniversityUniversity Rd, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKWifiParkingATMTaxisAccessibilityWCShowerTicket Office
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, University from Southampton city centre

Southampton, University is 3 km from Southampton city centre. Public transport options include:

BusU2b, U2 · 11m · £2 · every ~6 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 25m · £2 · every ~37 min
U1a, U1n, U1e · 29m · £2 · every ~37 min

Southampton, University bus station facilities and services

Southampton, University has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.

Wi-Fi and ATMs

Wi-Fi is available at Southampton, University. ATMs are available at Southampton, University.

Tickets and information

Ticket office support is available at Southampton, University.

Parking, taxis and toilets

Available at Southampton, University: Parking, Taxis, WC.

Accessibility

Accessibility facilities are available at Southampton, University: Basic accessibility features are available for passengers.

More options for your journey from Southampton to Stansted

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeCoachesSouthampton to Stansted bus

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