- Must visit
Mountfitchet Castle
Open-air Norman village and castle experience with actors, timber buildings and hands-on history. One of the village’s signature visitor attractions.
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Take a bus from Southend-on-Sea to Stansted Mountfitchet and enjoy the approximately 54 km long journey. Find schedules and pricing options for a convenient and affordable trip.
The earliest coach runs at 08:17, the last at 08:30.
Distance 54 km |
Buses per day 4 |
First bus 8:17 |
Last bus 8:30 |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sept |
Discover the best of Stansted Mountfitchet — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Stansted Mountfitchet trip today.
Open-air Norman village and castle experience with actors, timber buildings and hands-on history. One of the village’s signature visitor attractions.
Museum of historic toys, dolls and games with displays that appeal to families and collectors. Combined admission is usually offered with the castle.
Volunteer-run aviation museum near the airport with aircraft, cockpits and local airfield history. A strong choice for aviation enthusiasts.
Large country park nearby with meadows, lakes, woodland trails and broad views. A reliable outdoor option for walking and family visits.
Main village street lined with historic buildings, independent shops and easy access to the station, church and heritage attractions.
Woodland and open grassland reserve with waymarked paths and seasonal wildlife. Popular for peaceful walks close to the village.
Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding is a classic Sunday meal across Essex and Hertfordshire, prized for roast meat, gravy and crisp batter pudding.
Essex pork sausages are a local pub staple, often served with mash and onion gravy, reflecting the county’s long farming and butchery traditions.
Ploughman’s lunch pairs cheddar, bread, pickles and salad. It is a familiar countryside pub dish in this part of England and suits casual local dining.
Traditional pub in the village centre serving British classics, ales and seasonal dishes in a historic, cosy setting.
Established pub and restaurant offering hearty British fare and drinks in a casual setting convenient for the Stansted area.
Smart, modern restaurant at the airport-focused hotel, known for grills, British mains and a polished but relaxed atmosphere.
Moderate for Britain. Dining and coffee are fairly typical for a commuter town, while nearby airport demand can push some hotel and taxi prices higher.
Service may be included in restaurants; otherwise tip about 10% for good service. Taxis are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.
At the time of writing, there is only one coach covering the 33 miles from Southend-on-sea to Stansted Airport. It departs in the early evening, with journey times varying from a bit under three hours to slightly over, depending on whether passengers travel at the weekend or from Monday to Friday.
The only provider currently operating along this route is National Express.
On weekdays, the journey from Southend-on-Sea to Stansted Airport takes three hours and ten minutes, including half an hour's wait to switch coaches at London Stratford. The service on Saturdays and Sundays includes a slighter longer stop but the overall time is about a quarter of an hour faster.
Each day there is one coach between Southend-on-Sea and Stansted Airport, setting off around dinner time. On Saturday and Sunday, it departs about 40 minutes later.
Departure bus station: National Express services from Southend-on-Sea leave from Southend Bus Terminal on Chichester Road. The coach bays are opposite the corner of Essex Street. Visitors to the terminal can buy coffee and snacks, and there's also a currency exchange and a supermarket in the immediate vicinity. A little way to the west is Southend Victoria railway station and Victoria Road, home to landmarks such as the Beecroft Art Gallery. The cinema, a large branch of Sainsbury's and other shops are also in the same direction and very close by. The line 1 bus offers regular services to and from Hadleigh, South Benfleet and Rayleigh, plus there are buses to Westcliff on Sea, Sutton Park and many other places of interest.
Arrival bus station: Stansted Airport Coach and Bus Station is just a few minutes from the terminal but it has its own coffee shop, newsagents and other facilities. It offers a wide choice of Airport Bus Express and National Express services to Waterloo, Kings Cross, Victoria, Paddington and Liverpool Street, with departures every half hour or more. There are also services to Cambridge, Colchester, Ipswich, Oxford and Norwich among others. In addition, passengers can board frequent local buses into the town of Stansted, a short trip of about 20 minutes.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Southend-on-Sea to Stansted Mountfitchet 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 Mountfitchet, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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