Stansted to Southampton bus with National Express

Tue 04 Aug
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The cheapest and fastest coaches from Stansted to Southampton

Showing times and prices for 04 Aug

Cheapest price

£30

Average price

£36

Fastest journey

4 h 55 m

Average duration

5 h 2 m

Buses per day

3

Distance

158 km

Cheap tickets

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

The average ticket from Stansted to Southampton will cost around £36 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £30.

Fast coaches

Of the 3 buses that leave Stansted for Southampton 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 158 km distance in an average of 5 h 2 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 5 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
    19:555h05
    Stansted
    1:00Southampton
    £301One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    22:054h55
    Stansted
    3:00Southampton
    £361One-way
    0 changes
  • National Express
    18:555h05
    Stansted
    0:00Southampton
    £421One-way
    0 changes

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Stansted to Southampton

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Stansted to Southampton 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 36m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £21, and a train costs an average of £20.

Distance: 158 km

Compare bus with

Coach
Most popular
Train

£33

Average Price

Cheapest

£34

Average Price

4h 18m

Average total duration

3h 48m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 6m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 36m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

National Express

Most popular bus company

South Western Railway

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

Live departures

Stansted to Southampton bus times

The table below shows live departures for Stansted to Southampton coaches for today, Monday 3 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.

Last updated at
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesChanges
Tickets
National Express19:35 Stansted
4h55
0:30 Southampton0 changesdirect
National Express20:35 Stansted
4h55
1:30 Southampton0 changesdirect
National Express23:50 Stansted
9h40
9:30 Southampton0 changesdirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets Stansted to Southampton 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.

Tue
04 Aug
Wed
05 Aug
Thu
06 Aug
Fri
07 Aug
Sat
08 Aug
Sun
09 Aug
Mon
10 Aug

Why should you book Stansted to Southampton coaches with Omio?

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

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 Stansted to Southampton.

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 Stansted to Southampton.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from Stansted to Southampton

United KingdomUnited Kingdom
United KingdomUnited Kingdom
Icon of bus

Buses from Stansted to Southampton run on average 22 times per day, taking around 3h 48m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £21 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 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 £20
Distance
158 km
Average bus duration
3h 48m
Cheapest ticket price
£21
Buses per day
22
Fastest bus
4h 55m
First bus
0:30
Last bus
23:50
Cheapest Month
May
Cheapest Day
Wed
High Season
Jul - Sept
Low Season
Jan - Mar
Busiest Day
Fri
Least Busy Day
Wed
Best time to book
21 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 Stansted to SouthamptonYou can travel by bus between Stansted to Southampton 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 Duration
4h 55m
Cheapest Price
£21
National Express frequency
22 a day
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.

Complete guide to Southampton

Things to do in Southampton

Discover the best of Southampton — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Southampton trip today.

  • Must visit

SeaCity Museum

Maritime museum telling the story of the Titanic, the docks and ocean travel. One of Southampton’s key visitor attractions.

  • Recommended

Tudor House and Garden

Historic house museum with period rooms and displays on local history. A rewarding visit in the heart of the old town.

  • Recommended

Southampton City Art Gallery

Gallery in the Civic Centre showing art from several periods, including modern British works. Good for a cultural stop in the city centre.

Pound sterling (£)

Moderate for UK city breaks. Hotels and dining cost less than London, while buses and casual meals are fairly manageable for most tourists.

Average meal costs

Budget
£8-12 for fast food or a basic meal.
Mid-range
£18-30 per person for a restaurant meal.
Fine dining
£60+ per person for upscale dining.
Coffee
£3-4 for a cappuccino.

Tipping culture

Restaurants may add a 10-12.5% service charge; if not, tip around 10% for good service. Taxi fares are often rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional.

FAQs: Stansted to Southampton coach

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Stansted to Southampton 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, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

FAQs
Cheap coach tickets from Stansted to Southampton can start from as little as £21 when you book in advance. The average coach ticket price for Stansted to Southampton is £33; 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 Stansted to Southampton is 4h 55m 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 Stansted to Southampton leaves at 0:30. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest coach from Stansted to Southampton leaves at 23:50.
There are 22 coaches a day from Stansted to Southampton which require at least one change with National Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer coaches.
When taking a coach from Stansted to Southampton, you can count on National Express for the best way to get you to Southampton. You can also check all possible coach companies who offer a service between Stansted and Southampton and compare the amenities they offer before buying a coach ticket.
When departing from Stansted , you have various coach station options to start your route from including Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station . When arriving in Southampton , you can end your route in coach stations like Southampton, Coach Station, Southampton, University.Passengers board the coach most frequently from Stansted, London Stansted Airport Coach Station, which is located around 1 km away from the city centre, and they get off the coach at Southampton, Coach Station, located 0 away from the city centre.
A trip to Southampton from Stansted 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 Stansted to Southampton is May.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Stansted and Southampton including taking a coach and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the coach from Stansted to Southampton:
  • National Express
    • Assistance
    • Priority seating
    • Accessible toilets.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the coach from Stansted to Southampton for coach company National Express.
Whether you can cancel your coach ticket from Stansted to Southampton 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 Stansted to Southampton.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a coach ticket from Stansted to Southampton:
  • 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 Stansted to Southampton:
  • National Express
    • 10€ per additional bag.
Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the coach from Stansted to Southampton.
You can reserve your seat on the coach from Stansted to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the coach from Stansted to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the coach from Stansted to Southampton with the following coach company: National Express.

popular bus stations

Important Stations and Airports in Stansted and Southampton

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

Departure bus stations in Stansted
Arrival bus stations in Southampton

Which Southampton station do buses from Stansted arrive at?

Buses from Stansted to Southampton most often arrive at Southampton, Coach Station. Some services arrive at Southampton, University, so check your ticket before travel to confirm your Southampton arrival station.
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, University
City-centre transport

Getting to Southampton, University from Southampton city centre

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

More options for your journey from Stansted to Southampton

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

HomeCoachesCoach tickets to Southampton Stansted to Southampton bus

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