Standard
- Free Wi-Fi
- Power plugs
- Food available
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£70
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£86
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
5 h 37 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
5 h 39 m
Trains on 18 Sept
4
Distance
505 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Edinburgh to Stansted is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Edinburgh to Stansted will cost around £86 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £70.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 4 trains from Edinburgh to Stansted, including 4 direct services.
These direct trains cover the 505 km distance in an average of 5 h 39 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 37 m .
The slowest trains will take 5 h 41 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.








Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Edinburgh to Stansted among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £40 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 3h 19m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £40, while a train costs an average of £74.
Distance: 505 km
| Train | Most popular Coach | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
£74 Average Price | £40 Average Price Cheapest | £55 Average Price | £138 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 42m Average total duration 5h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 30m Average total duration 11h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 19m Average total duration Fastest 1h 19m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 49m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Edinburgh to Stansted:
A coach is £15 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Edinburgh to Stansted costing on average £55.
A coach is £34 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Edinburgh to Stansted costing on average £74.
Other travel options to Stansted take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 12m.
Coach takes on average 11h 0m.
The journey is about 1h 37m faster (5h 12m by train vs 6h 49m by car) and roughly £64 cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls (£74 vs £138). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Edinburgh to Stansted trains for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:30 Edinburgh | 6h10 | 13:40 Stansted | 0 changesdirect | |
| Friday 18 September | |||||
![]() | 7:00 Edinburgh | 5h37 | 12:37 Stansted | 0 changesdirect | |
![]() | 7:26 Edinburgh | 5h41 | 13:07 Stansted | 0 changesdirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach, flight 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.
Trains from Edinburgh to Stansted run on average 6 times per day, taking around 5h 12m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £61 but you can travel from only £18 by flight.
The earliest train runs at 04:55, the last at 22:15. The fastest train covers the 505 km distance in 5h 41m.
Distance 505 km |
Average train duration 5h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price £61 |
Trains per day 6 |
Fastest train 5h 41m |
First train 4:55 |
Last train 22:15 |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 35 days |
Compare Lumo classes and the amenities included in each one.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Edinburgh to Stansted by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Stansted, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Edinburgh to Stansted trains use the Edinburgh Waverley to Stansted Airport station pair. Use this guide to compare Edinburgh and Stansted train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Edinburgh Waverley has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Shopping, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food options include: Bagel Factory, Burger King, Caffè Nero, Costa Coffee, JD Wetherspoon, The Pasty Shop, The Beer House, M&S, Pret a Manger
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are there are a few ATM machines around the station.
The ticket office is open Mon - Sat: 05:00 - 23:59, Sun: 07:00 - 23:59. Information desks are information booths are located on the concourse. .
Luggage storage is you can leave luggage at Excessive Baggage Company on Platform 2. . Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Waverley: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Waverley: Entrances are step free. Station is equipped with an elevator. Staffed with guide communicators for the deaf. Tactile warning strips are on the platform edges for the blind.
Nearby hotels include Old Waverley Hotel, Jurys Inn Edinburgh, The Scotsman Hotel.
Edinburgh Park is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Park has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Park.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Park.
Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Departure screens, Announcements.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Park: Parking.
Available at Edinburgh Park: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Park: Staff help available: No, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Ramp for train access: No, Wheelchairs available: No, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: No.
Edinburgh Gateway is 7 km from Edinburgh city centre. Public transport options include:
Edinburgh Gateway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, Accessibility, WC, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking and Information Desk.
Food and drink options are available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Wi-Fi is available at Edinburgh Gateway.
Ticket office support is available at Edinburgh Gateway. Information desks are information available from staff: Yes - from help point,Yes - from ticket office, Helpline Contact: Tel: 0800 046 1634 and 18001 0800 046 1634 (Deaf and customers who are hard of hearing), Passenger Information Systems: Announcements, Arrival screens.
Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Parking, WC.
Available at Edinburgh Gateway: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Edinburgh Gateway: Staff help available: Yes, Step free access coverage: Yes, Step free access note: This is a Category A station. This station has step-free access to both platforms. The Passenger Assist meeting point is at the Ticket Office Blue Badge parking bays: 4, Accessible ticket machines: There are accessible ticket machines at this station, Accessible toilets: Yes, Ramp for train access: Yes, Wheelchairs available: Yes, Impaired mobility set down / pick up points available: Yes.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need