National Express | Stansted to Heathrow

As with all the transfers between the major London airports your only real option in practical terms is the National Express coach service. The train option will require a trip into central London and a change of trains. Also the M25 warning applies as with the other airport connections.  The M25 is the London orbital motorway, great most of the time but notorious for delays. Journey times will always be longer during the morning and evening rush hours, but barring accidents or adverse conditions such as bad weather, its a predictable journey and factored into the national Express timetable timings.
For the total time required from plane set down to terminal arrival at Heathrow we would suggest allowing around 4 and a half hour to 5 hours. Of course this is an average and does not include unexpected eventualities.

There is only one terminal at Stansted (an award winning one at that) and the coach pickup is from the coach station right outside the main terminal building. Transfer to terminals 4 and 5 can be up to 30 minutes longer since they are on the opposite side to the central Bus station which serves terminals 1, and 3. For the central bus station add 10 minutes for the walk to the terminal from the station.
coaches covering this route:
717/787/797: Normal service is 04.00 till 01.35 with on average an hourly service.
727: Normal service is 03.50 till 01.30 with on average a 2 hourly service till 17.50 when it becomes 3 hours+ between coaches.

The important thing to note is that transfers from terminals 2 and 3are actually from the central bus station. This is a 7-12 minutes walk using the dedicated underpass that is located directly under the terminals. You can use your trolley and the final part of the walk is by lift into the bus station itself. Terminal 4 has a 2 hour wait between coaches and you may be better off using the free Heathrow Express service to terminals 2 and 3to link with the coaches leaving from the bus station.

717/787/797: Terminal 5: Normal service is 02.50 till 00.45 with on average an  hourly service.
Terminal 4: Normal service is 05.30 till 00.30 with on average a 2 hourly service.
Central bus station (terminals 2 and 3) : Normal service is 03.10 till 01.00 with on average an  hourly service.
727: Terminal 5: Normal service is 04.35 till 00.25 with on average a 2 hourly service.
Terminal 4: Late/early pickup only (04.45, 03.35).
Central bus station (terminals 2 and 3) : Normal service is 05.10 till 01.00 with on average a 2 hourly service.

Taking into consideration both services then the service is:
Terminal 5: hourly
Terminal 4: 2 hourly
Central bus station (terminals 2 and 3): every 30-60 minutes.
>>>Central Bus Station Information
Expect your coach journey between Stansted and Heathrow (either way round) to take around 65 to 115 minutes.
Cost is around from £20 (single), £40 (return) for a standard single fare.

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National Express are the number one operator for UK wide coaches.
Purchasing tickets online means you receive an emailed e-ticket. Emailed almost immediately so very little time delay no matter where you are in the world.
Options to reserve a seat, but only when you specify the exact time of the scheduled coach.
Big savings for return tickets.
One child under 3 years of age may travel free for each fare paying passenger adult.
Children 3-15 have reduced fares.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Luggage allowance is 2 medium sized suitcases up to 20 kg each and one item of hand luggage.
Additional luggage is allowed (normally) but with a surcharge.
>>>National Express Timetables

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