Home / London /Stansted / National Express coach to Heathrow vs Pre-booked private transfer

STN → London · head to head

National Express coach to HeathroworPre-booked private transfer?

The short answer

These do not go to the same place, so price is not the comparison. The Pre-booked private transfer reaches Liverpool Street, on the eastern edge of the City; the National Express coach to Heathrow does not. The other airport, not the city. For a connection between the two; for the centre take the Stansted Express or a coach to London.

The Pre-booked private transfer is quicker: 1 h against 1 h 30. The National Express coach to Heathrow varies between 85 and 110 minutes.

National Express coach to Heathrow: 02:30–19:25. Pre-booked private transfer: Runs all night.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares
What each costs for the whole party, in GBP. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
TravelersNational Express coach to HeathrowPre-booked private transferDifference
1from £21.30£108.40up to £87.10
2from £42.60£108.40up to £65.80
3from £63.90£152.90up to £89
4from £85.20£152.90up to £67.70
5from £106.50£152.90up to £46.40
6from £127.80£305.80up to £178
7from £149.10£305.80up to £156.70
8from £170.40£305.80up to £135.40

Side by side

Where each one leaves you
National Express · National ExpressNational Express coach to Heathrow
From
Coach station, bays 20 to 22, two minutes from the terminal
To
Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, then Terminal 5
Luggage
One large suitcase or two medium cases and one soft hand bag per person.
Runs
02:30–19:25
Journey
85–110 min

Terminals 2 and 3 are the Central Bus Station, where the coach calls first. Terminal 5 is about 20 minutes further on, and no coach on this route stops at Terminal 4.

Allow for the traffic: the ride is about 90 minutes, 110 on the 06:40, and National Express advises being at the airport three hours before a flight.

Change & Go, £5 each way, lets you take any coach within twelve hours either side of the one you booked.

National Express coach to Heathrow: price for every party size

Check times and fares with National Express
transfer · Welcome PickupsPre-booked private transfer
From
Driver meets you in arrivals with a name board
To
Any address
Luggage
Stated when booking; choose the vehicle by luggage as well as seats.
Runs
All night
Journey
60 min

This price is indicative: the operator sets it, and it moves with vehicle size, luggage and the exact address. Confirm the total at the time you book.

Pre-booked private transfer: price for every party size

Book transfer through Welcome Pickups

Partner link

This compares two of 9 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

The other comparisons at Stansted