Why a taxi makes sense for Stansted
Stansted sits in Essex, on the far side of London from Chessington. By public transport you would usually travel into Waterloo, cross London by Tube to Liverpool Street and then take the Stansted Express. With luggage and an early start, that is a lot of changes. A taxi takes you all the way in one go.
Many Stansted flights leave early in the morning. We run 24/7, so a pickup at 3am is as normal to us as one at midday.
The route we take
The usual route joins the M25 at Junction 9 and continues round to Junction 27, where we pick up the M11 north to Junction 8 for the airport. The M25 can be driven either way around London, and your driver chooses the direction based on live traffic and any roadworks or closures. At quiet times the drive typically takes 80 to 100 minutes. In busy periods it can take longer.
Some drivers will go through central London and out along the A12 instead, but that is rarely faster in the daytime. Whatever the route, your fare is fixed when you book.
Choosing your pickup time
Because the journey is long, we usually suggest leaving Chessington about four hours before a short-haul departure. That covers the drive, a buffer for traffic and the time you need at the airport. For peak holiday weekends, add more. Tell us your flight time and we will recommend a pickup time.
Stansted, like other London airports, charges for dropping off outside the terminal. Ask us whether your quote includes this.
Coming home from Stansted
Returning flights can arrive late, and the last trains back across London are not always convenient. We track your flight and your driver meets you in arrivals, so there is no wait at a ticket machine. The drive home is long, so it is worth booking a roomy vehicle. A 6 seater taxi suits families who want space to rest.
Families and groups travelling to Stansted
A long drive is easier when everyone has space. For a family of four or five, our 6 seater taxi leaves room for luggage and a little space to rest. For larger groups, such as friends heading on a weekend away, a 7/8 seater keeps everyone together on one fixed fare, which often works out cheaper per person than train tickets across London. Child seats are available on request for the whole journey.
Let us know if anyone in the group needs a comfort break on the way, and the driver will plan a stop at a motorway services.
Stansted from towns near Chessington
We run Stansted transfers from every area we cover, including Worcester Park, Ewell, Surbiton and Kingston upon Thames. The journey time is similar from all of them, because most of it is on the motorway.
If Luton suits your flight better, see our Chessington to Luton taxi page. Taking the train to Stansted instead? We can drop you at King's Cross station or other London termini.