No. You can travel by touching in and out using your contactless card or device.
Pay As You Go with Contactless
Tap, Tap & Away!
Pay as you go contactless ticketing can be used on all Stansted Express services from Sunday 8 March 2026.
We’re excited to announce that you’ll soon be able to use pay as you go with contactless at our stations, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, just like the London Underground, making your journey to and from Stansted Airport even quicker and easier.
Oyster cards are not valid at Stansted Airport, so you'll need to buy a valid train ticket or use pay as you go with contactless.
You can still buy tickets online in advance if you prefer, or if you want the lowest available fare.
Learn more about pay as you go contactless ticketing with Greater Anglia.
How contactless travel works
When travelling using pay as you go with contactless, you do not need to buy a ticket in advance.
The time you first tap in determines whether peak or off-peak fares apply.
Start your journey
Touch your card or device on the reader before boarding
Travel as normal
You do not need a ticket while travelling
End your journey
Touch out at your destination station with the same card/device
Fare calculated
The correct fare is worked out automatically after travel
Is pay as you go with contactless the best option?
Contactless offers convenience and flexibility, but it may not always be the cheapest way to travel.
You may be better off buying a ticket if you:
- are travelling with a child aged 5–15 (child fares are not available on contactless)
- have a Railcard (discounts apply when buying a ticket at a station ticket office)
- regularly make the same journey (weekly, monthly, annual or Flexi Season tickets)
- are booking an advance fare for a specific train
- are making certain longer-distance or return airport journeys
For cheaper fares, book your tickets on our website. Early bookers can travel from as little as £9.90 and if you're travelling with others, you can save with our Duo and Group tickets.
Using pay as you go with contactless across London
You can use the same card or device across National Rail, Underground, buses and trams where contactless is accepted. Daily and Monday to Sunday caps may apply when travelling within London zones.
Quick tips for contactless travel
To make sure you are charged correctly:
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*A phone or smart watch counts as a different device from your physical bank card.
Peak and off-peak times still apply, so travelling outside peak hours may cost less.
If you do not tap out, or use different cards or devices, an incomplete journey may be recorded and a higher default fare charged.
Payments, refunds and delays
Payment or charge issue
Payments for contactless journeys are handled by Transport for London (TfL), not Greater Anglia.
You may see a temporary charge first. Once your travel is complete, your journeys are calculated and usually taken as a single payment later. The charge will appear from Transport for London (TfL).
You can view journeys, correct incomplete journeys and request refunds by creating or logging in to a TfL contactless account and linking your card.
If a fare looks higher than expected, it is usually because the journey is incomplete or the charge has not yet been adjusted after travel.
Train delay compensation
If your train is delayed, claim compensation from Stansted Express using Delay Repay.
You will need your journey details from your TfL account or bank statement.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one card for multiple people?
No. Each passenger must use their own card or device.
Do Railcards work with contactless?
No. Railcard discounts are not available when using contactless.
Why have I been charged more than expected?
This may happen if your journey was incomplete or different cards or devices were used to touch in and out.
Transport for London manages contactless payments and refunds.
Can I still buy tickets instead?
Yes. All existing ticket types remain available and may be cheaper in some situations.
What happens if I tap in with one card and tap out with another?
Your journey will be incomplete, and a higher fare may be charged. You’ll need to correct it through your TfL contactless account.
Is my phone the same as my bank card?
No. A phone or watch counts as a different payment device, even if linked to the same bank account. Always use the same device to tap in and out.
What if my phone battery runs out before I tap out?
Your journey cannot be completed, and a higher fare may be charged. You can correct the journey using your TfL contactless account.
Most contactless bank cards and devices are accepted, but bank fees may apply.
Do I still need to tap if the gates are open?
Yes. You must still touch in and out using a reader to be charged correctly.
Charges are normally applied after travel once your journeys have been calculated and may appear a few days later.
When am I charged a peak fare?
Peak fares depend on the time you tap in to start your journey. Some journeys, particularly from London towards the airport during commuting hours, may be charged at peak rates.
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