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Stansted Airport to Chester train times and prices
* Note: Lowest prices are based on an analysis of recent historical pricing data. Live fares fluctuate based on demand and how far in advance you book.
7-day train ticket price trend
€94.60
On Tue 3
Live timetable and departures
From Stansted Airport to Chester, take the fastest train in 3h 23m, typically 3h 47m. Daily, 10 trains depart from Stansted Airport, with the first at 14:11 and the last at 16:46. Check real-time updates for train times, delays, and cancellations. TrainPal saves you time, effort, and money.
| Departs | Arrives | Operator | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
13:25 Stansted Airport | 5h 33m, 2 change | 18:58 Chester | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
13:43 Stansted Airport | 3h 22m, 1 change | 17:05 Chester | Greater Anglia | Find tickets |
14:11 Stansted Airport | 3h 33m, 2 change | 17:44 Chester | Greater Anglia | Find tickets |
14:25 Stansted Airport | 5h 19m, 2 change | 19:44 Chester | CrossCountry | Find tickets |
14:43 Stansted Airport | 3h 23m, 1 change | 18:06 Chester | Greater Anglia | Find tickets |
Compare train operators from Stansted Airport to Chester
- Avanti West Coast
- Greater Anglia
- Transport for Wales
Avanti West Coast will take you from London to Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and more on its high-speed service connecting England, Wales and Scotland via the West Coast Main Line. Its First Class service is among the best out there, and passengers love the intermediate tier on offer, Standard Premium, for that added comfort.
First Class
Standard
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"If you’re upgrading your seat for a weekend trip and travelling to/from stations without lounges, Standard Premium might be a better option than First Class: weekend services have a more restricted menu compared to weekdays. And as the seats are the same on Standard Premium and First Class, you may prefer to bring some snacks on board and save the few extra pounds."
"I always travel with my refillable water bottle on trains, which makes Avanti West Coast’s Water Refill Points especially handy for longer journeys. You’ll be able to top yours up at these stations, the onboard shop on Pendolino and Evero trains."
Essential onboard policies
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Luggage
- Most UK train operators allow passengers to bring a reasonable amount of luggage free of charge.
- This is commonly considered three items per passenger, typically 2 larger bags and 1 smaller bag. Larger items cover suitcases, backpacks, and other similarly-sized items.
- Bags go in overhead racks, under seats, or in designated floor-level luggage stacks.
- Occasionally, some providers have stricter policies, such as Lumo, which enforces a limit of 1 medium suitcase and 1 small under-seat bag per person.
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Bicycle
- Standard bicycles and folding bikes are generally allowed.
- Bike reservations are required on some services and are usually free.
- Some operators also permit tandems and e-bikes.
- Please note that e-scooters, motorcycles, tricycles, and bicycle trailers are not permitted.
- We strongly recommend checking the specific cycle policy on your train operator's website before you travel.
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Children
- Children under 5 usually travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.
- Children aged 5–15 get 50% off, and 16-year-olds can use the 16-17 Saver Railcard for 50% off.
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Pets
- Each provider generally allows up to two animals per passenger free of charge, but individual operators can have additional restrictions.
- Throughout the journey, dogs must be on a lead, and any other pets must remain in their carrier.
- Animals are not permitted on seats or in restaurant carriages.
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Passenger assistance
- Passengers with disabilities or additional needs can arrange free assistance with their train operator.
- This includes help at the station, boarding and leaving the train, and making connections. Assistance can also include ramps for wheelchair users and help finding accessible facilities or the correct platform.
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible toilets are available on many trains, although facilities vary by service.
- To ensure support is available for your journey, this service should be booked in advance.
Departing from Stansted Airport
Address:
Bassingbourn Road, Stansted Airport, Essex, CM24 1RW
Public Transport Links:
Stansted Express: There are direct services to London Liverpool Street every 15 to 30 minutes. The journey takes approximately 47 minutes and is the fastest, most frequent link between the airport and central London.
Regional trains: Greater Anglia operates services to Cambridge, Ely and Norwich approximately 30 minutes, while CrossCountry runs services to Birmingham New Street from Platform 2.
Buses and coaches: National Express coaches and local buses depart from the coach station just across from the airport terminal, serving London Paddington, London Victoria, Oxford and Great Yarmouth as well as destinations all across the region.
Platforms:
Three platforms with full step-free access throughout. Lifts, escalators, and ramps connect directly to the airport terminal above – it’s approximately a 2-minute walk from platform to check-in.
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"Before heading to your train, there's a free water refill station next to the Burger King in the Arrivals hall – worth filling up before a long journey. Got 30 minutes before your train? Take a moment before leaving Arrivals to look up – Norman Foster's iconic floating roof, supported by inverted pyramid trusses, creates the impression of a swan in flight, and is one of the most influential pieces of airport architecture in the world. Feeling a little peckish? Leon, Pret, Itsu, Wetherspoons and Costa are all available in the terminal, with Wetherspoons (The Windmill) offering the best value for a sit-down meal at around £8-15."
FAQs about Stansted Airport Station
Has Stansted Airport got a train station?
Yes, Stansted Airport has its own dedicated railway station with step-free access throughout and located directly beneath the terminal building. It’s served by Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street as well as regional services to Cambridge and Birmingham.
How far is Stansted station from the airport terminal?
The station sits directly beneath the terminal. From the platforms it's approximately a 2-minute walk via lifts, escalators, or ramps to the check-in hall, with no transfer or shuttle required.
Is there a direct train from Stansted to London?
Yes, the Stansted Express runs direct to London Liverpool Street every 15 to 30 minutes, and takes approximately 47 minutes. Tickets are cheaper when booked in advance, and walk-up fares on the day can be significantly more expensive.
What stations go direct to Stansted Airport?
There are direct trains to Stansted Airport from London Liverpool Street (Stansted Express), Cambridge, Ely, Norwich and Birmingham New Street. Services from other UK cities typically require a change either at Liverpool Street or Cambridge.
Arriving at Chester
Address:
City Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3DR
Onward Transit Options:
Bus: Local bus services stop directly outside the station on City Road, with connections across Chester and the surrounding area. A City Rail Link bus service also runs from outside the station directly into Chester city centre. You can add a Chester PLUSBUS ticket to your train ticket from the TrainPal app for discounted unlimited bus travel around the city.
Taxi: A licensed taxi rank is located directly outside the main station entrance on City Road.
Car: Chester station has two car parks – Chester East (149 spaces) and Chester West (103 spaces) – with a total of 252 spaces including 7 Blue Badge bays.
Top Things to Do & Nearby Attractions:
Chester city walls and the Roman amphitheatre (10 to 15-minute walk)
Chester Cathedral (15-minute walk)
The Rows (15-minute walk)
Chester Zoo (approximately 20 minutes by taxi or bus)
Chester Meadows and the River Dee (15-minute walk)
Airport Transfers:
Transport for Wales operates a direct service from Chester to Manchester Airport every hour with a total journey time of approximately one hour 20 minutes.
TrainPal's Travel Expert Experience
"The Chester Station Tap Room is a proper real ale bar right on the platform, well worth arriving early for. Just outside the station, Olawa Bakery is a short walk away and a great independent option for a coffee, a sourdough loaf or something to eat before your train. If you have time to stretch your legs, Chester Meadows and the River Dee are just a 15-minute walk from the station – it’s a scenic riverside walk with views of the Dee and the Welsh hills beyond."
FAQs: Chester Station
Is there only one rail station in Chester?
Chester has one main railway station on City Road, which handles intercity services to Manchester, Liverpool, London and Wales. The historic Chester Northgate station closed in 1969 and is no longer in use.
How far is Chester train station from the town?
Chester station is about half a mile from Chester’s historic city centre, with its famous city walls, the Rows and the cathedral. It’s a pleasant 10 to 15-minute walk, or a short ride on the City Rail Link bus, which departs from right outside the station.
Where can you go from Chester train station?
Chester is a well-connected junction with direct services operated by Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, Northern Trains and Merseyrail to Manchester Piccadilly (approximately 1 hour), Liverpool Lime Street (approximately 45 minutes), London Euston (approximately 2 hours via Crewe), and Cardiff Central (approximately 3 hours).
How do I get from Chester station to Chester Zoo?
Chester Zoo is approximately 20 minutes from the station by taxi. Alternatively, Stagecoach Line 1 runs from right outside the station towards the zoo. The bus takes around 25 minutes and departs approximately every half hour.
Delay Repay & Refund Policies from Stansted Airport to Chester
Apply for Avanti West Coast Delay Repay
If your Avanti West Coast train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
15-29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket, 12.5% of a return ticket and 25% of a Season ticket.
30-59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket or 50% of a season ticket.
60-119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket or 100% of a season ticket.
120 minutes or more: 100% of a single, return or Season ticket (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
Apply for Greater Anglia Delay Repay
If your Greater Anglia train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
15-29 minutes: 25% of a single ticket or 12.5% of a return ticket.
30-59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket or 25% of a return ticket.
60-119 minutes: 100% of a single ticket or 50% of a return ticket.
Over 120 minutes: 100% of a single ticket or return ticket. (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
Apply for Transport for Wales Delay Repay
If your ScotRail train is delayed, you can claim compensation depending on the length of your delay:
30–59 minutes: 50% of a single ticket, 25% of a return ticket.
1 hr–1 hr 59 minutes: 100% of a single ticket, 50% of a return ticket.
2 hr or more: 100% of a single or return ticket (Note: Two separate Advance Single tickets do not count as a return; you can only claim for the specific delayed ticket).
FAQ
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How much is a train from Stansted Airport to Chester?
Tickets from Stansted Airport to Chester typically cost €140.52, but can be as cheap as €94.60 when booked in advance. Other factors that may affect the ticket price include time of day and ticket type, so be sure to research before purchasing.
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How long is the train from Stansted Airport to Chester?
The journey should take, on average, 3h 47m, though it can be as quick as 3h 23m when booking specific services. Be sure to click the "Fastest" tab when searching your route to find out.
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Is there a direct train from Stansted Airport to Chester?
There is no direct service between Stansted Airport and Chester. Instead, when browsing routes, you will see our recommendations for changeover stations that are the most convenient and time-efficient.
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How far in advance can I book my train from Stansted Airport to Chester?
You can typically book tickets from Stansted Airport to Chester up to 12 weeks before departure.
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Do Stansted Airport to Chester trains offer Wi-Fi?
Yes, most trains on the route from Stansted Airport to Chester are equipped with Wi-Fi, as well as power sockets at your seat. However, please note that the availability of these services can vary depending on the train compan.
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How far is Stansted Airport from Chester?
The distance between Stansted Airport and Chester is approximately 160 miles (257km), depending on the specific stations you travel between.
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How frequent are trains from Stansted Airport to Chester?
There is 10 train running from Stansted Airport to Chester per day. Please note that trains run more regularly during peak hours.
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How can I buy the cheapest tickets from Stansted Airport to Chester?
To get the cheapest ticket, we recommend buying in advance, as early as 12 weeks before departure. We'd also strongly suggest travelling during off-peak hours where possible and getting a Railcard, which typically offers ⅓ off your ticket cost and is available to most travellers!
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How do I check if my train is delayed or cancelled?
Keep a close eye on your journey via the TrainPal app, which offers real-time information on train status and notifications of any train strikes that will impact you.
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Can my tickets be refunded or changed?
In the UK, refund and change policies for train tickets vary by type. Advance tickets are generally non-refundable but may be changeable for a fee. Flexible tickets, like Anytime and Off-Peak tickets, offer more options for refunds and changes. Review the specific terms and conditions of your ticket or refer to UK train ticket types for precise details.
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* Prices are dynamic and subject to change. Ticket prices vary based on time of day, route, and class. This pricing does not apply to discounted Split tickets and Railcards.
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