Stansted and Gatwick both fly a huge network, so the flight itself is often a wash. The decider, from the eastern side of London, is almost always the ground journey — and that’s where Stansted’s M11 access quietly wins.
From the eastern counties, geography decides
Gatwick sits south of London; Stansted sits northeast. If you’re in Essex, east Hertfordshire or east London, reaching Gatwick means crossing London or looping the M25 — an hour or more of extra driving and a materially bigger transfer fare. Stansted is a straight run up the M11. Unless a specific Gatwick flight is much cheaper, the total trip from the east favours Stansted.
Rough transfer comparison by town
| From | To Stansted | To Gatwick (via/around London) |
|---|---|---|
| Colchester | ~30–35 min, from £73 | ~2 hr+, materially more |
| Chelmsford | ~40–45 min, from £52 | ~1 hr 45+, materially more |
| Harlow | ~20–25 min, from £36 | ~1 hr 30+, materially more |
| Cambridge | ~35–45 min, from £78 | ~2 hr+, materially more |
Stansted fixed fares from RushXO's rate card; Gatwick times/fares vary heavily with London traffic. Confirmed at booking.
When Gatwick still wins
- The specific route only flies from Gatwick (some long-haul and leisure destinations)
- You’re actually south of the river or in Surrey — then Gatwick is your local airport, not Stansted
- A Gatwick fare is dramatically cheaper and you can travel off-peak to dodge the London crossing
The bottom line
From the east, add the transfer before you book. A Gatwick flight that’s £20 cheaper but needs a £50-dearer, hour-longer transfer isn’t cheaper at all. For most eastern postcodes, Stansted with a fixed-fare car is the lower total — and the earlier start is easier too.
FAQs
Is Stansted or Gatwick cheaper from Essex?
How much longer is Gatwick than Stansted from Chelmsford?
Should I ever pick Gatwick from the east?
Book a fixed-fare transfer
Send us the train, flight or ship details and we handle the rest — tracking, meet & greet and waiting time are all in the fixed fare.