Stansted Express Contactless

No. Railcard discounts do not apply to contactless fares.

Children and Railcard holders will normally be better off buying a ticket (unless your Railcard discount is not valid at that time).

Pay as you go with contactless fares are based on a single journey between two stations. To keep the price of tickets and pay as you go with contactless as similar as possible, single tickets now cost around half the price of a return ticket, whether you pay as you go or buy a ticket for your journey.  Some ticket types, such as Super Off-Peak and Saver returns, were withdrawn as part of fares simplification in December 2025.

Evening peak restrictions have been aligned on tickets and pay as you go with contactless, for journeys where pay as you go with contactless is available. Evening peak times apply 16.00 to 19.00, Monday to Friday, if you are travelling from or via a London station, or for any part of a journey on any train heading away from London. Evening peak times do not apply to Day Travelcards. 

Yes, you can still buy tickets for your journey.

Oyster will not be accepted for travel to the new pay as you go with contactless stations. Oyster cards can still be used on routes where it is valid. These have not changed.

You can use the Transport for London (TfL) single fare finder, National Rail, or the GA website/app to find the cost of a pay as you go with contactless journey between any two stations on National Rail, Tube, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth line services where pay as you go with contactless is accepted.

Payment is taken by TfL, so you’ll need contact TfL directly with any issues.

TfL is responsible for resolving errors and issuing refunds. To contact Transport for London (TfL) who process all pay as you go with contactless payments, you can use the TfL Oyster & Contactless Helpline: 0343 222 1234

This is most likely if different payment methods are used to tap in and out. Please contact TfL for a refund.

No, you cannot use one contactless card or device to pay as you go for multiple people. Each person must use a separate contactless card.

It may be cheaper to buy paper tickets for some journeys.

Common causes include:

• Using different cards or devices to tap in and out
• Forgetting to tap out
• A contactless device running out of battery

If a UK-issued bank card shows the contactless payment symbol, it can be used to pay as you go at an adult rate. Pay as you go is also available with contactless devices such as phones, watches, key fobs, stickers and wristbands that have been linked to a valid debit or credit card.

Many contactless cards issued outside the UK can be used to pay as you go (overseas transaction fees may apply).

One charge is normally taken at the end of the day for all journeys made, with capping applied where relevant. The description may vary by bank but should be identifiable as TfL contactless travel.

If sufficient funds are available to start a journey, you will always be allowed to exit. Fare calculation happens overnight and TfL will pursue any unpaid balance.

You can see up to 7 days of journey history on the Transport for London (TfL) website.

To see more than 7 days of journey history, you will need to set up a TfL account.

You can apply for Delay Repay by providing the train company you travelled with a statement of your journey from Transport for London (TfL). Automated Delay Repay is not available on pay as you go with contactless.

You will usually be charged for your pay as you go with contactless journey within 3 days.

If you are using pay as you go with a contactless device, it is your responsibility to make sure you have enough battery to complete your journey. If you do not touch out because your device has run out of battery, this will show as an incomplete journey, and you will be charged a maximum fare. If you do not have a valid ticket for your whole journey, you may be liable to pay a full fare or Penalty Fare. The Penalty Fare is £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for the intended journey. If it is paid within 21 days, the Penalty Fare is reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare applicable.

Yes, you must always touch in and out with your contactless card or device, even if the gates are open, to ensure you pay the correct fare. If there are no gates, you need to use a freestanding card reader next to entrances, exits or on platforms. If you do not touch out, this will show as an incomplete journey, and you will be charged a maximum fare.

No. Customers making a single journey with a break would usually be better off buying a paper ticket.

Charges are based on the time of tap-in.

Off-peak start times vary by station and are typically 5–10 minutes after the last peak train departs.

If you tap in before off-peak begins, you will be charged a peak fare.

Morning peak times apply 06:30 to 09:30, Monday to Friday. 

Evening peak times apply 16:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday, when you are travelling from or via a London station. 

Journeys will be added up at the end of the day and you will receive one charge.

Any pay as you go with contactless journeys made between 16:00 and 19:00 will still count towards an off-peak cap.

Weekends and bank holidays are off-peak all day. All journeys are totalled at the end of the day and charged as a single amount.

Yes. You would need to alight, tap out, and tap in again or buy paper/barcode tickets in advance.

No. Split ticketing works best with paper or eTickets.

When rail replacement buses are operating due to engineering works, you must buy a ticket before you travel, either online, from a station ticket office, or from a ticket machine.

If the problem is related to payments, unexpected charges, or refunds, please contact Transport for London (TfL) who process all pay as you go with contactless payments:

TfL Oyster & Contactless Helpline: 0343 222 1234